The city has stopped applying herbicides along Airport Road after residents complained that the toxic chemicals could contaminate their gardens.
Lisa Smedman, a resident in Lancaster Crescent, told Richmond News that workers from a contractor of the City showed up Monday morning in the neighbourhood and started applying herbicide to the ditches about 100 feet away from her front garden.
“I received a phone call from my neighbour in a panic to say the wind was blowing the herbicide right into our front yards, which are filled with vegetables,” said Smedman.
“We want to ask the city why they applied herbicide in our neighbourhood, especially on a windy day.”
Smedman said she was concerned that her organic lettuce and other vegetables have been contaminated by the herbicide (glyphosate dimethylamine), which contains toxic chemicals.
“I have put a great deal of time and energy into creating this organic garden and was looking forward to harvesting the lettuce. Now I have to throw all the lettuce away and don’t know what to do with my garden yet since the chemicals may stay.
“This is very frustrating.”
The residents are also upset with the insufficient notifications given by the City before the herbicide was applied.
“There is only one small sign along a stretch of Airport Road where nobody walks. Had the notification been given to me, for example via a letter, I would have called the city and demanded they cancel,” said Smedman.
The city responded to the residents Tuesday morning and said their concerns were understandable.
“We have stopped the application and are currently investigating this issue to see if proper procedures were followed,” said John Irving, Director of Engineering of the City of Richmond.
He explained that the herbicide was used to eliminate infections of the harmful Japanese Knotweed in the neighbourhood and was applied through dripping, not by spraying, as many residents thought.
According to Irving, the contractor is required to measure wind speed before applying herbicide. If the wind is stronger than eight km/hr they should stop the application.
Smedman said she is also concerned about the wildlife that lives in the ditches as well as for the safety of pets, and the children who play in the area.
The city will respond to the residents after more information is gathered.
