ASTHMA sufferers will be hit hard if plans to upgrade Raikes Lane Incinerator get the go-ahead, environmental and health groups claim.

Bolton Friends of the Earth claim the revamped incinerator will produce in one year nitrogen dioxide levels equivalent to every man woman and child in the town driving a thousand miles in a car.

Their claims that the chemical has been linked to aggravating the symptoms of asthma is backed by the National Asthma Campaign.

Greater Manchester Waste Ltd have already been given planning permission to upgrade the incinerator to provide energy for the equivalent of 7000 homes.

The local authority-owned company running the incinerator, which was closed last year because it failed to meet new European guidelines on emissions, says there will be a reduction in the level of dioxins released into the atmosphere.

But Bolton Friends of the Earth waste campaigner, Dennis Watson says the volume of nitrogen dioxide emissions will be increased because of the constant through-put of waste burnt in the upgraded operation.

He said: "Greater Manchester Waste have admitted that more nitrogen will be produced from the incinerator which will add to the emissions from cars on St Peter's Way and from the clinical waste incinerator at the hospital.

"This chemical has been linked to the triggering of asthma symptoms and it will mean misery for a large number of asthma sufferers."

Liz Brodie of the National Asthma Campaign added: "There is evidence that nitrogen dioxide will exacerbate the symptoms of some people suffering from asthma. It is important to stress that not every sufferer will be affected but there will certainly be a number of people who will be."

Mr Watson said: "It is yet another indication of the health risks from this burner. We have already highlighted the risks from very low levels of dioxins which have been linked to cancers and birth defects and this is another reason why the plan should be scrapped."

Although Bolton Council have given the go-ahead for the revamped incinerator, FoE are continuing to campaign to persuade the Government's Environment Agency not to grant a licence.

The Government pledged to cut pollution at the Earth Summit in New York andhas launched a "Dont Choke Britain Campaign".

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