Sydney Tar Ponds Backgrounder
Nightmare on Frederick Street

Sydney's infamous tar ponds are well documented. The tar ponds are North America's largest toxic waste site. The "monster," as it is often referred to, contains over 700,000 tonnes of toxic sludge, of which an estimated 50,000 tonnes are contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The "tar ponds" are actually not ponds at all. The accumulated toxic waste is situated in a tidal estuary, which sends PCBs to the ocean with every tidal cycle. To put the problem in perspective, the tar ponds contain over 35 times the amount of toxic sludge contained in New York's infamous Love Canal.

It's been 12 years since the federal and provincial governments launched a project to clean up the tar ponds. The 'clean-up' project was a mammoth failure and was abandoned.

The entire area surrounding the tar ponds is severely polluted. Toxic materials are widespread and come in many forms. Just upstream from the tar ponds, the 51-hectare coke oven plant is now a broken field of coal-black rubble and wild grass. Scientists also do not know if the grasses growing across the 51 acre plant are transforming the poisons, or causing them to become airborn. Benzene, toluene, kerosene, naphthalene, and tar are some commercial byproducts created by the coke plant.

Above the coal plant, just beyond a bright yellow mountain of pure sulphur, is a century-old dump. A 76-metre-high mound of garbage topped by an aging incinerator spews deadly mercury from its stack. A bright orange waterway running through the dump was once a healthy brook. The massive area between the tar ponds and steel mill is known as the "high dump." It is a scary place, a long hill of slag and industrial waste. No one has even begun testing soil here. When it rains, puddles turn fluorescent green. Perhaps most disturbing is that the area is still being used as a clandestine dump. Truckloads of undocumented industrial junk are dropped amid the slag every week.

The entire wasteland is bordered by homes, ball fields, playgrounds, schools, supermarkets and even restaurants. In July, 1998, tests confirmed what some residents have long suspected. The deadly toxic brew has invaded their lawns, a brook where children play and even the groundwater beneath their streets. The toxic pollution is most noticeable on Frederick Street.

There are 17 homes on Frederick Street. Frederick Street borders on 51 hectares of what was formerly the "coking" plant - where coal was baked in extremely hot ovens to make "coke" for the steel plant. The only thing separating the former plant and Frederick Street is a brook, which can easily be jumped over, and a new three-metre-high chain link with a sign that reads: "HUMAN HEALTH HAZARD, CONTAMINATED AREA, ABSOLUTELY NO TRESPASSING."

Officials know the coke plant's benzene tank leaked for years and that a substantial amount the ground is saturated with the deadly chemical. The Health Canada scientist involved in studies of the area says he literally lost his breath when he got downwind from the benzene spill. (1) Another tank, open to the air, contains an unknown mix of chemicals that site officials refer to as "nasties." What they know about the mess of poisoned land and water in the centre of this city is scary enough. What they do not know is terrifying.

However, only in the last few years have officials begun to admit that no one knows what brew of deadly chemicals has cooked in the 160 kilometres of rupturing, underground pipes beneath the old coke oven plant. In some areas, the ground regularly erupts in flames which can not be quenched. The underground pipes carry some of the most deadly chemicals known to humanity. Provincial employees are scared to try and dismantle the underground pipes for fear of causing an explosion. Former oven workers told provincial officials that most of the pipes were never purged. (2,3)

For the past three months trucks from a private company have been coming to the former coke plant, driven by men wearing protective body suits and breathing apparatus, and removed contaminated coal from the site. Stockpiles of coal were also established at the site only 500 feet from Frederick Street! Every time it is windy, a toxic coal dust fills the air and covers everything around with a fine coat of dust. Since the excavation operation began, residents of the 17 houses on Frederick Street have been suffering from increased incidents of already chronic ailments including burning eyes, migraine headaches, diarrhea and dry, itchy throats. (4,5,6)

Last month, the Frederick Street Brook, which runs directly behind the houses, started to ooze a yellow-colored "goo" from its banks. That attracted provincial and federal officials. They toured the site and ordered tests. Frederick Street residents were hoping the test results would provide them with medical evidence to explain why they have been suffering from so many illnesses. (7,8)

The Toxicity tests showed high levels of toxic chemicals like arsenic, molybdenum, benzopyrene, antimony, naphthalene, lead, toluene, tar, benzene, kerosene, copper and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). All the toxic chemicals were at levels well above those permitted by the CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) health guidelines.

