Tar Sands,Pipelines & Super Tankers Moving to Resolution

Canadian Nurses for Health and

the Environment Education Event http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |

Tar Sands,Pipelines & Super

Tankers – Moving to Resolution

April 15, 2013 – 1 to 2:30 pm EDT Canadian Nurses for Health and

the Environment http://cnhe-iise.ca/ |

Hilda Swirsky, President

June Kaminski, President Elect

Fiona Hanley, Past President

Jessica Madrid, Secretary

Shelly Archibald, Communications

Canadian Nurses for

Health and the Environment



Table of Contents

Topic Section Name Duration

1. Introduction to the Issue 15 mins

2. Why should we be concerned? 30 mins

3. What can WE do about it? 30 mins

4. Q and A 15 mins



PART 1:

Introduction to the

Issue



Background of Canadian

Nurses for Health and the

Environment

The Canadian Nurses for Health and the

Environment - Infirmieres et Infirmiers pour la

Sante et l'Environnement (CNHE/IISE)

represents Registered Nurses dedicated to

the improvement of environmental health

across all domains of nursing practice, policy,

research and education.

During CNA’s Biennial in 2007; CNA received funding to second a

project manager Nicki Sims Jones for a year and put out a

national call to nurses interested in the environment

CNA’s Environmental Health Reference Group

Nicki was fantastic in shaping the group and guiding us to

important environmental literature and readings

With CNA’s support, members of this initial

Environmental Health Reference Group formed a

subcommittee and created the Constitution and

Bylaws to founding CNA’s new emerging interest

group: the Canadian Nurses for Health and the

Environment. Since then, CNHE has evolved to

become an Associate Group of CNA.



TAR SANDS, PIPELINES, AND

SUPER TANKERS

One of the hottest environmental issues in the

Canadian and global consciousness this year

involves three key proposed new projects

• Enbridge Northern Gateway

• Kinder Morgan Transmountain Expansion

• Keystone XL Pipeline

Introduction to the Issue

Three key threats are enfolded in this issue:

TAR SAND DRILLING and expansion in

Alberta that will elevate the toxic aerial and

terrestrial pollution, and increase

greenhouse gas emissions;

The installation of long dual PIPELINES

from Alberta to Kitimat on the northern

British Columbia coast, and another to

Vancouver & more in the Prairies and

Eastern provinces

The demand for enormous SUPER

TANKERS to carry the thick new oil from

rugged northern British Columbia and

Vancouver to Asia and the USA



A dangerous proposal opposed by many Canadians

The Enbridge Northern Gateway 4.5 billion dollar proposal states that

they want to pump over half a million barrels a day of unrefined bitumen

from the Alberta Tar Sands in Bruderheim, Alberta over the Rocky

Mountain range, through the wild and pristine expanse of northern British

Columbia which includes close to a thousand rivers and lesser

waterways, through the Great Spirit Rainforest, to the coastal town of

Kitimat. Along the way, several towns and cities would be in harm’s way,

including Morinville, Mayerthorpe, Whitecourt, Fox Creek, and Grande

Prairie in Alberta and Bear Lake, Tumbler Ridge, Prince George, Fort St

James, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, Terrace, and

Kitimat in BC. From there, super tankers would navigate through very

dangerous and tight channels along the wild BC coast to carry the toxic

sludge to processing plants for refinement.

The risks to the health of Canadians and the natural environment are far too high!

ENBRIDGE NORTHERN GATEWAY In the Western Provinces



False Marketing to Placate the Public

“The Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal would build

two parallel pipelines from Alberta's tar sands to BC's

north coast. If approved, the pipelines would traverse

the salmon-bearing Upper Fraser and Skeena

watersheds, and would bring 225 oil tankers a year to

BC's northern coastal waters.” (Dogwood Initiative)

