Move us or we'll sue, says Sydney Resident
Tests show high levels of toxins at site
By JEFFREY SIMPSON
Staff Reporter, The Chronicle Herald, July 8, 1998
Sydney residents living metres away from a toxic waste site say they'll sue the Nova Scotia government if it doesn't help them relocate soon.
"It will come to that," promised Debbie ouelette, who lives on Frederick Street, where orange and yellow substances have been found oozing out of the ground.
We mean business."
Ms. Ouelette and several of her neighbors threatened the action after receiving test results Tuesday that show high levels of dangerous chemicals in the area.
The province's chief medical officer, Jeff Scott, spent Tuesday discussing the problem with them.
Levels of lead, copper, arsenic and certain hydrocarbons found in the soil and water were the main chemicals found to be above established safety limits, he said.
"I'm comfortable there's no immediate threat but I do recognize the concern," he said.
"The fact that they are above guidelines means that we have to evaluate it further."
The next step is to test people living in the area to find out of the pollutants pose any long-term threats, he said.
While test results showed drinking water was safe, soil samples and water taken from a stream where children play contained higher than acceptable amounts of chemicals, Dr. Scott said.
"You have to look at where kids play, where kids are.
"Chemicals are only harmful if you're exposed to them."
He advised residents to stay away from certain areas such as the stream.
But that wasn't good enough for those who complain they suffer from headaches, burning eyes and sore throats.
"How can we avoid the area when we live here?" said Ms. Ouelette, who lives behind the brook.
Juanita McKenzie said she doesn't know what else the province needs to know before it helps people living in the area.
"Our frustration levels are really high right now," said Ms. McKenzie, who put her house up for sale last winter.
"I'm just stunned by the whole thing. I'm so appalled at the situation. I want out."
Ms. Ouelette said the province is probably dragging its heels in relocating residents of Frederick Street because other people living in the surrounding area would also want assistance, she said.
"But we're the closest," she said
Contact: Juanita McKenzie, official spokesperson for the Frederick Street Group
Contact: Muggah Creek or Sierra Club of Canada
