Study shows oilsands tailings ponds releasing toxic chemicals into air

New federal government research has confirmed thatoilsands tailings ponds are releasing toxic and potentiallycancer-causing chemicals into the air.

And Environment Canada scientist Elisabeth Galarneau said herstudy the first using actual, in-the-field measurements agreeswith earlier research that suggests the amount of polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons emitted by the industry has been dramaticallyunderestimated.

"We found that there actually does appear to be a net flow ofthese compounds going from water to air," she said. "It's just abit under five times higher from the ponds than what's beenreported."

Galarneau's findings echo those from an earlier study thissummer. That paper, however, depended on mathematical modelling.

The Environment Canada study, recently published in the journalAtmospheric Environment, used actual data collected from airsampling and filtering devices placed in the oilsands region underthe joint federal-provincial monitoring program.

Chemicals known to cause cancer

Using standard and well-established testing methods, Galarneau'spreliminary results suggest 1,069 kilograms a year of PAH compoundsare being released from the 176 square kilometres of tailings pondsacross the region.

Official reports to Canada's National Pollutant Release Industrysay that only 231 kilograms of those chemicals are releasedannually.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are commonly found in fossilfuels and can be released by incomplete burning of any material thatcontains carbon. Although their toxicity varies widely, 32 of themare considered priority pollutants by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency.

They are known to cause cancer. High prenatal exposure to thesecompounds is linked to lower IQ and childhood asthma.

More research needed

However, Galarneau said her study can't answer questions on thepossible consequences of the toxic emissions because she didn'tstudy what happens to them after they enter the atmosphere.

"We have to consider the ambient measurements and thedeposition. The computer modelling simulations that's needed to putall the pieces together hasn't been done yet."

Health concerns have been major issues for aboriginal groupsliving in and around the oilsands area. Some have long complained ofwhat they claim are elevated rates of cancer in their communities,although epidemiological studies have failed to back those claimsup.

While Galarneau is confident that her main conclusions arecorrect, she said more work needs to be done with air sampling fromother parts of the oilsands region. As well, more sophisticatedtesting methods have to be brought in, Galarneau said.

"We would certainly like more information from more facilities'ponds," she said, adding that such work is already underway.

An Environment Canada spokeswoman said in an email sent beforeGalarneau was interviewed that the research is part of thegovernment's commitment to pay close attention to the industry'simpacts.

"The governments of Canada and Alberta remain committed toensuring that data from the monitoring activities and the scientificmethods used are transparent, supported by necessary qualityassurance and made publicly available to allow independentscientific assessments and evaluations," she said.