A preliminary inquiry into the accidental discharge of vapour solvent over a seven-hour period from a pharmaceutical plant in Co Cork has found there were no health implications.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that it conducted an inquiry into the emission of 42kgs of organic solvent vapour from the Eli Lilly plant at Dunderrow near Kinsale in Co Cork on March 1st last. The EPA says the firm notified its office at Inniscarra on March 2nd of the accident that resulted from an interruption of the firm's normal abatement systems.
"Preliminary indications are that there was no impact on air quality in the vicinity of the site and that there were no health implications arising from this incident," said the EPA, adding that inspectors would prepare a full report in due course.
"The priority for the EPA is to ensure that the necessary management practices are in place to eliminate the causes of this type of incident and protect the environment," said the EPA in a statement on its website.
Eli Lilly employs up to 450 people at Dunderrow which has operated for 25 years and which manufactures a range of drugs including Zyprexa for the treatment of schizophrenia and Avista for osteoporosis.
An Eli Lilly spokeswoman said that the firm had co-operated fully with the EPA after it notified the agency of the incident, adding that the accidental emission was a minor incident and the firm had "an excellent safety record".
Cork South Central Green Party TD Dan Boyle said it was the second incident at the plant in the past eight months and followed another incident last August when higher than normal acidity levels were found in a containment pond.