With the looming threat of two additional hazardous waste incinerators in the center of Sydney, Nova Scotia, along with the existing CBRM Incinerator burning biomedical waste from across the province, it is evident that this city is destined to become the hazardous waste capital of Eastern Canada.

The two additional incinerators arc proposed to bum the estimated 700,000 tonnes of sludge laced with a toxic cocktail of heavy metals, PAHs including naphthalene and phenauthrene, along with the estimated 50,000 tonnes of PCB contaminated sediment, ail contained within the Tar Ponds. One Incinerator may be located on the Coke Ovens site to handle PCB materials and the other may be located on the Tar Ponda/Sysco site to handle the remaining toxic sludge, which will also contain PCB material.

Hazardous waste incineration is being promoted by government as a safe method of remediating the Tar Ponds, even though locating an incinerator on either site will violate the federal Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines. These guidelines state that a hazardous waste incinerator shall not be located within 1500 metres of schools, residences, etc. Harbourview Elementary School in Whitney Pier, which houses 800 children, is located a mere 600 metres from one of the proposed incinerator sites. As well, over 2,000 civic addresses, along with recreational areas, grocery stores, restaurants and businesses lie within the 1500 metre zone.

In 1996, Alberta's Provincial Health Officer issued a Public Health Advisory against eating wild game taken from within 30 km of the area surrounding the Swan Hills Hazardous Waste Incineration Facility, following an explosion at the incinerator. PCBs, dioxins and furans were accidentally vented to the atmosphere from the hazardous waste incinerator over an 8-hour period. This hazardous waste facility has a legacy of accidents, spills and fugitive emissions which have contaminated the surrounding area and wildlife. The Swan Hills Incineration Facility is located approximately 15 kilometers from the town of Swan Hills. Here in Sydney, government is suggesting two hazardous waste incinerators be operated in the center of town.

The Sydney incineration proposal is slated to burn toxic sludge for at least 11 years. Once that project is complete, will government scrap these incinerators or will they continue to operate them by importing the entire Eastern Seaboard's hazardous waste for an indefinite period of time?

Contact: Marlene Kane (902) 562-7049 or Mark Ferris (902) 539-2122