 |
| Local | National | World | Technology | Travel | Health | Oddities | Careers | Classifieds | Obituaries | Letters to the Editor | Editorials |
| More Links | tbayjobline | TbayWeddings | Play Games! | New! eVents Calendar | Advertise with Us | Contact Us |
|---|
| Other Links | Movie Times | Airport | Bus Schedule | Road Conditions | Library | Weather |
|---|
The groups highlight research that suggests dramatic changes in water levels associated with mining operations will release vast amounts of mercury into the local environment, contaminating fish and wildlife and ultimately poisoning humans. It‘s a claim that has its skeptics, including the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Anne-Marie Flanagan, a spokeswoman for Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle‘s office, said Friday that the ministry has a number of environment standards and safeguards in place for the mining industry. “There is a whole barrage of permits . . . a permitting (and approval) process that a new mine must meet,” she said, noting that environmental monitoring continues once a mine is open to ensure standards are being met. David Lean, professor of ecotoxicology at the University of Ottawa, states in a press release that “industrial activities such as mines, hydroelectric dams and logging in the Boreal Forest will fundamentally change the landscape and will cause mercury to be released. “What is most troubling is that this increased risk of mercury contamination was not accounted for in the environmental assessment of the region\’s first approved large diamond mining operation – De Beers Victor Diamond Mine, near Attawapiskat,” he said. Mercury accumulates in soil and plants and is transformed into methylmercury, which is bio-accumulated in fish such as pike, walleye, bass and trout at levels thousands of times higher than in surrounding water. In humans, mercury exposure has significant neurological and developmental effects, such as learning disabilities, birth defects, tremors and cerebral palsy. Grassy Narrows First Nation band Coun. Steve Fobister suggested that his community is still suffering the ill-health effects of mercury pollution, released in the late 1960s from a pulp and paper mill into the English-Wabigoon River system. “Our people are still struggling with mercury poisoning from more than 30 years ago. . . . Enough is enough. The government must act now to better protect us from further mercury contamination,” Fobister said. The groups‘ complaints are documented in an Application for Review filed under Ontario‘s Environmental Bill of Rights, recently submitted on behalf of CPAWS Wildlands League by Ecojustice. “Methylmercury is a potent neurotoxin that is highly toxic to human beings and wildlife,” said Anna Baggio, Wildlands‘ director of conservation and land-use planning. “We demand that the province begin rigorous monitoring of mercury levels in northern communities and the Boreal Forest and ensure that potential health and environmental impacts of methylmercury are analyzed prior to approving additional industrial operations,” she said. Top of Page |
|
|
September 2, 2010, 8:22 am |