NEWS of a possible new scientific study examining potential health risks from incinerators has been welcomed by campaigners.

Concerns have been raised in recent years about the possible effects of the Edmonton incinerator complex on surrounding areas, although the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has always insisted there is no evidence that it is harmful to residents.

Now the agency has said it is in talks with Imperial College London about a major new study as part of its efforts to continually review public health advice.

Fears were first sparked about the complex in Edmonton several years ago after it was noticed that Chingford Green ward, in neighbouring Waltham Forest, had a statistically abnormally high level of infant mortality.

There is usually a correlation between baby deaths and an area's level of deprivation, but figures in 2007 showed that the relatively wealthy ward had the second highest death rate in the whole of London.

Researcher and campaigner Michael Ryan, who uses the example of Chingford in his argument that there is a link, said he hoped the device in Edmonton would be included in the new study.

He says that figures from 2002 to 2008 show there were an average of 9.7 infants deaths per 1,000 babies in Chingford Green ward - the highest rate in the borough.

The HPA says that emissions from incinerators make up only a fraction of one per cent of pollution in the UK, with industry and traffic accounting for more than 50 per cent.

A spokeswoman added: "The HPA’s position is that well run and regulated modern municipal waste incinerators are not a significant risk to public health.

"However, we recognise that there are real public concerns about this issue and will take every possible step to reassure people that the position is as we have outlined.

"HPA also continually seeks to review and extend the evidence base on which it bases its advice.

"For these reasons we are in discussions with researchers at Imperial College London about a potential study into birth outcomes around municipal waste incinerators and a detailed proposal for what would be a complex study is being drawn up."

Meanwhile the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), which manages rubbish disposal in the region, is currently planning a major overhaul of its complex in Edmonton.

In September, NLWA chair and Waltham Forest councillor Clyde Loakes said the incinerator would be replaced altogether under the plans, although the organisation later backtracked and said no firm decision had been made.