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H ba | 0) pen "A Family Tradition for 131 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 22, 1997 - 21 i Environment official investigates gas fume complaint By Rik Davie Port Perry Star Concerns over strong gasoline odors drifting from a former gas station in Port Perry were investi- gated by environmental officials last week, and found to be a consequence of normal procedures. An official said the fumes emitted from the site of the former Sunoco station at Hwy. 7A and Simcoe St. were caused when gasoline tanks were removed from the ground and purged. A neighbor and her two small children awoke last Monday morning @July 14) to a strong smell of gaso- line throughout. their Shannon St. residence. Susan Grant and her family live directly behind the former Sunoco gas sta- tion. The station's tanks are being removed and Ms. Grant feared there might be a gas spill in progress. "It was overpowering," she told the Star. "I was even afraid to light a cigarette, and the kids where getting sick." When Ms. Grant's hus- band arrived home at noon he inquired at the station about the problem. When he didn't get what he felt was an appropriate response, he contacted the Ministry of the Environment Rob Lyon, the senior environmental officer for York-Durham, investigat- ed and said there's no cause for alarm. "We responded to a com- plaint about a strong gas odor from the (gas station) property and we looked into it. We found that the odor resulted from the nor- mal procedure, (for remov- "THE PORT PERRY STAR Publishing Twice A Week Tuesday and Friday with a combined pressrun of more than 23,000 Copies Weekly For further information 985-7383 CROSSWORD ANSWERS A AlBJO]VIE s v AlL ofL, T < »iwicio i» |x| PDC I 1> M A A mi< 1 z i -4 - im <|»|z - |» im] ° & RIES ZImOERE|> (Om @i>IDim >» Di<im Xi» Cin Dimjr |<] @imioi>» >» imiT | i ing old gas tanks)," he said The process for remov- ing gas tanks from vacant service stations, called decomissioning, was car- ried out by Central Project Group Inc. , a consulting firm from Markham that specializes in such work. Mr. Lyon said "they were doing everything according to ministry guidelines... We're not actively pursuing the matter at this time." A project manager for Central Projects Group, who asked not to be named, said the company followed normal procedures. "There are several steps involved in removing old gas tanks from the ground. We first pump the tanks dry, and then dry ice is pumped into the tanks," he said. "Most of the fumes peo- ple smell when we're doing this are from the ground around old station sites. It came before regulations were so strict. We test all the soil as we remove it, and any that doesn't pass ministry standards has to be hauled away." The company spokesperson added that "sometimes people see the water running out from the ribs of the fibreglass tanks and think it's gas, but believe me, we take every precaution." Mrs. Grant is still upset at the way her concerns were handled. "They could have told us what they were doing ahead of time," she said. "We were scared." Ms. Grant said that as THE BEST PLAN TO KEEP YOUR CHRYSLER VEHICLE of press time no one from the Ministry of the Environment or the con- tractors had been in touch with her to explain the sit- uation to her. Sunoco made the deci- sion to vacate the station, occupied by the company since last August, when it failed to reach a lease agreement with the landowner. RUNNING SMOOTHLY. 3. Committed to your convenience. 2. Mopar replacement parts. The only parts approved by Chrysler engineers! of you own a Chrysler car, truck, minivan or Jeep, the road. It's called Chrysler Five Star Service, and MAINTENANCE TUNE-UP i Jodi We respect and value your time! 40% A Chrysler Five Star Service maintenance tune-u specifically for your Chrysler vehicle. Includes: complete electronic engine diagnosis © We'll install quality Mopar spark plugs © Adjust timing and idle (where applicable) e Inspect ignition wires, drive belts, PCV valve, hoses, air filter and fuel filter Check and clean battery connections 1. Chrysler-trained technicians. The people who know your Chrysler vehicle best! 99 (6-CvL) 79 p starts with Chrysler-trained technicians usin 5. Competitive prices. Five Star Service at everyday prices! '89% * Road test ® Additional charge for Dodge Stealth © Ask about our warranty on all quality Mopar parts installed at the dealership: "12-month unlimited metreage warranty on parts and labour" 9 Mopar diagnostic equipment designed %W CHRYSLER FIVE STAR SERVICE AAA AA GREAT PEOPLE GREAT SERVICE SIN IRGNR (OV "Hear CHRYSLER DEALER 4. Courteous attention. We thank you and appreciate your business! we have a simple plan to keep your vehicle on it's the best friend your vehicle could ever have.