Sediment Tests Positive for Highly Elevated Levels of PCBs, PAHs, Heavy Metals
Fraser Riverkeeper calls on Vancouver Authorities to Take Steps to Protect the Public
Vancouver, BC – February 10, 2010 – False Creek, a part of the Fraser River watershed, which runs through the Vancouver Olympic Village, has sediments that contain dangerous chemical contamination – including elevated levels of PCBs, PAHs, copper, lead, and other heavy metals – it was announced today by local and international water conservation groups. The groups, led by the local Fraser Riverkeeper – which commissioned tests near the Olympic Village and notified the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA) last month of the toxicity – now call on Vancouver to take immediate steps to educate and protect the public.
“Tens of thousands of athletes, workers and spectators will soon be passing through the False Creek Area, on which Olympic Village is housed, daily; we call on VCHA to immediately warn the public to stay out of these waters,” said Fraser Riverkeeper Doug Chapman. “Our members use and recreate in these waters, and Fraser Riverkeeper remains concerned about the well-being and long-term health of our community. We have an obligation to help inform the public, as they have a right to know about the quality of their waters.”
On January 11, 2010, Fraser Riverkeeper wrote to Vancouver Coastal Health Authority’s office regarding acutely toxic and contaminated sediment samples obtained from two False Creek locations east of the Cambie Street Bridge in front of the Olympic Village on December 23, 2009. At that time, Fraser Riverkeeper asked what steps would be taken to protect the public from the contamination, and a request was made that the public be warned immediately about the dangers of wading in and using these contaminated areas. The group was informed during a meeting on February 8th by VCHA officers that the agency has known about the contamination for a decade.
“We have done our duty by testing for the presence of toxins and informing the authorities; we now urge the VCHA to do theirs by remedying the situation and notifying the public of the dangerous nature of this area,” Chapman continued. “To date we have received no response from VCHA that it intends to take steps to protect the public, nor has any warning been issued.”
Laboratory analyses of the samples collected by Fraser Riverkeeper were conducted by CANTest and establish that False Creek sediment is contaminated with elevated levels of PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – chemical compounds that occur in oil, coal, and tar deposits, and are produced as byproducts of fuel burning), and toxic heavy metals including copper and lead. PCBs are banned compounds that can cause skin lesions, severe liver damage, and acute systemic poisoning that may be immediately fatal. PAHs are of concern as a pollutant because they are known carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic toxins. PCBs and PAHs enter the human body most commonly through contact with the skin.
According to John Werring, Salmon Conservation Biologist at the David Suzuki Foundation and Advisory Board Member of Fraser Riverkeeper, the tests show that several chemical parameters exceed British Columbia’s contaminated regulatory limits for the protection of marine and aquatic life. He further noted that some chemicals also exceeded regulated limits for soils for residential areas and parks.
“We call on the VCHA to immediately post signage warning the public and to monitor boat traffic, which may need to be controlled to prevent stirring up these highly contaminated sediments,” said Scott Edwards, Director of Advocacy Programs for Waterkeeper Alliance. “The eyes of the world are on Vancouver for the Olympic Games. While we understand the city may not want to draw attention to this problem at this time, ignoring it, and thereby failing to protect the public, would be dangerously irresponsible, a real embarrassment for the city and country.”
“The public must be protected,” concluded Lauren Hornor, Executive Director of Fraser Riverkeeper. “Of course, we are concerned about athletes and visitors to our country, but we are also concerned about the long-term health and well-being of the local and provincial communities, which use and enjoy these waters year-round.”
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Fraser Riverkeeper
Douglas Chapman: (604) 646-0477 / (778) 772 -0460 chapman@fraserriverkeeper.ca
Lauren Hornor: (604) 786-0888 / lauren@fraserriverkeeper.ca
Goodman Media for Waterkeeper Alliance
John Bianchi: (917) 693-4290 / jbianchi@goodmanmedia.com
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