Globe and Mail

Already under fire for exposing 65 workers to the toxic metal thallium, Teck Cominco Ltd. admitted yesterday that it has on several occasions dumped abnormally large quantities of the same chemical into the Columbia River.

In a one-week period in 1999, 768 kilograms of thallium were discharged into the river from the company's smelter in Trail, B.C., more than 20 times normal levels, Teck Cominco spokesman Richard Fish confirmed.

In five other incidents last year, thallium discharges reached between 30 and 50 kilograms a day, well over the daily guideline of five kilograms.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), September 07, 2001

Answers

Company apologizes to workers.

Canoe

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), September 07, 2001.