November 24, 2005
(Toronto) The Toronto Environmental Alliance released a map today showing reported releases of toxic chemicals in Toronto. Over 8500 tonnes of chemicals feared to cause cancer, birth defects, and respiratory problems, and interfere with children’s growth and development, were knowingly dumped into Toronto’s air, land and water in 2003.
“We have developed this map because residents have a right to know what toxic chemicals are entering their neighbourhoods and putting their children at risk,” Said Katrina Miller, Toxics Campaigner for the Toronto Environmental Alliance.
6 wards stood out for housing on-site releases of over 500 tonnes:
- Ward 6 (Etobicoke Lakeshore) released 510 tonnes
- Ward 44 (Scarborough East) released 609 tonnes
- Ward 2 (Etobicoke North) released 969 tonnes
- Ward 7 (York West) released 1034 tonnes
- Ward 41 (Scarborough Rouge River) released 1056 tonnes
- Ward 5 (Etobicoke Lakeshore) released 1286 tonnes
Miller had two cautions for those interpreting the map. “Pollution that starts in Etobicoke can end up in North York, it knows no political boundaries.”
Second, data for the map was taken from the federal government’s National Pollutant Release Inventory, which only requires reporting from a few facilities, and generally only if they use over 10 tonnes of a listed substance. “This map is only part of the picture. 10s of 1000s of polluters in Toronto don’t have to report their releases to the public at all.”
TEA plans to use the map over the next year to mobilize residents to call on industries and government to provide greater public disclosure and better health protection with regards to uses and releases of toxic chemicals.
TEA’s “Toxic Chemicals in Toronto” Map can be viewed at:www.torontoenvironment.......
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For More Information, Contact: Katrina Miller, 416-596-0660
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
TEA’s Map of Reported Toxic Releases in Toronto
Thirty-two wards house reported toxic releases in the tonnes.
Ward Tonnes Ward Tonnes
05 - Etobicoke-Lakeshore 1286.47 26 - Don Valley West 112.91
41 - Scarborough-Rouge River 1056.05 37 - Scarborough Centre 109.91
07 - York West 1033.79 18 - Davenport 58.27
02 - Etobicoke North 969.15 42 - Scarborough-Rouge River 55.99
44 - Scarborough East 609.25 24 - Willowdale 53.1
06 - Etobicoke-Lakeshore 509.76 12 - York South-Weston 50.26
30 - Toronto-Danforth 367.13 34 - Don Valley East 31.39
27 - Toronto Centre-Rosedale 332.28 40 - Scarborough-Agincourt 25.79
32 - Beaches-East York 316.1 09 - York Centre 15.38
35 - Scarborough Southwest 305.38 19 - Trinity-Spadina 13.35
08 – York West 276.27 15 - Eglinton-Lawrence 9.46
28 - Toronto Centre- Rosedale 240.24 01 - Etobicoke North 8.55
10 - York Centre 204.4 38 - Scarborough Centre 8.04
11 - York South-Weston 201.43 29 - Toronto-Danforth 7.52
36 - Scarborough Southwest 161.32 03 - Etobicoke Centre 3.47
20 - Trinity-Spadina 121.49 33 - Don Valley East 3.37
TEA will be providing Councillors and the public with ward-by-ward break downs of polluters and pollutants.
Data used to develop “Reported Releases of Toxic Chemicals in Toronto” was compiled from the National Pollutant Release Inventory, A federally mandated disclosure program. The map represents annual point releases of known or suspected carcinogens, reproductive/development/respiratory toxicants, and endocrine disrupters, reported for 2003.
The NPRI may represent only a fraction of industry releases in Toronto. Many industries fall below the reporting thresholds by having less than ten employees and/or using less than ten tonnes of a listed substance. The NPRI only requires reporting for a few hundred chemicals, leaving out many substances of concern.
For more Information, contact:
Katrina Miller
Toronto Environmental Alliance
416-596-0660