The Manchester-based Breathe Clean Air Group is calling for greater protection of children’s health after a study links biomass incineration and respiratory problems.
A report in the January 2012 edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology says that children living in more polluted areas have shown to have reduced lung growth compared to children in cleaner areas and that moving to a cleaner area will improve lung growth.
Researchers reviewing past studies say that air pollution may contribute to respiratory and allergic diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia and even tuberculosis. They point to the source of the pollution being road traffic fumes, industrial smokestacks and biomass burning.
Chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group, Peter Kilvert welcomed the Report, saying:
Air pollution, due to road and motorway traffic, is already too high in Greater Manchester, so we don’t want to add to this by having a biomass burning incinerator in Davyhulme. The Barton Renewable Energy Plant plans to use outdated technology and a chimney stack only half the height of a comparable proposal at Ince Marshes. We are convinced that emissions from this plant will cause illness, disease and premature deaths in most of Greater Manchester. We want to protect the health of our children and grandchildren.
Mr Kilvert goes on to explain:
The Environment Agency is asking residents who would be affected by the Barton Renewable Energy Plant to contact them at psc@environment-agency.gov.uk quoting reference number EAEPRSP3234HYA001. They feel that local knowledge about schools, playgrounds, allotments, etc, would be valuable evidence when making their decision, whether or not to issue the plant with a Permit-to-Operate.
For further information please visit the Breathe Clean Air Group website
