Latest news with #Hynds
The Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Heatwaves are giving Irish people diarrhoea
'IRELAND IS BASKING in a heatwave,' proclaimed a headline in The Journal in June 2018. By September, Met Éireann had confirmed that the summer of 2018 was one of the hottest on record. But as the country once again experiences high temperatures this weekend, scientists have bad news for us. The hot conditions in Ireland in the summer of 2018 caused at least 169 extra cases of bacterial gastroenteritis, stomach bugs which cause vomiting and diarrhoea, a new study has found. The majority of the infections are believed to have been foodborne, although outdoor activities such as swimming and contact with farm animals are also known risk factors. These infections can be very severe in children under 5 and in older adults. Contaminated food Lead researcher Paul Hynds, of TU Dublin, explained that hotter temperatures mean more growth and greater survival of bacteria on food. The other culprit? The barbecues gathering dust in garden sheds across the country until hot weather strikes. Barbecuing and eating outdoors increases the likelihood of meats being improperly stored or cooked. 'At the end of the day, it's a bit of a perfect storm,' Hynds said. 'The Irish are not necessarily expert barbecue cooks, and [barbecuing] occurs during a time when microbial growth and survival are elevated.' Beware the barbecue dads. Alamy Alamy The study identified infection hot spots in the Dublin area, with the researchers suggesting this may have been due to increased exposure to weather-related activities, such as outdoor swimming and barbecues. Dubliners may also have lower levels of acquired immunity to these pathogens than rural residents. The researchers said other possible factors contributing to infection could include irrigation of vegetables with contaminated water, or meat processing and transportation methods that were not appropriate for heatwave conditions. Advertisement The study is important because research on the health impacts of heatwaves in temperate regions such as Ireland is still in its infancy. It demonstrates that heatwaves can increase transmission of these pathogens to humans. With an extreme summer such as 2018′s expected to occur every two out of three years in Europe in a 1.5 degree-warmer world, a rise in gastroenteritis infections can be expected in the future. The study found 101 of the extra infections were caused by the pathogen campylobacter, with men, younger adults and people living in urban areas most affected. A further 68 infections were caused by STEC, another type of bacteria, with older people and those in rural areas most affected. These are the two stomach bugs that cause the most disease globally. Scaled up to Europe as a whole, the Irish findings represent several thousand extra cases, putting significant extra pressure on healthcare systems. The research , published in the journal One Health, was based on national data on laboratory-confirmed infections. Campylobacteriosis cases (seasonally adjusted) 2011-2019, with peak during 2018 drought period highlighted. One Health One Health Human health effects of extreme weather In Ireland, disease outbreaks are often preceded by heavy rainfall, causing surface run-off of pathogens to private drinking water sources. This study shows that the incidence of infection is also influenced by periods of heatwave and drought. Scientists are currently working on more research on the human health effects of extreme weather in Ireland. These include effects on mental health and wellbeing, for a variety of reasons, including lost sleep; the effects on people with respiratory conditions such as asthma; and the effects on older people's health. Last year was the first year of global warming above the important 1.5 degree threshold. The Paris Agreement committed countries to strive to avoid 1.5-degree warming as a long-term average. The research team behind the study included scientists from the HSE, the Health Information and Quality Authority and University College Cork. The study was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. Unsure of what exactly is happening with the earth's climate? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
ITV News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Concerns raised over future of historic linen mill in Lisburn
There have been calls to protect the historic Hilden Mill in Lisburn following a planning application to demolish most of the site. It's now earmarked for around 200 homes by developers but fears are growing that the history of the linen mill will be forgotten. The developers are now seeking permission to demolish all but two of the remaining structures at the site. They are hoping that the remaining two buildings could be kept and redeveloped for community use. Linen production started at Hilden over 200 years ago. The mill produced linen thread which was used to stitch war time parachutes, uniforms and boots. The factory became known as one of the biggest linen manufacturers in the world in 1914 where the site had around 2,000 workers. Since it was abandoned in 2006, the 24 acre site has been vandalised and targeted in arson attacks. Independent councillor, Gary Hynds said demolishing the whole site solely for housing is a missed opportunity to preserve the history. Mr Hynds told UTV: 'We are in a housing crisis and I totally get that … I support the idea of a certain element of housing for the area but I think knocking down the majority of the buildings is a bit lazy.' Earlier this month, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council's regeneration committee agreed a motion brought by Councillor Hynds to explore funding sources for restoration and adaptive use of Hilden Mill. He said: 'My notice of motion is a call to arms, a plea to save Hilden Mill, whether through private partnership or bold public takeover, and it's time we all took responsibility, from this council chamber to the halls of the Northern Ireland Executive." In a statement a spokesperson from the developers said: "PJK have spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on security on the is effectively impossible to keep secure and an enquiry to the local police will confirm that any efforts to avoid vandalism and unauthorised entry is next to impossible." "If we cannot resolve this situation, as far as I can see, the future will simply be that the buildings themselves will be secured as best we can and left to deteriorate even further." "Furthermore, the current Listed Building Consent Application specifically excludes the 2 buildings at the front of the site, which appears to have the support of the local community, if the application is refused and the site left as it is, then this opportunity would be lost. " "I will be prepared to attend a Planning Committee meeting or a full council meeting to explain the situation and various implications of doing nothing in respect of the future of the site."
