Irish Cement’s EUR10m plans for its Limerick plant to substitute part of its fossil fuels for waste tyre burning is coming under fresh attack, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agrees for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out tests of dioxin levels in dairy cattle near the cement plant in Mungret.

Local residents fear there will be an increase in the levels of dioxins in the local environment with the burning of waste tyres, which has been refuted by Irish Cement.

The health service has also pledged to consult with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland over the level of the chemical compound in food sold locally.

The HSE’s director of public health, Dr Mai Mannix made the commitment following a meeting with Limerick Against Pollution (LAP), the group set up in opposition to Irish Cement’s proposals to burn used tyres and waste in Mungret.