Citizens in a residential area of Sept-Îles are complaining of diesel odors coming from a nearby locomotive maintenance workshop.
For several days, the engine of a locomotive parked on the Tshiuetin Rail Transport grounds has been operating 24 hours a day.
Over the weekend, specific weather conditions reduced gas emissions in the Monaghan Beach area.
“For several days, we have been smelling hydrocarbons. It’s really unbreathable,” said Monaghan Beach resident Lyne Chevrier.
“It’s a problem that has lasted for 3 years,” adds Alexandre Bezeau, another citizen. It’s a problem of cohabitation.”
These citizens say they have to close their air exchangers to prevent gas from entering their homes.
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“It smells of fuel. They are locomotives that run non-stop. It’s noise. The locomotive is 100 feet from my house,” said Alexandre Bezeau.
Citizens are wondering about the effects of the railway company’s activities on their health.
“It’s a public health issue. It’s not normal for it to smell like that. We are on the seaside,” added Lyne Chevrier.
The Tshiuetin company is aware of the disadvantages associated with idling locomotives.
The company’s mechanical director, Éric Chamberland, indicated that a high volume of activity in the maintenance workshop explains the current situation.
Although it has a heated garage, the company cannot store all of its locomotives there, he argued, adding that in certain circumstances, idling is unavoidable to prevent systems from freezing.
Citizens are left with the impression that the company could do more to avoid these polluting emissions in their neighborhood.
They plan to file a complaint with Environment Canada.
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