A local group in North Bay, Ontario, expressed surprise at the Department of National Defence (DND) seeking input on the cleanup of “forever chemicals” at the airport. Over many years, the DND used firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during training at Jack Garland Airport. These chemicals, known as forever chemicals, persist in the environment and resist degradation.
Studies have linked certain PFAS exposures to various health issues, according to Health Canada. Between the 1970s and mid-1990s, PFAS from the foams contaminated the groundwater at the airport, eventually reaching Trout Lake, North Bay’s primary drinking water source.
DND allocated $120 million to rehabilitate the training site and partnered with the city to test different water filtration systems. The initial phase involved relocating 26,000 tons of contaminated soil to a disposal site in southern Ontario. The current phase includes injecting colloidal activated carbon into the ground to prevent PFAS migration into local water bodies.
DND sought public feedback on the proposed remediation efforts, extending the deadline due to public interest. The Trout Lake Conservation Association highlighted the need for transparency in the process, emphasizing the importance of informing the public about potential environmental impacts. DND assured the community of its commitment to engaging with residents on environmental initiatives at 22 Wing North Bay.