Archived press release

Babies at risk near rubbish dumps says lancet

7 August 1998

Babies born within 3 km of toxic landfill sites, and potentially all landfill sites, are more likely to suffer birth defects than babies born elsewhere according to new research published today in the respected medical journal, The Lancet. Friends of the Earth is calling for immediate health studies to be conducted to assess the full extent of the problem; and action to reduce the amount of toxic waste the UK produces. The UK has around 8,000 landfill sites. Six thousand of these are 'closed' and around two thousand are still 'active.'

The research states that “residence within 3 km of a landfill site was associated with a significantly raised risk of congenital anomaly” and that “systematic 'environmental health surveillance' is needed for municipal landfill sites and other pollution sources.”

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to:
. urgently conduct health studies around landfill sites and other pollution sources;
. introduce comprehensive pollution inventories so the public know what wastes are dumped in their area, and which chemicals are being pumped into their air and water;
. introduce taxes on the production of toxic waste to force industry to introduce clean technologies.

Mike Childs, Senior Waste Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“This research is extremely worrying. Friends of the Earth has warned for a number of years that landfill sites are toxic timebombs. There are thousands of landfill sites around the country, and no-one has a clue what toxic chemicals are dumped in many of them. The Government must urgently conduct detailed health studies around rubbish dumps in the UK. Furthermore, we also need to tackle the source of the pollution: the Government must act to reduce the amount of toxic waste produced by industry.

Open and closed landfill sites in England and Wales.

Region Closed Open Total

Anglia 737 323 1,060
Midlands 1,064 337 1,401
North East 958 258 1,216
North West 887 236 1,123
Southern 538 174 712
South West 728 265 993
Thames 624 155 779
Wales 425 171 596

Total 5,961 1,919 7,880

Source: Environment Agency, July 1997

Eight facts about landfill and toxic waste

. The amount of special (dangerous or difficult) waste - the most toxic waste - has grown by over a quarter between 1986 and 1994.

. In one year alone (93/94), over 2 million tonnes of this special waste was produced in the UK, and nearly 1 million tonnes was deposited in landfill sites.

. In 1994/95 there were over 500 applications for landfill sites in England with over 80 per cent granted by planning authorities.

. A 1996 report by the Environment Agency revealed that landfill sites accounted for one third of known groundwater pollution incidents.

. There are approximately 8,000 open and closed landfill sites in England and Wales.

. Before the mid-70's, very few records were kept of what went into a landfill site, so many older sites may have unknown quantities of toxic chemicals present.

. A FOE survey of available data showed toxic pollutants in groundwater around 18 landfill sites in East Anglia. Mercury, cadmium, solvents and pesticides were found.The vast majority of landfill sites had not been monitored in the three years prior to our survey.

. Toxic substances could escape into the air during transport and/or tipping of wastes,and gases can also escape from a landfill site for many years after its closure.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust