SECRECY & PARANOIA ALWAYS TRUMP THE PUBLICS' RIGHT TO KNOW

Yesterday's Elmira Independent carrys a full page story on page 3 titled "List of Chemtura chemicals not released, after train derailment". Surprisingly when I went on-line to get a link to it , it wasn't there. Last October a train derailed in uptown Waterloo in the Willow and Allan St. neighbourhood. Fortunately the chemical tankers did not spill or leak their contents which were bound for Chemtura (Uniroyal) in Elmira. Allegedly these contents were non hazardous according to Chemtura.

Apparently a full list has been made available after the fact to fire chief Lyle Quan. He however received it with a long string of conditions attached which is both unfortunate and ridiculous. While willing to share it with first responders after a future train spill he is not willing to share it now with City of Waterloo Councillors or residents. The excuse is that old bugabear namely terrorism. How smart do they really have to be to figure out which trains are carrying hazardous chemicals to and from which companies? Meanwhile local residents and even new prospective buyers have the right to know what the risks are living near to an industrial rail line.

Both Chemtura and Sulco (CCC) in Elmira handle toxic and dangerous chemicals. They can be transported by both truck and or rail. Statistically I would guess that rail transport is safer with fewer collisions and spills. Nevertheless while on our highways and roads as well as when crossing railway tracks we accept a certain level of risk. We shouldn't have to accept that risk when we are allegedly safe in our own homes. The only thing worse than knowing the nearby rail line is carrying hazardous chemicals and what they are, is suspecting the same and fearing the worst because we don't know. I will say this: over the last twenty years Chemtura in Elmira have phased out some particularily nasty chemicals. I have very little knowledge in regards to Sulco and the variety of chemicals they handle with the exception of sulphuric acid. I believe they transport it via both road and train.