Over a period of 70 years, between one and 14 citizens of Rouyn-Noranda would develop cancer if Glencore did not reduce the concentration of arsenic in the air produced by the Horne smelter.
This is one of the conclusions of a long-awaited study by the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ), published Wednesday morning. The faster and greater the reduction, the greater the gain for public health, according to INSPQ researchers.
The institute has assessed the risks of cancer in a scenario where a person is exposed to 165 nanograms (ng) of arsenic per cubic meter (m3) in the air, which represents the average for recent years in Rouyn- Noranda.
The provincial standard, however, is 3 ng/m3.
The INSP maintains “that it is important to pursue actions aimed at reducing arsenic and cadmium emissions by approaching the regulatory standard as much as possible” and that “all actions aimed at reducing emissions and of exposure will have a positive impact on the future carcinogenic risk of the youngest and next generations”.
Tuesday, François Legault affirmed that all options are on the table, including the closure of the Horne Foundry if necessary, to protect the health of the population of Rouyn-Noranda.
“Let’s be very clear: if there is no plan submitted by the company to reduce emissions to a level that is safe for the population, we do not effectively exclude closing the company. »
Quebec’s national director of public health, Luc Boileau, will comment on the study at a press conference on Wednesday morning.
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