In case you missed this story at the end of 2014, it ties in with our interviews concerning another study on the region by scientist Roland Hall.
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Last November, Environment Canada released a study it says confirms oils ands tailings ponds are releasing toxic and potentially cancer-causing chemicals into the air.
Scientist Elisabeth Galarneau said her study — the first using actual, in-the-field measurements — agrees with earlier research that suggests the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emitted by the industry has been dramatically underestimated.
“It’s just a bit under five times higher from the ponds than what’s been reported,” she said.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are commonly found in fossil fuels and can be released by incomplete burning of any material that contains carbon. Although their toxicity varies widely, 32 of them are considered priority pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
They are known to cause cancer. High prenatal exposure to these compounds is linked to lower IQ and childhood asthma. However, Galarneau said her study can’t answer questions on the possible consequences of the toxic emissions because she didn’t study what happens to them after they enter the atmosphere.
(Source: The Star)
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