Get on with lives, says health minister

Feb. 6, 2009

There is no need to worry was the message at a meeting between Health Minister Mike Murphy and village council in Blackville Wednesday night.

Murphy and several health department officials made the trip to Blackville to address concerns about the arsenic scare the village has been dealing with for over a year.

After the meeting, Murphy said he went through the differences between organic and inorganic arsenic and told council there is no need for alarm.

"Essentially they should get on with their lives."

Since May the health department has confirmed 35 people have shown elevated levels of arsenic, with only one showing signs of the dangerous inorganic form.

The first case received his results in December 2007, but it wasn't confirmed by the Health Department until May.

Murphy said the council still had questions about how harmful organic arsenic is.

"I think after the hour long meeting the mayor and council were satisfied."

Blackville mayor Glen Hollowood said the health minister told council there was no arsenic source in Blackville.

"I feel good. I think it's about time to leave this behind."

Murphy brought a letter with him, which included the toll free number he promised during a news conference last week. The letter also explained some of the potential food sources of organic arsenic, such as fish.

Hollowood said people had a lot of questions and it was good to get answers from Murphy.

"At the end he said don't stop eating any of it."

Murphy and the Health Department officials admitted they were slow in their initial response to concerns from Blackville residents, Hollowood said.

"I think the information was all slow coming to them too."

Councillor Jonathan Brennan was also at the meeting and said he thought it went well, but people are still concerned about the arsenic situation.

"They didn't have a chance to meet with him."

One of the sticking points for many Blackville residents has been the difference between organic and inorganic arsenic with officials saying the organic form is not toxic.

Brennan said he trusts the officials when they tell him organic arsenic is natural and not a health concern for people with elevated levels.

"Their levels would have to be 100 times higher than what we're seeing now to show symptoms."

Blackville residents have been getting a response in recent weeks after admitting they made mistakes, he said.

"People not knowing was the worst thing that could have happened."

Brennan said even though they answered a lot of their questions, there was still one person showing symptoms of inorganic arsenic.

"I know there will be a few people who will question part of it."

Along with the toll-free number, the health department has also set up a nurse practitioner at the health clinic in Blackville, he said.

"I believe she's been there this week."

Brennan said the government has addressed Blackville residents' concerns and he hopes the citizens are satisfied with their answers.

"I hope everything's gonna be OK."