**Public Health Sudbury & Districts Provides Update on Dust Fallout from Glencore Smelter in Falconbridge**
Public Health Sudbury & Districts has advised that residents of Falconbridge affected by the recent dust fallout from the Glencore smelter can now resume normal activities, with some added precautions.
Between September 23 and 24, an estimated one cubic metre of dust was released from the Glencore Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations Smelter located in Falconbridge. Upon notification, Public Health Sudbury & Districts, along with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), promptly initiated an investigation.
Preliminary analysis of the dust composition was received from Glencore on Friday, September 27. Further detailed testing by the MECP is still pending. However, since the dust is no longer airborne and has either been absorbed into the soil or washed away, the risk of inhalation is now considered minimal.
Importantly, drinking water remains safe and unaffected. All surface water runoff is collected through designated storm sewers and treated at Glencore’s treatment plant before being discharged into Coniston Creek.
Residents are encouraged to safely return to their daily routines while taking simple precautions, including:
– Wearing a mask and gloves when cleaning dust-affected areas
– Washing dust off exposed skin thoroughly
– Following gardening safety practices
– Checking and replacing air filters in furnaces and air conditioners
Dr. Emily Groot, Acting Associate Medical Officer of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, emphasized that outdoor sporting and community events can safely resume. Children and pets may again play in impacted areas, and community members can engage in activities that might generate dust. Additionally, everyone is reminded to wash their hands after outdoor play or work.
For those with home gardens or volunteering at community gardens, the following steps are recommended:
– Wear gloves when gardening or handling produce to provide a physical barrier against residual dust
– Practice proper hand hygiene by washing hands after gardening and before eating to reduce dust ingestion
– Prevent tracking dust into the home after harvesting produce
– Wash gardening tools, clothing, and any dusty items with soap and water or leave them outside before bringing indoors
– Thoroughly wash produce using running water or soap and water
– Discard outer layers of leafy vegetables where dust may have collected
– Peel root vegetables before consumption
This incident also provides a timely reminder to change furnace filters and safely reactivate heating or air conditioning systems when ready.
Public Health Sudbury & Districts will share further details as more sample analysis becomes available.
**For More Information**
Residents affected by the dust release can contact Glencore’s Community Line at 705-693-2761, ext. 3989, or email [email protected] for more details about the event.
For questions regarding the health recommendations, please call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200, ext. 464, or toll-free at 1-866-522-9200.
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Stay informed and take the necessary precautions to protect your health and community.
https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/falconbridge-residents-cleared-to-resume-normal-activities-after-dust-fallout-11274652