DND to Conduct Environmental Site Assessment

News Release

NR - 07.014 - March 30, 2007
CORNWALL, ON The Department of National Defence (DND) held a public information session on March 29 to discuss an environmental site assessment that will be conducted early this spring at the former Stormont Chemicals facility.
The environmental site assessment is part of DND's Warfare Agent Disposal Project, a proactive effort initiated in 2002 to better understand the Department's legacy concerning past chemical and biological warfare activities, and any potential impact on human health and the environment today. The project identifies and assesses water and land-based sites where chemical and biological warfare agents may still exist as a result of past defence disposal activities.
After an initial historical assessment of the site in Cornwall, four specific areas of the property were identified for further investigation to determine if mustard agent and/or its by-products are present. Although there is no concrete evidence of the presence of mustard agent at the site in Cornwall, the Department of National Defence assigns a high priority to its environmental programs. Acting as a good corporate citizen, the Department has identified the former production facility as a site where further investigation is warranted. The risk to the public as a result of any potential presence of mustard agent or investigation activities is currently assessed as low. There is no information to indicate that a hazard presently exists.
The private landowner and the municipality are fully informed about the situation and are supportive of the precautionary measures DND is taking to ensure the health and safety of workers and residents in the area and the surrounding environment.
The fieldwork program of the environmental site assessment is expected to take approximately three weeks. A final report is expected in fall 2007 and the public will be made aware of the results. Should a hazard be identified, the public will be notified immediately.
As a precautionary measure, authorized persons conducting the fieldwork program will wear personal protective equipment, such as rubber gloves, a protective chemical suit, and steel toe and soled boots. A safety buffer zone will be established around each test hole location.
As mustard agent freezes in cold temperatures, the work will be conducted in early spring. In the unlikely event that mustard agent is found, this precautionary measure prevents the likelihood of a release into the atmosphere.
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DND to Conduct Environmental Site Assessment

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