Frank Gobas at the Simon Fraser University in British Columbia has identified a new class of organic contaminants in fish that can pose threats to human. These represent a third or organic chemicals used commercially.

Bird deaths caused by lead poisoning have evoked investigation on several ports in Australia. Initial tests and visit to Geraldton port by the Western Australian state government’s Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) showed levels of lead that required further investigation.

Cleanup from a punctured pipeline causing a crude oil contaminated neighbourhood in Burnaby, British Columbia continues. Officials warn that the cleanup efforts can take up to weeks. Even so, some question the air quality and health effects after that.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s probe into Canada’s 10th case of mad cow disease concludes that infection was likely caused by eating contaminated feed.

“The agency traced 156 animals that may have eaten the same feed on the British Columbia farm. It plans to euthanize 36 cows still at the farm, while another five have been euthanized since May.”

Aflatoxin, a toxic chemical, dangerous if consumed in large quantities, is found on maize, goundnuts, sorghum and cassava. Traditional testing methods for this toxin are expensive and hence, not readily available to African farmers. However, an inexpensive kit developed by the Internationsl Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) allows these farmers to now test their crops for as low as $1 per test.

Hisato Ryono, a assemblyman in Taiji, Japan reports that mercury levels in whale meat being served at a school are 10 to 16 times more than that advised by the Health Ministry. Findings from samples taken at two local supermarkets have also turn up results that are 10 to 12 times higher.

“Finland’s largest dairy group Valio said on Tuesday it is withdrawing cream from stores because of higher-than-permitted levels of dioxin.”

“The debate over building an incinerator 45 minutes east of Toronto turned into an endurance test for Clarington residents and councillors, who began a marathon meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.”

Environmentalists are urging the Port of Seattle to look into ways for the disposal of 59,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from a dredging project.

The conversion of coal and oil to gas in the first half of the 20th century underneath Gas Works Park has left behind a carcinogenic chemical soup, which Seattle officials have been investigating for the past 30 years. Starting next week, portions of the park will be closed on weekdays for further testing.