A Human Health Risk Assessment is a systematic process, which focuses on identifying the probability of effects (positive and negative) from an operation, project, substance or activity, on the health of humans.

In the Sudbury context, the Human Health Risk Assessment focused on the probability of health effects that could occur from atmospheric emissions of nickel, copper, cobalt, selenium, lead and arsenic on the Sudbury community.




Ecological Risk Assessment

An Ecological Risk Assessment is a systematic process, which focuses on identifying the probability of effects from exposure to chemicals in the ecosystem. In the Sudbury context, the Ecological Risk Assessment focused on the examining possible effects of metal emissions to the Sudbury vegetation in a landscape perspective, as well as to terrestrial wildlife.

Due to the extensive application of emission controls in the Sudbury area in recent years and the associated major reductions in air emissions, researchers have documented a significant recovery within the Sudbury environment. The Ecological Risk Assessment accounted for this ecological recovery and also provided valuable information to be used in future re-greening initiatives.