Archived press release

Landfill linked to down's syndrome

25 January 2002

Friends of the Earth is calling for government action to reduce the use of hazardous landfill sites, following further research suggesting a link between landfill and birth defects.

The report published in the Lancet today [1] suggests babies born within 3km of landfill sites taking hazardous waste are 40 per cent more likely to be born with chromosomal anomalies, such as Down’s Syndrome. There are more than 300 landfill sites in England and Wales licensed to accept toxic waste.

This new research follows two earlier studies indicating increased levels of birth defects were linked to landfills [2]. Yet the Government has so far failed to act, opting to play down the risks while initiating further research.

The Government’s Waste Strategy does little to reduce the amount of hazardous and industrial waste sent to landfill, merely setting a non-statutory target to reduce the amount by 15 per cent by 2005.

Friends of the Earth is calling for further action:

• a higher statutory target for reducing industrial waste going to landfill;
• to double the annual increase in the landfill tax;
• and the introduction of a higher rate landfill tax for the disposal of hazardous waste.

Mike Childs, Senior Waste Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“This study adds to our fears for babies being born near toxic landfill sites. This is the third study showing that toxic landfill sites are a real health risk. The Government must now take action. They must reduce the amount of toxic waste going to landfill by increasing the landfill tax and setting a higher rate for hazardous waste.”

NOTES

[1] Chromosomal congenital anomalies and residence near hazardous waste landfill sites, the Lancet, January 26, 2002 - eight of the 18 sites studied are in the UK.
[2] British Medical Journal, August 2001 and the Lancet, August 1998.
[3] A list of toxic landfill sites is available at:
http://216.31.193.171/asp/lf_q_simple.asp?language=English
ask “show me where CO_DISPOSAL SITES are”, and ask to see OTHER SITES
TAKING SPECIAL WASTE. This is an Environment Agency website list.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust