PETITION
to stop the proposed construction of a Crematorium by Cody Tucker adjacent to Whitetail Ridge Estates and Neighboring Properties.

We, the undersigned, are concerned residents opposing the proposed Crematorium on TWP Rd 630. We strongly object to the proposed consideration to allow a CREMATORY as a Discretionary in the adjacent Agricultural zone in close proximity to residential properties. To allow this use of agricultural lands would mean that CREMATORIES and other industrial operations that produce pollutants to the air, land, and water table can be located in close proximity to any residential property in the MD. Most importantly, however, CREMATORIES are a public health and safety hazard especially to those people living in close proximity. The stacks (approx. 10ft to 19ft) of CREMATORIES emit toxins including: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and of particular concern is mercury in vapor form. Chronic exposure via inhaling by humans living in close proximity to a CREMATORY, according to Health Canada and the EPA causes "…serious health impacts from low-level exposure to mercury." According to OSHA's Guidelines for Mercury Vapor, those health impacts are: damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, damage to lungs, kidneys, skin, eyes, immune system, and brain damage because methylmercury crosses the blood brain barrier. Signs and symptoms of chronic exposure to low levels of mercury vapor include: weakness, fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal disturbance, tremors in fingers, lips, eyelids, and eventually the entire body, memory loss, insomnia, depression, behavioral and personality changes, rashes, severe salivation, generalized edema and gingivitis (Hathaway et al. 1991; Gosselin 1984). Per the EPA, the maximum "safe" exposure level of mercury vapor for humans over one year <25g. The average estimated release of mercury vapor per cremated body with dental implants is 3g. This means only 8 people with the dental implants can be cremated a year in order for neighbors to be "safe." There's an annual average of 400 cremations per crematory per the Crematory Assoc. of North America. Exposure would far exceed the safety level. In addition, several real estate professionals have stated that property values in the neighboring area will be negatively affected. The Land Use Bylaw 1207 articles 18.3/18.4/46.8 all support, based of the above factual data, denying the application.
We ask the Municipal District of Bonnyvile “Municipal Planning Commission” to protect all people from a public health and safety hazard by denying the proposed construction of a CREMATORY in this location and in any close proximity to residential properties.