Porcupine Health Unit is…

Porcupine Health Unit is writing to provide comment on the site-specific sulphur dioxide (SO2) standard request by Glencore Canada Corporation for the Kidd concentrator facility in Timmins, Ontario. The Porcupine Health Unit acknowledges the importance of regulating air contaminants in Ontario to protect the health of local communities.1,2 We have reviewed the proposal submitted by Glencore Canada Corporation for a site-specific standard for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and we recognize the potential health impacts associated with this pollutant.3 We appreciate the efforts made by Glencore to comply with Ontario's air standards and their commitment to reducing sulphur dioxide emissions from their facility. However, we are concerned that the proposed site-specific standard of 690 micrograms per cubic metre (1-hour) for a period of five years may not adequately protect the health of local communities.

The request for a site-specific sulphur dioxide air standard should be considered in the context of the potential health impacts on the surrounding communities. Sulphur dioxide is a hazardous air pollutant that can cause serious health impacts, including respiratory and cardiovascular effects.3,4 Persons with asthma, about 9% of the Canadian population, are especially vulnerable, along with sensitive populations such as children and those with pre-existing respiratory disease.4,5 Exposure to sulphur dioxide can cause breathing problems, respiratory illness, and worsening respiratory and cardiovascular disease.5,6 For adults with asthma, these symptoms can appear with as little as 0.2 parts per million exposure in 5 to 10 minutes of outside exercise.3 Long-term exposure can exacerbate existing heart and lung conditions and is associated with greater all cause mortality.3,7 It is crucial to consider the potential health impacts of the proposed site-specific standard. The current national ambient air quality objective for sulphur dioxide is 70 parts per billion (0.070 parts per million) average per day.8 This objective is based on the best available scientific evidence to protect human health and the environment. Allowance of this site-specific standard request for sulphur dioxide would stray from the national objective.

Porcupine Health Unit strongly recommends that the proposed standard is reviewed and assessed based on the best available scientific evidence with consideration for possible health impacts. The proposed standard should be set at a level that ensures the protection of human health and the environment. We encourage Glencore Canada Corporation to consider implementing additional measures to further reduce their emissions and protect the health of the surrounding population. We also request that the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks carefully consider the potential health impacts of this proposal before making a decision. In conclusion, we believe that it is crucial to prioritize the health and safety of local communities and ensure that appropriate air standards are enforced to protect community well-being.

References:
1. Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. (2016). Local air quality regulation. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r15419
2. Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. (2014). Air quality in Ontario: 2013 report. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/air-quality-ontario#section-1
3. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. (‎2021)‎. Review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution: REVIHAAP project: technical report. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/341712
4. Health Canada. (2016). Human Health Risk Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide: Executive Summary. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-li…
5. Statistics Canada. (2022). Table 13-10-0096-08 Asthma, by age group. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310009608
6. Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. (2022). Air Quality in Ontario 2020 Report. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/document/air-quality-ontario-2020-report/key-air…
7. Kobayashi Y, Santos JM, Mill JG, Reis Junior NC, Andreão WL, de A. Albuquerque TT, Stuetz RM. (2020). Mortality risks due to long-term ambient sulphur dioxide exposure: large variability of relative risk in the literature. Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
8. Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2023). Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Population exposure to outdoor air pollutants Retrieved from www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indi….
9. Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Population exposure to outdoor air pollutants. Consulted on April 24, 2023.