SARA GROUP FOCUSES ON CONSULTING WITH THE COMMUNITY

SUDBURY – Consultation with members of the community has been a key area of focus for the Sudbury Soils Study over the past month. Members of the SARA Group and the Technical Committeed who are conducting the study and the Technical Committee overseeing the project held a number of meetings with community groups in November.

Nearly 100 people attended an open house at Science North two weeks ago to learn about the range and scope of the Sudbury Soils Study, and meet the participants and scientists conducting the work. At the Falconbridge Citizens Committee meeting on November 26, SARA representatives Chris Wren, Lesbia Smith and Celine Pinsent spoke to citizens about their concerns over arsenic levels in the soils in the Falconbridge community. They praised both the citizens and Falconbridge Ltd. for and the special efforts being undertaken to work together in the study process to address these concerns. Drs. Smith and Pinsent explained options for possible health studies that could be considered for residents of this community. At a Whitefish Lake First Nations Band Council meeting on November 26, SARA representatives and band members discussed how the soils study might include an examination of metal concentrations in plants used for traditional medicinal purposes. Members of the SARA team also made a presentation during an Earthcare meeting, and conferred with members of the study’s Public Advisory Committee.

In addition to reporting about community consultation initiatives at the study’s regular monthly Technical Committee meeting yesterday, the SARA group also provided an update on the scientific initiatives underway.

A draft methodology for the human health risk assessment has been completed by the SARA Group and submitted to the Technical Committee for review.

Ongoing work involves analysing the vegetable garden survey results and wildlife dietary samples, and continuing to monitor air quality in and around Greater Sudbury.

SARA director Chris Wren also committed to communicating new developments in the Sudbury Soils Study process in the weeks and months ahead, as information becomes available.

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For more information, contact:

For more information please contact
SARA Group director, Chris Wren at
1-519-766-1039 or 1-866-315-0228.