I noticed that the Suspended…

I noticed that the Suspended Particulate Matter for Stelco expires on the last day of December 2020. The last day of commenting on this Proposal is December 14, 2020. The closeness of these two dates concerns me greatly as Christmas/New Year holidays are between the end of the commenting period and the start of 2021, which I would assume would be the start of the extension. The concern is that there seems to be very little time for you to consider all the comments to this proposal from the public regarding changes or amendments to your proposal. This makes me feel that you are not reading all comments and they have no impact on your decision.

I noticed you are not proposing an update to the action plans for Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM). I ask that a reduction update to the action plans for SPM is included in the extension. Stelco’s limits compared to Dofasco’s limits for SPM are almost double and they have not been prescribed by MECP for reduction (313 ug/m3 [stelco] vs. 177 ug/m3 [dofasco]). Why? We need constant improvements and we need the Ministry to prescribe that in writing to the industry. Stelco is not even making steel on this site anymore and their limits are higher than Dofasco’s.

Another issue I have with SPM is that it’s combined. I would like to see a breakdown of PM10 and PM2.5 in limits. Enough data exists regarding the two sizes of the particulate & its health effects and combining them is outdated. 3 of the HAMN monitor stations collect data regarding PM2.5 and 7 of them collect data on PM10 not mentioning monitors on the industry site that you have access to. http://newreporting.hamnair.ca

I am asking you to update the action plan regarding making the levels for Benzene in the SSS more stringent. This known carcinogen is present in high concentrations in Hamilton as per the Ministry’s Cumulative study. The dangers are great and a concern to all that live in the yellow and purple zone that stretches from Hamilton to Burlington to Stoney Creek and Dundas. I would like to see another reduction for the period of Jan 2021 to Jun 2023. It’s been 5 years that the level of this contaminant was brought down to 3.9 ug/m3 from 8 ug/m3, it’s time to take another step to get closer to the 0.45 ug/m3 goal of Reg. 419 limit. https://www.ontario.ca/.../pre-submission-requirements...

I noticed that the SSS for Benzene does not expire until June 2021, I ask that the Ministry takes more time than Dec 31, 2020, and consider making the limits LOWER for Benzene.

I would like confirmation from the Ministry that the community liaison committees (CLC) continue during the extension of the SSS. We, as a community need regular updates to see the progress of the industry to meet the limits and that they communicate the quarterly reports to the CLC. This is really important because these are harmful chemicals and we should have a right to know what is happening.