Substantial quantities of heavy metals and the presence of PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyls) in the Mulheim's cargo have been found in a Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) sample that has been analysed by the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at Exeter University.

The results are cause for concern - especially the presence of PCB's which in humans can cause health effects such as skin ailments, reproductive disorders, liver disease and are suspected carcinogens. They are known animal carcinogens and bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain.

The results have reinforced the destructiveness this incident has had from an environmental perspective on one of the UK's most beautiful stretches of coastline and have strengthened SAS claims that the cargo should have been better contained rather than left to escape into the marine environment.

SAS also understand that the cargo was not sampled before it left Ireland and was in fact travelling to a hazardous waste landfill site in Germany. We cannot therefore be reassured that the Mulheim's cargo offers little threat to our environment when it has left a country unsampled.

With this in mind we are wholeheartedly disappointed that the Environment Agency did not take an immediate sample from the hold and that their detailed analysis of results have not yet been made public.

Richard Hardy from SAS says: "We are extremely concerned of the long term impact this incident will have on the Lands End marine environment following the release of these results. We are very disappointed that the Environment Agency did not take immediate samples from the hold and have not made these available for public scrutiny. As there are PCB's present then its likely that other nasties, like dioxins could exist in a cargo that is over 2000 tonnes in weight and this is a worry".

Dr.Paul Johnston from Greenpeace Research Laboratories at Exeter University says: "The levels of PCB's and heavy metals present in the cargo are environmentally significant and have the potential to cause a widespread impact in this sensitive marine environment".

For more information please contact Richard Hardy on Tel: 01872 553001 or 07817 401480.

The Story so far...

"Mulheim continues to break up"

"CARRY ON MULHEIM"

" CONCERN OVER DECISION TO LEAVE THE MULHEIM TO BREAK UP."

"A LUCKY ESCAPE FOR THE BEACHES"

"TOXIC CARGO FAR FROM SAFE SAY SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE"

"MULHEIM UPDATE - DAY 17"

"3 WEEKS ON AND THE MULHEIM CONTINUES TO PUT ENVIRONMENT AT RISK."

"SAS express disappointment at decision to leave Mulheim on the rocks"

"COCKTAIL OF NASTIES!"

"MULHEIM PLASTIC FOUND ON NEWQUAY'S GOLDEN SANDS"

"MULHEIMS 'DIRTY' CARGO SPREADING FAR AND WIDE"

Back