http://dogwoodinitiative.org/



ENBRIDGE EASTERN ACCESS In the Eastern Provinces

Enbridge’s Light Oil Market Access plan

would pipe oil across Saskatchewan to US

The Eastern Access plan focuses on fixing

& reusing existing lines (Line 9) to pipe

dirty oil across Ontario and Quebec to

Montreal

Potentially, further pipelines could carry

the oil across all of Quebec to Saint

Johns, New Brunswick

Several other partnerships are being

planned with US companies that all

involve some aspect of Canada in the

process of transport



ENBRIDGE PLANS FOR LINE 9

THREATENING THE EASTERN PROVINCES

Four oil spills occurred this past week and 800 occur each year

Oil companies are driving energy policies

Line 9, existing pipeline that is same age and material as pipeline that

spilled into Kalamazoo River in Michigan

Line 9 crosses all tributaries that go into Great Lakes and many

communities

Canada is doing the most to increase greenhouse gases and a lot to

sabotage other countries efforts

Oil is liquid but tar is solid

Ontario government has asked for environmental assessment

Has also had CN Rail spills of oil

Line 9 group also fighting in Montreal

Gaining momentum and educational sessions vital

In the Eastern Provinces



ENBRIDGE EASTERN ACCESS



KINDER MORGAN

TRANSMOUNTAIN PIPELINE

Threatening Southern parts of BC and Alberta

This 4.1 billion dollar project involves another threat to the Alberta

and BC people and environment by increasing the pipeline

transport from 300,000 barrels per day to 750,000 barrels per day,

This pipeline would expand the transport of dirty oil across several

mountain ranges, to the southwestern BC coast, ending its route

through the suburban Vancouver area. The increased super tanker

traffic would mean higher risk along the entire Burrard Inlet,

necessitating navigation through swift currents, under two bridges,

then around the series of islands that lie between the mainland

coastline and the open Pacific waters.

In the Western Provinces



NORTH AMERICAN THREAT



Public Disapproval is Growing Quickly



PART 2:

Why should we be

concerned?



This is a HEALTH and

SOCIAL JUSTICE issue!

• Destruction of ecosystem

• Boreal forest destruction

• Wildlife effects

• Air pollution levels due to Sulfur

dioxide(SO2) hydrogen sulfides, nitrous

oxide(NOx) , particulates, PAHs

• Ground water contamination

• Freon leaks

fires

Tar sand Oil EXTRACTION,

TRANSPORT, and USE pose major

threats to human and ecosystem health

Violations of aboriginal rights

Nurses have a strong tradition of being

advocates for environmental and

occupational health, as well as social

justice

This issue has implications at the local to

global level



Bitumen is a toxic potent

carcinogen

• Oil sand extraction is elevating toxic aerial,

water, and terrestrial pollution.

• Acute exposure vs. chronic exposure..

• Extraction releases large volumes of

nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile

organic compounds, and particulate matter

into the air (>2x the amount of emissions

compared to non-oil sand extraction

processes).

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

accumulation in lakes creating altered

ecosystems.

Concerns Related to

EXTRACTION

Oil sand extraction is a resource intensive,

polluting process that affects both industry workers

and nearby communities!

Extracting crude oil from the oil sands is the most

energy intensive of all oil extraction process,

requiring immense amounts of fuel (i.e. natural

gas).

Extraction processes requires up to 3.1 NET

barrels of fresh water PER one barrel of oil (~170

million cubic meters of water in 2011) (CAPP,

2012).

The ecosystem of the Athabasca River, which

flows into one of the world’s largest freshwater

deltas, is at risk from current water withdrawals.

Inadequate water recovery methods.



Toxic tailings ponds (>200 million litres of mature fine tailings produced

each day). Ponds directly affect local ecosystems and seepage into

watersheds is known to occur.

Threats to food security, local economies that rely on healthy

watersheds/soil, etc.

Concerns re: inadequate monitoring and standards of acceptable

levels of pollution.

Studies have found increased levels of leukemia & lung cancer in oil

field workers

The Canadian Medical Association called for further investigation in health effects of tar sands development in 2012

Concerns Related to

EXTRACTION

Extraction…continued - 2



Aboriginal Health

OVER 12 YEARS:

A three-fold increase in leukemias &

lymphomas in Fort Chipewyan;

A seven-fold increase in bile duct cancers;

Other cancers, such as soft tissue

sarcomas and lung cancers in women, also

found to be elevated in women

First Nations, Inuit and Metis people have

been the most vocal opponents to these issues

John O’Connor, GP in Fort Chipewyan 2002-2007, reported increase

in rare bile duct cancer

Alberta Cancer Board (2009) study found overall cancer rate in Fort

Chipewyan ~30% higher than expected.

Alberta Health Services not concerned, but study revealed:

30% increase in cancers in Fort Chipewyan compared with expected

rates over the last

Also higher rates of diabetes, HTN, renal failure & lupus ..all or some

linked with contaminants in tailings.




Too many unknowns and risks!

(2013) study (Smol) of sediment of 6 lakes

around Fort McMurray found 2.5 to 23 times

more PAHs in current sediment than in layers

dating back to around 1960.

