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Technology Stocks : Thermo Tech Technologies (TTRIF) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Clement who wrote (5758)	8/23/1999 5:00:00 PM
From: Clement	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6467

Full article re: MOE investigation of TTRIF The Province, News A18 Sunday, August 22, 1999 'Organic' waste wasn't, so milk may be suspect By John Coleboum Staff Reporter Charges are expected against a Langley-based bio-waste firm after B.C.'s Ministry of Environment discovered that a number of Chilliwack dairy farmers who supply milk to the Lower Mainland had untreated and potentially hazardous waste dumped on their land. Investigators are now probing the affairs of Thermo Tech Technologies of Langley after discovering so-called organic waste was dumped at the farms. The owners were unaware it was untreated and potentially hazardous to livestock and ground water. The problem could be so serious that milk may be pulled from the shelves if it is found the untreated waste was ingested by cows that supply milk to B.C.'s milk marketing board, say industry insiders. "The concern is they have accepted waste into their manure pits and it gets spread on their lands." said Ray Robb head of the industrial section of pollution prevention for the Ministry of Environment. "Depending on where it is discharged you can have surface runoff, problems for fish because it will remove oxygen and it promotes certain types of fungal bacteria. And if it gets into the water table, we have concerns for nitrates. "We have talked to the farmers and told them they can't accept this. We have laid charges yet, but it's safe to say we are investigating the matter and taking measures to have it stoped." Robb said environment officials have told the company contracted to truck the unsafe waste out of Chilliwack to stop hauling for Thermo Tech. Robb also said they are trying to determine if cows supplying milk to the province's milk marketing board have been grazing where the waste had been dumped. He said at least six large farms are known to have accepted the waste. The firm's problems began when a fire destroyed a kiln causing problems for the processing of teh waste material Thermo Tech normally turns organic food waste into protein used in cattle feed. One farmer who had the waste dumped into his manure pile said he was duped into thinking the sludge was environmentally approved: "They told me it was all organic and okay." Another farmer said he accepted one tank load and now has to deal with the problem: "I made a mistake." Chilliwack Mayor John Les said the investigation is a big concern to the agricultural-based area: "This is serios. You've got to guarnatee the milk is absolutely pristine." As for Thermo Tech company president Rene Branconnier, he said he was unaware of the investigation: "I know nothing about what you're talking about. Sorry I can't help you, have a good day."