JAG not seeking cash
Chemical fund holds little appeal for tar ponds group
By BEVERLEY WARE / Cape Breton Bureau
Halifax Chronicle Herald, December 9, 1998
Sydney - The group charged with cleaning up the Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens
may take advantage of a $40-million toxic chemical research fund. But the Joint
Action Group isn't champing at the bit for a chunk of the change.
"Every now and then the national purse opens in Ottawa and we have to be ready,"
said Mike Britten, program co-ordinator for the Joint Action Group.
But he said the group's mandate is to clean up Canada's worst toxic waste site, not
determine how the sludge is affecting people's health.
"The money does not fall within our MOU (memorandum of understanding)," Mr.
Britten said.
Yet he said if the group's health issues or environmental data committees want to apply
for research monies, he will willingly pitch their request. The deadline is Feb.26.
The fund has been established by the Environment Department to conduct research
into the effects of toxic chemicals and human health and the environment. "It's not
meant to deal with research associated with remediation," said Mr. Britten, and
remediation is the local group's raison d'etre.
However, the group's health issues and environmental data working groups are
studying the impact of toxic chemicals on human health.
"They've been looking at the mortality and cancer rates, the affect the industry has had
on the community for the past 100 years and any effects it may be having today so
there's somewhat of an overlap there."
In announcing the four-year program, Environment Minister Christine Stewart said it
won't duplicate existing research. Rather, it should increase understanding of how
human illnesses are affected by toxic chemicals.
She cited the Sydney tar ponds as one of the toxic hot spots that should be studied
because the toxins and heavy metals found there are associated with cancers and heart
and lung disease as well as diseases of the reproductive system.
Just what that relationship is, however, is unclear, she said.
While this is a national program, Mr. Britten said he was somewhat surprised the
minister singled out the tar ponds in her announcement.
Before it considers applying for assistance, he said the group must first determine if it
has any research projects that qualify. He said it would be helpful "to have a snapshot
once and for all of what we're dealing with here," but he cautioned the actual process
can be "very tricky," given the various criteria involved for different studies.
On one hand, Mr. Britten said he would like the committees to jump at any money out
there that could help. But on the other hand, "timing is crucial,"
and the group must be sure it is capable of conducting such a study without getting
ahead of itself.
As it follows protocol for decommissioning of industrial sites, the group doesn't want
to study an area "it's not ready to get into yet," he said.
Province's decision angers JAG Chair
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