Biliary cancers have been linked to petroleum

and to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs) (chemicals in tar and soot).”23

Dr. Solomon: Leukemia's & lymphomas linked

in scientific literature to petroleum products:

e.g. VOCs, dioxin-like chemicals & other

Citizens of Mackenzie river concerned about

run-off

Much more Research needed

RSC report 2010: Unsure about direct

consequences to health from tar sands

public health consequences may stem from

socioeconomic pressures related to oil

sands development

- housing shortages, price inflation, family

stress, alcohol abuse, crime, & inadequate

municipal & health services

lack of effective measurement of potential

health and socioeconomic consequences by

focusing predominantly on “predicting

environmental contaminant exposures” &

inadequately evaluating associated health

issues, including technological disasters and

occupational health




Dubious living conditions for camp workers

8 x 12 foot rooms in trailer camps in the bush north or south

Newer camps cleaner & more comfortable

Drug use on camps

Unstable working conditions(fired and hired)

Quality of life issues in Fort McMurray

Loss of hunting grounds for Cree or Dene

Visual & smell

High # of workers from the Maritimes

Re-adjustments for these communities of workers at home

Some communities: pollution corrosion of brass fixtures, etc.

Leakage of PAHs and other chemicals into lakes surrounding Ft

McMurray

“The environment is 495 on a list of 490. It’s not there. Most don’t care. It’s not home. It’s a place to hang your hat and make money, and you go with the flow or get run over.” p. 50

Social disruption issues Extraction…continued - 5

http://vscdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Tar-Oil-Sands-Process-Diagram.jpg



Concerns Related to

TRANSPORT

The Risk is far too great!

RISK OF OIL SPILLS from pipeline ruptures

or tanker mishaps.

History of pipeline ruptures and tanker

mishaps (including delayed response times

and inadequate oil recovery methods).

Leaks, Spills, Pollution, Desecration

INSTALLATION of expansive pipelines through pristine ecosystems,

including hundreds of watersheds, is inherently destructive and

polluting.

Infrastructure construction could impinge on local food systems and

economies. Contamination of watersheds/marine habitats through

transport mishaps could devastate local food security and economies

that rely on these natural ecosystems

Bitumen’s highly corrosive, viscous, and toxic nature make it

especially concerning to transport through underground pipelines and

on supertankers

Massive aboriginal opposition to these projects as proposed pipeline

projects set to cross several un-ceded traditional territories



Oil spills and

human errors

are inevitable



Risks to Toronto:

** Contamination of water supply.

** Fouling of watercourses.

** Poisoning of atmosphere.

** Destruction of real-estate values.

** Heightening of climate change.

** NONE WHATSOEVER

Benefits to Toronto

Why should Toronto be

concerned?

Transport …continued - 3

On March 29, a 60-year old Exxon pipeline spilled at

least 318,000 litres of diluted tar sands crude near

Mayflower, Arkansas. Toxic oil poured through a

subdivision, half a meter thick, and the air stank of

noxious chemicals. Contaminated liquid poured down

waterways toward a nearby lake.

"I didn't even know the oil pipeline was there,” said a

resident. “[My wife] called me and said 'Honey,

something's wrong’…. "I came out and I smelled it.

Then I saw it coming down the street."

Enbridge wants to pump hot, corrosive, toxic tar

sands under pressure through a 37-year old pipe. If

Enbridge gets its way, such spills are all too possible

in Toronto.



Bad weather increase the risk of spills




Causes of oil spills

Groundings, equipment failures, collisions and explosions

Human error, cost-cutting and miscommunication account for 80% of spills

No accountability for human error

Bitumen is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of

petroleum

The Canadian Coast Guard and top Canadian and U.S. chemical scientists

fear that bitumen could submerge or sink releasing dangerous components

toxic to fish and animals

Currently no technology can recover these volatile dilutents




Oil Spill Technology

Improvements have been negligible

Cleanup technology no further ahead than

it was 15 years ago

Largely unchanged in the last 35 years




Concerns Related to USE

Developing a credible plan

for a clean-energy transition, starting with

restoration of meaningful federal support for

clean-energy and efficiency programs. To rely

solely on the oil sands is to risk further damage to

our manufacturing sector as the impacts of the

petrodollar worsen. We need policies and laws

that support jobs and investment in other sectors

across the country.

MAJOR IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE!

Oil sand extraction and use contributes to climate change, due to

alarming levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced!