The concentration of arsenic was 18.5 higher than acceptable levels under the federal/provincial "agreement." Naphthalene levels are 8.9 times higher, and molybdenum and benzopyrene levels were six times the recommended limit. These chemicals are known to cause various cancers, birth defects, heart disease, kidney disease, brain damage, immune deficiencies and skin rashes. The residents are torn between hoping the results will prompt the government to relocate them, and hoping none of their families are sick. (9)

Environment Canada expanded the initial tests of the brook and nearby rail-bed to include soil samples, groundwater and residents' backyards. There they found concentrated levels of arsenic, lead, and PAHs. Provincial officials won't confirm the source of that contamination, but neighbors are convinced it came from the old coke ovens which operated until the 1980's.

Both politicians and health officials have played down the concerns of residents of Frederick Street. The local MLA publicly scoffed at a constituent who raised concerns about the contamination, saying she would have to eat the arsenic to be harmed. Officials rushed to correct him the next day, pointing out arsenic can be absorbed through the skin and even become airborne.

Dr. Jeff Scott, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer said "based on test on tests so far, we do not believe the residents are at risk." In past media statements Scott, who live in Halifax, said he would live on Frederick St., and in 1996, he said he would be happy to bring his pregnant wife to a circus adjacent to the tar ponds. (10)

Following Dr. Scott's statements, Elizabeth May, Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada said "Dr. Scott has consistently defended toxic chemicals and acted as an apologist for environmental contaminants. The public deserves a medical officer who acts in the interest of public health, not toxic chemicals. " On July 24, 1998, the Sierra Club of Canada officially called for Dr. Scott's removal as Chief Medical Officer. (11)

Numerous people, including government officials, doctors, politicians and concerned residents are concerned with the provincial government's handling of the matter. (12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29)

Nova Scotia has the highest rates of cancer in Canada, and within the province, Cape Breton tops the charts. It has the highest rates of lung cancer, breast cancer & stomach cancer in the province. (30)

Recently, another toxic mess was discovered bordering Frederick Street. A black sludge-like substance, which emits a strong smell and makes residents eyes water, has been discovered bubbling out of the ground. The "sludge slick" is 30 feet long and 2 feet wide and seems to bubbling out of the ground. Government officials do not know what the substance is or where it is coming from. Moreover, they have no idea how long it will take to identify the substance and locate its origin. (31)

Most Frederick Street residents want to be relocated immediately. They want the province to relocate them to another community, but the provincial government has not responded. (7,12,21) Recent government 'testing' has found levels of arsenic in all the residents of Frederick Street but the government still refuses to relocate the families. The provincial governments position is that "there is no immediate health risk" does not comfort residents of Frederick Street. Residents are now seeking independant labratory analysis and legal counsel.

www.safecleanup.com/old_site/

1 (The Toronto Star, July 20, 1998) [Unknown Dangers Lurk in Toxic Wasteland]

Regarding the old coking plant: "Sometimes the smell of naphthalene is strong enough to drop you to your knees," says Mike Britten, program coordinator for the local (JAG) group charged with figuring out how to clean up the mess.

2 (The Toronto Star, July 20, 1998) [Unknown Dangers Lurk in Toxic Wasteland]

Regarding the 160 kilometres of pipes under the former coking plant: ``We don't have any idea what's down there and until we know we can't do anything,'' says Gary Campbell, a provincial official involved in the project for years. "``We don't want to bring in a welder to dismantle things and have him blown up.''

3 (The Chronicle Herald, August 19, 1996)

Beneath the soil is hundreds of miles of pipe, some of which has no doubt long since ruptured, releasing its contents into the soil. "Unfortunately they didn't keep very good records of where all those pipes went, or what they transported," said Mark Britten - Joint Action Group (JAG) coordinator. "The oven workers are telling us that a lot of them were never purged ... one of several volatile chemicals and a spark caused by a shovel or back-hoe could result in a disaster of even larger proportions."

4 (Juanita McKenzie, Sierra Club - Frederick Street Group Interview, July 10, 1998) Juanita

McKenzie says, "I came home from work and there are men in space suits about 500 feet away. I was starting to think I was underdressed. The only thing between them and us was a new ten foot high fence."

5 (Juanita Mckenzie, Sierra Club - Frederick Street Group Interview, July 10, 1998)

"They are supposed to be digging again next week. Why should we be prisoners in our own homes. We can't even open the windows."

6 (Juanita Mckenzie, Sierra Club - Frederick Street Group Interview, August 6, 1998)

"Now there are three people with kidney infections. Lois Gibbs almost lost her son to Kidney failure. Everyone I talk to is suffering. There is a lot of migraines, diarrhea, itchy, burning eyes and throats. Juanita's daughter is losing her hair. We are being poisoned here and no body cares"

7 (The Toronto Star, July 19, 1998) [Poison City]

"I want out of here," says Ouellette, who complains, as do all her neighbors, of watering eyes, scratchy throat, and shortness of breath - all attributable, they say, to their environment. Ron MacDonald - He's got asthma, ear infections, eye infections. He's got tubes in his ears. He's got bronchitis.

