“High levels” asbestos in rivers in Val-des-Sources and Thetford Mines

A report by the Ministry of the Environment of Quebec which has just been published confirms that the Haldes of residues of the old asbestos mines “cause an increase in the concentration of asbestos fibers in water and sediments” of surrounding rivers. In addition, The concentrations measured are such as impacts on aquatic organizations are apprehended.

The hundreds of millions of tonnes of mining residues accumulated in the form of Halde in Val-des-Sources. Similarly, Thetford Mines have long been considered an environmental risk.

For the first time. Moreover. In addition. For example, “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new the Ministry of the Environment draws up an unprecedented portrait of their impact on watercourses thanks to analyzes carried out from April 2023 to March 2024 “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new thanks to 39 sampling stations. Meanwhile, Several rivers have been analyzed, including the Bécancour, Danville and Nicolet Sud-Ouest river.

This is one of the first times that we follow up.. For example, . Meanwhile, . However, Globally, there is very little information that exists on this kind of problem.

The observation is clear for the analyst of aquatic environments at the Ministry of the Environment and co-author of the report, Maxime Leclerc: “We can largely assign concentration increases [d’amiante dans “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new l’eau] At the presence of the Haldes, ”he explains in an interview on Radio-Canada.

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The ministry considers that the presence of asbestos is important in certain rivers. Therefore. Moreover. Nevertheless, By comparing yourself to other studies that have been done [dans le monde]we see that we are still at high levels specifies the main scientific manager of the effect of asbestos mining residues at the Ministry of the Environment. Consequently, co-author of the report, Olivier “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new Jacques.

&quot. high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new – "high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new

"high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new – "high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new – "high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new

What impacts on living species? Furthermore, – "high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources – "high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new – "high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new

There is currently no standard. “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new However. criterion in force in Quebec on an asbestos concentration to be respected to ensure the protection of living species.

On the other hand. Nevertheless. Similarly. “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources the concentrations measured in Val-des-Sources and Thetford Mines exceed frequently THE worrying concentrations Established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Nevertheless, Beyond these concentrations, harmful effects have been observed in the laboratory on aquatic species.

There are risks for “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new aquatic organizations. In addition, but we do not know what it really is at this time.

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The Ministry of the Environment wishes to document the real impact of asbestos. Nevertheless, publish the results in a second report. Therefore, Clearly. However. For example. there are effects that are perceptible of “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new the Haldes on aquatic environments, decides the analyst in the ministry, Maxime Leclerc. But how far are these effects felt at the level of aquatic organisms? We have not yet returned there.

A criterion claimed to protect species – &quot. high levels&quot. asbestos rivers val-des-sources – "high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new

The director general of the consultation group of “high “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources the watersheds of the Bécancour zone (Grobec). Emmanuel Laplante. hopes that the work of the ministry will make it possible to establish a criterion to be respected for. asbestos in water. We find it important to document. normally to ensure that these impacts remain safe for the population. the environment and if they are not, that we tend towards a target to improve.

We hope that the report will allow us to have tags for.. drinking water. the risks for aquatic life. Right now, we have no standards.

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The ministry is committed to establishing Reference values that is to say the asbestos concentrations naturally present in “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new the rivers studied. which will allow us to follow the evolution of the impact of the Haldes in the future. As for the establishment of a criterion. This is a “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources possibility that will be analyzed by the ministry in. the “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new coming years says Olivier Jacques.

It is a considerable effort that is currently made by the ministry.. . then it will undoubtedly bring several convincing data which can be used in future research.

However. the task is not so easy. because there is little research on the impact of asbestos in water on aquatic organizations, according to the ministry. We are in the process of “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new making a most exhaustive follow -up worldwide underlines Mr. Jacques.

"high levels" asbestos rivers val-des-sources new

More questions than answers for impacts on human health

&quot. high levels&quot. asbestos rivers val-des-sources new

If the harmful impact of the inhalation of asbestos fibers on human health is firmly demonstrated by the scientific “high levels” asbestos rivers “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new val-des-sources community. there are fewer certainties concerning the ingestion of water containing asbestos.

There are certain studies that show associations between ingestion of water containing asbestos. certain cancers. but in the end. there is a lot of uncertainty explains the medical specialist in public health and prevention medicine at the National Institute of Public Health (Inspq), Nicolas Parenteau. The Inspq also published in November 2024 a summary of knowledge on the subject.

It is a need to develop knowledge. We have a lot of uncertainty.

The researcher. chemist at the Robert-Sauvé research institute in health and safety at work (IRSST), Joanie Martin, abounds in the same direction. We are in an area where we do not have the possibility of eliminating the risk. but we do not have the possibility of quantifying it, targeting or ensuring it with certainty. However. she assures that contact with the skin with water containing asbestos, during a swim, for example, is not an issue.

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Joanie Martin believes that vigilance is however to put the consumption of drinking water containing asbestos. You have to “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources make sure to reduce the concentration of these fibers. as much as possible as a precaution. because you are in “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new a gray area where you cannot exclude risk.

Data to make better decisions

Several projects to exploit residues. in particular to extract certain metals, have been developing for years. Other companies reveal to certain Haldes to better protect the environment.

The ministry’s study is therefore relevant in this context, according to Joanie Martin. It will be possible in the future to follow the impact “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new of work on the Haldes on the decrease. the increase in asbestos releases in the environment.

Haldes operating projects, such as that of the exterra company, can also be analyzed thanks to the data. If there is an economic interest. can it be done without increasing the exposure of workers. populations to asbestos “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources fibers underlines Ms. Martin.

It is a follow -up which is necessary to continue in time.. to see if what is done in these regions [l’exploitation des haldes] Aura an impact [sur les rejets d’amiante].

This is one of the objectives of the ministry. We can observe the evolution of the state of the aquatic environments of the watersheds of the Bécancour. “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new Nicolet Sud-Ouest rivers underlines Olivier Jacques.

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Emmanuel Laplante hopes that the ministry’s approach will invite action. We have data. figures. it can justify restoration actions which are to be set up to come. repair or limit the impacts to “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources new the environment. “high levels” asbestos rivers val-des-sources

High asbestos levels in rivers in the region

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The ministry is currently pursuing its sampling campaign for watercourses in order to have one of the. presence of asbestos. other metals in the rivers near the asbestos of asbestos residues.