Lac-Megantic: Arsenic @ 28X Federal Limit In Surface Water, Polycyclic Hydrocarbons 394,444X Limit

[hatrack]

Tests conducted by an environmental group suggest last month’s Lac-Mégantic, Que., train disaster had a devastating impact on water quality and soil in the affected area.

Extremely high concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and arsenic, detected in surface water, have “confirmed the fears” of the Société pour vaincre la pollution, the group said.

The analysis, which was obtained by The Canadian Press, suggests the rate of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is 394,444 times the standard acceptable for surface waters mandated by the provincial government.

As well, the concentration of arsenic detected on the water’s surface is said to exceed the government’s acceptable standard by 28 times. There was also “an extremely high level of petroleum hydrocarbons following the explosive derailment and oil spill,” the environmental group said.

EDIT

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/study-shows-high-pollution-at-lac-megantic-one-carcinogen-394444-times-above-limit/article13749318/

[GliderGuider]

1. This has been a complete, total, utter catastrophe for that town.

If I had my druthers, Ed Burkhardt would be on his way to jail in an orange jumpsuit right now.

[AtheistCrusader]

2. Well, at least the company is bankrupt and cannot pay for any of this cleanup.

I mean, wait...

Time to up the mandatory insurance minimums on similar companies. By a LOT.

[hatrack]

3. Yeah, imagine that - they didn't carry enough liability insurance

What a surprise!

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Same for the fertilizer plant in West, Texas.

No way can they pay for that giant gaping hole that used to be a town.