8 (The Toronto Star, July 20, 1998) [Unknown Dangers Lurk in Toxic Wasteland]

Larissa Boone was a healthy little girl until she moved into a purple clapboard home beside the old coal processing plant. Now the rambunctious toddler squirms beneath a plastic respirator tied to a whirring machine that sprays medicine into her ailing lungs. In the five months since Larissa and her mother Tanya moved to Frederick St., the 2-year-old has been plagued with problems; a right eye recently swollen shut with pus, a recurrent ear infection and now, fluid in her lungs that won't go away. As far as Tanya Boone knows, no one has tested her soil or the brook that runs behind her creek, even though the highest arsenic levels were found in the yard of her next-door neighbor. No one has offered to check if her daughter Larissa is accumulating poison in her system.

9 (Cape Breton Post, July 24, 1998) [Please someone out there help us]

"We are hoping that none of this stuff (toxic chemicals) shows up in any of us, especially the children."

10 (Cape Breton Post, July 24, 1998) [Please someone out there help us]

Days after the toxicity testing had shown levels of pollution well beyond government limits: Dr. Jeff Scott "based on test on tests so far, we do not believe the residents are at risk." In past media statements Scott, who live in Halifax, said he would live on Frederick St., and in 1996, he said he would be happy to bring his pregnant wife to a circus adjacent to the tar ponds.

11 (Sierra Club Press Release, July 24, 1998) [Canadian Press]

Elizabeth May, Executive Director of the Sierra Club of/du Canada said Mr. Scott's statements "Dr. Scott has consistently defended toxic chemicals and acted as an apologist for environmental contaminants. The public deserves a medical officer who acts in the interest of public health, not toxic chemicals. "

12 (The Chronicle Herald, August 13, 1996) [Tar ponds burial plans put on ice]

Asked for an adjective to describe the toxic waste site formed by over 70 years of coking operations at the coke plant, Sergio said "horrific .. quite scandalous. No briefing can capture this site."

13 (The Ottawa Citizen, January 28, 1997) [Environment Minister promises to clean up Canada's national shame]

Said (then) Environment Minister Sergio Marchi. "I think its a national issue and, quite frankly a bit of a national shame." "Forget who's fault it was."

14 (The Halifax Chronicle-Herald, Saturday July 11, 1998) [Evacuate tar ponds neighbors, NDP says]

Resident Juanita McKenzie said further tests are frustrating. "The guidelines were set up to protect the public and twice they've tested the site and results have come over the limits. How much more do you need? "What's the problem here?" She said moving is the only answer and questioned why Premier Russell MacLellan has been so silent. "He's from Sydney and we're kind of wondering where he's at. We'd like for him to come down and talk to us. He knows what we're living (with)... Why isn't he here?"

15 (The Halifax Chronicle-Herald, Saturday July 11, 1998) [Evacuate tar ponds neighbors, NDP says]

Evacuate tar ponds neighbors, NDP says leader Robert Chisholm speechless during a tour of the toxic Frederick Street area Friday. "This is a toxic area. There's only one dog left." Mr. Chisholm looked at the contaminated brook as well as the larger toxic sites nearby - the coke ovens, located a stone's throw away, and the adjacent tar ponds. "It's phenomenal, really, the degree of contamination," he said. " It's a very serious problem." Both Mr. Chisholm and a colleague, MP Peter Mancini, echoed the same sentiments Friday - evacuate the 12 families until it's safe. "We got all of that chemical soup and all of these hot spots around here," Mr. Chisholm said, stretching his arm towards the signs that clearly read: Human Health Hazard. "The land is so heavily contaminated that there are spontaneous fires breaking out all the time. It's phenomenal, the degree of contamination.' "And then at the tar ponds you have tonnes and tonnes of raw sewage pumping in there every day. "I wanted to meet the folks here and hopefully give them assurances that we're going to continue to battle the government to do the right thing," he said. Meanwhile, Mr. Chisholm said the province's response is poor. "The residents of this area have appealed to their government for help. ... What they've gotten are air monitors that weren't plugged in, a flimsy snow fence ... and an offensive dismissal by their elected provincial representative."

16 (CAPE BRETON POST, JULY 13 1998)

Dr. John Hamm toured the Frederick Street area "it's extremely disturbing that people are living in that area, surrounded by these toxins," he said. Quick action is required on the part of government, Hamm said, to alleviate any potential health hazard the residents of Frederick Street may be facing. Hamm has written to provincial environment minister Don Downe asking for an immediate health risk assessment and the development of an action plan which would be implemented immediately.

