July 2nd, 2009, 15 e-mails

J. M. wrote:

Just wanted to pass along a note that there are some great people out there... as I was passing by Susan Tibaldi Parkette yesterday, I saw a white pick-up truck pull up and a man and woman get out. I'm pretty sure the truck had a City of Toronto logo on the door covered up, and the man was wearing a construction/city-worker type of vest with a reflector, and white tshirt underneath (could've sworn I saw a logo there too?). The woman seemed to be his girlfriend from observing their interactions...

... anyways, these fine people went to the garbage bins in the park, pulled them up, tied them close, threw them into the pickup truck and put new bags in the bins. I didn't want to ask questions about who he was/if he was a strikebreaker... so I just said "thanks very much" and he replied "you're welcome."

So, I don't know if it was a strikebreaker, decent citizens, city management, or a combination of those, but they are awesome and it was really nice to see!

B. S. wrote:

I learned a new word on Monday and it is Leachate. I actually had to look it up on Wikipedia, one of their better articles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leachate

This is what is currently collecting in the Christie Pits dump, you might have seen the picture of my bottled sample yesterday. It contains whatever is dripping out of the multiply perforated bags, whatever the rain water has leached from the piles and whatever has been directly added, as bags have broken open after being thrown over the fence, stepped on or driven over. Dissolved and suspended, we have: organic waste, human feces from diapers, and all the usual toxins, hormones and heavy metals - even estrogens[2] - that make solid waste management difficult even in normal times.

I've been trying to review the literature regarding health and environmental concerns - there is not very much available that is relevant for us: first of all, it is of course difficult to define what exactly is in the leachate, secondly, much of that has known toxic, teratogenic, carcinogenic etc. potential that is well known anyway, and thirdly, in the industrialized world, contact of humans with leachate is not that much of a problem since leachate is more of an issue for regulated landfill site management. For obvious reasons, illegal and temporary dumps in high-population density locations are not that well studied.

The state of the art to assess leachate toxicity is bioassays: to quote a recent review [1]:

"Landfill leachate is a complex mixture of chemicals; [...]

it is clear that toxicity testing, using species that represent the different trophic levels, is a superior way to predict the risk posed by discharge than chemical analysis. [...] Studies showed that leachate exhibits a wide range of toxicities to the species tested. Ammonia, alkalinity, heavy metals, and recalcitrant organics were identified to be the cause of adverse responses from the test organisms. Concentrations of these chemicals were found to depend upon the types of waste landfilled."[1]

Assessing our particular "leachate" is of course made much more complicated by the toxins that have been added through spraying. If a bioassay population of Fairy shrimp is killed by the leachate, was that due to the benzalkonium chloride that the City sprayed as a disinfectant, or was it due to other toxins that have come out of the black bags?

How relevant is this for the park - or for all other parks for that matter? I can't tell and I'm not getting a sense that anybody really can, although I'd hope to be wrong on that. Case control studies in Texas have not consistently shown increased risks from mere proximity to waste-sites; but again: these cases did not have the dump next door, and these were regulated dumps to begin with.[3]

It will rain today. We have an open site. Raindrops will create aerosols, they will be dispersed. If it rains heavily, the leachate may spill over, down into the Pit.

PS. I have pdf's of the cited articles, in case you need a copy, you are welcome to contact me off-list.

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19117211
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18501951
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16722192

B. S. wrote:

(From the Christie Pits dump site.)

at about 10:00 tonight, Orkin (the company who applies the pest- control toxins in the parks) wanted to enter the site to resume spraying, accompanied by City staff. CUPE prevented access however. The police was called to mediate and the discussions became interesting.

Apparently, the City has a permit from the Ministry of Environment to operate this as a temporary dump, on the condition of regular pest control. We learned that "regular" in this case means spraying in 24h intervals, with a 24h window in case an application is missed. The City's manager confirmed that the last time Orkin sprayed was on Monday morning, i.e. more than 60h ago.

As CUPE and police were negotiating, CUPE made clear that their agreement with their liaison officer had called for spraying tomorrow morning, not now. But the police reached an agreement with CUPE to permit access, under conditions.

However, at that point neighbors who live right next to the "dump" demanded to know what exactly was being sprayed and whether it could be guaranteed that they would not be exposed to health risks. Even though the City staff had a copy of the MSDS sheets with him, he obviously was not in a position to comment on health risks. The police sergeant proposed that the citizens should call their counselor - but as we know, there has been no response to requests for information. The police than determined that neither the City representative nor the Orkin employee could be certain of imminent risks if spraying was delayed. Thus the police sent the City and Orkin away for the night, to give everyone - the citizens and CUPE - time until tomorrow to clarify their positions regarding potential health risks and risk management.

