Response to letter from Kristin Viedge

Occasionally a letter appears in the Croydon Advertiser which is pro-incineration. In the past the correspondent has been a waste industry stooge. This one appeared not to be.....

My response appeared a couple of weeks later......

Dear Your Views,

I am afraid your correspondent Kristin Viedge is somewhat misguided in asserting that modern incinerators are “designed in such a way as to pose no threat to the health of nearby residents.” A new peer reviewed Spanish study covering data from 1997-2006 has found a significant increase in dying from cancer in towns 5km from incinerators. Incinerators in this study were found to be responsible for tumors of the lung, pleura and gallbladder (men) and stomach (women).  

Nevertheless, she is correct in stating that Denmark has been leading the way with industrial incinerators for many years. However, just this summer, Denmark’s environment minister announced a new strategy to change the nation’s priority from incineration to recycling, citing carbon dioxide emissions as the reason.

Furthermore, local authorities in Denmark have been trapped in long-term contracts, much like what our council has just signed, forcing them to burn recyclable and compostable materials to meet their contractual obligations.

I hope Ms Viedge can see why so many oppose the giant waste incinerator on the borders of Sutton and Croydon. I hope that she may even go as far as to sign our petition at www.stoptheincinerator.co.uk

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan

Croydon Green Party

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Tags croydon, greenparty