ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, Ontario – The River Cleanup crew is advising River Partners that they have discovered a large number of hazardous waste containers in the St. Lawrence River.
According to a release from the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences on Aug. 2, there are several dozen containers in the Cornwall waterfront area near the shore. Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Environment staff reported hundreds in the Upper St. Lawrence. Containers can be found in nearshore and channel areas.
After further research, it is reported that these containers appear to be old batteries from buoys, lights, and Aids to Navigation. Some of these batteries are decades old and may contain sulfuric acid, cadmium, lead, mercury and other hazardous substances.
The containers are not to be moved, touched or transported under any circumstances, said the St. Lawrence River Institute. If a container is caught, a Supervisor must be contacted.
The St. Lawrence River Institute has contacted the appropriate authorities and is waiting on a response.
The photo above, included in the release, is typically what a container looks like, weighing between 25 and 30 lbs with the circumference of a dinner plate.
