Workers demand inquiry (From Warrington Guardian)

Workers demand inquiry

FORMER employees of a Warrington chemical plant are demanding an inquiry into allegations that a highly toxic chemical was repeatedly dumped at Arpley Landfill Site.

The workers, who together form the Vinamul Help Group (VHG), have contacted MP Helen Southworth in an attempt to set up a meeting with their former employers and Health and Safety Executive representatives.

The workers allege that, during their time at the company, they were regularly told to dispose of quantities of vinyl chloride, a highly toxic chemical, into skips which were then sent to Arpley .

They claim Vinamul declared that no such chemicals were present in the skips and signed documentation to that effect to cut disposal costs.

But a Vinamul spokesman said: "Vinamul would like to make it clear that it has never disposed of unauthorised toxic wastes at the Arpley Landfill Site, or any other site. This matter has already been investigated by the Environment Agency, to whom the company confirmed that the wastes deposited at the landfill site were not toxic or hazardous, and were completely in accordance with the regulations and standard industry practice."

The VHG is now linking the allegation to a recent HSE finding - of a higher incidence of renal cancers in Halton than the national average. It now plans to conduct its own independent health survey in and around the Sankey Bridges area, closest to the Vinamul site.

In a statement, VHG said: "All former workers have seen and deposited waste containing halogenated chemicals in the waste skips that went to Arpley landfill. Waste skips were not checked or assessed prior to transportation and their true contents included quantities of vinyl chloride mixed in with non-hazardous waste. Arpley Landfill and the Environment Agency were unaware of the skip's true contents. We immediately informed Helen Southworth MP to arrange an urgent meeting with the HSE. We know what went in those skips and we will swear on a bible in court if it comes to that."

The Vinamul spokesman added: "Vinamul takes very seriously its responsibilities for matters concerning health, safety and the environment. All wastes produced by the company are, and always have been, classified according to legislative requirements and disposed of in full accordance with those requirements."