Chemical Spill contained but authorities looking for perpetrator

Jeff Green | Aug 19, 2010

It could have been much worse.

Central Frontenac Township works crews found five 20-litre pails of as yet unidentified chemicals off the eastern side of Arden Road near Highway 7 early in the afternoon on August 12.

The pails were located at the edge of some swampland that drains into the Salmon River through a culvert under the Arden Road. When some of the chemicals spilled onto the arm of a township employee, causing a burning sensation, the township called the local fire department, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MoE) and the OPP.

The fire department managed to block the entrance to the culvert with a boom, and the MoE sent an investigative team. When it was determined there was a threat, the road was blocked off by the OPP, and Scott’s Environmental Services were called in to clean up the site.

According to MoE spokesperson Michel Finn the clean up was a success. “The area has been contained. No environmental impacts are anticipated. The clean up crew was on site and took care of the removal of the material,” he said.

Central Frontenac Clerk Administrator John Duchene said that the township employee was able to wash the substance off his arm without incident. The chemical is still being analysed by the MoE, but “the township is facing a bill for the clean up that is in excess of $20,000,” Duchene said.

OPP officer Lori Lobinowich of the Sharbot Lake detachment was one of the officers at Arden Road on the day the spill was discovered. The road block lasted a couple of hours. “We have launched a criminal investigation aimed at finding out who is responsible for the incident,” she said.

Central Frontenac held a hazardous waste recycling day on July 24. Hazardous waste was gathered free of charge at that time.