Environmental Trends 2002

Toxic Contaminants

How Does British Columbia Compare?

On-Site Toxic Substance Releases in Canada

SOURCE: Environment Canada 2001. The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) 2000. NOTES: Newly reported substances include 73 substances added to the inventory in 1999 and 4 new substances in 2000. The analysis does not include mercury and 19 new substances added in 2000, because they are reported at alternate thresholds. Acetone was removed from the inventory in 1999. NPRI on-site toxic waste releases is not an indicator of all pollutants entering the environment. Other substances such as greenhouse gases or pesticides and substances scheduled for ban or phase-out (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons and PCBs) are not included on the list. In addition, not all sources of NPRI pollutants are captured by the inventory.

How does British Columbia compare?

• British Columbia reported the largest amount of on-site toxic waste releases in 2000 (122,078 tonnes), accounting for about 33% of total Canadian releases.

• The majority (82%) of British Columbia’s reported waste releases were disposal of hydrogen sulphide, a flammable poisonous gas, by injection into known geological formations at great depth.

• Underground injection of hydrogen sulphide comprised 47% of Alberta’s releases, followed by ammonia at 18%.

• In Ontario, the substances released in the greatest quantities were hydrochloric acid released to air during the production of electricity (13%), ammonia released to air and water (13%) and methanol released to air and water (9%).

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].