A newly-formed monitoring commmittee is scheduled to meet today in Sydney
to discuss a report detailing high levels of a toxic metal found in a Whitney
Pier neighborhood.
It is also hoped results from another round of testing completed last week
may also be available for discussion.
Maria Dober, spokesperson for Environment Canada, said Monday the committee
was formed in response to the concerns expressed by residents of Frederick
Street.
From their backyards, residents can see the fenced-in
and the signs which warn of a human health hazard. The area includes
the Sydney Tar Ponds which are considered Canada's worst toxic waste dump.
Soil tests taken from a brook bank - which runs along the back property
lines of several residents - showed elevated amounts of the metals arsenic,
boron and molybdenum. High levels of sulphur were also detected.
Soil taken from anearby rail line - operated by the Cape Breton Development
Corporation - is also contaminated. Arsenic levels from the bank
were 18.5 times higher than recommended national standards and arsenic
concentrations from the rail bed were three times higher. The report
states that concentrations found in the bank were too high to be considered
as naturally occurring.
Dober said the new committee comprises representatives from the federal
and provincial Departments of Health and Environment, Cape Breton Development
Corporation, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the Joint Action
Group (JAG).
She said it was decided to form a joint committee to ensure everyone is
aware of the latest information and the processes to be followed to correct
the situation.
The arsenic levels were found in two sample areas and Dober said three
more were taken last week and hopes those results will be available today.
Meanwhile, residents like Debbie Ouelette are continuing to ban their children
and pets from playing their backyards.
Ouelette said Monday air monitors are expected to be installed on her property
to monitor pollutants being released from a cleanup on the watershed site.
The watershed is the target of community-based cleaup through JAG.
The recommended Canadian Council of Ministers of the
Environment arsenic level is 12mg/Kg and the level found near Frederick
Street registers 222.55mg/Kg.