Syringes, solutions, surgical masks and visors stored in a former asbestos mine in Val-des-Sources

Medical equipment such as surgical masks, syringes and IV bags are stored in an abandoned and poorly secured building on a former asbestos mine site in Val-des-Sources.

The building, one of the last remnants of the Jeffrey mine, which has been closed since 2012, has been in poor condition since it was badly damaged by a fire last year. As a result, the roof is leaking at many places, the walls are in danger of collapsing and the metal frames supporting the building have been damaged.

A confidential source informed about the situationNews magazine A large number of medical equipment such as visors, masks, gowns, syringes, infusions and tips and sets used for COVID-19 tests were confirmed last week.

Several boxes were opened and scattered on the floor. In most cases, after being delivered mid-pandemic to hospitals and CHSLDs in Eastry, Montreal and Quebec, the material expired.

A company called MGA Environment rents the disused building, which was badly damaged by a fire last year, to store various medical products with the aim of recycling.

Several surgical masks and boxes of tests to detect Covid-19, many of them expired, were found in this dilapidated and poorly secured building in Val-des-Sources.

Photo provided by source

Joined by News magazine, the company's founder, Martin Gagnon, assured that the places would be “banned and off-limits to people”, but people would “find holes to slip through”. However, neither door prevents access to medical equipment.

When asked why the syringes went missing last week, Mr. Gagnon indicated that the boxes containing this material were removed and placed in “closed storage trailers.”

A Sherbrooke company announced with great fanfare in 2021 that it was launching a pilot project for the recycling of masks and other personal protective equipment. Mr. Gagnon claims to manufacture composite panels and tiles.

“Everything is already safe”

Also joined News magazine, the owner of the land, Michel Proulx, president of Beausite Metal Company, denied having medical equipment on his land. He also noted that the place was “already safe,” before cutting the conversation short.

In recent years, Mr. Proulx has also received administrative sanctions from the federal and provincial ministries of the environment regarding the handling of hazardous materials.

More young people

According to our information, confirmed by the municipality, “many young people” are entering this dilapidated and poorly secured site.

The deputy director of the City of Val-des-Sources, formerly known as Asbestos, said he recently “intensified his efforts” with the landowner to secure the area.

“We have asked them to put up fences around the construction site at least in the coming days [du bâtiment] To prevent people from entering, “explains Stéphane Alain, responsible for spatial development in the municipality.

Demolition must come

The most dangerous part of the building, which caught fire in September 2023, will also have to be demolished at the request of the city. “We are monitoring the situation very closely and we will give a final date [pour la démolition] During the summer,” he said.

A lot of waste accumulates around an unused building where medical equipment is stored without supervision.

Photo provided by source

Mr. Alain also noted that the land operator has until July 15 to clean and remove all equipment, including medical products, from the building.

– Mary Christine Trottier, with assistance from the Office of Investigation