Education - Thurles Information

EPA Publishes National Criteria Allowing For Safe Reuse Of Site-won Asphalt.

EPA Publishes National Criteria that allow for the safe reuse of site-won asphalt (road planings) as by-product.

The generation of construction and demolition waste needs to vastly reduce: the sector is responsible for over 50 per cent of all of Ireland’s waste.
The EPA new national by-product criteria supports the prevention construction waste and instead allows its reuse, as a lower-carbon alternative to virgin materials.
National by-product criteria will provide the construction sector with an efficient regulatory process to reuse road planings in the production of consistent and quality road surface products.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published National By-Product Criteria for Site-Won Asphalt (road planings) from road developments.

**Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary at 3:15 pm today**.

These criteria allow for the classification of road planings as a by-product, meaning it is not waste. The by-product can subsequently be used or placed on the market in the same way as virgin material. These criteria support waste prevention and facilitate the reuse of materials in new construction projects, in line with the circular economy.

There is a strong demand for secondary construction products in Ireland to support development of new infrastructure with a low carbon footprint. The criteria allow used asphalt to be remanufactured into new bituminous products for road building.

Commenting on the criteria, Mr David Flynn, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability, said: “The publication of national by-product criteria for site-won asphalt is an important step for the ‘greening’ of Ireland’s construction industry.
The criteria will support waste prevention and circular economy ambitions, by tackling the generation of construction waste, the largest waste stream in the country, while encouraging the reuse of materials.
This is the type of progress needed if Ireland is to move in a meaningful way from the linear to the circular economy.”

The criteria provide a simple way to assess materials for re-use, and will support green procurement ambitions for road development projects.

Mr Warren Phelan, Programme Manager of the EPA’s Circular Economy Programme noted: “The publication of the national criteria show the EPA’s commitment to streamlining the regulation to support secondary products. The shift away from the assessment of case-by-case applications to national criteria, which is available to all producers, offers more regulatory certainty to the stakeholders involved. These criteria will introduce a level playing field for industry and introduce a single set of rules that are easy to implement.”

The EPA calls on relevant stakeholders in the construction sector to adopt and implement the new criteria.

Further information on the national by-product criteria and other initiatives of the circular economy programme are available on the EPA website, HERE.

Food Safety Conference Explores Food Sustainability

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) Food Safety Consultative Council today hosted an open meeting to discuss how food safety interacts with food sustainability. When Food Safety Met Sustainability explored the need to ensure the food system can meet the ever-changing needs of society, while continuing to protect consumers’ health in relation to food safety. Sustainable food systems must have food safety at the forefront of its processes.

Over 200 people registered for the event, which was held in-person for the first time since 2019, with Irish and international speakers from the FSAI, the University of Nottingham, Codex Alimentarius Commission and representatives from Food Cloud, Keohane Seafoods, Cream of The Crop Gelato and Senoptica Technologies LTD.

Chaired by Ms Suzanne Campbell, Author and Journalist, the event also offered insights into how the pursuit of food sustainability is driving innovation, as well as exploring efforts in policy, standards development and regulation, which are shaping the way our food is produced, distributed and consumed. Understanding and recognising that food safety is a key part of sustainability goals, Dr. Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, outlined the importance of food safety remaining front and centre of the necessary journey towards sustainable food systems.

“Sustainability, the ability to provide for both current and future needs, is an important consideration in food systems. The FSAI is focused on ensuring that food safety and the protection of public health remain at the core of sustainable food systems. The FSAI regards food safety to be an integral part of food sustainability. The European Union has signaled its intentions through the ‘Farm to Fork’ initiative, and Ireland has set out its approach in ‘Food Vision 2030’. As a science-based regulator of food safety, the FSAI is actively engaging with the sustainability agenda in the food-chain. At the FSAI, we continue to explore ways in which we can evolve our regulatory approach to assist consumers in supporting them in making informed choices, and also work with food businesses with the common goal of ensuring the safety of food, in a sustainable manner.”

The open meeting offered members of the public and food businesses an opportunity to engage with the FSAI directly, a point highlighted by Mr Ray Bowe, Chair, Food Safety Consultative Council.

“The Food Safety Consultative Council always aims to discuss topics that are key in the day-to-day lives of people. It is clear that there is a real desire to explore ways in which food can be produced in a more sustainable manner, and today’s meeting has shown how even small changes can have unexpected consequences, both positive and negative, within food chains. We continue to encourage everyone, including consumers, to embrace the challenges and opportunities in the ways we produce food, while ensuring its safety and nutritional benefits.”

Contributions on the day included Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI; Ray Bowe Chair, Food Safety Consultative Council; Gail Carroll, Directory of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Building, FSAI; Jack A Bobo, Director Food Systems Institute, University of Nottingham; Karen Capcarrere, Food Safety Manager at FoodCloud; Giselle Makinde, Founder, Cream of The Crop Gelato; Brendan Rice, CEO, Senoptica Technologies Ltd; Liz O’Leary, Head of Innovation, Keohane Seafoods and Steven Wearne, Chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Nitazenes Detected In Heroin Samples In Overdose Cluster.

