THE HEALTH of residents in Abergavenny could be at risk, with proposed plans to build a waste incinerator in Merthyr Tydfil taking a step forward.

Residents in Merthyr have uncovered studies about the effects of toxic waste particles coming from the incinerators, and how boroughs in downwind proximity to the plant, such as Abergavenny, could also be at risk.

Site owners Covanta say the £400million plant would burn 750,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household waste, generating enough energy "to power all the homes in the surrounding boroughs."

The emission, known as PM2.5, comes from the type of fuel the incinerators burn, and according to an unpublished document from the Office of National Statistics, in 2002 during the foot and mouth crisis one in every 16 babies born in Devon had some sort of defect as a direct result of exposure to PM2.5.

These defects could include higher risks of cancer, respiratory problems or heart disease.

Adults are also at risk, with infertility and miscarriages, as well as premature death listed as the possible consequences.

More recently, between 2003 and 2005 boroughs downwind of incinerators in Edmonton, London and Cheylesmore, Coventry experienced 10.5 and 8.2 infant deaths per 1,000 respectively.

Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and Abergavenny all fall within the downwind areas of the Merthyr plant, and concerns have been raised at meetings for the health of the public there and in the potential surrounding boroughs.

Merthyr Tydfil already suffers some of the worst levels of health, mortality and employment in the UK, and Covanta's proposal has received stiff opposition from the locals.

Phillip Watkins, a maintenance worker from Merthyr who's actively opposing the new site plans said "It's frightening really, that you have no idea this is happening and then take a look on the internet and it's all there to see."

If given the go-ahead, the incinerator site will be the biggest of its kind in the UK.

It is set to be examined by the Infrastructure Planning Commission in the summer, and using a 'fast track process' which shortens the consultation process, making it harder for locals to challenge the decisions. Environmental group Friends of Earth are encouraging people to oppose the IPC by registering on their website, and are holding a meeting with the Merthyr locals on Wednesday, March 2.

"This huge waste plant will need to burn thousands of tonnes of valuable resources every year to make it cost-effective, and this will completely undermine efforts to cut waste and boost recycling.

"And because incineration creates far fewer jobs than recycling it would have an impact on local employment too..." said Mike Birkin, planning campaigner from Friends of the Earth.