Introduction
Year after year, more and more industrial plants are popping up in neighborhoods across Canada; some industrialized areas are more concentrated than others. Lambton County in Ontario, for example, contains 62 industrial refineries clustered together and within a 25km radius is giving it its nickname “Chemical Valley.”(MacDonald, E., et al 2007) Canada is a resource rich nation, and a competitive leader on the world economic stage, thanks in part to the strong industrial and energy sector of our economy. Many Canadians benefit from our growing industrial economy, allowing most to live in a safe stable country while being able to provide for their families. However, the ever-increasing concentration of industrial facilities in Southern …show more content…
This County is made up of 11 municipalities, as well as three First Nations. 71,000 residents live in this densely populated area. 56% of its residents live in the City of Sarnia, which is situated along the St. Clair River at the south end of Lake Huron.(MacDonald, E., et al 2007) The Aamjiwnaang First Nation (AFN) is one of the three reserves in Lambton County. This reserve is located on the south end of Sarnia, Ontario and within 5km of the Petrochemical industrial plants. 850 people call AFN home, one-quarter of the residents is Children.(MacDonald, E., et al 2007) These petrochemical plants produce toxic pollutants such as critical air contaminants (CAC’s,): carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides. CAC’s are toxic and can lead to respiratory disease, heart disease, and death. (MacDonald, E., et al 2007) Petrochemical plants also release a large amount of endocrine disrupting chemicals that disrupt hormonal processes which can alter the sex-ratio birth pattern. (MacDonald, E., et al 2007) According to MacDonald, the location of this reserve and its deep cultural connection with the land, (medicine gathering, hunting, and fishing,) makes the residents extremely susceptible to adverse health effects from toxic emissions. (MacDonald, E.,et al
Year after year, more and more industrial plants are popping up in neighborhoods across Canada; some industrialized areas are more concentrated than others. Lambton County in Ontario, for example, contains 62 industrial refineries clustered together and within a 25km radius is giving it its nickname “Chemical Valley.”(MacDonald, E., et al 2007) Canada is a resource rich nation, and a competitive leader on the world economic stage, thanks in part to the strong industrial and energy sector of our economy. Many Canadians benefit from our growing industrial economy, allowing most to live in a safe stable country while being able to provide for their families. However, the ever-increasing concentration of industrial facilities in Southern …show more content…
This County is made up of 11 municipalities, as well as three First Nations. 71,000 residents live in this densely populated area. 56% of its residents live in the City of Sarnia, which is situated along the St. Clair River at the south end of Lake Huron.(MacDonald, E., et al 2007) The Aamjiwnaang First Nation (AFN) is one of the three reserves in Lambton County. This reserve is located on the south end of Sarnia, Ontario and within 5km of the Petrochemical industrial plants. 850 people call AFN home, one-quarter of the residents is Children.(MacDonald, E., et al 2007) These petrochemical plants produce toxic pollutants such as critical air contaminants (CAC’s,): carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides. CAC’s are toxic and can lead to respiratory disease, heart disease, and death. (MacDonald, E., et al 2007) Petrochemical plants also release a large amount of endocrine disrupting chemicals that disrupt hormonal processes which can alter the sex-ratio birth pattern. (MacDonald, E., et al 2007) According to MacDonald, the location of this reserve and its deep cultural connection with the land, (medicine gathering, hunting, and fishing,) makes the residents extremely susceptible to adverse health effects from toxic emissions. (MacDonald, E.,et al