A recent study highlights that industrial pollution is increasing methylmercury levels in the Grassy Narrows region, exacerbating a decades-old environmental health crisis.
Sarah Law reports for CBC News.
In short:
- New research indicates that wastewater discharge from the Dryden Paper Mill has intensified mercury contamination in northwestern Ontario’s English-Wabigoon River.
- The methylmercury, more toxic than other forms, accumulates in fish and affects the health of Grassy Narrows residents who rely on fish as a dietary staple.
- The federal government has committed $77M to build a Mercury Care Home, with construction starting this summer, to support affected individuals.
Key quote:
"We continue to be poisoned."
— Rudy Turtle, Chief of Grassy Narrows First Nation
Why this matters:
Mercury poisoning poses severe health risks, including neuromuscular problems and cognitive dysfunction. Addressing this ongoing pollution is crucial for the well-being of the Grassy Narrows community and reflects broader environmental justice issues. Read more: Whose job is it to reduce toxic mercury in the Ohio River?
