‘Almost intolerable:’ Airdrie business concerned over potentially hazardous dust emitted from concrete company

An RV dealership in Airdrie says dust from a nearby concrete company is becoming unbearable and wants to see something done about it.

Some Airdrie business owners are concerned about the dust blowing over from a neighbouring concrete business, calling it a health and environmental hazard.

Western R.V., a dealership for recreational vehicles and campers says their vehicles are consistently coated in dust coming from the business to the southeast.

Tanas Concrete, now owned by Lafarge, has been operating on 58 East Lake Crescent since 2016.

Bruce Urban says he’s noticed more dust and activity within the past five years, and says his staff and customers are worried about inhaling the fine dust.

“It’s getting almost intolerable at this point,” he said.

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He and his son Brandon, tell CTV News they have reached out to the Airdrie mayor’s office, every councillor, local MLAs and federally elected officials to address their concerns and complaints.

“I need to try to take action, but what’s the action when the politicians don’t want to listen? When you’re up against a wall like that, my question is what do you do? Do you shut down your business because your employees are being put through this?” said Urban.

Concrete and silica

Concrete often contains crystalline silica, which can be harmful when inhaled, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

It adds, silica particles can have damaging effects on the lungs, and have been known to cause lung cancer.

CTV News has reached out to Lafarge, and is waiting for a response to our request for comment.

The City of Airdrie sent a statement which reads: “An investigation is currently underway. We are unable to provide any specific details until the investigation is complete.”

The city is also working to determine “which areas of the expressed concern fall within the municipal areas of responsibility.”

According to open data, the land-use for the concrete business is zoned as a heavy industrial employment district, while the adjacent properties to the north are zoned as an industrial park employment district.

‘Clean it up’

The property owner of a parcel of land to the immediate west of the concrete company says he too has been reaching out to various government organizations with concerns.

“I’d just like to see the City of Airdrie follow what the Alberta government says they should be doing,” said Ken Maines before adding, “clean it up.”

The province sent an Environmental Protection Officer to the Tanas Concrete property on May 14, according to an email obtained by CTV News from the department of Environment and Protected Areas.

The officer provided a list of corrective actions for the company.

These actions include; daily road sweeping in the yard and public roads, improvements to its street sweeper machinery, regrading land in the yard, installing a mat system to clean mud off the cars, and “application of calcium chloride on their yard for dust control will be completed by the first week in June 2025.”

As for health concerns, the email stated:

“Understanding the potential health impacts that the dust may have, EPA does not address specific health hazards. For concerns related to health and safety, we recommend contacting Alberta Health Services and/or Alberta Occupational Health Safety directly, as they are the appropriate authority to provide guidance and support on these matters.”

Brandon Urban says he will be directing further complaints about dust as suggested.

His father, Bruce Urban, says he wants to see a more urgent response.

“We need somebody to listen.”