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The reason that Sierra Club is correct here is the the NS Dept of Health
is using methods of risk assessment that are wholly inadequate to what is
actually happening. We need methods of assessing risk of toxic releases
that take the precautionary principle and much more.
Saturday, July 25, 1998 The Halifax Herald Limited
May: Chief medical officer has lost credibility.
Sierra Club demands MD quit over tar ponds issue
By JOCELYN BETHUNE
Margaree - The Sierra Club of Canada is demanding the resignation of
Nova Scotia's chief medical officer.
Elizabeth May, executive director of the national environmental group,
says Dr. Jeff Scott no longer has credibility. He said Wednesday the
residents of Frederick Street in Sydney face no immediate health
risks.
"Every statement that we can recall, for as many years as he has been
there, has been to minimize the (perception of) risks from toxic
chemicals and issue bland reassurances that have the effect of
endangering the public health," Ms. May said from her summer home in
Margaree.
Residents of Frederick Street - on the edge of the tar ponds site
where 700,000 tonnes of toxic waste have been dumped during a century
of steel making - were recently informed the area had extreme levels
of arsenic.
They have undergone hair and blood tests to determine if their bodies
have unusually high levels of contaminants.
Residents held a news conference Thursday and denounced Dr. Scott's
comments.
Ms. May said Dr. Scott's latest announcement, coupled with another
comment he made last year downplaying the risks posed by the proximity
of a circus set up near the toxic site, is disconcerting.
"When someone who is entrusted with this position of chief medical
officer for the province says ... there was no risk to going to a
circus adjacent to the tar ponds and that he would take his pregnant
wife there. ... The effect that has on members of the public is to
discredit the legitimate concerns that the site is in fact dangerous."
She adds the people of Frederick Street in particular have reason to
be worried.
"They have been through a real nightmare. ... They are desperate to be
moved and to have statements from Jeff Scott continually downplaying
the risks to those people. ... It's irresponsible."
Dr. Scott was on vacation Friday, but Sue McKeage, a spokeswoman for
the Department of Health, said the department has the utmost
confidence in Dr. Scott and he continues to meet with Frederick Street
residents to hear their concerns.
"He has been saying that there is no acute or immediate risk to the
residents in that area but he recognizes that more tests are needed.
He moved immediately on that (and) is continuing to do that."
She said even though Dr. Scott is out of the office, he continues to
be kept up to date and spoke with a resident Thursday.
Results from the tests conducted on Frederick Street residents are
expected shortly, she added.
The Sierra Club is working with residents to find an independent
laboratory to test hair and blood samples.
"They are entitled to a second opinion," Ms. May said.
Frederick Street residents said they would not comment on Sierra Club
demands until they had the chance to review them.
Germaine LeMoine, a spokeswoman for the Joint Action Group, a
committee formed to oversee the cleanup of the tar ponds, declined
comment on the Sierra Club's position.
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