Dundas residents raise health concerns around Hwy 5 mine

Some residents in Dundas are concerned that a nearby visible mine on Highway 5 just outside of Waterdown, could soon start using garbage as a fuel source instead of gas. The possible change has some people worried about their health and the health of their children.

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Residents are concerned because there are many homes, a couple of schools, and some playgrounds nearby and they say they don’t want to breathe in garbage, plastic, and tire fumes.

Many residents in the Dundas area are worried about how Carmeause may burn fuel in the future. The Ministry of Environment says the mine is proposing to use low-carbon fuels derived from non-hazardous materials that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills. The materials include non-recyclable packaging, tire fluff, and wood waste.

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Right now, Carmeause is using petroleum coke and natural gas for fuel, one expert who currently studies air quality in Hamilton says it’s not a good idea to make a change. “The burning of plastics and rubber, going unchecked is just a scary thought for me… We really don’t have any idea, we don’t know if it’s safe levels, but there’s definitely an added risk by changing to the burning of plastics and rubber,” assistant professor of environment at the University of Toronto, Matthew Adams said.

While Carmeause has done public consultations for the possible change, no formal application has been made yet. Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook says, “my concern is the fact that there is a plastic component, in the source of fuel that Carmeause are considering, now you have to remember they have not submitted any sort of application for the permit to change the source of fuel but my preference would be to sit down with Carmeause and explore other options.”

CHCH News reached out to Carmeause for comment today but has not heard back. No application has been made, but the Ministry of the Environment says it does expect one soon. Residents living nearby say they say they’ll keep fighting.

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