The Sydney Steel Corporation was the heart of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island's economy for many years. However, the island now contains a 235-acre toxic waste site left behind by the company, the largest such site in the Canada.
Of particular concern are onsite tar pools, estuaries full of over 700,000 tons of
toxic chemicals. Sewage from the pools flushes into Sydney Harbor, poisoning fish and lobster. Also of concern are the coke ovens, which the company used to transform coal into fuel. These ovens pumped toxic dust into the air for decades and the ground beneath them remains highly toxic.
Because of the island's environmental degradation, Cape Breton has the highest
cancer rate and lowest life expectancy in all of Canada. Property located near the toxic site is contaminated with
arsenic and other hazardous chemicals.
See your doctor if you live in or around Cape Breton Island and have experienced serious health problems. In addition, it may be important to
contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be
time limits within which you must commence suit.
See Also
- Specific Contaminated Sites
- Cancer
- Coma: Overview
- Head & Brain Injury
- Headaches
- Keratosis: Overview
- Kidney Failure
- Melanosis: Overview
- Nausea: Overview
- Seizures: Overview
- Severe Constipation: Overview