I understand levels of…

I understand levels of manganese coming from the facility are modelled at 91% of the Ministry of Environment limit. The modelled levels are substantially close to the limit warranting a call for actual monitoring to determine how high the levels actually are. Also, the iron oxide levels are modelled at 45% of the limit so actual testing of iron oxide also needs to occur. Finally, the particulate matter (or dust) levels are somehow modelling at only 17% - which is a highly questionable result given that if you live in the area there are dust clouds often observed in and around the site. Particulate pollution and iron oxide can end up falling out on nearby properties. Therefore, I am requesting the Ministry to require the company to monitor for respirable particulate – not just ‘total suspended particulate’ which includes all particulate sizes. Also, I am requesting that the provincial Ministry of Environment require the company to actually MONITOR (measure) air pollution levels from the facility rather than just estimating using a computer model. Nearby residents need assurances that the facility is actually operating within the allowable air emission limits.
As a Hamilton resident I am also concerned about the multiple sources of manganese in the industrial core and am asking the Ministry of Environment to consider the cumulative impact of all of these sources in order to properly protect human health and the environment.
I also understand the assessment included noise impact but establishing required heights for ‘storage piles’ does not constitute proper noise abatement. The company should be required to install proper noise control walls/ barriers in locations where such controls are warranted. Relying on ‘storage piles’ - which I am assuming is made up of scrap metal or related material – for noise abatement does not provide the necessary permanent assurances for surrounding businesses and residents that noise will be properly controlled on an on-going basis. Further, the recommended height for Storage Pile #1 is 8m – well beyond the Ontario Fire Code’s 10 foot height limit for scrap yard piles that may contain combustible materials. In other words, this requirement for storage pile height to mitigate noise impacts could be introducing a fire risk at the site if the storage piles include
It is also worth noting that the scrap facility next door – American Iron & Steel (AIM) has been required to install properly engineered noise abatement systems (not storage piles) and the same should be required for Triple M.
Ideally, the facility’s operations should be restricted to the hours between 7am and 11pm in order to address noise impacts in the area. The noise abatement plan does indicate that certain equipment and activities – including shredder operation, slag metal recovery activities, iron slag dropping, and rail car shunting - will be restricted to these hours.
I am also requesting that the Ministry of Environment add a condition to the company’s air & noise permit that formalizes these operational restrictions.