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June 7, 1999 - Gary Sergy, ESDCanada-Spain Meetings on Environmental Emergencies
Issues
- At the invitation of the Government of Spain and the Canadian Embassy in Madrid,
Gary Sergy participated in a diagnostic visit to Spain on May 11 and 12, 1999, on issues
related to environmental emergencies and technical cooperation. Presentations on Canadian
knowledge and techniques were given to senior officials (Director General and Ops
Director) of the Spanish government sectors responsible for dealing with environmental
emergencies and marine pollution. Spain showed a very high level of interest and
enthusiasm with the expertise and technology from Canada and indicated a strong desire to
pursue collaboration on environmental emergency issues.
[Gary Sergy @ (780) 951-8855]
June 7, 1999 - Dr. Sandra Blenkinsopp, ESD
Canadian Biotechnology Strategy (CBS)
- ETAD prepared and submitted a major proposal to the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy
fund for "Research and Development of Emergency Response Training Materials and Field
Guides for Spill of Micro-organisms". This proposal addresses the serious deficiency
in response preparedness to spills of biological material including genetically engineered
micro-organisms (GEMS) and is supported by EP-Prairie & Northern Region, Commercial
Chemicals Branch, Health Canada, Transport Canada, Department of National Defence, and
Department of Fisheries & Oceans.
[Dr. Sandra Blenkinsopp @ (780) 951-8705]
June 7, 1999 - Dr. David Thornton, ETC
US-EPA Award to Dr. Merv Fingas, Chief, ESD
- As part of its 20-year anniversary, the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (US-EPA) Environmental Response Team (ERT) awarded Dr. Merv Fingas, Chief,
Emergencies Science Division (ESD), ETC, a plaque entitled "FRIEND OF THE ERT".
The plaque states "Thank you for many years of support for the US-EPA ERT. Without
your help, our understanding of oil spills would not be what it is today".
[Dr. David
Thornton @ 991-9550]
June 7, 1999, Dr. Merv Fingas, ESD
Personnel Decontamination Unit Loaned to Ottawa Fire Department
- The 48-foot personnel decontamination unit built for the Emergencies
Science Division has been formally loaned to the Ottawa Fire Department.
The unit has special facilities that enable decontamination of people from
chemical exposure. The unit is self-contained and can operate about 2 days
without additional water and fuel. About 30 persons can be de-contaminated
in one hour. The unit is especially useful for major chemical spills or for
special contamination incidents such as caused by terrorism. The loan agreement
enables the Ottawa Fire Department to use the unit and ensures that the unit is
properly maintained. The agreement also includes provision for Environment
Canada to reclaim the unit for an emergency within 1-hour notice on a 24-hour
basis.
[Dr. Merv Fingas @ 998-9622]
June 7, 1999 - Richard Turle, AAQD
NAPS Network Measurements of Lead Reduced Significantly
- At the National Air Pollution Surveillance Network (NAPS) Managers' meeting of May
1998, it was decided that there was no point in continuing Canada-wide measurement of lead
on particulate matter taken with Hi- Volume samplers. The prime source of lead in urban
air was emissions from vehicles using fuels containing lead. Since the phase-out of lead
in gasoline, lead levels in ambient air have declined dramatically. This was the reason
for this decision to cease most sampling for lead. The last Hi-volume samples were
collected December 31st, 1998 and these were analysed June 3rd, 1999. Thus ends a data set
going back to before1974. Lead measurements will still continue for selected sites where
smelters could have an impact, e.g. Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Also, lead data will
still be available for 15 cities by multi-element analysis of filters collected using
dichotomous samplers.
[Richard Turle @ 990-8559]
June 7, 1999 - Dr. Merv Fingas, ESD
ETAD Sponsors Three International Technical Seminars
- The Environmental Technology Advancement Directorate (ETAD) sponsored three
international technical seminars during the first week of June 1999 in Calgary. These
conferences facilitated the exchange of information between Canada and other parties that
share common geographic and temperate characteristics on assessing and managing oil and
chemical spills. The Sixteenth Annual Technical Seminar on Chemical Spills (TSOCS) was
sponsored by Emergencies Science Division (ESD) on May 31st and June 1st.
At the same time, the first Phytoremediation seminar, co-sponsored by ETADs
Technology and Industry Branch (TIB) and ESD took place. About 80 people participated and
proceedings of 350 pages were distributed to the participants. About 20 papers and 12
posters were presented during these two seminars. From June 2nd to June 4th,
130 people attended the Twenty-second Annual Arctic Marine Oil Spill Program (AMOP)
Technical Seminar on Oil Spills. About 70 papers and 35 posters were presented and
proceedings of about 900 pages were distributed. All published papers were peer-reviewed
and further details will appear in the weekly report of July 6th, 1999. Around
35% of the participants were from Canada, 55% were from the United States, and 10% came
from overseas (e.g. Norway).
[Dr. Merv Fingas @ 998-9622]
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