Continued Study into Terminal Road

A consulting firm managing the Muggah Creek project is overseeing tests on some properties on Terminal Road in Sydney after fuel- type vapours were found in soil near buildings.

Soil and groundwater tests indicated nothing out of the ordinary. Soil vapour sampling found types of chemicals similar to those in fuel. The vapour study -- known as a Gore Sorber test -- compares the presence of chemicals between different areas and does not provide numerical values for the vapours in the soil.

Tests to determine the concentration and source of the vapours began Monday, July 23 and should take two to three weeks to complete and analyze.

Walter van Veen, project manager for Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, said the results could relate to a number of sources, including a fuel spill. The types of chemicals are known as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes) and are commonly found in fuel.

The Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour has been informed and is monitoring the situation.

Businesses along Terminal Road in Sydney were informed of study results recently. They will continue to be consulted as the additional sampling gets underway.

The land near the Terminal Road businesses is believed to be the site of a former garbage dump, which may factor into the findings.