Based on the preliminary human health risk assessment, it has been estimated that health risks to area residents from the soil content are likely low. Unless large amounts of soil were inhaled or swallowed, it is unlikely that measurable abnormal levels, diseases or injury due to these substances would be detected in the body.

The human health risk assessment currently underway is considering all routes of exposure and will assess the probability that a resident could be exposed to sufficient amounts to produce negative health outcomes.

However, as a precautionary measure, you can reduce exposure to soil by:

• washing your hands after playing or working outdoors, before eating or smoking;
• removing your shoes at the door;
• washing all garden produce and peeling root vegetables before eating;
• wet-mopping or wet-wiping when dusting; and
• keeping your furnace and air filters clean.

The measured levels of arsenic, lead and mercury may be of more concern for young children, who are more likely to be playing in areas with exposed soil and less likely to practice proper hygiene. Encourage your children to wash their hands after playing outdoors and before eating, while keeping toys and play surfaces objects clean.

The symptoms of heavy metal toxicity can vary, depending on the type and duration of exposure. Most of the symptoms are not unique to heavy metal toxicity. In general, a person would have to have significant exposure to the soil (such as swallowing or inhaling large amounts of soil or dust over a period of time) before their health would be jeopardized.

The symptoms of significant exposure to heavy metals can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, easy bruising, pale skin colour and other skin changes and/or nerve symptoms (ex: "pins and needles" sensation or a gradual loss of feeling over time). Any of these types of symptoms are more likely to be caused by common conditions such as a viral infection, a gastrointestinal illness, anemia (ex: from low blood iron) or diabetes.

In addition to these symptoms, significant exposure to some of these metals over time has been linked to other health effects, such as delayed brain development or increased risk of certain cancers.

Elements such as these can enter our body through breathing, eating, drinking, or - to a lesser extent - having skin contact. For some elements, such as cadmium, only five to 10 per cent of the cadmium ingested actually gets absorbed in the body; virtually none of it gets absorbed through the skin. For smokers, most of the cadmium in the body is from cigarette smoke, not from environmental exposures.

A human health risk assessment determines the potential for adverse health effects due to environmental exposures. The assessment is done to determine the potential, type and severity of health risks and will make recommendations as to what action, if any, should be taken.

The assessment considers exposure to soil, water, air and food and uses mathematical models to calculate the theoretical health risk. In addition to this method, other assessments such as routine health statistics, specific health surveys, and samples of blood, urine and hair can be used.

The risk assessment currently underway will be assessing the possible exposures from contributing sources to determine the overall exposure risk. Usually, the need for biological monitoring (testing of levels in humans) is determined after the comprehensive risk assessment is done.

The assessment is underway and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2009. Intrinsk Environmental Sciences Inc., a consulting firm contracted to do the study, has extensive experience in human health risk assessments.

Manitoba Conservation, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, Manitoba Health and Healthy Living, Health Canada and the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company are participating in the technical advisory committee which is guiding the risk assessment parameters. A community advisory committee, made up of representatives from Creighton and Flin Flon has been meeting to provide community input on the study.

Air levels of some metals are monitored at various locations in Flin Flon and Creighton. The air quality in both communities has improved over the years. However, outdoor air levels of some metals such as arsenic have sometimes exceeded air quality guidelines, especially in the "uptown" area of Flin Flon. Manitoba Conservation is working with the company to reduce these emissions.

Elevated levels of heavy metals have not been identified in the drinking water.

The human health assessment currently underway will include further testing of metals in air and water to determine how they contribute to human health risk.

Sulphur dioxide and particulate matter in the air is monitored at various sites in Flin Flon and Creighton. Although the air quality has improved since the 1990s, there are still instances when the air quality guidelines are exceeded, especially in the “uptown” area of Flin Flon. However, it should be noted that elevated levels of particulate matter can also be a result of forest fires or residential, wood-burning chimney smoke during certain weather conditions.

Increased levels of air pollutants can aggravate or lead to lung and heart conditions. Keeping the air quality within guideline levels is recommended, but when air quality guidelines are exceeded for sulphur dioxide, community alerts and residents are asked to their reduce exposure and thus the risk of health impacts.

Manitoba Conservation continue to work with Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting to reduce emissions. You can monitor air emissions for Flin Flon and Creighton online.

Yes. The preliminary health assessment indicates that the risk to human health is likely low. However, Saskatchewan Health reminds parents and children to take usual hygiene precautions to reduce exposure to soil. Encourage children to keep their hands out of their mouths when playing outside and wash their hands after outside activities.

For residents of Creighton who keep gardens, a study completed by Manitoba Conservation in 2002 found that although some vegetables accumulated certain elements, the levels were below what would be considered harmful. It is the same for wild fruits and vegetables. Potential heavy metal exposure due to consuming local produce will be examined as part of the human health risk assessment currently underway.

In the meantime, it is recommended that you thoroughly wash all garden produce and that root vegetables be peeled before cooking. If you are working in your yard or garden, be sure to wash your hands or wear garden gloves to further reduce the possibility of exposure.

Free ranging game animals and game birds in Saskatchewan are generally in good health and safe for human consumption. The human health risk assessment currently underway includes further testing of nearby lakes and hunting areas. Based on the preliminary testing results, it is believed that the health risk to eating local fish and game is low.

If you have any questions about the safety of the fish or game from the Creighton/Flin Flon area, please talk to your local conservation officer or call Saskatchewan Environment in Creighton at 306-688-8812.

The preliminary assessment information indicates that the risk to human health is likely low. However, the following precautionary measures can be taken to reduce exposure to soil:

• Wash your hands after outside activities such as playing and gardening, before handling and eating food, or smoking.
• Wear gloves when working outside.
• Wear certain clothing only for outdoor play, work and gardening, and remove that clothing when going inside.
• Keep children's toys, play areas and surfaces clean.
• Clean stroller and bike wheels to avoid tracking soil indoors.
• Remind children to keep their hands out of their mouths when playing outside.
• Remove shoes and boots at the door.
• Wet-mop/wet-wipe when dusting (vacuuming and sweeping can raise dust levels).
• Clean heat ducts and furnace filters regularly.
• Brush and/or wash pets often and outdoors, removing any dirt before they enter the home.
• Wash all locally-grown produce with soap and water and peel root crops (carrots, potatoes, turnips, etc.) before eating or cooking.

If you have concerns about heavy metal exposure, discuss it with your family doctor.