A big stink is being raised in Richmond where old rail ties are being chipped on a CN site. Neighbours worry what’s being released into the air could be bad for their health.
Since the wood chipping operation began two years ago there have been numerous complaints about dust, noise and the odour produced by chipping old railway ties soaked in creosote – a product that through prolonged exposure is known to cause some cancers.
“We had seven complaints in 2014 and actions were taken,” Metro Vancouver’s Manager of Environmental Regulations and Enforcement Ray Robb said.
“We didn’t receive any complaints in 2015. Then in the last two months we’ve received two complaints.”
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Since those initial seven complaints CN has installed a new chipper with mesh curtains. It has also increased the size of the chips and is paving part of the site to reduce dust.
Kevan Seng owns a picture framing business right next door and although he has never formally complained to the city or to Metro Vancouver, he has done so directly to those working on site.
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“Before it was pretty dusty like black dust would land on our window sill,” Seng said. “I would always have to wipe it up every now and then. I got pretty good at cleaning. And there was always this funny smell that comes and goes depending if they’re grinding the ties.”
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The dust and smell has been evident again in recent weeks with all the dry hot weather even though workers have been spraying the site with water.
But many of the residents didn’t know what creosote is.
“One of my neighbours he came by and I think he was doing just letting everyone know what’s going on and he said that those ties railway ties have some kind of thing called creosote and it’s not good for the health,” Seng said.
He says that after doing some research he realized how it’s not good for the health.
The wood chips are being used as fuel for two cement plants in the Lower Mainland.
CN says it is better to chip and burn these ties than bury them in a landfill.
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