Teck-Cominco admits errors over toxic thallium
Date: 10-Sep-01
Country: CANADA
The company said flawed testing methods underestimated the amount of thallium in a boiler and allowed more than 60 workers to be exposed to the toxic metal byproduct of the smelting process that has been linked to nerve damage.
The amount of toxin in the boiler was underestimated because tests were done only on the dust and not on material adhering to the pipes and walls in the normally enclosed area, the company said.
The workers, who were performing contract repair work last month, did not wear enough protective clothing because the threat of exposure was not thought to be high. Thallium can be ingested through breathing and skin exposure.
The problem was discovered when workers began suffering flu-like symptoms, although the company also acknowledged last week that its medical officials did not immediately realize the illnesses were workplace related.
Teck-Cominco said it accepts responsibility for the exposure accident last month and is "very embarrassed" that, in recent years, it also allowed the toxin to be dumped into the Columbia River, which flows through Trail.
Chief executive David Thompson acknowledged the company has suffered a severe public relations blow in its bid to improve the environmental image of its operations in Trail.
"We must rebuild our image and we will do so," Thompson told a news conference in the small city about 400 km (260 miles) east of Vancouver, not far from the U.S. border.
The company said some workers were exposed to high levels of thallium but it did not appear any would suffer long-term effects. Detailed test results have not been made public because of privacy concerns.
The smelter is currently idle for maintenance and to allow the electricity it uses to be sold instead to the United States. Company officials have said the smelter's planned restart at the end of the month is not expected to be delayed.
Executives also said the amount of thallium allowed to enter the river was below that allowed by Canadian pollution laws.
Officials in U.S. communities down river from Trail that use water from the Columbia have expressed concern that they were not notified about the incidents.
