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Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Waste-burning suspended after lime-leak at Poolbeg incinerator

Last week, eleven workers were taken to hospital following an ‘unscheduled’ release of lime.

WASTE-BURNING AT the Poolbeg incinerator in Dublin has been suspended following a ‘dangerous’ lime leak last week – the first week of operations at the plant.

Eleven people were brought to hospital following an ‘unscheduled’ release of lime from the plant’s fabric filter baghouse, which filters emissions during the burning process.

They have all since been released. Three investigations were launched into the incident: one internal investigation, one by the Health and Safety Authority and one by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Covanta, the company that runs the Waste-to-Energy plant, has released a statement saying they now believe that a gasket was installed incorrectly on the doors leading to the baghouse, which caused the leak.

… This led to the release of lime-ash through a small opening in the door-seals, which was contained inside the flue gas treatment area.
The EPA has confirmed that there was no environmental impact and that there is no danger to the public as a result of this event.

The company said that a licensed third party has completed a clean-up of the affected area and “only general construction activity” will proceed on the site for the time being.

This week, Dublin City councillors voted in favour of measures to increase surveillance of the plant, which is situated close to residential areas at Ringsend, Sandymount and Irishtown.

This included a request for the company to publish real-time emissions data online.

Residents had voiced their concerns about the health implications of a waste-burning plant would have, but the plant was deemed necessary by four Dublin local authorities.

Covanta say they are committed to demonstrate to the public and authorities that the plant is safe following last week’s lime-leak: “We are actively working to prevent an incident like this from occurring again.”

Read: 11 workers taken to hospital after ‘uncontrolled release’ in Poolbeg incinerator

Read: ‘We need clean air. We do not need accidents’: Locals’ fury as 11 incinerator staff hospitalised

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23 Comments
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    Mute niall
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    Oct 17th 2018, 5:40 PM

    And how much is that going to cost the tax payer for yet another Government blunder?

    99
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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Oct 17th 2018, 5:52 PM

    @niall:
    Our political system has long been drowning in a sea of tribunals, inquiries, commissions, investigations, hearings and probes, all of which stem from gross incompetence and/or corruption. They never amount to anything because new ones keep arriving to swamp the older ones. We tolerate it whilst foolishly trying to eliminate the root cause of it – chronyism – by electing more chronies. We’re just like 5 million hamsters on a big wheel.
    The two party FF/FG cartel has to be disempowered if anything’s to change.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Oct 17th 2018, 5:42 PM

    Reports, reviews, enquiries are what politicians do to kick the can down the road when they get into trouble, hoping people will have forgotten about the issue when they eventually come out. Lots of political reports, reviews, enquiries in ireland.

    66
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    Mute Willy Mc Caul
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    Oct 17th 2018, 5:46 PM

    Jaysus, Lieo could have to bring Denis and Frances back. Prove them innocent, and big returns.. Who are they kidding..

    51
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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Oct 17th 2018, 6:18 PM

    Its rotten in corruption with a tribunal written all over.FG and DOB have the country destroyed.

    62
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    Mute Johnny Rotten
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    Oct 17th 2018, 5:34 PM

    All these broadband stories appearing online. Anyone want to send a smoke signal with the update to the rural areas?

    35
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    Mute Steven Fitzpatrick
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    Oct 17th 2018, 5:45 PM

    What a farce. I wonder have enough politician’s palms been greased to get this over the line. Ireland, sure it’s it a great little island all together.

    50
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    Mute wattsed
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    Oct 17th 2018, 6:18 PM

    The “Independent” auditor is the one that is currently employed as the process auditor on the broadband tender for the department/government ?

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Oct 17th 2018, 6:15 PM

    Procurement and Irish government never works ..brown envelopes are to hard to turn down

    34
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    Mute Welk wrangler
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    Oct 17th 2018, 7:13 PM

    If it looks like corruption and smalls like corruption, it is corruption. Shame on you minister.

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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Oct 17th 2018, 7:19 PM

    Another report, yeah I wonder how that will go,Fine Gael and their cronies looking out for their fellow trough dwellers!

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    Mute John O'Brien
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    Oct 17th 2018, 7:23 PM

    Might be a blessing in disguise, fixed broadband is fast becoming obsolete. Even worse if it was monopolised by one player. If the government subsidised 4g transmitters in rural areas i’m sure all the service providers would offer the service much cheaper. Then invest in 5g eventually.

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    Mute Mr Mystery
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    Oct 17th 2018, 7:30 PM

    Can someone tell me what he did wrong?

    He had dinner with a broadband contractor/supplier which he paid €37 for and he had to leave his job because of it? Is that the jest of it?

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    Mute J. Reid
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    Oct 17th 2018, 9:39 PM

    Denis Naughton should never have resigned or been made to resign. Instead, the Government should have just gotten on with the task at hand, issued the contract and ensured that the much-needed rural broadband network was built immediately.

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    Mute Padraic O Sullivan
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    Oct 17th 2018, 8:23 PM

    Will the report tell us what they had for dinner? Was it a set or tasting menu ? Was there wine pairings to match each course or perhaps a prosecco or a scotch to kick off the evening ? Did they retire to the smoking room for an Xo afterwards ? Oh I can’t wait to see

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    Mute Mr Mystery
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    Oct 17th 2018, 7:30 PM

    Can someone tell me what he did wrong?

    He had dinner with a broadband contractor/supplier which he paid €37 for and he had to leave his job because of it? Is that the jist of it?

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    Mute Gary Delaney
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    Oct 17th 2018, 9:50 PM
    1
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