So far the facts. Some questions are going through my mind: Is the City now falling behind its obligations under their permit? And what does that mean for the permit? Why is the city not actively engaging with residents to clarify the health and environmental issues? Who can the residents turn to? And finally, even though I have read and posted about the risks from Permethrin and OCS, how toxic is the leachate that will enter the soil and groundwater after tomorrow's rainstorm. And how toxic are the gases and aerosols that are now rising from the dump?

I walked around the park after everybody had gone their way, the stench wafting up across Barton street from the former ice rink is nearly unbearable. In fact, I have a headache now - and I certainly didn't linger. Is this a mere inconvenience?

G. R. wrote:

I think the issues you point out are extremely important.

1. The city has approval from the Ministry of the Environment for temporary dump sites, _contingent_ on meeting the stipulations of their permit. i.e. spraying and applying toxins.

2. The city is now in violation (by 12hours, and soon to be 24hours) of its permit.

3. As neighbourhood residents, we have real concerns about what is being applied in our park and environment:

• poisons which kill bees, bumblebees, and other non-harmful,

beneficial insects,

• poisons which can seriously injure or kill cats and other animals,
• poisons and other household waste which can kill birds,
• poisons which will kill fish and other aquatic animals for 30

days as they are swept into the sewer system.

I do not believe that the solution to the dangers of creating a dump in an entirely unsuitable location should be solved by an even greater danger of applying poisons in a park, and so close to houses.

Therefore, I think that CUPE has done the neighbourhood a real favour in refusing access to Orkin. I think we need to support them in this action, and make clear to the city that we reject these poisons in our neighbourhood and park.

And, I think that once the city is in violation of the terms of their permit for a temporary dump, we need to inform the province of this situation. The Ministry of the Environment, if it follows its own rules, will have to order the city to remove the dump.

For the sake of kids, adults, and animals in the area, we should not allow Orkin access to the rink to apply its poisons. CUPE is watching the dump at night, and after hours. Perhaps we can create a watch-list for during the day to make our case that when Orkin shows up that a member of the group is there to oppose the application of pesticides.

The idea would be to prevent Orkin access to the rink, together with the CUPE members present, through word or action to spray.

One action - and if I am incorrect please correct me Boris - is to be physically present close to the rink when Orkin is setting up to spray. Orkin cannot spray when anyone is on the property. Not everyone may be comfortable with taking this action, because it may result in the police being called to ask you to move from City property.

Hopefully, before this occurs, more people from the neighbourhood will be alerted and can come join you effectively making it somewhat more difficult for the police to respond. Or, at least the police may respond in the same manner that they did tonight: ask both Orkin and neighbourhood residents to leave the property.

I would also like to hear what everyone thinks of this proposed course of action. Is it something that people support? It is important, I think, that we have a good level of agreement from community members that this is a step we should take. If it is the will of most of the members of the group that Orkin should have access, then we should stop our actions after an initial two-day watch, or even in a shorter time-period.

In the meantime, we should organize people to fill slots for the next two days to ensure the city remains in violation of its permit.

I propose that those of us comfortable with acting in this capacity sign up for a two hour watch time over the next two days from 7am-7pm: (two people per timeslot would be perfect)

You may email me directly, and I can send out updates of the slots that still remain to be filled.

Thursday, July 2nd

7am-9am - G.

9am-11am -

11am-1pm -

1pm-3pm -

3pm-5pm -

5pm-7pm -

Friday, July 3rd

7am-9am -

9am-11am -

11am-1pm -

1pm-3pm -

3pm-5pm -

5pm-7pm -

S. M. wrote:

> I do not believe that the solution to the dangers of creating a dump > in an entirely unsuitable location should be solved by an even greater > danger of applying poisons in a park, and so close to houses.

I agree instinctually, but do we actually know if it's a greater danger, Govind (or Boris, or anyone who knows)? Not challenging, just asking, because I have no idea. ie. What's going to happen to the surrounding homes and the park if they don't spray? I realize spraying allows them to keep the waste there, but how long can it go without spraying before something awful occurs? Or is what might occur not so awful? I'd appreciate some insight.

G. R. wrote:

We don't know for certain that spraying pesticides is a greater danger. Boris made a good point in conversation with me this morning that he believes the household waste itself poses the bigger danger (i.e. detergents, diapers, etc.). However, none of the spraying will contain or neutralize that health hazard.

What we do know about the pesticides and chemical applications is that they are much more toxic than pesticides that have now been banned by the city for application in city parks. The city cited health risks when making that decision.

We do also know that the chemicals applied by Orkin are lethal to many beneficial insects, and small animals, especially cats. Orkin's spraying protocol is to spray at night because of the danger of the chemicals to people in the area, and their employees use full breathing apparatuses for protection. So, I am satisfied that spraying is a danger, and it shows the stupidity of putting a dump in an area that is not designed to take garbage.

