Muggah Creek Watershed
PUBLICATIONThe Halifax Chronicle-Herald
DATE Saturday June 5, 1999
PAGE A4
HEADLINE:

Survey respondents say toxins threatening

SYDNEY - Sydney residents believe they are threatened by toxins in the downtown area, says a risk-perception study by the University College of Cape Breton.

The 1998 study by Helen Mersereau, based on a survey of 191 people, concluded that the respondents' level of concern about health and exposure to toxins depended on their education, overall health and whether they had children or any sick family members.

The report stated that sewage contaminating Sydney Harbour was the biggest environmental concern for respondents, 56 per cent of whom were women aged 35-59.

Most felt they would be exposed to toxins from seafood while others feared exposure from drinking well-water or eating vegetables. Almost 50 per cent said they would be in danger from walking near the tar ponds. The tar ponds cleanup was identified as the biggest priority for government, followed by creating jobs, cleaning up the coke ovens site and addressing overall health needs.

Sierra Club director to attend Sunday meeting

The executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada, Elizabeth May, will attend a meeting Sunday at the Hankard Street Community Hall in Whitney Pier.

The meeting was organized by a residents’ committee formed in response to the voluntary buyout offer to residents of Frederick Street and Curry’s Lane. The offer was made as a result of extensive testing planned for the neighbourhood this summer to trace the source of arsenic contamination which has turned up in some basements.

The committee, representing residents from other streets in the Whitney Pier community, is demanding they be included in the buyout offer.

The session is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

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