Arsenic in Yellowknife lakes doesn’t worry N.W.T.’s top doctor
‘Obviously those lakes are not a source of drinking water,’ says Andre Corriveau
A study presented at the Geoscience Forum in Yellowknife two weeks ago showed arsenic levels in some of the lakes are well above the guideline for safe drinking water, but the N.W.T.’s top doctor says he isn’t too concerned.
Andre Corriveau says arsenic is a toxic compound that can cause cancer at certain levels, but so far, the numbers are still low.
“Those levels looked at total arsenic and they were still in the parts per billion range, so my assessment at this point — until we see further analysis — is that it's not something we need to worry about.”
The study revealed arsenic concentrations in the lakes around Giant Mine ranged from 6.5 parts per billion on up to 1,800 parts per billion in one small lake near the mine.
But the sampling didn't distinguish between that arsenic and less harmful naturally occurring arsenic.
The lakes are within the area where highly toxic arsenic trioxide dust from the mine settled.
“Obviously those lakes are not a source of drinking water," Corriveau says. "Our drinking water is tested for arsenic yearly and it's never been above the guideline."
Corriveau says the drinking water guideline of 10 parts per billion is based on daily consumption over a lifetime.