A sulphuric acid manufacturer is considering expanding its factory in a small central Ontario town. The expansion would double the number of...

As a mayor, I'd want to consult everyone in the town the factory might affect. Although expanding the factory would bring in jobs, sulfuric acid factories also emit nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and sulfuric acid mist, which could harm the health of the local population. On the basis of the information given, I would want to do the environmental impact assessment and ask for the following information before permitting the expansion:

• Does the town need these particular jobs? Are they a good fit for the existing population of the town or would the town need to attract new workers? If the latter, is adequate infrastructure in place to support population growth?


• What sort of mitigation is the factory proposing to reduce emissions? What sort of negative effects (especially air and groundwater pollution) can we expect?


• Has there been a recent meteorological study to see if prevailing winds carry pollution towards the town or other populated areas?


• What is the long term economic forecast for the industry? If China, for example, becomes a net exporter of sulfuric acid, will Canadian producers remain profitable? 


• Does the town have the infrastructure to support the expansion? Or would the town need to invest money in infrastructure to support this? If so, how would the money be raised?

Thus as a mayor, I would ask that expansion be delayed pending answers to the questions above.