In the midst of global warming talks and environmental promises from all three levels of government, it has been reported that pollution levels from Alberta's oilsands are nearly five times greater than officials estimated.
University of Alberta biological sciences professor David Schindler directed the study that found levels of contamination increasing when moving towards the oilsands developments, and found that it actually reached a point where the airborne particles left an oily slick on top of melted snow. Researchers say the toxic emissions are the equivalent of a major oil spill repeated every year.
Following years of exposure, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), a group of (usually) organic contaminants containing carcinogens, may cause several health issues including, most notably, cancer, reproductive problems and development complications for unborn babies. Organs such as lungs, liver, skin and kidneys can be damaged by exposure.
This is tragic news for a province that relies heavily on the oilsands to push its economy. Schindler says that government and industry are attributing the pollution to naturally-occurring seepage from oilsands deposits that are unrelated to the industry. However, the U of A study shows that the highest levels of PACs were found within 50 kilometres of two major oilsands upgraders, which is twice the previous distance estimate.
The province has also recently denied the findings of U.S. researchers who reported that oilsands mines, and other facilities in the area, have killed so many birds that over 160 million fewer songbirds could be flying in North America in the next 50 years. This number is substantial considering that birds are good indicators of the environment.
The province will face increased debate once more news about water contamination pours in – particularly drinking water or food contamination. The issue seems to be at a point where it needs to be addressed transparently while placing health and the environment as priorities.
As of March 2008, the oilsands developments cover over 420 square kilometers of land, which is just over half the area of Edmonton – an area too large to overlook. In a wave of environmental promises, the province will be forced to strategize a more environmentally safe plan for the oilsands industry, and will have to deal with its effects on residents and the province as a whole. Alberta will have to come clean on this. Literally.
Alberta oilsands photo gallery
- National Geographic
Comments
Laughable. The comment about birds. Take a look at the many wind farms and the numbers of birds and bats killed by those things.
And like it or not, even without development, these lands were ALWAYS spewing chemicals into the air, were ALWAYS leaching into the water ways and water tables, were ALWAYS a bane to the existence of the animals who happened upon the area.
The ecological mess that is there needs to be cleaned up regardless of this propaganda. Pandora's box had been opened. Shutting it down will do absolutely nothing, and leaving it as is will certainly continue to "kill" wildlife. I prefer that they continue with the mining. Best to get it over with in the short term, relatively, than leaving that mess as is. Not to mention, land reclamation efforts already in place are having a positive effect.
And as for cancer. EVERYTHING causes cancer. What is new about that? Too much sun, too little sun, too much butter and too much eggs and..blah blah blah. Enough al
Wow Mike, so "everything" causes cancer so who cares - is that what your saying. Even though we know about and can do something about, you seem happy to expose others to this toxic exposure. What if it was your family being exposed - still no problem. Somehow I doubt it. As for your bird rationale - that is rich, just because problems exist elsewhere it does not mitigate or excuse obvious and preventable problems at the Tarsands. I am shocked at your cavalier attitude towards environmental destruction - news flash Mike - this is affecting you and your family too. Increased health care costs and risks, higher WCB rates, taxes, clean-up costs paid by government etc, You might think you are immune, but the fact is everyone ends up paying for this.
The only laughable here are the deniers like Mike.Decades of research are not enough to sway the deniers, the only thing that can is death! So to those who will deny i wish you the most painful death possible and soon!
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