Issued on 19/6/08

A small quantity of fumigant was discovered in the premises of Rentokil Ltd. As this material was in storage for some time and is no longer in use, Rentokil contacted South Dublin County Council as the waste authority in the area. South Dublin County Council consulted widely in relation to the safest method of the disposal of the material. The recommended method is controlled burn at a remote site conducted by international experts. We have received a number of queries and have provided a list of comprehensive questions and answers.

What was this substance used for?

Until comparatively recently (mid 90s), HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide) was a common chemical within the Pest Controllers tool box, indeed many farmers and gamekeepers will have used it to control rats and rabbits but known it under the brand names of Calcyan or Cymeg. Pellets would have been thrown into the rabbit holes - they would then react with the soils moisture to create the cyanide. For large buildings and other sites a liquid version would be used. This is the substance we are planning to burn off.

Professional Pest Controllers across Europe used it commonly as a fumigant for flour mills and for other food commodities. Until only very recently, France had an active fumigation industry using this liquid and elsewhere around the world (US, Asia and the Caribbean) this liquid form of cyanide is still used to clear pests from planes, ships and train box cars.

Why is it not used any more?

Since 1992, regulators across Europe have taken an increasing interest in the control of the active substances used in medicine, veterinary medicines, and pest control. This has meant that they have increasingly required manufacturers to register these actives formally in every EU country; this is time consuming and expensive which has led the industry to consider carefully what they register. HCN is just one of the many registrations which were not progressed by manufacturers in the EU for pest control and therefore authority to use it as such lapsed in late 2006.

Is this substance harmful?

The material is both toxic and highly inflammable and in certain circumstances can be lethal. According to expert sources the lethal concentration of hydrogen cyanide is 181 ppm (parts per million) for 10 minutes or 135ppm for 30 minutes. The disposal plan adopted is designed to ensure that no one is exposed to this risk.

The cylinders involved, although old, were originally constructed from extremely thick material which makes the risk of leakage negligible.

How much material is there?

There are five empty cylinders and two less than quarter full.

What was Rentokil doing with this material?

Rentokil is one of the global experts in pest control and fumigation. The safe use, handling and application of toxic materials are what their business is about and why it is important to use only reputable pest controllers. These materials were legitimate tools of their trade until late in 2006. See above for further details.

Why is the material being transported to Wicklow a scenic area?

The key point in any plan to dispose of fumigants is safety. The fully risk assessed plan defines the required area, acceptable travel distances, and time to ensure that any risk is minimised. The disposal site is the only site in Ireland which fulfils all of the stringent safety requirements to ensure that safety. Several other potential sites were viewed but didnt meet the needs of the plan to maximise safety.

Will any of the material be left after the event?

No trace of the material will be left behind.

How can you be sure that none of the material will be left behind?

As soon as the cylinders are opened the chemical will be consumed by fire and converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water - parts of normal air. It will all be over in a few seconds. Furthermore, in order to be able to reassure local residents air, soil and water samples will be taken and analysed, before and after.

What are the dangers to animals in the area?

There are no animals at the disposal site and the method used to burn off this material ensures that none will be released in the vicinity.

Is there a requirement for people to evacuate the area?

No. There is no requirement for anyone to evacuate their homes.

Will there be an explosion?

The cylinders will be opened with a small charge which will sound more like a rifle shot than an explosion and the contents consumed virtually instantaneously.

Will the land be safe after the explosion?

Yes.

Is there a danger to the water supply?

No.

Will this material stay in the soil?

No. The material will never come in contact with soil.

What would happen if the liquid was exposed to the air?

It would evaporate very rapidly this is why it was a good fumigant. Precautions have been taken to ensure this does not happen.

Why were the local people not informed earlier?

The disposal plan always contained a public communications element. This was going to be implemented as soon as all the constituents of the plan was clarified and agreed, hence this statement and our recent statements to the media.

Is there a danger in transporting the material?

A fully risk assessed plan has been developed which is being further risk assessed by South Dublin County Council, and the other agencies and then independently risk assessed for additional precautions. Any risks will be virtually eliminated by using specialists to handle and transport them - with the active support of the Gardai and the Emergency Services.

What if there is an accident on route?

A fully risk assessed plan has been developed which has been further risk assessed by the South Dublin County Council. Any risks will be negligible as we are using specialists to handle and transport them. However, as in any fully risk assessed plan we have included contingency planning.

Who is paying for this?

South Dublin County Council will recoup full costs from Rentokil.

If there are after effects who deals with this?

We do not anticipate there being any after effects. The biggest post operation activity will be removal of contractors equipment from the site and the empty cylinders for disposal. We will then clear the site and return it to its previous condition.

What about children in the area are there possible long-term effects?

Absolutely not (everything will be gone without trace within a few seconds). The burnt HCN will mostly convert to water vapour, carbon dioxide and nitrogen which are all components of normal air and any residual HCN or small amounts of other compounds such as nitrogen oxides will be miniscule and will disperse in the wind instantly within a few metres of the disposal.

What about walkers in the area?

The specific location is on the defence forces land which is not open to walkers and the general public. During the operation strict exclusion zones will be in place as there are when the ranges are being used by the army and so there should be no risk to any local people.

Why not leave this material where it is if its safe?

