LANGFORD - The Ministry of Environment says test results confirm fluorescein was used to dramatically change the colour of the Goldstream River and the fountain on Veterans Memorial Parkway in Langford.
In an email, Ministry staff says fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound soluble in water and alcohol. It goes on to say fluorescein is not toxic and the Ministry of Environment staff do not believe that fish or fish habitat were harmed during this incident.
That assessment is based on the flow rate of the river, the probable concentration of the chemical, and laboratory results.
However, every St. Patrick's Day fluorescein was used to dye the Chicago River green. That changed when the United States Environmental Protection Agency outlawed its use to change the river's colour after it proved fluorescein to be harmful to the waterway.
Those findings have nature lovers worried about the long term affects the chemical could have here.
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