1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSGENERAL

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

1. What is the consultation all about? The Trail Health & Environment Committee would like to inform the public and receive public input on the Trail Area Health & Environment Program (THE Program), and on possible health and air quality goals for the community. THE Program is a comprehensive, integrated program designed to safeguard health and the environment related to smelter metals in the Trail area.

There are two phases to the public consultation. Phase 1 focuses on Family Health, Home & Garden, and Air Quality components of THE Program. A second phase is planned for the fall, covering THE Program as a whole, including Property Development, Parks & Wildlands, and new health and air quality goals.

2. Who is sponsoring the consultation?The Trail Health & Environment Committee (THEC) is sponsoring the public consultation. The THEC is a partnership between the community, Teck, the Ministry of Environment, and Interior Health. Representatives attend from Trail, Warfield, other local governments and the community at large. THEC is a committee of Trail City Council and the Mayor of Trail is the Chair. THEC is in charge of developing and overseeing the Trail Area Health & Environment (THE) Program.

3. Why is the consultation happening now?It’s time to set new community health goals and canvass residents’ views on proposed changes to the Health & Environment Program. THE Program has been going for over 20 years, and the last public consultation took place in 2000. The most recent goal for children’s blood lead levels was achieved in 2005.

4. Why should I participate? What’s in it for me?Public involvement is essential to the success of THE Program. The community helps to set the blood lead and air quality goals. The Committee has preliminary goals for discussion, and we need to know what you think about them. We also want to know what you think about THE Program. Phase 1 looks at Family Health, Home & Garden, and Air Quality.

Frequently Asked Questions - General

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

What’s in it for you? You get to contribute your views on the goals and THE Program. This Trail program is internationally renowned for having the community make decisions and guide the process. And you will learn more about free services for home renovators, families with young children, and people wanting garden soil testing. You might even win a prize.

5. What’s new (or changing) in the program that I need to know?THEC will be proposing new health goals. We’d like to reduce the average blood lead for preschoolers from 5 to 4 mg/dL by 2015. This would mean 95% of children’s blood leads under 10 (micrograms per deciliter).

We want more families to get their children’s blood lead tested. Children need to be tested each year until they’re 3 years old.

We’re also looking to set new goals to further improve air quality.

We need to get all home renovators in Trail, and renovators of pre-1976 homes in Greater Trail, using the home renovation support program, to make sure that home renovations are being done safely.

We are looking at how to increase dust suppression services in some rural areas, and we’re going to do more outreach to home renovators.

Teck’s planned emission control activities change from time to time, based on plans approved by the Ministry of Environment. This includes commitments by Teck to continuous quality improvement and to addressing issues if and when they arise.

Please make sure to tell us what you like about THE Program, and what you think would make things better.

6. How is my local government involved?The Mayor of Trail chairs the Trail Health & Environment Committee, and there is regular representation from Warfield. Representatives of other local governments participate as needed. All local governments are invited to meetings of the Trail Health & Environment Committee and representatives have been informed about the public consultation process.

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

7. Where do I go for more info on the public consultation and THE Program?You will find Fact Sheets on Family Health, Home & Garden, and Air Quality as well as public comment survey forms available on the website, www.thep.ca, and at the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue. We’re also hosting a free public focus group dinner on May 11, including a short presentation, followed by questions and input. Seating for the dinner is limited. Please request your tickets ASAP at the Community Program Office, (250) 368- 3256.

8. How can I give you my opinions? You can fill in the public comment form on-line at www.thep.ca or on paper, and drop it off (or mail it to) the Community Program Office, 1319 Bay Avenue, Trail, V1R 4A7.

You are invited to attend a free public focus group dinner at The Riverbelle on Tuesday, May 11 for a brief presentation on the goals and three program areas, followed by questions and answers, and time for your ideas. Seating is limited. Please request your tickets ASAP at the Program Office, (250) 368- 3256, or on-line at www.thep.ca Please join us – it will be fun, informative and a great way to contribute to the community!

9. How can I get more involved? You can attend meetings of the Trail Health & Environment Committee, which are open to the public. Meeting dates & times are listed on the THEC website, www.thep.ca

You can participate in Phase 2 of this consultation planned for the fall. This includes reviewing plans developed from Phase 1, as well as information on property development, ecosystem management, and how THE Program works. Join others at a public Open House with displays, presentations and opportunities for questions.

You can provide detailed input on one or more areas of THE Program. Please contact Steve Hilts at (250) 364-4385.

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

10. When will you let me know what’s been decided? Can I have a final look at THE Program and the goals? The results of Phase 1 will be presented to the public for review and comment during Phase 2 which is planned for fall, 2010.

The results of the overall consultation will be shared with the public in early 2011 through a Community Newsletter to all local residents and businesses, a press release, and through the website, www.thep.ca and the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue.

11. Why do different program elements apply to different geographic areas?THE Program focuses on having the biggest impact on reducing health risks. For example, the Family Health Program targets families of preschoolers in Trail and Rivervale. These are the areas where elevated blood lead levels are most likely to occur. The blood lead goal is based on results for this “target area”. Another example is yard soil testing and possible soil replacement. This is available, as needed, for families where children’s blood leads have tested high. There is also a pilot program of yard soil testing targeting specific neighbourhoods with higher metal levels in soil.

THE Program also looks for ways to extend services to other people who want or need them. For instance, if you live outside Trail or Rivervale, you can request to have your young child’s blood lead tested. Also, the Home Renovation Support Program offers its services to renovators of older homes throughout Greater Trail.

12. Why am I included in the public consultation if I live outside the City of Trail?Different components of THE Program apply to different parts of the Greater Trail area. For example, the Home Renovation Support Program provides services to renovators of older homes throughout Greater Trail.

In the public consultation process, we want to make sure that everyone is informed about programs that apply to them. We want to encourage Greater Trail residents to tell us your opinions about THE Program to make sure it meets community needs. Now is a great time to give input because THE Program is being revamped.

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

13. What does it mean to have soil with metal levels above the BC standard? If the soil is well covered the risk is negligible. If you follow good hygiene practices, like washing hands, keeping dust and dirt out of the house, keeping dust down outside, and covering bare soil areas in your yard, you help minimize risks. If you have concerns, please contact the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue or (250) 368-3256. Please note that the main health risks from metals in the environment come from dust, and the main risks are to young children.

14. What should I do if I live in an area where soil has high metal content? What does it mean to live with metals in soil and dust?The same advice applies to any situation where there are metals in soil and dust. It is important to follow good hygiene practices, like washing hands, keeping dust and dirt out of the house, keeping dust down outside, and covering bare soil areas in your yard. Please read the Family Health Fact Sheet for tips on avoiding exposure to metals and keeping dust down in your home. Please read the Home & Garden Fact Sheet for information on soil testing, growing vegetable gardens, and reducing exposure to metals in your home and garden. If you are planning home renovations, please contact the Community Program Office for safety information. Dust that’s accumulated in your home can be released during renovations – this is particularly an issue for older homes. If you have concerns, please contact the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue or (250) 368-3256. Please note that the main health risks from metals in the environment come from dust, and the main risks are to young children.

15. Is it safe for me to eat vegetables grown in my garden?Studies have been done in Trail comparing the levels of metals in homegrown and store-bought produce. Overall, the levels are a bit higher for homegrown produce but there are also important benefits of growing and eating home-grown food. There are things you can do to minimize metals. Always wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. You can also choose what to grow. The fruit parts of plants (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers, berries, beans etc.) absorb very little metal from soil.

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

Root vegetables also absorb very little but you need to peel them before eating. With peeled veggies, the metal levels are about the same as store-bought. Leafy greens absorb more metal – and washing them gets rid of some, but not all of it. If you are concerned, please call the Community Program Office and request soil testing for your vegetable garden.

16. What should I do if:I want to get my child’s blood lead level tested

Please contact Jacquie Johnson, Interior Health at (250) 364-6223.

I want my garden soil tested Please contact the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue or (250) 368-3256.

I want to reduce dust in my home and garden

Please read the Family Health and Home & Garden Fact Sheets, available at www.thep.ca or the Community Program Office, 1319 Bay Avenue. For more information, contact the Community Program Office or Jacquie Johnson, Interior Health at (250) 364-6223.

I want more street sweeping done to reduce dust

Include this request on your public comment form, indicating the community where you live. Also, hose paved areas on your property regularly.

I want to landscape my yard Please contact the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue or (250) 368-3256 for advice on good ground cover

I want to renovate my home Please contact the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Ave. or (250) 368-3256 for information on the Home Renovation Support Program and tips for minimizing exposure to dust

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

I am a building contractor or home renovator

Please contact the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Ave. or (250) 368-3256 for information on the Home Renovation Support Program and tips for minimizing exposure to dust

17. How long does it take to get soil replaced?Garden and yard soil replacement is offered and scheduled in priority order where soil samples indicate lead levels above certain levels. Please refer to the Home & Garden Fact Sheet for detailed information on soil testing, metal levels and how soil replacement is offered.

