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Oil Sands Producers Support More Health Monitoring Canada

Edmonton Journal: Energy companies support environmental monitoring and scientific research to ensure that industrial emissions in the oilsands are not adversely affecting people’s health. Geraldine Anderson, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said Tuesday that oilsands producers understand development must occur in a manner that keeps people safe, and benefits their quality of life. “The suggestions that oilsands development is affecting people’s health is troubling to us, and...

Canada: Pollution from oilsands greater than first believed, new research suggests

Edmonton Journal: A new study released Monday suggests environmental assessments of oilsands projects have underestimated the impact of pollution, raising questions about the accuracy of data used as part of the approval process. Despite taking into account emissions from industry-related activities, researchers from the University of Toronto found estimates in environmental impact statements submitted to regulators were insufficient to explain existing contamination levels in northern Alberta. “Our study shows...

New Study to Examine Health Impact of Alberta Oil Sands

Edmonton Journal: An independent study will soon be launched into the health effects of the oilsands on nearby communities. Partially funded by the provincial and federal governments, the study will be overseen by University of Calgary sociology professor Cora Voyageur and will re-examine cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan, a native community about 220 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. Links to other health issues, including autism, will also be explored as researchers try to determine if contaminants from industrial...