Oil sands are the fastest growing source of GHG emissions in Canada

(~7% of Canada's total GHG emissions came from oil sands plants

and upgraders in 2010).

Oil sands industry contributes to our dependency on fossil fuels.

Canada cannot meet any meaningful climate targets while allowing

this industry to expand as projected.

Introducing long-promised oil and gas regulations, with assurance

from credible experts that these regulations will achieve a meaningful

hard limit on oil sands emissions, and could be easily integrated into a

future carbon pricing mechanism.



Canada cannot meet any meaningful climate

target while allowing this industry to expand

as projected.

CRS Analyst Richard Lattanzio notes "the

estimated effect of the proposed Keystone XL

pipeline on the U.S. GHG footprint would be

an increase of 3 million to 21 million metric

tons of GHG emissions annually (equal to the

annual GHG emissions from the combustion

of fuels in approximately 588,000 to

4,061,000 passenger vehicles."

Climate Change Concerns

IPCC forecasts increase in world average

T◦. by 2100 of between 1·4–5·8ºC

Result:

Climate variability

Changes in mean climatic conditions &

variability:

•temperature

•precipitation

•humidity

•wind patterns

Extreme weather events

Flooding

Droughts

Heat waves

Sea level rise with land loss & salination of

water supplies

Ecosystem degradation : species loss

Use …continued - 2



Dire Need for Planning and Regulation

Introducing long-promised oil and gas regulations, with assurance from

credible experts that these regulations will achieve a meaningful hard

limit on oil sands emissions, and could be easily integrated into a future

carbon pricing mechanism.

Developing a credible plan for a clean-energy transition, starting with

restoration of meaningful federal support for clean-energy and efficiency

programs. To rely solely on the oil sands is to risk further damage to our

manufacturing sector as the impacts of the petrodollar worsen. We need

policies and laws that support jobs and investment in other sectors

across the country.

“Could be the biggest global health threat of 21st Century”

Impact on Climate Change Use …continued - 3



Climate Change & Health

Canadians care about it!

Environment is an important issue for

Canadians (CMA, 2007).

Health professionals are seen as trusted

sources of information

Huge effects on human & environment health

Temperature related illness and death

Increased droughts and water shortages

Crop loss, Famine

Mental Stress

Vector-borne and water-borne diseases

Increased ground-level ozone & decreased air quality

Pollen & allergen increases

Water and food borne diseases

Injury from extreme weather (storms, floods, fires, winds)

Diarrhoeal, cardiorespiratory diseases

Mental health effects

Malnutrition

Population displacement

Conflict over shortages

Links with poverty and marginalised population

Use …continued - 4



PART 3:

What can WE do

about it?



Nurses Raise the Profile

Nurses enjoy a high profile in the public eye:

their expertise, compassion, and dligence add

credibility to any advocacy or other activist

campaign. Society trusts nurses to apply

concrete knowledge and understanding to

any issue addressed. Thus, when you DO

advocate for an issue, it is taken seriously!

This can be a huge advantage to any cause

that may have not been regarded as serious

in the past. Your involvement can make the

policy makers sit up and take notice!

Get Involved!!

Join Action Plans, Sign Petitions and Letters

No Tankers Petition

Greenpeace Stop the Enbridge Pipeline Letter

Wilderness Committee Stop Tar sands Exports

Pacific Wild – No Pipeline/No Tankers Action Plan

Dogwood Initiative – Stop Super Tankers Plan

Pipe Up Against Enbridge Campaign

Lead Now’s Stop Enbridge Campaign

NDP Party Official Opposition to Enbridge Letter

NRDC Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline Campaign

Forest Ethic Stop the Pipe Dream Campaign

Nature Canada Stop Enbridge Pipeline Letter

Physicians for Social Responsibility Action Plan

Tar Sands Action Campaign

Join the CNHE!

http://dogwoodinitiative.org/no-tankers/petition

Stop the Enbridge pipeline!

http://wildernesscommittee.org/write_wild_stop_tar_sands_exports

http://www.pacificwild.org/site/take_action/enbridge-tankers.html

http://dogwoodinitiative.org/

http://www.pipeupagainstenbridge.ca/

http://www.leadnow.ca/canadas-interests

http://www.bcndp.ca/enbridge

http://www.nrdc.org/energy/keystone-pipeline/

http://enbridgepipedreams.org/

https://secure2.convio.net/nc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=167&JServSessionIdr004=9myuxh96n5.app213b

http://www.psr.org/environment-and-health/code-black/canadian-tar-sands-pipeline.html

http://www.tarsandsaction.org/



Resolution Building

Help us to brainstorm ways to develop a Resolution for Nursing action

on the Tar Sands, Pipelines and Super Tanker issues

Should Canadian Nurses be involved in these issues?

