NO ELEVATED dioxin levels were found in Co Carlow near the site where animal-feed contamination occurred in 2008, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA yesterday gave details of carrying out the survey in its annual report on dioxin levels in the State last year where levels of all samples taken were well below relevant EU limits.
The report showed dioxin levels measured in the survey compare favourably with those taken from similar surveys in the EU and other countries.
The report was based on dioxin levels measured in cows’ milk in a 2009 survey.
“The concentrations of dioxins were low by international standards and comparisons.
“A total of 37 samples was taken and the average level was less than 10 per cent of the EU limit,” said Dr Colman Concannon, regional chemist at the EPA office of environmental assessment.
“In 2009, the survey included measurement of dioxin levels in the area of Co Carlow near where the feed contamination incident occurred in 2008,” Dr Concannon added. “No elevated levels of dioxins were recorded.”