St. Catharines discusses health, environmental concerns after explosion

Officials told St. Catharines residents that drinking water and air are safe, but there is still some contamination to clean out of nearby ditches following the explosion at a waste facility that killed one man.

Community members gathered to a meeting held by the City of St. Catharines at 7 p.m. on Wednesday regarding the massive explosion that took place in January.

After several tests, the ministry of environment says water and air quality are safe.

However, one of Niagara’s top doctors warned that residents should keep pets and kids away from water in ditches near the facility while clean up efforts are on-going.

Ministry testing showed there are elevated levels of metals and organic compounds, but levels are improving.

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Testing of soil and sediment also continues, those results are expected to be done in two weeks.

Structures have been built around the facility so any run-off from rain or snow does not end up in the water.

Emergency crews were called to the plant at Ssonix Products 2010 Inc. on Jan. 12 shortly after 6:30 a.m. for the explosion that killed a lone worker at the facility, 37-year-old Ryan Konkin.

The cause is still unknown and it could take months until the Ontario Fire Marshall concludes the investigation.

In the meantime, the ministry has suspended Ssonix’s ability to operate. The owner’s are working with the ministry to investigate.

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