In terms of scheduling soil replacement, top priority goes to families where young children have elevated blood levels. If soil replacement is indicated, it takes place within about 1 to 2 months from the time of testing. If soil is tested in the fall, replacement may take place early the next spring.

Families with young children are the next priority. Typically, garden soil would be replaced within 6 months of testing. The program aims to complete all scheduled soil replacement, for garden and yards, within a year. Depending on circumstances, it may take up to 2 years for lower priority cases and pilot project properties.

It’s important to note that the main health risks from lead come from dust, not soil, and the main risks are to young children. In most cases, the health risks from soil are negligible. For more information, please refer to the questions about health risks from soil.

18. Is Trail safe for children? Trail is a great place to raise a family – a great place to live, play, and go to school. Retired Medical Health Officer, Dr. Nelson Ames worked for over 20 years on lead issues in Trail. Dr. Ames states “I would have no hesitation to live in Trail and I would have no hesitation to live there if I had young children.”

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

The community has set and achieved its health goals over the past 20 years. Air quality and children’s blood lead levels have improved significantly. Around 90% of Trail & Rivervale preschoolers have blood lead levels below the “level of concern” compared with less than 20% in 1989.

Please read the Family Health and Home & Garden Fact Sheets for tips on how to minimize your family’s exposure to metals at home and in your yard. If you live in Trail or Rivervale and have children under 3 years of age, please make sure they have their blood lead levels tested each year until they reach age 3. If you have any concerns, please contact Jacquie Johnson, Interior Health at (250) 364-6223 or the Community Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue or (250) 368-3256.

19. What are the concerns about lead?Lead and its compounds are very useful, but they can be harmful as well, especially to young children. There is growing scientific evidence that low levels of lead exposure may be harmful to children. Exposure to lead may cause behavioural problems, learning disabilities or reduced intelligence.

There have been significant improvements in children’s blood lead levels in Trail over the past 20 years. In 1989, under 20% of pre-school children had blood leads under the “level of concern”. Now around 90% of children are under the “level of concern”. In the next 5 years, the Trail Health & Environment Committee aims to make that 95%.

The main health risks to do with lead come from dust, and the main risks are to young children. Most lead enters the body through the mouth, such as on food, dirty fingers or toys that have lead dust on them. Young children are most likely to put dirty objects in their mouths. Young children absorb lead up to 5 times more easily than older children or adults. Also, the early years are a crucial time for children’s brain development, just when they’re also at the greatest risk for the effects of lead exposure.

The Trail Area Health & Environment Program is designed to keep children and families healthy and safe. Young children in Trail and Rivervale should have their blood lead levels tested each year, from the time they start crawling until 3 years of age. Interior Health’s Jacquie Johnson has expertise, information and supports available to families with young children. Please read the Family Health Fact Sheet and contact Jacquie

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

Johnson at (250) 364-6223.

20. What are the concerns about other metals?Lead is not the only metal emitted from the smelter. Two other metals of potential concern are arsenic and cadmium. Emissions of these metals have dropped dramatically over the past decades, but they are still present in the Trail environment at higher than normal levels.

Long-term exposure to low levels of arsenic can increase the risk for several types of cancers. Long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium can increase the risk of kidney disease and several other conditions including high blood pressure and cancers.

In Trail, the health risks from living here for a lifetime and eating local produce are such that it would be highly unlikely to measure increased illness in the population. Trail area health statistics have been reviewed by the BC Cancer Agency and Ministry of Health. They have not found evidence of increased rates of disease due to metals in the environment. As with lead, the aim is to minimize exposure to these other metals. Therefore, arsenic and cadmium are considered when setting air quality goals and developing programs for soil testing and remediation, particularly related to vegetable gardens.

21. What can I do to keep my family healthy?It is important to follow good hygiene practices, like washing hands, keeping dust and dirt out of the house, keeping dust down outside, and covering bare soil areas in your yard. Young children in Trail and Rivervale should have their blood lead levels tested each year, from the time they start crawling until 3 years of age. Interior Health’s Lead Health Program, led by Jacquie Johnson, has expertise, information and supports available to families with young children. Please read the Family Health Fact Sheet and, for more information, contact Jacquie Johnson at (250) 364-6223.