Fumes from these bitumen storage tanks are allegedly driving Alberta families from their homes. Read this Jan. 26th Vancouver Observer story by Mychaylo Prystupa on the extreme effects of bitumen fumes from Baytex Energy’s storage tanks on families near Peace River Alberta. Northwest Alberta grain farmer Alain Labrecque recalls the first winter in 2011 when
Continue readingTag: Health and Environment
The Common Sense Canadian: Alberta doctors avoid linking health issues to Tar Sands: report
by Bob Weber, The Canadian Press EDMONTON – Opposition politicians are raising concerns over a report done for Alberta’s energy regulator that suggests doctors are reluctant to draw links between health problems and the energy industry. “We do have a culture in this province which actively diminishes healthy and important debate about
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: West Virginia chemical spill closes much of capital
Freedom Industries’ Charleston plant (photo: flickr.com / flickr.com / iwasaround) by John Raby, The Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Schools and restaurants closed, grocery stores sold out of bottled water, and state legislators who had just started their session cancelled the day’s business after a chemical spill in the Elk River
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: US woman sues Canadian mining titan Teck over toxins, disease
1988 image of effluent from Teck’s lead and Zinc smelter in Trail, BC (photo: Joel Rogers) by Dene Moore, Canadian Press VANCOUVER – A Washington state woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against Teck Resources (TSX:TCK.B), claiming toxic pollutants from the company’s smelter in southeastern British Columbia are to blame
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Groups decry proposed Fraser River toxic waste recycling site
When Chilliwack resident and conservationist Glen Thompson learned that city council had passed a bylaw amendment permitting a hazardous waste recycling facility on the banks of the Fraser River, alarm bells went off. “That toxic waste site could potentially leak chemicals into this stream…which leads into the Fraser River,” Thomspson notes in a video
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Quebec to investigate PCB contamination throughout province
MONTREAL – Quebec’s environment minister has announced a new inspection program will be carried out on known PCB sites in the province. Yves-Francois Blanchet says priority will be given to 60 licensed PCB sites, which will be checked between now and April 2014. The inspections will be carried out on
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Teck smelter’s downstream US neighbours may sue over pollution, illness
1988 image of effluent from Teck’s lead and Zinc smelter in Trail, BC (photo: Joel Rogers) Read this Nov. 25 story from CBC.ca on a potential lawsuit involving downstream pollution from a lead-zinc smelter owned by Teck Resources in Trail, BC. Residents of a small town in northern Washington state
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: First Nation in Ontario’s ‘Chemical Valley’ affected by pollutants
A new study is drawing attention to the health problems being faced by a First Nations community living near one of Canada’s most industrialized areas. Members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation living on a reserve near Sarnia, Ont., have long suspected harmful chemicals were behind an unusually low male birth
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Burnaby residents complain of fumes from Kinder Morgan oil terminal
Some Burnaby residents are noticing intense fumes emanating from Kinder Morgan’s oil terminal Read this Oct. 22 story from the Burnaby Now, profiling several residents of the city’s Westridge neighbourhood who have been affected by intense fumes coming from the nearby Kinder Morgan oil terminal. Westridge residents are sounding the alarm after
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Timberwest Still Abusing Youbou Residents As Dustup Continues!
Trish Waddington, a dust drenched Youbou resident, sent out an an email this morning about the dust storms that continue unabated and unaddressed. She is understandably getting testy over Timberwest’s continued refusal to take steps to address their ongoing dust assault on Youbou residents, especially those living on the main road. Part of Timberwest’s continued stubbornness and
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: BC to study air pollution impacts from proposed LNG plants
Proposed LNG plant in Kitimat – artist’s rendering VICTORIA – The B.C. government will spend $650,000 to study potential air pollution impacts of proposed industrial developments — including liquefied natural gas plants — in the Kitimat area, a decision opposition politicians and scientists are calling better-late-than-never. The Liberals said Thursday
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Canada mulls crackdown on pesticide suspected of killing bees
OTTAWA – The federal Health Department is proposing tighter rules for the use of a pesticide that is suspected of killing honey bees. It is asking for public comment on the issue over the next 90 days. The department wants to hear from stakeholders and other interested parties people about
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Wal-Mart applauded for pulling toxins from shelves
NEW YORK – Wal-Mart announced Thursday that it will require its suppliers to phase out 10 hazardous chemicals from personal care products, cosmetics and cleaning products sold in its stores. It will also require the suppliers to disclose chemicals in those products. The moves follow an announcement made by Procter
Continue reading