Transport Canada has had concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, since the 1980s, revealed documents obtained through an access-to-information request. PFAS, a group of thousands of chemicals, have been associated with various health issues such as cancer, hypertension, and liver disease. These substances can also impact lipid function, which is linked to conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
For years, Transport Canada, along with the Department of National Defence (DND) and the National Research Council of Canada, conducted firefighter training exercises at airports across the country using aqueous film-forming foams containing PFAS. While these foams were effective in combating jet fuel fires, their use led to groundwater contamination with PFAS.
Alex Templeton, a partner at McInnes Cooper in St. John’s, is leading a proposed class-action lawsuit regarding the contamination of drinking water wells near airports in Newfoundland. The lead plaintiffs, Eddie and Susan Sheerr, discovered that their wells exceeded Health Canada’s recommended limit of 30 nanograms per liter for various PFAS types.
Documents obtained by Templeton through access-to-information requests revealed that Transport Canada was aware of the potential environmental impacts of the effluent produced during firefighter training exercises as far back as 1984. The reports highlighted concerns about the toxicity of effluents and the risk of groundwater contamination from these activities.
Transport Canada implemented effluent containment standards in 1979 but faced criticism for outdated standards by 1990, especially regarding winter conditions’ impact on run-off. Despite Transport Canada’s assertion that PFAS was not a known contaminant at the time, Templeton disputed this claim based on the information from the reports.
The revelations have sparked new concerns in North Bay, where efforts are underway to clean up PFAS contamination at the airport and in the municipal drinking water. A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed over the PFAS issue in North Bay, with residents expressing frustration over the lack of communication and follow-up on the contamination concerns.
Overall, the documents shed light on longstanding awareness of PFAS risks and the need for enhanced environmental practices to prevent further contamination.
