N.B. scrapyard fire: Saint John residents warned against eating homegrown vegetables

Residents of Saint John, N.B., and nearby areas are being advised against eating homegrown garden vegetables following last month’s massive scrapyard fire.

A fire that erupted Sept. 14 at the harbour facility of American Iron & Metal led city officials to call on residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed.

The province’s Health Department says a consultant will test the soil from several community gardens that were beneath the smoke plume.

The department is suggesting that until testing is complete, gardeners should either wash and freeze their produce or discard them.

It also says people choosing to compost garden crops or soil should consider setting aside that organic material until test results are available.

The province says there is no set deadline for the testing to be completed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2023.