>The Halifax ChronicleHerald The Halifax ChronicleHerald
WHEN FEAR GRIPS A CITY
>ANOTHER week, another study. More screaming headlines. Another dose of
>gutwrenching fear for the people of Sydney. ANOTHER week, another
>study. More screaming headlines. Another dose of gutwrenching fear for
>the people of Sydney.
>
>The fear is an unavoidable result as residents are told time after time
>that they are more likely to die from, or at least contract, cancer
>than other Canadians or Nova Scotians.
>
>The most recent study on cancer incidence rates, released this week by
>Dr. Judy Guernsey, says the Sydney rates are even significantly higher
>than those in the surrounding communities that comprise industrial Cape
>Breton.
>
>The study appears to support those who say the toxic tar ponds and coke
>ovens site, created from a century of steelmaking in the city, is
>behind the elevated cancer rates.
>
>An earlier study undertaken for JAG (Joint Action Group for
>Environmental Cleanup), which studied mortality rates, found Sydney
>residents died of cancer at a significantly higher rate than the
>Canadian average.
>
>Alarming? Well, anyone who lives in Sydney has every reason to be
>alarmed. While the different studies show different numbers, and
>everyone seems to be saying more studies are needed, there is no
>disputing the disturbing findings to date.
>
>As of yet, the causal link between environmental pollution and the
>cancer rates has not been firmly established in Sydney. And few people
>dispute that other factors, such as diet and smoking, can contribute to
>cancer rates in any community, not just Sydney.
>
>The difference here is the undeniable presence of the Sysco site, which
>has been found to contain elevated levels of
>
>cancercausing PAHs and PCBs. And while no one has determined an exact
>impact on the cancer rates identified in the studies, residents are
>rightly calling for action.
>
>Although the province and Ottawa have signed an agreement that seems to
>guarantee their involvement in funding a cleanup of the tar ponds and
>coke ovens site, Sydney is a long way from hearing about just what form
>
>Once again, more study is needed.
>
>Surely, in the meantime, some form of action can proceed.
>
>The province has moved to call in two cancer experts who will review
>the current data and make recommendations for some immediate action.
>
>This will likely be done through the office of Nova Scotia's new cancer
>commissioner, Andrew Padmos, who has called for a panel to review the
>information available to date.
>
>That's an important first step, in light of the different studies and
>data that has been produced.
>
>The next step should be to deal with the residents of Frederick Street,
>who have toxic sludge from the Sysco site oozing through the earth in
>their neighbourhood.
>The province is cautiously avoiding liability issues and awaiting,
>guess what, the results of more studies. It should be moving to offer a
>fair plan to address the concerns of residents.
>Then, officials should move to cut through some of the politics of JAG
>and attempt to make it a more functional group. While the desire for
>community input is admirable, especially in light of the missing public
>consultation on the previous failed cleanup effort, JAG is stuck in its
>own sludge. Action has to proceed at a faster pace.
>
>Living with the fear of cancer is bad enough. It's time for clear
>action that will allow more people in Sydney to escape the real thing.
>
The Halifax ChronicleHerald
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