Gasworks site under scrutiny over illness claims by residents

HEALTH and environment agencies are monitoring a former gasworks site after recording “highly offensive” smells amid claims that local people have mystery illnesses.

The site at Dock Road in Limerick, which is being cleared for redevelopment, has been the subject of multiple complaints since December.

Gas Networks Ireland, which owns it, features in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest quarterly National Priority Sites list for enforcement because of the issues that have arisen there.

The EPA is now working with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to assess whether there is a public health concern.

Both the EPA and Gas Networks Ireland say air-quality samples have all returned results well within legal limits.

But the EPA said it had 69 complaints about the site since December, mainly about an “offensive gassy odour”.

“Many of the complainants have reported worries about possible health impacts because of the odours,” it said.

“We recognise this concern, and we are liaising with the Department of Public Health, HSE Midwest about it.

“Also, we are conducting continuous monitoring of a range of volatile substances likely to be present in emissions from the site.

“Results to date indicate that, although the odours are highly offensive, concentrations of these substances are well below established air quality standards for the protection of human health.”

Fiona Lysaght, whose house is in a terraced row that backs on to the site, said she had unexplained ailments.

“I have a low immune system so I’m used to health problems but I’ve never experienced this before,” she said.

“I get awful headaches, upset stomach, diarrhoea, stinging eyes. I’ve had repeated antibiotics but I can’t clear my chest. I have elderly neighbours and I feel very sorry for them. They can’t even open a window or sit outside.”

Derrick Amrein, who runs the Chisel & Oak furniture store and workshop nearby, said it had to stay closed because he can’t work there.

He reported similar problems to Fiona. “I get a lot of vomiting and a swollen stomach and the fatigue is overpowering,” he added.

He was referred for toxicology tests, the results of which are due this week.

There are disputed accounts of workers refusing to stay on site. Gas Networks Ireland said this did not happen.

“No employees, contractors or sub-contractors have reported or left the site due to health concerns as a result of the clean-up works at the former gasworks site on Dock Road in Limerick,” it said.

The Health and Safety Authority was asked if it had received any complaints but it would not comment on individual workplaces.

The site is the last of five old gasworks to be remediated by Gas Networks Ireland around the country. Work involves stripping off the top three metres of soil and stone, screening it for contaminants and mixing it with fresh material before returning it while also removing 11 underground gas storage tanks.

Gas Networks Ireland said it was aware of the concerns of a small number of people.

“We would like to reassure residents, workers and visitors to the Dock Road area that we put safety at the heart of everything we do,” it said.

‘I get awful headaches, upset stomach, diarrhoea’