Northern_Clips' Circumpolar Blog: Time to better probe Fort Chipewyan carcinogens

Thursday, 4 February 2010

Time to better probe Fort Chipewyan carcinogens

RT @Northern_Clips: Time to better probe Fort #Chipewyan http://ow.ly/148EA carcinogens in 60 places bordering the Athabasca River #indigenous #health

[excerpt]

Now that a study by University of Alberta water scientist David Schindler has revealed the presence of carcinogens in 60 places bordering the Athabasca River, as well as along tributaries of the river, the province should follow up on last February's Alberta Health Services report which turned up higher cancer rates among the 1,200 residents of Fort Chipewyan than would ordinarily be expected.

Schindler's study found polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), which harbour carcinogenic material, extending 50 kilometres from source. Schindler would like to see an investigation done into the levels of these toxic chemicals in people living along the river.