I think the bottom line is that before something awful does occur, the Ministry of the Environment will have to order the city to remove the dump. And that step is the one that needs to occur to safeguard everyone's health in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Just some thoughts,

A. B. wrote:

Response from Mayor's office re: complaint for the Christie Pits dump site.

G. R. wrote:

I wanted to let everyone know that I lodged an official complaint with the Ministry of the Environment about half an hour ago.

The basis of the complaint is that: a) the city is in violation of its permit to operate a temporary dump site, b) the leachate and toxins contained in the garbage pose an environmental hazard to people and animails in the area and in the watershed.

I encourage others to file a complaint as well. The number is: 1-866-MOE-TIPS (1-866-663-8477)

T. will be making a call to the "Reporting Spills and Environmental Emergencies" number today, "Call Toll Free: 1-800-268-6060", and I will do the same.

I think that by pursuing the environmental consequences of the dump through the responsible agencies possibly could result in an order by the Ministry to shut down the dump and remove the garbage.

As of this moment the city is operating an illegal dump site in Christie Pits.

D. V. wrote:

I just got off the phone with a very nice, and sympathetic, person at the MOE number below (1866-663-8477) and she recommended calling the Toronto MOE (416-326-6700). Her office, which is province wide and open 24hours, writes a report and sends it to the Toronto office, which is only open 8:30 - 5. Personally I think I'll be calling both. Let's all get on the phone - this might just work!

K. H. wrote:

Will do ...great.

L. wrote:

Wow--that is an excellent approach.

G. R. wrote:

A number of people have signed up for shifts to watch the dump. This is what we have so far: (Please email me if you can sign up for a shift.)

Thursday, July 2nd

7am-9am - G.

9am-11am -

11am-1pm -

1pm-3pm -

3pm-5pm - C.

5pm-7pm - L.

Friday, July 3rd

7am-9am -

9am-11am - C.

11am-1pm -

1pm-3pm -

3pm-5pm -

5pm-7pm -

T. has offered to watch the site after the kids are in bed one of the evenings for two hours.

In other matters…

We expect the Ministry of the Environment to show up at the dump any moment to survey the site and asses the city's compliance with the temporary dump permit.

The Ministry has clarified that the three chemicals need to be applied not every 24 hours, but "as necessary".

This clarification does not change the fact that keeping garbage in an ice rink that is overflowing with toxins does constitute a health risk.

K. H. wrote:

I am doing the Buddhist thing and doing a sit-in in the Park, except when I have to help clean and do childcare and ministering. Not only will I be watching the dump but observing the awful smell and stench in the air breathing in and out.

H. S. wrote:

Posted earlier this morning on T.

"Christie Pits Dump Site now a Hazardous Spill ?"

http://T.oronto.ca/dy5

http://Torontopedia.ca/ParksAreNotDumps

P. M. wrote

Dr. McKeown, on Tuesday June 30th at 16h30 an Orkin worker similar to the one in the attached picture (that was turned away by residents at Christie Pitts) entered Moss Park wearing the same gas mask and pulled a hose from his truck and began spraying the garbage. The park was not cleared at the time and there were many residents and dogs in the immediate area that were not provided masks or asked to leave, there was even a woman with a new born baby on the other side of the fence. You can confirm this Orkin visit as a fact by your entry logs at the park and no doubt by the invoice you will receive. As medical officer of health can you please provide the material safety data sheets for what was sprayed on that day? In addition, can you please provide a report from either yourself or your office that states the food harvested from the community garden and fruit orchard located a few meters from the temporary dump are safe for human consumption? Will a sign/information be posted by the city or board of health next to the garden?

Mr Rathbone, As solid waste manager I assume that the staff wearing the coloured shirts are your employees. I therefore ask you to have your employees remove their personal vehicles from the park (see licence plates on attached link). After several calls to parking enforcement they eventually told me that the park is 'private property' and that the city has to ask them to leave first. I approached one of the individuals an hour ago after he was finished talking to Deb Meredith and asked him if he had a car parked in the park and he said yes that he was given permission. If you gave them permission, then fine fair enough, but I would ask you to explain why they should have this privilege while anyone else that works downtown has to find a place to park. As a matter of fact, whenever we tax paying residents have visitors come to visit us they too must pay for parking. By you allowing your staff to park in our park it is a further disrespect to our neighbourhood and our park. In addition Mr Rathbone, can you please share with us your clean up plan/timetable? What will happen in Moss Park 24/48hrs after the strike is ended? When will the fencing come down? When will the garbage be removed? The cleaning of the baskeball court, the replacement of the field turf? How will the park be monitored for rodents afterward?

Content last modified on July 07, 2009, at 03:41 PM EST