There are many industries located along the Fraser River and other waterways around metro-Vancouver such as pulp mills, mining operations, industrial plants (food, wood product, and manufacturing), and oil refineries. The pulp paper industry forms toxic by-products from its industrial activities such as chlorine bleaching and industrial inceration. Examples of these by-products include dioxins and furans, and are known to suppress the immune system function, damage the liver, and bioaccumulate in fish and shellfish, leading to human health risks if consumed.

The lumber industry uses highly toxic chemicals, called antisapstains, which help protect wood from the discoloration caused by fungi and mould. The chemicals can end up in the Fraser River as a result of spills into storm sewers or being washed off treated wood in a rainstorm.

For more information, see BC’s Marine Environment’s Industrial Contaminants paper.