Neighborhood Forum released an advertisement to go learn more about the Tidewater site on March 19th. It states that there are dangerous chemicals in the fenced area behind Taft and Tidewater Street. Contamination began in 2004 with a mercury spill that is dangerous to the environment when either touched or breathed. In addition to the spill there were 300 tons of toxic sludge held in tanks next to elementary school. This made it extremely dangerous for the community especially to the young kids. The following chemicals are a few of the many chemicals found in the tidewater site.
Coal Tar: Coal tar is a black/ brown liquid that has a mixture of many types of hydrocarbon chemicals.The various amount of chemicals within coal tar is what makes it hazardous to to the environment if there is a high concentration. If not coal tar is sometimes used to benefit humans with therapeutic creams and shampoos. It can be considered waste but it is also beneficial as wood preservatives. The reason why coal tar is fenced behind tidewater street is because it used to be a former tidewater gas works site. Coal tar is a byproduct of gas production which exposed these chemicals to the environment. The chemicals were sometimes stored underneath the gas holders which is why the soils and groundwater is contaminated making it extremely dangerous for workers who work on the site as well as everyone surround it. The risks associated with coal tar for minor exposure can result in eye or throat irritation or it can be severe and cause dizziness.
Sources: http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/environment-sustainability/environmental-improvement-projects/coal-gasification-plants/faq