A waste incinerator for Durham Region, approved to be built in Clarington, will not have air monitoring tests performed once the facility begins operating.
The incinerator, proposed in 2007 and approved in a 19 to 7 council vote in 2008, is a joint project with York Region. It is intended to be built south of Highway 401 near the nuclear power plant.
Health Concerns Expressed by Residents
There have been some concerns raised by local residents about potential impacts the incinerator could have on the health of those living in Durham Region.
According to the Toronto Star, Coleen Fodor, a local resident, spoke out against the plan, saying "The impact of this incinerator on my kids' health will be devastating... Please consider the health of all the children in our community"
A report requested by the Medical Officer of Health of Durham Region (PDF) on this issue noted that
"Environmental surveillance can also be complemented by population surveillance which is the systematic collection and evaluation of population health data, including biological measures (biomonitoring)"
However, according to an article in newsdurhamregion.com in march 17, 2009, a consultant claimed that "Human biomonitoring of residents isn't necessary as long as stack emissions are tested". The article goes on to note that,
"Conducting air monitoring tests would cost about $270,000 a year, Mr. Ollson said.
The annual cost of air monitoring was enough for Regional Chairman Roger Anderson to say he didn't support the sampling."
The waste management group did agree to conduct soil testing, which is estimated to cost in the area of $10k per year.
Approximate Location of the Proposed Durham Region Incinerator
It is also interesting to note that the current proposed site for the Incinerator is approximately 4km from the proposed FarmTech Ethanol Plant near Oshawa harbour.
Photo by Ivy Dawned
