East Saint John residents worry about 'particulate' released from Irving refinery

Some east Saint John residents are expressing health concerns after a "technical issue" at the Irving Oil refineryon Sundayleft theirneighbourhoods blanketed in gritty white dust.

Red Head area residents received apology letters from Irving Oil about the release of "fine particulate," along with $30 in gift cards in their mailboxes.

"We experienced a technical issue during the start-up of our fluidized catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) from the maintenance turnaround," the Nov. 14 letter states.

"As a result, we had an impact to some areas inthe neighbouring communities with the distribution of fine particulate. We sincerely apologize."

The letter does not state what exactly the particulate contains, how much was released or how far it spread.

"What we're concerned about is what was the particulate and what health impacts it will have on us,"area resident Jason Doucettetold CBCNews on Wednesday.

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The Department of Environment is investigating and has notified the Department of Health, as per its protocol, said spokesperson MarcAndrChiasson

Department of Health officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

But the Department of Environmenthas "reviewed this kind of incident beforeand the particle size is fairly large so it is considered more of a nuisance issue," Chiassonsaid in an emailed statement.

The department website indicates fine particulate "causes and aggravates a variety of human cardiovascular ailments," although none are listed.

"It also contributes to haze," it says.

The website describes fine particulate as "tiny (invisible) airborne specks of solid or liquid material (e.g., dust & soot).

"It is generated by natural sources (e.g., wind-blown dust and forest fires), and through fuel burning (especially fossil fuels and wood)."

'Serious threat to lung health'

The New Brunswick Lung Association's director of health said particulate matter poses "a serious threat to lung health because it can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and damage lung tissue."

"Current research also indicates that low levels of particulate matter and that would be particles that are smaller than one-eighththe diameter of a strand of human hair can inflame the airways that lead to the lungs,resulting in coughing and wheezing [and]can disrupt normal lung function, which may prompt the use of medications, if not a visit to the emergency room," said BarbaraWalls.

People with pre-existing lung conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are particularly at risk because it can exacerbate their symptoms, she said.

Those with pre-existing heart conditions are also at an increased risk because it can affect their heart rhythm and increase their chances of having a heart attack, said Walls.

Paper medical masks cannotprotect against such tiny particles, she said. Special filtration masks are required.

Particulate matter will eventually dissipate on its own, said Walls, but it could take "several days."

Report due within days

Irving Oil officials have not responded to a request for an interview.

The Department of Environmentspokesperson said "on occasion, particulate matter can be unintentionally released due to a mechanical failure in the fluidizedcatalytic cracking unit at the refinery."

The department was notified aboutthe latest incident through Environment and Climate Change Canada's National Environmental EmergenciesCentre because it occurred after hours, said Chiasson.

It was reported as a "non-emergency event,"he said.

"One of our inspectors immediately followed up with company officials" and the department is expecting a follow-up report from the refinery this week, he said.

Gift cards questioned

The company has "made adjustments" to thefluidizedcatalytic cracking unitto "minimize further impact on our neighbours," according to theletter, signed by community relations specialist RebeccaBelliveau.

"We appreciate your patience while we complete this work, and ask that you contact us if you would like additional information or have any concerns."

Doucettecontendsthe Irving gas station gift cards were intendedto "silence people."

"Instead of sending $30 they should actually step up and say, 'This is what we accidentally released, this is the health impact on you.'"

The company's money would have been better spent on clearing up unanswered questions about possible long-term effects, he said.

Neighbour Gordon Campbell is also looking for more information about the residue.

"It was just a film all over the car," he said, with traces of the white dust still visible on his blue vehicleon Wednesday.

Campbell's thumb turned black after he ran it along the front passenger door.

"I was going to take it and get it washed, but I didn't," he said of his car. "I wondered what it was and now we've receivedthese letters."

2010 release affected 5-km radius

This isn't the first timeIrving Oil has apologized to area residents for the release of particulate.

In August2010, residents in theChamplain Heights, Silver Falls,and Loch Lomondawoke three times to find their homes and vehicles covered in a grey, gritty dust.

The first reported release on Aug. 19 was causedby an interrupted startup of a processing unit, officials said at the time.

The residue,describedasa non-hazardous catalyst made from clay and silica compounds, spread over afive-kilometre radius around the refinery.

Irving Oil shut down the processing unit after the fallout, but dust was released again two days later when the unit was restarted.

The Department of Environment investigated and found there had been a previous release on Aug. 17.

No charges were laid. The investigation found the release didn't have any environmental implications and didn't violate any of the refinery's operating conditions, department officials had said.

The company subsequently corrected any equipment that was not operating properly, performed maintenance and made some procedural changes,officials said.