....but results inconclusive

Page 2

The federal government acted too swiftly when it called for the testing of pulp mills in Alberta after last year's forced closure of a similar operation in British Columbia, according to an Oceans and Fisheries official.

The results were inconclusive so more intense testing will have to be conducted this spring.

Director of oceanography and contaminants, Jean Piuze, says his department analyzed fish samples taken from 15 test sights in Canada last year after toxic chemical were found in shellfish near a prince Rupert pulp mill.

Only two effluent discharge sights were tested in Alberta - one in Hinton and the other in Grande Prairie.

He says there was a "sense of urgency."

Now the results have been deemed inconclusive even though Canadian Health and Welfare said there are no unsafe levels of dioxins or furans in the water.

"They did not feel there was a health risk, but they felt the presence of these chemicals warranted further examination."

More tests are to be conducted, weather permitting, he says.

When the federal government initiated the investigation of rivers that may contain toxic waste, including the Wapiti near Grande Prairies, Piuze says he was dependent on the Alberta government for samples.

He says the analysis should have included testing of other fish besides the white suckers that were pulled from the Wapiti River.

"There's plans now to get, not only the suckers, but game fish such as pikes and walleye," because these are the fish that are consumed, he says.

Last year's testing was done on the whole fish and not enough attention was paid to the consumer interests, according to Piuze.

"For the fish in Alberta, everything was tested. That gives us an idea of the content of the whole fish. But it's also useful to test fish for human consumption."

When new tests are conducted this year, Piuze says other sites may be earmarked for investigation including the Daishowa plant in Peace River.

After the federal fisheries department verifies provincial conclusions that the fish are safe, the results are passed on the Canadian Health and Welfare, says Piuze.