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Well-known solicitor, Gerald Kean has agreed to advise
a number of men who have expressed serious concerns
for their health after working on the Haulbowline Island
toxic waste clean-up.
Reports state that the workers have spoken out about
the methods used to remove contaminated soil from the
former Irish Steel site in Cork Harbour.
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One of the workers said he has serious concerns about the
health of up to 35 men - both Irish and non-national - after
months of exposure to toxic materials.
He said contaminated soil was scooped-up in a special bucket
with holes and was riddled - or shaken vigorously - to separate
rocks from fine dust. The dust was placed in trucks for shipment
to Germany.
“This stuff - this dust - was airborne. It was being blown
during the riddling, during transport and while it was stored”
- he said. “We want to know what we were exposed to, what
was in the soil and what tests or screening we should get.”
The mens' fears arose after it was revealed that traces of
the carcinogen - Chromium 6 - together with lead and
mercury are among an estimated 500,000 tonnes of toxic waste
buried on the island’s East Tip site (Click
Here). It is breached by the tidal waters twice a
day and winds blow dust across the harbour.
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