Officials search for sources of poison
Published Monday December 1st, 2008
There is still no answer to what is causing some people in Blackville to suffer arsenic poisoning, but the chief medical officer for the region says they will look at various potential sources, including the local sawmill.
Dr. Denis Allard mentioned the sawmill as a potential source during a radio interview Friday with the CBC.
He was not available in the afternoon to field questions about the case, but provincial Health Department spokesperson Meghan Cumby said Allard was not saying the sawmill is definitely the source of the poisoning.
“It was just one of many examples that he gave. We have no reason to believe or no evidence that shows that is the source. I don’t even think we have evidence that they use arsenic treated wood at this point,” she said.
The UPM-owned sawmill was once the largest single employeer in the village but has been shut down since April 2008.
Cumby cautioned there are any number of potential sources and they won’t know what it is until more testing is done.
“It could be any number of things,” she said.
The province announced last week it would be conducting water and other tests in an effort to find out what caused four people in the Digby Street/Shafer Lane section of the village to be diagnosed with arsenic poisoning.
Provincially Blackville is represented by Southwest Miramichi MLA Rick Brewer, the new Human Resources Minister. He said the province is determined to find the source.
“It’s a top priority that we put these people’s minds at ease. Helping these familes that are there in Blackville and going through this and getting to the bottom of it is our priority,” he said.
Brewer first found out about the situation in Blackville Sunday, Nov. 23. He met the following day with members of the village council.
Since then the province has committed to finding the source.
In a release issued last week the Health Department said water does not appear to be the cause, as arsenic levels in wells tested are acceptable.
“Arsenic is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s crust; it may be, therefore, a natural contaminant in drinking water.
Low levels of arsenic in water are common and do not usually cause elevated levels in blood,” the released reads.
It can also come from commercial products such as food or herbel remedies.
Brewer said his focus right now is tracking down whatever it is that’s causing people to be sick.
“the goal right now is to find the source and once the source is found to get these patients well.
I’m getting calls from the village not on a daily basis but very frequent during the day,” he said.
The MLA also said the entire situation has him very concerned.
“Oh boy, I’ll tell you this week there’s been night I haven’t slept very well because you get concerned about people’s health,” he said. “I guess the unknowns are what kind of bothers you.”
Meanwhile federal help is on the way. Cumby said it has been confirmed at least one epidemiologist is expected to arrive this week and help with the investigation.
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