Groups demand Ontario kill toxic plan to burn tires and trash Data reveals up to 3,400% increase in

Groups demand Ontario kill toxic plan to burn tires and trash Data reveals up to 3,400% increase in toxic emissions from tire-burning cement kiln

MEDIA RELEASE

18th May 2006

For Immediate Release

Sierra Legal Defence Fund, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Ontario

TORONTO -A coalition of concerned groups blasted the Province of Ontario and Lafarge Canada today over the cement company's controversial proposal to burn massive amounts of tires, trash and animal rendering waste in an antiquated cement kiln in Bath, Ontario. The groups highlighted startling increases in emissions of toxic chemicals from Lafarge's tire-burning cement kiln near Montreal and slammed the company's plans to import millions of tires into Ontario each year from eight US states and Quebec.

At a press conference at Queen's Park today, Sierra Legal Defence Fund, Loyalist Environmental Coalition and Toronto Environmental Alliance released startling data from Lafarge's cement facility in Saint-Constant, Quebec where the company began burning tires in its cement kiln several years ago. Collected and self-reported by Lafarge under Environment Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory program, the data reveals increases of up to 3,400% in airborne releases of heavy metals and other toxic emissions between 2000 and 2004 and directly contradicts the company's categorical denial that burning tires and other wastes has a negative impact on local air quality and the environment.

"Lafarge categorically denies that burning tires in their cement kilns has a negative impact on local air quality and that we should look to their operations in Quebec, but their own data from Saint-Constant reveals shocking increases in emissions of heavy metals and potent carcinogens like dioxins and furans - some of the most toxic substances known to science," said Sierra Legal scientist Dr. Elaine MacDonald. "In 2004, Lafarge's
Saint-Constant facility was the second largest source of dioxins and furans in the province with emissions equivalent to the maximum acceptable annual intake of dioxin for a population of more than 3 million people."

Despite growing local opposition and repeated calls for a public and scientific analysis of the proposal's impact on air and water quality, the province has so far refused to subject this precedent-setting proposal to a full environmental assessment. Last month several groups and concerned citizens filed submissions under Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights critical of Lafarge's proposal and demanding a comprehensive environment assessment and a proper public consultation process.

"With the outrageous increases in emissions at Lafarge's tire-burning plant in Quebec, it is clear that the Ministry of Environment must do the right thing and reject this ill-conceived plan," said Martin Hauschild, President of the Loyalist Environmental Coalition. "We cannot allow our community's air, water and citizenry to become a dumping ground for dangerous chemicals and millions of tires from the US."

Lafarge's proposal includes plans to burn up to 100 tonnes of used tires, pelletized municipal waste, various types of animal meal, plastics and other materials per day, 365 days a year. The materials would be burnt as a so-called replacement fuel.

"By burning tires, Ontario is creating a solution to a problem that should not exist," said Gord Perks from the Toronto Environmental Alliance. "Just two weeks ago the province delayed plans to introduce a recycling program for used tires in Ontario."

"If the province intends to allow Lafarge to import this witches brew of tires, trash and bones from the US to be burned at the expense of the health of Ontario communities, it will have a serious legal battle on their hands," said Sierra Legal lawyer Christine Elwell.