A report compiled by the University of Stuttgart and commissioned by the Irish firm, Ecocem, which finds that cement causes massive environmental damage has prompted a furious backlash from the Cement Manufacturers of Ireland.
The highly contentious report, which has not been made available to the wider public, finds that the manufacture of cement caused €2.1bn of environmental and health costs in the decade up to 2012. The impact on human health amounted to €450m over that period.
“Although a large range of pollutants is emitted in cement manufacture, the main pollutants contributing to the negative impacts are carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxides and particulate matter.
“The impacts on human health include chronic respiratory disease, reduced lung functions or lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys, all leading to reduced life expectancy in those affected,” claimed the report.
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Cement industry slams eco report
http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/cement-industry-slams-eco-report-259048.html