SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - The City of Summerside and the Government of Prince Edward Island continue to work together to monitor conditions following the battery fire at the Sunbank site.
The situation remains stable. Air quality monitoring conducted in the community and reviewed by public health officials continues to indicate there is no evidence of a health risk to residents from the fire. Testing of Summerside's drinking water has also been completed and confirms the water is safe to drink.
The Chief Public Health Office has recommended that air quality monitoring continue at the site and, out of an abundance of caution, that additional air quality testing be conducted around the established monitoring perimeter.
The City of Summerside continues to lead response and environmental monitoring efforts, with support from the Chief Public Health Office, the Department of Land and Environment, emergency management partners and independent technical experts.
"I have reviewed the air quality monitoring results from last week and have continued to monitor the information as it becomes available," said Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Public Health Officer. "Based on the results to date, residents of Summerside should feel confident in the quality of both the air and drinking water and can continue their normal day-to-day activities. We will continue to support the City and environmental experts as longer-term monitoring plans for air, soil and water are developed and implemented."
While conditions at the site have stabilized, the Summerside Fire Department continues to actively monitor the scene. Battery fires can take longer to fully extinguish than traditional structure fires. The Chief Public Health Office has recommended that air quality monitoring continue while the Summerside Fire Department considers the site to be an active fire scene, and out of an abundance of caution that more air quality tests be added to the perimeter around the area.
"The health and safety of our residents remains our top priority," said Cory Snow, Deputy Mayor, City of Summerside. "The City will continue to work closely with provincial partners and technical experts as we assess results and plan for ongoing monitoring. We are committed to keeping residents informed and sharing information as it becomes available."
The City is developing a longer-term environmental monitoring plan for the area surrounding the Sunbank site. The plan will include ongoing air, water and soil sampling and will be reviewed with provincial environmental and public health officials to help identify and monitor any potential impacts over time.
If the fire restarts, people who are sensitive to smoke or who have respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD may choose to limit outdoor activity if they experience irritation or symptoms. Anyone experiencing persistent breathing difficulties or other concerning symptoms should seek medical advice.
Testing of Summerside's drinking water has also been completed and confirms the water is safe to drink.
For residents with home vegetable gardens, based on advice from national experts, a possible impact of smoke exposure from the fire is the deposition of particles on the surface of fruits and vegetables. Thorough washing of produce before consumption is recommended. For produce that cannot be easily washed, removing outer layers, such as the outer leaves of lettuce or cabbage, is also recommended. Properly washed garden produce is not expected to pose a risk to human health.
The City and Province thank residents for their patience, cooperation and understanding as response and monitoring efforts continue.
If the level of health risk changes, residents will be informed immediately. Based on all available information today, residents can continue their normal day-to-day activities while response and monitoring efforts continue.
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The City of Summerside is located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island, Canada, with the mindset of promoting and advancing its small city with big opportunities. Summerside offers a diverse market and skilled workforce and is a leader in sectors such as green energy, sport tourism and rapid economic growth.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tanner Doiron
Director, Communications & Events (Acting)
City of Summerside
Department of Communications & Events
Autumn Tremere
Department of Health and Wellness
[email protected]
Morgan Martin
Department of Land and Environment
[email protected]