Citizens Quiz Eldorado and AECB - The Standard, 1981

Citizens Quiz Eldorado, AECB

Although the Eldorado information night Monday failed to produce a great deal of controversy, a question and answer period proved to be lively.

Most of the questions asked were from anti-refinery citizens who questioned the safety of the refinery.

Mikell Billoki, from Algoma-Manitoulin Nuclear Awareness (AMNA), said she is worried about the 'abnormal operating circumstances" that may occur at the refinery.

Tom Viglasky of the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) replied that Eldorado will be required to operate well below permissible limits so in the event of an accident, Eldorado will have time to react before those limits are reached.

DESIGN

The design of the refinery and limits such, they will "make sure the incident is detected as soon as possible and the consequences are minimal."

A family doctor from Es-panola wondered why a baseline health study was not being done now to determine the long-term health effect of the refinery.

Joe Didyck of the AECB replied that numbers in Blind River are so small, "the extra cancer deaths would not be detected."

Dorothy Meyerhof from Health and Welfare Canada agreed with Didyck and added that a recent radon gas study resulted in a null conclusion.

The doctor replied a study could be done comparing Blind River to other small communities but Eldorado Vice President Ron Dakers said it was very difficult to sort out the differing factors of the long-term health study.

Norlyn Purych, coordinator of the Blind River and District Concerned Citizens Association, asked Blind River Mayor Bob Gallagher what right council had in giving the Boom Camp area, the site of the refinery, to Eldorado "without consulting its owners, the people of Blind River"