Between one and 14 additional cases of cancer could be developed in Rouyn-Noranda in 70 years if the concentration of arsenic in the air, deemed unacceptable by Dr. Luc Boileau, does not decrease.

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The national director of public health, Luc Boileau, addresses the population to present an update on the situation regarding environmental health in Rouyn-Noranda.

Arsenic emissions from the Horne Foundry, owned by Glencore, are of concern to the citizens of Rouyn-Noranda, doctors, chemists, and the opposition in Quebec, among others.

“The Horne Foundry has the right to pollute. That is to say that it has the right to emit 33 times more arsenic into the air of Rouyn-Noranda than the rest of Quebec", specified in June Émilise Lessard-Therrien, deputy of Quebec solidaire in Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue.

In Rouyn-Noranda, life expectancy would be five years less than for all Quebecers.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Legault said he was considering closing the smelter if it does not reduce its carcinogenic arsenic emissions.

Dr. Boileau will be accompanied by the President and CEO of the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Caroline Roy, as well as the interim director of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Regional Public Health Department, Stéphane Trépanier.

More details to come...