Concentrations of poisonous gases are on the rise in the oilsands region, while they are falling in the rest of the province, says a new report by Alberta Environment. For instance, levels of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic and flammable gas, have risen by as much as 175 per cent in the last eight years in some parts of the oilsands.

“In general, almost every air pollutant you can think of [is] showing increasing trends,” says Simon Dyer, an oilsands expert with the Pembina Institute, an environmental think-tank. “It suggests we need a pause in [oilsands development].”

The government of Alberta is quick to point out that tests around Fort McMurray, the largest municipality in the oilsands region, show that the air is relatively clean and the readings of high air pollution are confined to industrial areas north of the city. “They’re not indicative of the air quality of the region,” says spokeswoman Cheryl Robb. She adds that, since the high levels of gases were detected, the government has put pressure on oilsands companies to clean up their operations.

Dyer, however, is worried that the government’s projections show several other pollutants increasing with oilsands development for the next 12 years. In particular, he cites benzene, a carcinogen that has no safe limit.

The report comes on the heels of revelations last week that Suncor, the second-largest oilsands company, is leaking five million litres of toxic water each day into the ground. The same company also spilled 300 litres of oil and grease into the Athabasca River last fall, the first such spill to come to light in the province. (AM)