A knowledgeable consultant warned me this week that Ontario’s proposed new numbers for contaminated sites (under Reg. 153/04) are not as scientific as they look. For example, he tells me, the new, stringent standard for copper is based on a study of the toxicity of copper to… orange trees.
I know that climate change is having major impacts on our world, but is the Ontario Ministry of the Environment really worried about soil toxicity in Ontario adversely affecting orange trees? Or does the ministry believe that an adverse affect on any plant anywhere warrants protective regulations in Ontario? If so, is this good science? And does it justify the significant economic and environmental impacts of discouraging redevelopment of contaminated sites?