17 (The Halifax Chronicle-Herald, July 16, 1998) [MP urges action on tar ponds plan]

A plan to clean up the Sydney tar ponds needs to be finalized before the summer ends, Sydney Victoria MP Peter Mancini (613 995-6459) says. He wants a memorandum of understanding between the federal departments of Environment and Health, the province and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality signed in Sydney before Sept.1. "The agreement must be signed this summer to provide people with a concrete example of government commitment," he said.

18 (The Moncton Times and Transcript, July 17, 1998)

Interim HELP Cape Breton - chairperson Dan Yakimchuk says, "We believe that the issue of the extent of toxic contamination in the Sydney area requires an independent voice - independent of any level of government or vested interest."

19 (The Toronto Star, July 19, 1998) [Poison City]

"We are amazed that people aren't marching on Parliament Hill about this,'' says Germaine LeMoine, who works for the local committee charged with the clean-up.

20 (The Halifax Chronicle-Herald, July 19, 1998) [Toxic-waste tests to tell tale]

Frederick Street resident Debbie Oulette says, "Nobody should be allowed to live on this street anymore. I'm worried for my children. Surely someone isn't going to have to die to prove a point"

21 (The Halifax Chronicle-Herald, July 19, 1998) [I want out of here]

"I don't want to leave my home, but we can't stay someplace that's making us sick," said resident Ronnie MacDonald.

22 (The Toronto Star, July 20, 1998) [Unknown Dangers Lurk in Toxic Wasteland]

Regarding the bureaucratic nature of the Joint Action Group (JAG): "I buried my best friend last week,'' said Gauthier, 41. ``I know five more guys who are dying, all of them under 50, and maybe another five who don't have it terminal. And tonight . . . we just spent another hour arguing about the memorandum of understanding. It's driving me crazy.''

23 (Sierra Club - HELP Interview, July 24, 1998)

Dr. Betty Holmes (902 539-9364) Interim Vice-Chair - HELP; "As a health professional I am very concerned about the health impact in such a contaminated area."

24 (Sierra Club - HELP Interview, July 24, 1998)

Chuck White (902 871-2155) Secretary/Treasurer - HELP Cape Breton; "Cape Breton residents from beyond the ruined Muggah Creek watershed are also negatively affected by the pollution."

25 (Sierra Club - HELP Interview, July 24, 1998)

Dan Yakimchuk (902 562-7280) Interim Chairman - HELP; "The pollution doesn't just affect Frederick St. and the Whitney Pier area, it affects the whole Island. It is a national disgrace. Everyone should be concerned."

26 (Cape Breton Post, July 25, 1998)

Tory environment critic Jim DeWolfe - MLA Pictou East - toured the street Friday and met with residents. He said he's not surprised by the call for Scott to leave his post but that the issue really is, where is Premier Russell MacLellan? "He has to get over here and deal with the issue," said DeWolfe, noting the premier lives in Sydney but has yet to meet with the residents. He said any comment by Scott that the health of residents is not at risk when contaminants exceed national standards just doesn't make sense. "My heart goes out to these people and, like them, I am worried about the long term effects."

27 (Cape Breton Post, July 25, 1998)

"It's absolutely incredible when you hear public health officials dismiss levels of arsenic that are 18 times higher than the guidelines, naphthalene levels up to 8.9 times higher and molybdenum and benzopyrene levels that are six times the recommended limit," said MacDonald, a New Democrat.

28 (Cape Breton Post, July 25, 1998)

"It's absolutely incredible when you hear public health officials dismiss levels of arsenic that are 18 times higher than the guidelines, naphthalene levels up to 8.9 times higher and molybdenum and benzopyrene levels that are six times the rec| limit," said MacDonald, a New Democrat.

29 (Juanita Mckenzie, Sierra Club - Frederick Street Group Interview, August 6, 1998)

"We have the SPCA to protect animals and the [Canadian Council of Ministers] CCME guidelines to protect humans. Our backyards are toxic. Recent tests show levels of contamination are much as 18 times the CCME guidelines and the government won't move us. Animals are treated better than we are. "

30 (Cape Breton Post, November 19, 1996) [Cancer Study Left In Federal Hands]

Data suggest males in Sydney have cancer rates of 19% (almost 1 in 5) and females 14% - More than double national averages.

31 (CAPE BRETON POST, August 5, 1998) [Yet another oozing substance cause for concern on Frederick Street]

"The newest unknown substance runs 30 feet in length and, in some places, is two feet wide. (Juanita) McKenzie said the black goo "smells really bad." Residents who investigated the area left with their eyes burning. They immediately called Wayne Pierce, a representative for Environment Canada and chairperson for the Frederick Street Monitoring Committee. Pierce said he visited the site Tuesday but could not determine what the source was. The length of time it will take to locate the source of the substance is not known at this time. Pierce said he will be contacting members of the monitoring committee to determine a plan of action."

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