Yesterday, Friday, November 10th 2023, the HSE updated the status of its warning in relation to heroin overdose clusters in the Dublin Region.

It has been confirmed through analysis conducted by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) that a trace amount of a Nitazene type substance has been identified in a brown powder, associated with a Dublin overdose. Ongoing analysis is being conducted on the sample to identify the exact composition of the substance.

The HSE advises that there is “Extra Risk” at this time and strongly recommend that people do not try new types of drugs or new batches being sold on the market.

It is accepted that the Dublin to Cork train service, which passes through Thurles, is used regularly by drug dealers to transport their illegal product into the Tipperary area and beyond.

Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead, Addiction Services, said: “We are urging extreme caution following a sharp rise in the number of overdoses related to a powder being sold as heroin in the Dublin region. Preliminary laboratory analysis has confirmed that recent overdoses may be caused by heroin mixed with nitazene, a potent and dangerous synthetic opioid.These pose a substantial risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.”

A total of 40 drug related overdoses have been reported to the HSE in the last 36 hours. We are reminding people to be extra careful, and avoid using new drugs, new batches of drugs or buying from new sources. It is safer not to use drugs at all. Your well-being is important, remember to look after yourself and care for others.

Naloxone is available free from every Dublin Addiction Service. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opiate-type drugs like heroin, keeping the person alive until emergency services arrive.

The HSE asks people who use drugs to follow harm reduction steps, which can help reduce the harm if they are using substances.

Be aware, be extra vigilant at this time, there is increased risk at present and a number of overdoses have occurred in Dublin City yesterday morning.
Avoid new batches of heroin, avoid buying from new suppliers and avoid trying new batches or new types of drugs. This brings unknown risks.
Access Naloxone, talk to your local service or doctor about accessing naloxone as soon as you can.
Avoid using alone and make a rescue plan, and let someone know you are using and where.
Test the dose, start low and go very slow, there is an increased risk of overdose at this time. Avoid using other drugs, including methadone, benzodiazepines or alcohol.
Get medical help immediately, look out for the signs of overdose and don’t be afraid to get medical help if someone is unwell. Stay with the person until help comes.

Due to this concerning rise in opioid overdoses in the Dublin area and the risks posed by nitazene type substances, the HSE is continuing to collaborate with various partners, including Hospital Emergency Departments, Dublin Fire Brigade, non-governmental organisation (NGO) service providers, An Garda Síochána, and laboratories at the National Drug Treatment Centre and Forensic Science Ireland to monitor the situation closely. Laboratory tests are underway to identify the substances involved.

Science Events For Aged 6+ In Cashel Library.

Science Events for Aged 6+ In Cashel Library – Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:-

Two Science Week events are taking place in Cashel Library, this coming week, on dates Wednesday 15th and 16th of November 2023.

The first Science Week event will take place in Cashel Library, on Wednesday, November 15th, when “Professor Egghead”, aka Jay Ryan, will celebrate the wonder of Science, by exploring the air around us.
The programme targets young people aged 6 years plus and will begin at 3:30pm running until 4:15pm

The second Science Week event entitled “How Science Could Help You Be Superhuman”, takes place also in Cashel Library, on Thursday November 16th, in association with Mary Immaculate College and Tipperary Festival of Science.
This programme begins sharp at 4:00pm.

Note: For admission to both programmes booking is essential, so please do contact Cashel Library in advance on Tel: 062 63825.

[ You can locate the Cashel Library building, situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX) ].

Latest Must Have Health App For You & Your Family.

Here on Thurles.info, [Which today celebrates having been viewed by over 4 million readers to date], we regularly highlight unhealthy foods that receive health warnings from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

In this modern age of ultra processed foods, it is often hard to know what exactly we are eating, since it often is so far removed from its natural origins. Foods are replete and well supplied with additives and other ingredients and it is hard to know what is truly safe and what is unsafe.

If you want to know more about the foods you eat and whether or not they are healthy, then you should download, to your Smartphone, the Yuka Application, (App).

But first do take the time to view the video shown hereunder.

This Yuka App is totally free and unsponsored, and will inform you on the levels of additives, saturates, proteins and sugars in your food, by simply scanning the barcode on all food packaging offered for sale.

What’s more, it will tell you how hazardous any additives are and why. It also tells you what is to be found in your shampoos, soaps and other cosmetics.

How to download the Yuka Application unto all phones.

To download the Yuka App, simply visit the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store and search for Yuka, [ https://yuka.io/en/ ]. From now on take a little time with your shopping and use your Smartphone to scan barcodes on packaging and instantly learn if any intended item should be purchased.

With rising prices, time has come for consumers to dictate to Supermarket chains what products they should stock and which are most healthy; rather than what it is they deem as being most profitable.

Remember, Yuka’s information and recommendations should not replace a healthy balanced diet. Always consult a GP for advice on the best diet for you, as an individual.