What is our role in regards to these issues?

How can we inform other nurses about these issues?



PART 4:

QUESTIONS?



References Canadian Association of Petrochemical Producers (CAPP) (2012). Water use in Canada’s oil sands. Retreived

electronically March 20, 2012, from, http://www.capp.ca/getdoc.aspx?DocId=193756.

Chen, Y. (2009). Cancer Incidence in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, 1995-2006. Alberta Cancer Board Division of

Population Health and Information Surveillance.

Editorial. (August 15, 2012). Doctors Call For Study Of Oil Sands' Impact On Health. Huffington Post Alberta.

Environment Canada. (2012). , Canada’s Emission Trends 19 (figure 3) and 24 (table 5)

Environment Canada. "National Inventory Report - Part 3 1990-2008 Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada

Environment Canada. (2011). Canada’s Emissions Trends

Fischer, L., Lemphers, N. & Grant, J. ( 2011 ) Summary of Environmental Management Policy

Deficiencies in the Canadian Oil sands : Implications for U.S. Decision Makers. The Pembina Institute.

Kureka, J.,. Kirk, J.L., Muir, D.C.G.,, Wang, X., Evans, M.S. & Smol, J.P. (2013). Legacy of a half century of

Athabasca oil sands development recorded by lake ecosystems. PNAS, 110 (5), 1761–1766. 0

Kureka, Kirkb, Muirb, Wangb, Evansc, & Smola. (2013). Legacy of a half century of Athabasca oil sands development

recorded by lake ecosystems. PNAS, 110(5), 1761-1766.

http://www.ualberta.ca/~avnish/rls-2009-02-06-fort-chipewyan-study.pdf.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/08/15/doctors-call-for-oil-sands-health-study_n_1788862.html

http://www.pembina.org/oil-sands/os101/climate

http://www.ec.gc.ca/Publications/253AE6E6-5E73-4AFC-81B7-9CF440D5D2C5/793-Canada's-Emissions-Trends-2012_e_01.pdf

http://www.ec.gc.ca/Publications/default.asp?lang=En&xml=492D914C-2EAB-47AB-A045-C62B2CDACC29&OrderElectronic=76C03938-DF9C-48D2-825D-6A59B40FC411



http://www.ec.gc.ca/Publications/E197D5E7-1AE3-

http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.121767511

http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.121767511



References (2) IHS CERA, (2011). “Summary,” Oilsands Technology: Past, Present, and Future (Special Report).

Gina Solomon (2010). The Other Oil Disaster: Cancer and Canada’s Tar Sands. Opinion-editorial, Natural Resources

Defense Council, May 3, 2010.

McMichael, A.J., Woodruff, R.E. & Hales, S. (2006) Climate change and human health: present and future risks. The

Lancet, 367: 859–69. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68079-3

National Energy Technology Laboratory. (2008), Development of Baseline Data and Analysis of Life Cycle Greenhouse

Gas Emissions of Petroleum-Based Fuels, DOE/NETL-2009/1346 13, table 2-4.

Olive, P. (2011). Is there a cancer threat from the oil sands industry? David Suzuki Fdn.

Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Air Pollution.

Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Water Impacts.

Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Tailings.

Pembina Institute. (2013). Oilsands – Climate Impacts.

Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel 2010 Gosselin et al. Industry

Tenenbaum, D. J. (2009). Oil Sands Development: A Health Risk Worth Taking? Environmental Health Perspectives,

117,( 4) A150-A156.

http://www2.cera.com/cos_form/



http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/gsolomon/the_other_oil_disaster_cancer.html

http://www.netl.doe.gov/energy-analyses/pubs/NETL LCA Petroleum-Based Fuels Nov 2008.pdf





http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/suzuki-elders/2011/04/is-there-a-cancer-threat-from-the-oil-sands-industry/

http://www.pembina.org/oil-sands/os101/air-pollution.





http://www.pembina.org/oil-sands/os101/water





http://www.pembina.org/oil-sands/os101/tailings










http://www.rsc-rc.ca/documents/expert/RSC report complete secured 9Mb.pdf

http://www.jstor.org/stable/25478144





Thank you



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Tar Sands,Pipelines & Super Tankers Moving to Resolution