A local environmental biologist says gravel pits in residential areas don't mix and questions the real motive of some developers.

Heather Larratt says gravel pits are one of the producers of microscopic dust particles that can penetrate your lungs.

"Once the particles are deposited into the lungs, they tend to accumulate. They're basically like ultra fine shards of glass that penetrate into the lung tissue and the body tries to attack it, but it can't break them down."

Larratt, who consults for mining companies, says gravel pits are in fact mines and should be treated as such.

"I don't want to see them in subdivisions. I would like to see them in places where there is going to be a mine, which is technically what gravel pits are. They would have to comply with all the mining regulations."

But Larratt says there's a reason why gravel pits are showing up in residential areas. She says some of them are actually future subdivisions in disguise.

"What that allows the developer to do is actually comply, not with the Regional District guidelines for developing land, but with the Mines Act for gravel pits which have far fewer regulations. So, in effect, by getting a mines permit the developer can dive under the rules set by the Regional District to protect the environment."

Larratt doesn't dispute the fact that gravel pits are necessary, but says they should not be near residential areas.

"It may mean that we will have to pay more for gravel, but at what point do we want to safeguard people's health?"

Despite the health implications that gravel pits pose to the general public, it would not appear to be a concern with the Interior Health Authority.

Earlier this year, it stated that it had "no objection" to a gravel pit application in the Joe Rich area -- just a few hundred metres from several homes.

Calls to Interior Health were not returned.

Interview with Heather Larratt (Kelly Hayes)

IHA document (No objection to Joe Rich gravel pit)

Link: Urbin Minig Zones -- Proposal