Exposure to contaminated sites linked to diabetes

Mushkegowuk First Nations are now researching health impacts resulting from long- term exposure to radar sites.

September 18, 2008: Volume 35 #19

Between 1955 and 1965, the Federal Department of National Defense constructed, operated, and then, abandoned 98 Mid-Canada Radar Line sites that provided an early warning system to counter the threat of enemy air attacks on North America.
The sites were strategically located along the 55th parallel from the Alaska border to the Atlantic Ocean.

Seventeen of these sites are situated in traditional First Nation territory in Ontario, many of which are near the Polar Bear Provincial Park.

Found contaminants have been polluting the environment along the James and Hudson Bays for more than 40 years and include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, pesticides, oils and various forms of petroleum.

“In the past, we have proven that the PCBs are in the food sources of the First Nations. We will now begin to collect blood samples from First Nation members in several communities to further investigate the links between these 17 sites and human health,” said Jennifer Simard, executive director of the Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre.

Dr. David Carpenter, from the University of Albany, New York, recently linked long-term PCB exposure to Type II Diabetes.

He discussed his findings at a symposium, hosted by the Mushkegowuk Research Centre and Mushkegowuk Council, on Sept. 3-4 in Timmins.

Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit has reported in recent years, a number of people living near these contaminated sites have died from cancer.

Since the late 1980s, Mushkegowuk Council has continued to pressure the Federal and Provincial Governments to co-fund up to $100 million towards the clean up and disposal of the hazardous waste.

While the Ontario government recently agreed to pay half of the cost, the Federal Treasury Board has yet to consider the matter a priority, according to Louttit.
“These areas are important food sources for more than seven First Nations and it is unacceptable that they are poisoning our people due to the negligence of the government,” Louttit said.

So far, only one of the sites has been cleaned up due to its close proximity to Fort Albany First Nation.