SPECIFIC CHEMICALS & CONCENTRATIONS IN THE CANAGAGIGUE

The last few days I've been commenting on inconsistencies and non scientifically rigorous sampling for contaminants in our local creek. Today I will be giving just a few specific chemicals and their locations in the creek from Chemtura Canada (Uniroyal) in Elmira all the way down to the mouth of the creek where it discharges into the Grand River five miles away. That discharge is approximately 1/2 a mile downstream of West Montrose.

These following results are from Tables 3, 4 & 13 in the Ministry of Environment Memorandum released to TAG (Technical Advisory Group) dated October 31, 2016. The time frame for the sampling was 2014 and 2015.

DDT & Metabolytes in creek Sediments at Station #23 (Jigs Hollow Rd.) just upstream from the Grand River. 321 parts per billion (ppb). The LEL or Lowest Effect level is 7 ppb and the site specific SEL or Severe Effect Level is 540 ppb.

Dioxin Toxic Equivalency Quotient (TEQ) in creek sediments at 750-B, the south end of Chemtura's property. 38.48 parts per trillion (ppt). The sediment criteria is 21.5 ppt. A little further downstream past Chemtura at Station #20 the Dioxin TEQ is 63.66 ppt.

Dioxins in sediments further downstream at the New Jerusalem Rd. Station #21 are 182.27, 722.70 and 1,689.15 ppt. TEQ. The three samples represent increasing depths into the creek sediments. Keep in mind the criteria is 21.5 ppt TEQ.

Lindane (gamma hexachlorocyclohexane) (pesticide) was also found at location 750 (Chemtura) at 2 ppb. with a criteria (LEL) of 3 ppb. A quarter mile downstream it was found at 8 ppb. well above the Lowest Effect Level (LEL).

Aldrin (pesticide) was found at Station #21 (New Jerusalem Rd. at 2 ppb. which equals the LEL.

DDT & Metabolytes were found at Station #20 at 851 ppb. with a site specific Severe Effect Level (SEL) of 324 ppb. They were also found at Station #21 at 498 ppb. with a site specific SEL of 288 pbb.

Heptachlor Epoxide/PCB(74) was found at 3 ppb in the creek sediments at FP-9. This location is just upstream of the Grand River. The LEL is 5 ppb. At the same location DDT & Metabolytes were found at 133 ppb. While well below the SEL keep in mind the Lowest Effect Level (LEL) is but 7 ppb.

Dioxins were found at the next upstream location (FP-8) at 10.2 ppt. While below the criteria of 21.5 nevertheless they contribute to the toxic load all the way down the creek to the Grand River.

PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) were only tested for in sediments at Chemtura and very nearby downstream sites. Benzo perylene exceeded the LEL of 170 ppb with a reading of 180 ppb. both at Chemtura and 1/4 mile downstream. Total PAHs at the same two locations were around 3,000 ppb. with the LEL of total PAHs being 4,000 ppb..


These sampling results are but a tiny proportion of all the chemicals and their concentrations found in the Canagagigue Creek and downstream Floodplain soils. The entire creek is contaminated both in the creek sediments and the floodplain soils all the way down to the Grand River. That this has not been remediated after more than half a century of knowledge is disgraceful. Thank your Ontario government and specifically the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC).