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[Press Release: April 8th, 2002] WICKLOW GREENS LAUNCH ASTHMA SURVEYThe Wicklow Greens are taking part in a major national Green Party survey into the rising incidence of asthma in Ireland. The purpose of the survey is to get feedback and submissions from the general public on the issue of asthma and the results will become part of the Green Party's new air quality policy. The survey will also contribute to an updated version of the party's health policy in keeping with the Green Party's inclusion of lifestyle, food and the environment as issues central to any real discussion of health in Ireland."Pollution is a health issue", says Green Party health spokesperson and Wicklow County Councillor Deirdre de Burca, who is co-ordinating the survey in Wicklow. "The deterioriation of the quality of our air, our water and our food contributes to poor health". "The current Minister of Health recently claimed that some of the difficulties currently being faced by the health services were due to the fact that 90,000 more people had used the health services last year than was the case the previous year", said councillor de Burca. "The real question that needs to be asked is what is it about our society that is causing more and more people to become sick?". The incidence of asthma has been increasing dramatically in Ireland and around the world over the past two decades. A major new report in the United Kingdom has clearly linked asthma to fumes emitted from cars. The study found that primary school children were 6% more likely to wheeze for every 30 metres closer they lived to a main road. "We feel it is important to get feedback from the public in Ireland at this stage", said councillor de Burca. "We will be seriously considering the views of experts and of the general public into what they feel should be done to protect ourselves and our children and to help create a healthier environment in which to live." Anybody who wishes to contribute to the survey is asked to contact councillor Deirdre de Burca at 5 Oaklands, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, by telephone at 086-8061450, or by email at deburca@wicklowgreens.org . For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org. |