1 F.A.Q.GENERAL

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 health and air quality goals for the community.

There are two phases - Phase 1 focuses on family, home & garden, and community health. A second phase will take place in the fall, covering property development, eco-system management and the overall program.

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 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 emissions goals. The Committee has proposed draft goals for your review, 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.

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

General F.A.Q.s

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

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 is proposing new health goals. We’d like to reduce the average blood lead for pre-schoolers 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 looking to improve air quality. (Note: Specifics to come in next draft.)

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 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 continuous quality improvement at Teck and dealing with 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. Where do I go for more info?You will find Fact Sheets on Family Health, Home & Garden, and Air Quality as well as public comment forms available on the website, www.thep.ca, and at the Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue. We’re also hosting a free public 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 Program Office, (250) 368- 3256, or on-line at www.thep.ca

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

7. 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 Program Office, 1319 Bay Avenue, Trail, V1R 4A7. You can also choose to fill in a specialized form for Family Health, Home & Garden and/or Air Quality.

You are invited to attend a free public dinner at The Colander at 6 p.m. 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!

8. How can I get more involved? You can attend meetings of the Trail Health & Environment Committee, which are open to the public.

You can participate in Phase 2 of this consultation in 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.

9. How is my local government involved?All local governments are invited to meetings of the Trail Health & Environment Committee. Prior to the consultation, local governments were briefed on the public consultation issues, the goals and Program changes, and had opportunities to comment, provide input, and ask questions.

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, in 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 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 pre-schoolers in Trail and Rivervale, because blood lead levels are highest in these areas. 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 high 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. What does it mean to have soil with metal levels above the BC standard? If the soil is 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 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.

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

13. What should I do if I live in an area where soil has high metal content?

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 Home & Garden Fact Sheet for information on soil testing, growing vegetable gardens, and reducing exposure to metals in your home and garden. If you have concerns, please contact the 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. 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. 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.

15. 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 Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue or (250) 368-3256.

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

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 Program Office, 1319 Bay Avenue. For more information, contact the 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 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 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

I am a building contractor or home renovator

Please contact the 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

16. 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. Over 90% of Trail & Rivervale pre-schoolers 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 Program Office at 1319 Bay Avenue or (250) 368-3256.

17. What does it mean to live with metals in soil & 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 have concerns, please contact Jacquie Johnson, Interior Health at (250) 364-6223 or the 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.

18. 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 over 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

Trail Area Health & Environment Program 2010

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 Johnson at (250) 364-6223.

19. What are the concerns about other metals?(Note: Text to be inserted in the next draft from a Powerpoint presentation that includes health messages on arsenic and cadmium.)

20. 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.