EDMONTON - Scientists are questioning the Alberta government's assurances that residue from the Slave Lake forest fire doesn't pose a health risk.
Test results released late Thursday show toxins such as lead, dioxins and furans at levels that are many times higher than soil guidelines suggest.
Alberta Environment says the soil guidelines aren't the right ones to use, since the tests were conducted on ash.
But scientists point out that the ash sits on the soil and people still have to walk through, handle it and remove it.
Alberta Environment says it will monitor the area for six months and then check what's left against soil guidelines.
Alberta Health says no one should approach burned-out areas in Slave Lake without wearing a face mask and head-to-toe clothing.
