ELMIRA'S SHAME

Chemical Exposure Risk Assessment of the Downstream Canagagigue Creek ............................................................................................................................ A well embedded TAG member with historical knowledge has provided a report to TAG & Lanxess titled "Vulnerabilities of the Old Order Mennonite Farm Community". She through observation as well as some discussion has flatly stated what I have only presumed and assumed for decades. That this is only coming to light at this very late date is unfortunate. It is possible however that a certain amount of discretion and confidentiality may have been promised to the Old Order Mennonite families. They had talks with the Asst. Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Waterloo way back in 1997 after sediment and floodplain soil testing (95-96) exposed dioxins and DDT at high levels well above criteria in the creek where it passes through their property. That the Region participated in these talks is exactly what a Health Department should be doing. That the Region have not pushed extremely hard for cleanup long ago speaks volumes to our inherently corrupt political system. .................................................................................................................................. It seems obvious to me that Uniroyal Chemical and local friends including Woolwich Council did not want a timely and appropriate cleanup of the creek. Back in 1997 it was nearly thirty years after the ongoing daily discharges from overflowing pits, ponds and lagoons ended. It is now nearly another twenty-five years later and it still isn't done. Of course the talk and discussion is ongoing and a threatened, pretend, risk assessment may be less than a year away but that of course guarantees nothing as far as cleanup. Rest assurred those in charge of the Risk Assessment of the Creek, namely Lanxess, GHD and the Ministry of Environment (MOE/MECP) will mathematically and otherwise ensure that the "cleanup" is affordable such that the corporate successor to Uniroyal does not sue the Ontario government (MOE/MECP) for a major financial contribution to the "cleanup". As for the 50-60 year delay, that has all been to the corporation's benefit as dioxins, DDT, PAHs, PCB's, VOCs and so much more have flowed, eroded, and been flushed via storms and flooding further downstream into the Grand River below West Montrose. Every pound of toxic contamination not in the first five miles of creek downstream from Uniroyal/Lanxess, is a pound less to be excavated, transported, treated etc. ................................................................................................................................ Here is a small sample in the report of the increased exposure and in my opinion health effects resulting from toxic exposures. "Mennonite children play and swim in the creek and floodplain area. Their forts and swimming holes can be found along the Creek. With no access to TV or computers, Mennonite children play (and work) outside more than children in other communities." "Some families report illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid disorders, liver and other cancers, and miscarriages and reproductive problems." .................................................................................................................................... That our authorities with full knowledge have allowed this chemical exposure to fester and continue for so long is disgraceful. Have we as a society decided that Old Order Mennonite lives are not worthy of our care and protection? Or should I say more accurately that their lives and health are not worth as much as the financial cost of cleanup that either Uniroyal/Crompton/Chemtura/Lanxess or even the Ontario Ministry of Environment are willing to pay?