A new report reveals that coal dust from Teck Resources' Elk Valley mines in British Columbia is polluting southern Alberta’s watersheds and communities.
Andrew Nikiforuk reports for The Tyee.
In short:
- Researchers found toxic polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in snowpacks downwind from Teck's Elk Valley mines, indicating airborne contamination.
- PACs, produced by coal mining and other combustion processes, are known carcinogens and can harm human health through skin contact, inhalation and ingestion.
- The study suggests large deposits of PACs in areas like Elk Lakes Provincial Park and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, with implications for another proposed coal project at Grassy Mountain.
Key quote:
"Northback, an Australian coal company, has no right to say we aren’t impacted by their intentions to explore and develop a coal mine on Grassy Mountain. This study further proves that. It shows their ignorance and lack of transparency about the known impacts of coal.”
— Laura Laing, rancher in Alberta, Canada.
Why this matters:
Coal dust is composed of tiny particles that can easily be inhaled, penetrating deep into the lungs. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to these particles is linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. For residents living near mining sites, every breath they take may carry these invisible invaders.
