The B.C. Provincial Court has imposed $52,000 in fines on Silver City Galvanizing Inc. of Delta, British Columbia for the discharge of gases and fine particles from their hot dip galvanizing operation on Annacis Island.
The B.C. Provincial Court has imposed $52,000 in fines on Silver City Galvanizing Inc. of Delta, British Columbia for the discharge of gases and fine particles from their hot dip galvanizing operation on Annacis Island.
Silver City Galvanizing admitted in court that unknown quantities of air contaminants were discharged from its facility at 970 Cliveden Ave on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, 2010.
The particles are capable of causing material physical discomfort and of interfering with visibility.
The contaminants consisted of fine particles of sodium hydroxide solution, sulphuric acid solution, zinc ammonium chloride solution, solid zinc and zinc compounds and the gases of ammonia and hydrochloric acid.
Inhalation of fine particles of zinc oxide can cause “metal fume fever” in humans, and employees of a business located across the street from the galvanizing facility reported seeing a cloud emerge from the facility.
They also reported that it caused them to experience burning and stinging sensations, irritation of the eyes and left a bad taste in the mouth.
In September 2010, Silver City Galvanizing began upgrading its pollution control equipment at its galvanizing facility and spent $294,000 on equipment to collect and treat emissions.
In July 2011, Metro Vancouver issued an air emissions permit the SCG.
JOC DIGITAL MEDIA
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