Contaminated areas surrounded in fencing
Testing at a northeast Edmonton neighbourhood located near the site of an old wood treatment plant found no hazardous chemicals in the top level of soil in a residential area.
But a section of unoccupied land nearby was so contaminated that metal fencing was erected around the parcels Thursday.
An Alberta Health official said Thursday that soil testing has been completed in the Verte-Homesteader community — located near the former Domtar wood treatment facility.
“The results show no issues in the surface soil of any of the homeowners’ properties, but there were four areas of unoccupied land in the southeast corner of the neighbourhood where chemicals were found above health guidelines and that area is now being fenced off,” spokesman Cam Traynor said.
A map showed two tests in the soon-to-be-fenced area exceeded human health guidelines for dioxins and furans. Residents were informed of the results Wednesday.
In March, about 140 homeowners near the site of the former wood treatment plant at 44 Street and Yellowhead Trail were warned soil and groundwater in the area was contaminated with a list of potentially cancer-causing substances.
Officials said no contaminants were known to be in residential areas, but some residents are being cautious.
Crescence Chung, who moved to the area with her family nine months ago, said possible danger from the soil has kept her from growing a garden. Normally, she’d grow squash and a spinach-like vegetable from central Africa, but this summer she has to buy her vegetables — which is expensive.
Others are less concerned for their health.
Resident Andrew Radford said his only worry is that wind will blow dust from the contaminated plots to his home.
Stephanie Catena, who has lived near the contamination for more than one year, said she’s walked her dogs in a now-fenced-off plot without problems, noting the contamination was deep underground. She is satisfied that no residential areas are contaminated.
“If it was that big of a deal, (the workers testing the site) would be in HAZMAT suits,” Catena said. Environmental testing staff wore coveralls as they tested Thursday.
From 1924 to 1987, the land was the site of a plant in which toxic chemicals were used to treat railroad ties, poles, posts and lumber.
The site’s owners and developers, 1510837 Alberta Ltd. and Cherokee Canada Inc., were ordered to build a fence around the contaminated land to reduce potential health risks earlier this year. Cherokee Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Alberta Environment and Parks also directed the companies, including former owner Domtar, to take environmental samples and create plans to remove contaminants and conduct health-risk assessments. The orders also affected a greenbelt southeast of the site owned by the City of Edmonton.