Day 010 - 11 Jul 94 - Page 46
1 make a statement, a Civil Evidence Act statement, which
has been disclosed. It is document No. 12 in the list.
2 If people can get that document -- is there any of this
Civil Evidence Act statement that you would agree with or
3 any specific part of this statement that you would like to
rely on or agree with?
4 A. OK. There is a couple of comments.
5 Q. Shall we just say who it is?
A. It is Dr. Paul Connet. Paul Connet is a chemist at
6 St. Lawrence University. He has published numerous
documents on incineration, numerous studies on
7 incineration, and the related matter of dioxine production
in incineration. He has travelled internationally but
8 I cannot speak to that without the ----
9 Q. We do not want to have to read it all out now.
A. What I would say is the points that I agree with which
10 are here is the third paragraph, the first page: "I find
it difficult to believe that any credible expert would
11 maintain that a controlled burn could be maintained in a
trash incinerator akin to the 'controlled' burn possible
12 in a laboratory experiment. There are many variables with
a typical municipal waste stream entering an incinerator
13 which would defy the total control over the burning
process".
14
This letter goes on to refer to a number of studies that
15 have looked at the variables that need to be considered.
I just skip to the conclusion, the final paragraph on the
16 second page: "In my view, the only chance one would have
of getting a controlled combustion with the burning of
17 polystyrene packaging in a commercial incinerator would be
if the incinerator was designed and built only to burn
18 polystyrene packaging and all other trash was handled
elsewhere. The moment other materials are introduced,
19 even paper, the chances of maintaining a controlled burn
to laboratory standards are highly unlikely."
20
MR. JUSTICE BELL: Where is that?
21 A. That is the last paragraph on the second page.
22 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Have I got the same?
23 MR. MORRIS: It is headed -----
24 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I have the document, but that is my second
page; it starts: "To further illustrate the formidable
25 problems" and it ends with "A multitude of other materials
in a commercial incinerator".
26
MR. MORRIS: I think you have a misprint there on the
27 photocopying; you have a bit missing.
28 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Make sure I have a complete copy.
29 MR. MORRIS: Yes. If this can be handed to the judge, please?
(Handed) If you just discard that one completely? It is
30 the last paragraph on the second page?
A. It begins with "In my view".
