Several questions remain about the amount of mercury in Nova Scotia, buried under the site where Northern Pulp’s new treatment facility will be. Concerned citizens wonder whether the industrial site has been properly remediated. If not, the ground disturbance from the new facility could cause the mercury to leach into the waterways and into the strait. An archive of The Montreal Gazette, June 20, 1977 shows there are large amounts that have not been accounted for by the provincial or federal government.
Samples of the effluent tests show the heavy metals to contain mercury, cadmium, lead, nickel, chromium, arsenic, aluminum, vanadium, chromium as well as dioxins and furans. The Department of Environment has suggested that the quantity will be minimal so as not to be of any concern. However, some of these will bio-accumulate in living organisms including fish and humans. Over time, the results can be disastrous and have a huge effect on the health of the ecosystem and those who live beside it as well as those who eat seafood.
Lynn Cameron, BSc, MSc, PhD (organic chemistry) Retired scientist, concerned citizen and resident of Pictou County recently wrote an open letter saying that the new facility is expected to remove only 45-65% of the chlorinated compounds. The letter is posted below.