Western Canada Wilderness Committee

The declining health of Lake Winnipeg is no secret to Manitobans. Disturbing and frequent reports in the media tell of excess nutrients flowing into the lake, creating colossal algae blooms that suffocate other aquatic life. But Lake Winnipeg is under attack from another, unseen threat-toxins.

2008 - Turning the tide on Lake Winnipeg and our health

Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol.27 - No.01, Winter/Spring 2008

Glossary

Bio-accumulation
The general term for the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in organisms.

Carcinogen
A toxic substance that can cause cancer.

Endocrine disruptor
A synthetic chemical that mimics or blocks hormones, and disrupts the body’s normal functions

PBDEs
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers are highly toxic chemicals frequently added to foams and plastics as a fire retardant.

Persistent pollutant
A toxin, such as mercury, that doesn’t break down readily in the environment.

Reproductive toxins
Substances that negatively affect reproductive capacity.

References

¹ Canada Statistics 2003, published by Health Canada and Canadian Cancer Agencies at www.cancer.ca
² www.eces.org/articles/000713.php
³ http://pollutionwatch.org/country.do
⁴ Boyd, David R.; Genuis, Stephen J. “The environmental burden of disease in Canada: Respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and congenital affliction”, School of Resource and Environmental Management (Simon Fraser University) and Faculty of Medicine (University of Alberta), 2007.
⁵ http://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/sewage/systemOperation.stm
⁶ University of Waterloo (Dept. of Civil Engineering), Hydromantis Inc. “Review of the State of Knowledge of Municipal Effluent Science and Research; Review of Existing and Emerging Technologies; Review of Wastewater Treatment Best Management Practices.” ES-2. January 2006.
⁷ http://winnipegfreepress.com/local/story/4088934p-4687603c.html from Environment Canada study: Canadian Environment Sustainability Indicators (ESI).
⁸ Lake Winnipeg Foundation: Volume 2, May 2006 pg.8,9
⁹ Viberg, Henrik. “Neonatal Developmental Neurotoxicity of Brominated Flame Retardants, the Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)”, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, 2004.
¹⁰ Environmental Defence and Canadian Environmental Law Association (December 2004). Shattering the Myth of Pollution Progress: A National Report. p.1.
¹¹ Gunton, T.I. (2005). The Maple Leaf in the OECD: Comparing Progress Toward Sustainability. David Suzuki Foundation and Sustainable Planning Research Group, School of Research and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University.

Credits

Research & Writing: Billy Granger, Andrea Reimer
Editing: Eric Reder and Matthew Sasaki
Design: Gil Aguilar
Mapping: Geoff Senichenko
Photos: Tim Lutz and Eric Reder. Images of cleaning products taken at Humboldt’s Legacy in Winnipeg. Web Publishing 2008: Gil Aguilar.

Western Canada Wilderness Committee Vol. 27, No. 1 Winter/Spring 2008. Canadian Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 0900567. Posted in Vancouver for free distribution. Printed in Canada on recycled newsprint with vegetable-based inks. Press Run 20,000 © Wilderness Committee 2008. All rights reserved. Written material may be used without permission when credit is given.

Published by

Wilderness Committee — National Office
227 Abbott Street, Vancouver BC V6B 2K7
T: 604-683-8220 F: 604-683-8229
www.wildernesscommittee.org

Wilderness Committee — Manitoba Office
3rd floor – 303 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, MB, R2B 2B4
T: 204-942-9292 F: 204-942-8214