Sheffield fishermen were today warned by Rabid of high levels of dangerous mercury near the Sheffield canal. In the Planning Application documentation for the new incinerator the results of various tests were published. In one water sample taken from a borehole on the northern boundary of the incinerator, mercury to a level of 0.05mg/l (milligrammes per litre) was found. This is 50 times higher than the environmental quality standard of 0.001mg/l.
Details of the human health hazards of mercury can be found at http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=+7439-97-6 They include an adverse effect on developing children, producing birth defects, low birth weight, metabolic or biological dysfunction and psychological or behavioural deficits that manifest themselves as the child grows. Paternal exposure to mercury can cause male sterility,and may contribute to early fetal loss or birth defects.
Mercury is more hazardous than most chemicals and is in the worst 10% of hazardous compounds to both human health and ecosystems.
Rabid are asking the Environment Agency to look into this as a matter of urgency.Questions about the high levels of mercury will be asked at the public meeting about the planning application for a new incinerator at the Mega Centre on Thursday night at 6,30pm.
A further public meeting takes place at Church of Christ, Station Road, Darnall at 3pm on Saturday 12th January. This meeting will hear from leading experts from both Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth as well as local campaigners. There will also be music from Ragnaroc and drama from Rabid.
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Further information
Graham Wroe Chairperson Residents Against Bernard Road Incinerator Dust
0114 276 1476 or 0775 247 3190