Voluntary Stack Testing
Air and Industry
Emission measurement for various persistent, bio-accumulative toxic substances is being undertaken at Ontario industrial facilities as a voluntary initiative under the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy.
Emission testing is being undertaken to determine:
- Whether or not a sector or industrial process is emitting one or more substance(s) of concern;
- The significance of substance releases; and
- What, if any, control measures or other reduction strategies are required for these substances.
Agreements between Environment Canada and participating facilities demonstrate that cooperative arrangements between industry and government to collect emission data can fulfill the needs of environmental protection without resorting to regulatory measures.
In recognition of the importance of industry cooperation, Environment Canada assumes 100% of the direct costs to conduct the stack test and the laboratory analyses of the samples. Industries are required to provide logistical support to the testing program, such as preparation for safe access (e.g. scaffolds), space for sample recovery, staff assistance, etc.
The following companies have participated in the voluntary stack testing program to date:
- Falconbridge Kidd Metallurgical Plant
- Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation
- Hospital for Sick Children
- Norampac – Red Rock Division
- Roselawn Memorial Gardens
- Wescast Industries Inc.
- Research studies on Animal Cremation Units
- Marathon Pulp Inc.
Please contact Environment Canada’s Air & Inventories Division at (416) 739-5855, if you are interested in initiating a voluntary stack testing program at your facility or are interested in the results from any of the above studies.
