Even taking into account the aging of the population, which increases the rate of this disease in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, analyzes show that since 1985 cancer has caused more damage in Jonquière than anywhere else in the province of this health problem is also higher in La Baie, but the difference decreases when we take into account the age of the people living in this sector.

To learn more about the factors that could explain the high number of people affected by this disease in Jonquière, Public Health will deepen its analyzes with a specific study on lung cancer (smoking, radon, particulate matter) and a study on ambient air pollution Arvida and a study on the socio-economic determinants in the neighborhoods of Jonquière. The results of this study will be announced in the fall.

Public health is in the process of assessing the risks related to air quality in the Jonquière and Arvida sectors. We re-measure, we re-document, we re-portrait everything that exists. At the time of new data from toxicological analyzes of references supported by the INSPQ in the dossier, the risk will be reassessed in the light of these data. We will present this to the public. That’s the current state of people’s exposure, are you very high or not. Are there overruns? How big is the overrunhighlighted the Medical Advisor of the Department of Public Health of the CIUSSS Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Dr. Jean-François Betala Belinga.

Regional public health was questioned about the possible link between this high cancer rate in Jonquière and the presence of the country’s most polluting aluminum smelter.

We are unable to make associations with the risk factors that we have and the studies that we have so far. This may seem simple, but the reality is that with all the data, when we look at this with scientists, people tell me to keep a cool head on our numbers. I can assure you that I asked people difficult questionsmentioned the Director of Public Health of the CIUSSS Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Dr. Donald Aubin.

In 1999, public health officials found a link between the high rate of lung cancer and lung disease in Jonquière and air quality. dr Léon Larouche said at the time that the effects of air pollution could be scientifically measured around 2020 due to the latent period, which is 25 to 30 years for lung cancer. The current regional health authority has never conducted this assessment. Representatives said they are aware of the risks related to sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

The regional Ministry of Health has still not been asked for comment by the Environment Ministry on a fourth request from Rio Tinto to expand its operations at the polluting Arvida aluminum smelter. Recall that it opposed the multinational’s last request for an extension because of the risks associated with various pollutants.