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This fire brings to light a problem that no government here about seems
at all inclined to solve. We need a comprehensive policy on toxins that
is truly ecological. We need to have a "zero toxics production" goal and
a strategy to get there and the courage to do so. And we need a
comprehensive program to destroy current toxins we have made and to do so
in a non-incineration manner.
It seems silly to have to point out that unless we stop exposing
ourselves and our habitat to toxins we will keep on poisoning ourselves.
When I represented the Environmental Networks of all four Atlantic
provinces to the Atlantic PCB Destruction Program, I looked carefully at
all to the methods of PCB destruction. I found that there are too many
problems with incineration for it to be endorseable or trustworthy or even
adequate.
By far the best method I found was that invented by Douglas Hallet called
"EcoLogic." It literally unmakes carbon based molecules like PCBs,
dioxins, pesticides, PAHs, etc. by "hydrogen replacement." In hydrogen
replacement, organic chemical compounds are heated to about 350 degrees C
where chemical bond strengths weaken, then hydrogen is introduced in a
oxygen free environment. Hydrogen then bonds with carbon to form methane
which is then collected in tanks, tested with a gas chromatograph for
purity and is then available for use as a pure fuel to heat the next
batch. Table salt is also formed from the chlorines. Metals precipitate
in a form suitable for recycling.
The Federal and provincial governments are fixated on incineration and so
we reach bad situations such as at Five Island Lake, Sydney and many other
sites. Toxins just sit in storage or in the ground or water. Sometimes
they are trucked to an incinerator or a special landfill at great expense
and at risk of even worse problems.
When will government actually go ahead with a responsible toxins
destruction/clean-up program? Even more important, when will government
go ahead with a responsible and comprehensive program to eliminate all
toxin production and release, such as in so many produced items, like
building products?
People with environmental sensitivities and illness are getting sick right
now as are those getting cancer, asthma and other environmentally
triggered illnesses. We need action now, not endless delays.
David Wimberly
Monday, May 24, 1999
Fire near PCB dumpsite
Blaze levelled old storage garage
By REBECCA MacEACHERN -- Special to The Daily News
Despite a few "hairy" moments, firefighters prevented a fire from
reaching a store of PCB containers at a Hubley junkyard yesterday.
There were no injuries, but the fire levelled an old storage garage
near the PCB dumpsite, 15 kilometres southwest of Halifax.
"There was an explosion, and it looks like there were several propane
tanks," said Bill Power, Lakeside deputy fire chief. "It was an old
garage, they call it Junkie Jim's, being used to store stuff by the
owner.
"It's all under control now. We had a few hairy moments though."
There are an estimated 25 containers of PCBs stored near the fire
location, but Power said firefighters prevented the fire from
spreading.
Nobody had to be evacuated during the afternoon blaze.
40 firefighters
"We were helping with the bush fire that started near the garage,"
said Power, adding 40 firefighters from four local communities were at
the scene.
Officials from the Department of Natural Resources were also called in
for assistance.
Area MLA Bill Estabrooks said he was watching the Buffalo-Toronto
hockey game when his phone started ringing.
"I've had well over a dozen calls from concerned residents," said
Estabrooks, who visited the fire site.
Within 100 metres
"You can imagine how worried people got when they heard the fire was
within 100 metres of the dumpsite."
Many residents who live in the community near the dumpsite were
imaging the worse, said Estabrooks.
"I mean, when you consider those PCB cans, you automatically think of
Five Island Lake," said the NDP MLA.
"I mean big cans, the kind you need a flatbed to move."
The fire was fought at both ends of Highway 103 near Old St.
Margaret's Bay Road, but fortunately, the wind co-operated, said
Estabrooks.
"Thank God the wind was taking the fire away from the PCBs dumpsite."
After spending much of the evening assuring residents there was no
immediate danger, Estabrooks started wondering how much more his
constituents must endure.
"I don't know what more has to happen before the government does
something about those PCBs," he said.
"But I just had a senior call me who is worried sick over this."
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
References
0. http://www.hfxnews.southam.ca/story3.html
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