Building an incinerator could jeopardise the health of future generations, according to one of Britain's leading experts on chemical pollution.

Toxicologist Dr Vyvyan Howard said the effects of pollution from dioxins and dioxin-like substances would show up in future years.

He told the public inquiry examining controversial waste plans that dioxins were emitted from all types of incinerators and were absorbed into the body chiefly from food.

He said research into the danger from ultra-fine particles, which could have a localised effect near a burner, was not complete.

Dr Howard said incineration should be regarded as a "fail not safe" technology which required complex engineering in difficult conditions.

He said: "There are more environmentally benign methods of dealing with waste which are failsafe, such as more re-use and recycling."

His comments came as more than 500 people arrived at the hearing in Lewes to register their objections to an incinerator proposed at North Quay, Newhaven.

The inquiry is examining waste plans, which include the burner proposal, drawn up by Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council.

Dr Howard said it had been estimated one in ten cancers were caused by exposure to dioxins, with children being particularly vulnerable to cancers and other conditions.

He said pollution from dioxins and other compounds with similar characteristics had been underestimated, while cuts in emissions did not make the chemicals safe.

He said waste had become more toxic in recent years, causing pollution to be stored in the body because humans were unable to break down many modern substances.

He said: "These are all hostages to the future, society is taking today's problems and sweeping it under the carpet for future generations to sort out. It is the line of least resistance in some ways but it is done at the expense of future generations."

The councils said all forms of waste management carried some risk and government safeguards had been designed with concerns such as Dr Howard's in mind.

Similar waste inquiries have not concluded incinerators should be abandoned because of fears about their effect on human health.

Environmental health expert Professor Roy Harrison, giving evidence for the councils, said guidelines for tolerable exposure to dioxins were satisfactory.

He said: "I remain firmly of the view that the level of risk associated with a modern, properly run incinerator is exceedingly small."

The long-running inquiry finishes this week. The planning inspector's report is not expected until mid 2004.

Wednesday October 22, 2003