The Manitoba government said Wednesday it will set up a new mobile air-monitoring system near the St. Boniface industrial park after 24 properties were found to have higher-than-recommended heavy metal contaminants in their soil.
“We have met with concerned residents, will consult with them on the placement of this new monitoring station and continue to share results from the scientific testing, including the new particulate monitoring that will be done,” said Rochelle Squires, the province’s sustainable development minister.
“Our government is being transparent by releasing these results and we’re committed to ensuring the protection of the environment, while at the same time recognizing this has been an industrial area for more than a century.”
Concerns were raised last year about contaminants in the St. Boniface area, and the University of Manitoba collected soil samples from yards and gardens in the area in the fall of 2017.
Most of the samples have been analyzed, said Squires, and testing showed 24 properties had levels of heavy metals in their soil higher than the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment soil quality guidelines.
A breakdown of those properties, according to the province:
- lead: 18 (10 properties, six gardens and two with no addresses, likely boulevards);
- zinc: six;
- copper: four;
- nickel: one slightly over recommended plant-based levels and lower than human health guideline;
- barium: one slightly over the recommended level for soil quality; and
- chromium: one slightly over the recommended level for soil quality.
Property owners affected were hand-delivered letters.
“The province will work with affected property owners who have concerns about the soil sample results.”
Eating food grown in soil with high lead content has some risks, she said. More information can be found on the province’s website.
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