SOILS STUDY GROUP TO RELEASE VEGETABLE GARDEN DATA

SUDBURY – Beginning next month, the SARA Group undertaking the Sudbury Soils Study will provide participants in last summer’s vegetable garden survey with the results of metal analysis of their garden soil and produce. Chris Wren, director of the SARA Group, says anyone who receives a letter is welcome to contact the team directly for further explanation of their results. Last month, vegetable garden survey participants were notified about the soil nutrient and fertility requirements for their gardens.

Over the next few months a food consumption survey will also be conducted in and around Greater Sudbury. A questionnaire will be mailed to about 3,500 homes to gauge the food purchasing and consumption patterns of local citizens. “This will give us a very good indication of what Sudburians are eating every day, and these numbers can be used to help us determine the potential exposure to metals from foods.” said Dr. Wren.

An air monitoring program is still ongoing for the Soils Study, with samples collected every six days from 10 sampling locations throughout the Greater Sudbury area. “To date, results have been well below provincial guidelines for air quality. We expect particulate values to rise in the summer period, but we do not expect results to exceed provincial guidelines.” said Dr. Wren.

Public interest in the Soils Study is increasing, with frequent contacts to a toll-free number (1-866-315-0228) and email address (questions@sudburysoilsstudy.com). Participation at Technical Committee (TC) and Public Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings is also increasing, with interested citizens making presentations to both committees. “This is a trend we would like to see continue as the study progresses,” said Dr. Wren, “The only way for us to make this a ground-breaking study is to involve Sudburians as much as possible in every aspect of our activities.” Updates to the website and the publication of the third Update newsletter in Northern Life next month will continue to provide timely information to the community.

The next PAC meeting will be held Tuesday, May 18, 2004 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The location is yet to be determined, but will be advertised on the website and in local papers. The next Technical Committee meetings will be held on Thursday, May 13, and Thursday, June 10, with public sessions from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., in Room C11 of Tom Davies Square. Members of the public who wish to make a presentation and would like consideration on the agenda of TC and PAC meetings are asked to contact John Hogenbirk, PAC Chair, at 705-675-1151 3435 or via e-mail at jhogenbirk@nickel.laurentian.ca, or the SARA Group at 1-866-315-0228 or via e-mail at questions@sudburysoilsstudy.com

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For more information, contact:

Dr. Chris Wren
SARA Group – ESG International
Toll-free: 866-315-0228