This article has been amended.
A North Vancouver businessman who was ticketed for improper disposal of tire sealant is accusing the municipality of unfairly targeting him.
The District of North Vancouver recently issued a $190 fine to Noorez Devraj, the owner of Lyna Manufacturing on West 15th Street. The business is located in a light industrial area near Pemberton Avenue, about 200 metres from Mackay Creek.
Devraj doesn鈥檛 dispute that he rinsed out drums of tire sealant in the alley behind his business. However, he argued there was no risk of environmental catastrophe.
The Stallion brand tire sealant is classified as non-hazardous, non-flammable and water-soluble, according to the product鈥檚 material safety data sheet.
To prove his point, Devraj tipped a bottle of watered-down sealant toward his mouth, took a swig and swallowed.
鈥淵ou think I鈥檓 crazy?鈥� he asked. 鈥淭rust me, I鈥檓 not. . . . This is not toxic.鈥�
Devraj said the conflict began when an employee at a neighbouring business accused him of dumping toxic waste in the drain.
The product鈥檚 greenish tint is provided by food dye, according to Devraj. He said his sealant also contains glycerin, which is frequently used as a sweetener in foods.
The district bylaw specifies that only rainwater or clear water waste can be discharged into the storm sewer system.
In appealing the fine, Devraj produced video of suds and black grit flowing to and surrounding the back alley drain 鈥� contaminants he attributed to neighbouring businesses.
Washing cars and dumping liquid cleaning products into the drain is a 鈥渃ommon practice鈥� in the laneway, he said.
鈥淵ou just can鈥檛 come and single out one business and let everybody alone,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think I鈥檝e been targeted, singled out, and it鈥檚 not fair.鈥�
Devraj, who has operated in the district for 23 years, said the municipality should do a better job of ensuring a level playing field.
鈥淚f I can鈥檛 use that drain, then nobody should be allowed to use the drain,鈥� he said.
District of North Vancouver communications officer Courtenay Rannard did not address Devraj鈥檚 complaints.
鈥淎s this has already been resolved by an independent adjudicator, we won鈥檛 be providing further comment,鈥� she stated in an email.
Devraj鈥檚 fine was boosted from $190 to $275 after his unsuccessful attempt to dispute the ticket.
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