The fact that hydrogen cyanide is no longer allowed to be used as a fumigant means that the material Rentokil holds cannot be used for the purpose for which it was bought and is therefore now waste. There are very strict rules about potentially hazardous waste and how it must be moved and treated. Whilst there is no immediate danger, it would be irresponsible of South Dublin County Council and Rentokil not to ensure safe disposal of this material as soon as a safe plan has been put in place. To empty the cylinders on site, in a confined space, would be more hazardous than simply picking them up and transporting them away to optimise the safety of the public and to cause no threat to anyone.

Is it true that the soldiers at the camp are being evacuated?

No. Kilbride army camp is a firing range and those activities have been suspended to facilitate the carrying out of this operation.

What about the people who live on the route - what is the danger for them?

Professional engineers have assessed the cylinders and confirmed that they are designed to be extremely robust. Transportation will be completed at a time of day and via route which has been selected to minimise contact and disruption.

Did the Council intend to bring this material to Wicklow and expose the residents to this toxic poison?

No one is going to be exposed to any toxic poison.

Is there more of this material in the country?

None has ever been reported.

How will you actually dispose of the material?

We are using the best universally recognised method and one which has been recommended to us independently by several chemical experts and health & safety agencies from around the world. The material will be disposed of by controlled burn; the gas will be burned off in a matter of seconds and in the process converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water which are components of normal air.

What could happen if I was exposed to this material?

That is not going to happen. This operation is being conducted in the open air and no one will be exposed to the levels of concentration required for it to be dangerous.

What would happen if this material blew up along the way?

Cylinders in themselves cannot explode - the design of the cylinders is such that they can withstand enormous pressures. The only danger would be if there was a severe pressure build up in the cylinders. Hydrogen cyanide is a liquid which boils at approximately 26 ^OC; at temperatures below this temperature hydrogen cyanide is a liquid and the cylinders will not be pressurised. The disposal plan is designed to eliminate this risk.

Did the Council notify Wicklow County Council and apply for planning permission?

The Council was required to notify Wicklow County Council of its intention under the Waste Management Act 1996 and it has done so. Planning Permission is not required..

Who is managing this?

South Dublin County Council has been designated as the lead agency but is working closely with the Health and Safety Authority, the Garda, Dublin Fire Brigade, Environmental Protection Agency, Departments of Defence and Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Health Service Executive, Wicklow County Council and Rentokil to ensure the safe disposal of this material

Is there no other way of dealing with this material?

A number of alternative methods were researched and considered during the early phases of this project (e.g. drilling and decanting the cylinders on site, exporting the waste) but all experts advised against these and recommended the method we are now applying as the safest.

Has this been done before?

Yes - we are aware of examples in other countries including the United States and Australia.

Why cant the Army carry out this operation?

This is a waste disposal operation and does not come within their remit. . The Defence Forces have co-operated throughout the operation and have allowed access to the only suitable site.

When is this going to happen?

Once the SDCC risk assessment has taken plan we can finalise the plan and then agree availability with the specialist contractors. Its likely to be within the next few weeks.

It is only when the finalised risk assessments are signed off that the ultimate decision to proceed will be made.

When the material is blown up will the material be airborne?

It wont be blown up. As soon as the cylinders are opened by the small cutting charge the chemical will be consumed by fire and converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water, all components of normal air.

Were all the different agencies involved?

Yes. Whilst South Dublin County Council has been designated as the lead agency it has worked closely with Rentokil and the Health and Safety Authority, the Garda, Dublin Fire Brigade, Environmental Protection Agency, Departments of Defence and Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Wicklow County Council to ensure the safe disposal of this material from its first discovery.

Will this material be absorbed by plants?

No. As soon as the cylinders are opened the chemical will be consumed by fire and converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water.

What if my child picks blackberries in the Autumn will they be poisoned?

No. As soon as the cylinders are opened the chemical will be consumed by fire and converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water.

Will the danger continue after the explosion?

No. As soon as the cylinders are opened the chemical will be consumed by fire and converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water.

If someone is hurt or damaged what will happen?

We do not expect this to happen but we have planned appropriate contingencies with all of the emergency services.

Who are the experts?

These were the best acknowledged within their field and include manufacturers of HCN, the Chairperson of the European Safety Committee for the Handling of Cyanide, risk assessors who have a track record of working with several European governments and multinational companies, and transport and explosives experts who are well credentialised by the long list of well known operations they have managed.

Have they done this before?

Every operation is different and has to be planned as such; all contractors have dealt with similar situations on a regular basis that is why we have engaged them.

What about the sheep on the hill? Will it be safe to eat meat from this source?

Yes. As soon as the cylinders are opened the chemical will be consumed by fire and converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water. There is no danger of any of this material escaping and having an impact upon the local agriculture.

What happens after this event? Will you all just go away?

No as soon as the cylinders are opened the chemical will be consumed by fire and converted to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water, we felt that it was important to be able to provide evidence of this to the local community. For this reason we will have before and after measurements of the environment to demonstrate that there has been no adverse effect upon the environment.

Will the soil be contaminated?

No and we will have samples before and after the operation to prove this.

What about the rivers and streams? Will this poison the water?

No and we will have samples before and after the operation to prove this.

For further information please contact:

Free Phone number: 1800 303300

Email: cccounter@sdublincoco.ie

Visit our website: www.southdublin.ie

Issued on 19/6/08