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Published in Summer 2003
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Taking stock of the CEC's Taking Stock
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On 17 April, the CEC released its seventh annual Taking Stock report on industrial pollutants in North America.
The 376-page report found that a group of 15,000 facilities, classed together for their releases of up to 100 tonnes a year, were increasing chemical releases and transfers at an alarming rate. In Canada, the group of "small p" polluters increased by 66 percent from 1998 to 2000. In the United States, it was 29 percent.
"It's very discouraging to see such a large number of facilities report releasing more pollution in our environment, since they are found in communities across the continent," commented Victor Shantora, Acting Executive Director for the CEC. "The 'small p' polluter might not grab the same headlines as a large power plant or chemical manufacturer, but their effect is being felt throughout the North American environment."
By comparison, the 3,600 facilities reporting more than 100 tonnes of chemical releases and transfers recorded a seven percent reduction in pollutants. However, they still account for 90 percent of the
total pollution.
Overall, North America reduced industrial releases and transfers of chemicals by five percent in the six years from 1995 to 2000—down to 3.3 million tonnes from 22,036 industrial facilities in 2000.
"These numbers are encouraging, but they can be better," said Shantora. "When you see sectors like printing and publishing decreasing their releases
by 13 percent since 1998, you know that it can be rapidly accomplished."
In a presentation given to Canada's Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development in Ottawa, Shantora speculated that facilities are focusing on pollution management rather than pollution prevention.
"Right now I think the impression seems to be that we'll create the pollution and then we'll manage it
after the fact," he said. "We'd suggest that pollution prevention or control at source, or rethinking about why does this stuff have to be produced in the first place, warrants further work."
A special edition of Taking Stock that looks at toxic chemicals and children's health will be released later this year.
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