Black sooty fallout events in northeast Hamilton
For several years, residents of northeast Hamilton have complained of fallout incidents involving the deposition of fine black airborne particles. Many have called on Ministry of the Environment to identify and then prosecute the responsible local industries. During the summer of 2006, complaints of extreme black fallout events led MOE to sample residential properties, inspect industries, and produce a report on the fallout events. Although the investigation was unable to definitively ascribe the incidents to any one emissions source, it did conclude that the events could be attributed to the industries in the north end of Hamilton (i.e., ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Columbian Chemicals Canada and Stelco Steel). Dofasco asserts that its KOBM meltshop does not emit sooty or carbonaceous particles like those involved in the sooty fallouts.
Subsequent incidents of sooty deposits have continued to affect residents of northeast Hamilton After analyzing dust samples from one such event in February 2007, MOE blamed Dofasco and Stelco Steel and requested that the companies submit reports on how to manage the problem. The ministry states that it continues to respond to reports of fallout incidents and track down responsible sources. It states that its initiatives include:
- the implementation of a 24/7 procedure to respond to complaints and notifications of fallout incidents;
- the analysis of samples collected from residential properties;
- the development of a plan to address the issue;
- work with Clean Air Hamilton and several large companies to implement fugitive emission and dust control plans;
- a Fugitive Dust Emissions Workshop in December 2006, where MOE identified a number of emissions sources for inspection; and
- a partnership with a professor at McMaster University for the analysis of mobile air monitoring data.
Additionally, MOE indicates that a number of new initiatives are under consideration:
- The Hamilton Air Monitoring Network (HAMN) is considering installing nephelometers (instruments for measuring suspended particulates) at several locations around Hamilton’s industrial area to monitor sources of particulate fallout;
- HAMN is working with organizations to make air quality data publicly available in real time; and
- MOE is looking into other technologies to supplement existing emissions monitoring.
| This is an article from the 2007/08 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. |
Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2008. "Dofasco KOBM Meltshop." Getting to K(No)w, ECO Annual Report, 2007-08. Toronto, ON : Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 146.
