North Bay, Ont., plant at centre of community concerns over 'forever chemicals'

Brennain Lloyd says she was concerned when she learned Industrial Plastics Canada (IPC) would be opening a new plant in North Bay, Ont.

"Our concerns are what will be coming out of that plant, what will the emissions be," said Lloyd, the project co-ordinator with the environmental group Northwatch, which looks at industrial projects in northeastern Ontario.

The company's plant, due to be fully operational next year, will transform a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is commonly known under the trade name Teflon.

PTFE is part of a larger group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). There are more than 10,000 known chemicals in the PFAS family with a wide range of everyday uses.

"Everybody in Canada has exposure to some types of PFAS," said Miriam Diamond, a professor with the University of Toronto's School of the Environment.

Diamond, who researches how environmental contaminants get into the environment and how people can be exposed to them, said PFAS are largely used for their water-repelling properties. They are in waterproof jackets, bike chain grease, ski wax, and even some fast food containers and popcorn bags.

In Canada, a small number of these chemicals, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are banned for their effects on the environment and human health.

"We know that some PFAS affect the immune system by reducing immune function," Diamond said.

"We know that some PFAS affect reproduction resulting in lower fertility, lower birth weight, babies and some complications of pregnancy. Some PFAS are carcinogenic, affecting liver and kidneys."

As with other polymers — substances with very large and complex molecules — the problems with PFAS occur when the substances start to degrade and break down, Diamond said.

"Like a plastic bag isn't harmful itself," she said.

"But polymers can break down over time, and when the building blocks come out of the structure, it's those building blocks that are available for uptake and that can cause toxicity."

Diamond said PTFE — the chemical the North Bay plant will use — is especially stable and can take decades to degrade and cause problems.

In addition to coating non-stick frying pans, PTFE is used on items like gaskets and to build medical equipment, because it stays sterile.