New long-term data shows that development of Alberta’s oil sands has increased cancer levels.
Canadian government financed researchers have established that contamination by cancer-causing compounds in surrounding lakes covers a wider area than previously believed and are beyond naturally produced levels.
Alberta oil sands Image: Howlmontreal |
The research findings were released after the scientists had developed a detailed historical record of the contamination.
This includes analysis of sediment dating back about 50 years from six small and shallow lakes north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, the centre of the oil sands industry.
The samples were tested for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) groups. These are specifically associated with oil sands and have a record of causing human cancer if exposed over a long period.
While industry commentators have stated that there has always been a presence of PAHs in region - long before oil production began - the new study claims that PAH levels have been steadily rising since large-scale output began in 1978 and are now present in lakes as far as 50 miles North of the of the fields.
While the research paper's lead author, Professor John P. Smol of Ontario's Queen’s University, described the data as "the smoking gun", the Canadian Government's Environment Ministry stated that contaminent levels “did not exceed Canadian guidelines and were low compared to urban areas.”