REVIEW PANEL ORGANIZERS TOUR SUDBURY

SUDBURY, ON – Representatives from the Cincinnati, Ohio-based Toxicology Excellence in Risk Assessment (TERA) Group toured the Sudbury area on Wednesday with members of the Technical Committee for the Sudbury Soils Study (SSS). The independent group, responsible for organizing a third-party review of the findings of the study, was in town to meet members of the Technical Committee (TC) and the Public Advisory Committee (PAC), and also to get a feel for the community.

“Understanding the community and the influence of mining on Sudbury has provided us with valuable context and insight as we choose the panel to review the Sudbury Soils Study reports,” said TERA Review Program Manager Jacqueline Patterson. “Meeting and speaking with Technical and Public Advisory Committee members contributes to our overall understanding of this very important work.” TERA Group members also had the opportunity to attend TC and PAC meetings this week, to witness the extent of community and agency involvement in the study. “We have been impressed and intrigued by this process. The large landscape, the agency involvement and the significant community involvement from day one is exceptional. We’re excited to help in one small part of this fascinating project,” said Patterson.

“The Sudbury Soils Study is a community-based initiative,” noted Independent Process Observer Franco Mariotti. “These meetings with the TERA Group provided them with additional insight into our local process. It is also important for the community to see TERA in action, as they did at the PAC meeting. TERA’s participation in the peer review process is significant towards the success of the entire study.” The SSS, which is a community-wide undertaking to assess the levels of certain metals in the environment, is one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind ever conducted in Canada. Thousands of soil, air, water, vegetable, livestock and fish samples are being carefully analysed for metal content. From these assessments, and related studies, researchers will determine the potential for environmental and human health impacts. Final results of the human health and ecological risk assessments are expected to be released to the community in early 2006.

Partners in the study include Inco Limited, Falconbridge Limited, Ontario Ministry of Environment, City of Greater Sudbury, Sudbury & District Health Unit, and the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada.

The next TC meetings for the Sudbury Soils Study will be held Thursday, May 12, and Thursday, June 9, 2005, with public sessions from 9:30 to 10:30am, in Boardroom C/D of the Provincial Building, 199 Larch Street. The next PAC meeting will be held on Tuesday May 17, 2005 (location to be announced). Members of the public who would like consideration on the agenda of TC and/or PAC meetings are advised to contact John Hogenbirk, PAC Chair, at 705-675-1151, ext. 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:

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