Health & Safety Issues
- Provincial Policy Statement 2005, section 3.0 Protecting Public Heath and Safety, 3.1 Natural Hazards,
"3.1.4 Development shall not be permitted to locate in hazardous lands and hazardous sites where the use is:
c) uses associated with the disposal, manufacture, treatment or storage of hazardous substances." (pg23)
"Hazardous sites: means property or lands that could be unsafe for development and site alteration due to naturally occurring hazards. These may include unstable soils (sensitive marine clays [leda], organic soils) or unstable bedrock (karst topography)." (pg31)
"Hazardous substances: means substances which, individually, or in combination with other substances, are normally considered to pose a danger to public health, safety and the environment. These substances generally include a wide array of materials that are toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, radioactive or pathological." (pg31)
One of the largest contaminants published in the planning documents is particulate matter at 93% of total pollutants. Although frequently referred to as 'just dust', the health implications of breathing in particulate matter are real and severe for the more susceptible portion of our population:
"Numerous studies have linked PM to aggravated cardiac and respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema and to various forms of heart disease. PM can also have adverse effects on vegetation and structures, and contributes to visibility deterioration and regional haze."
Read more about Criteria Air Contaminants and Related Pollutants