Findings of the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project

About the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project

Launched in 2020, the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project was an assessment which studied the links between the environment and health in the community and focused on assessing exposures to chemicals in air.

It was developed in collaboration with Aamjiwnaang First Nation, provincial and federal government departments, health agencies, and with input from local community members, community groups, municipalities, and industry. Its aim was to help address concerns Sarnia area residents have about air pollutants emitted by industrial facilities and how industrial activities impact their quality of life.

The three components to the project were:

1. Air Exposure Review – The most comprehensive review of air pollutants ever undertaken in an Ontario community. The review assessed whether residents’ exposures to chemicals in air are high enough to be of concern to human health. This review was conducted by an independent team of consultants.
2. Plants Study – A comparative study of chemicals in medicinal plants growing in Aamjiwnaang First Nation and another First Nation community. This study was led by Aamjiwnaang First Nation, who worked with an academic partner at Toronto Metropolitan University.
3. Environmental Stressors Review – A review which characterized how quality of life is impacted by disturbances, such as noise, odour, vibrations, and night-time light, from industrial operations. This review was conducted by the ministry.

Highlights of Project findings

The Air Exposure Review looked at air quality information for hundreds of air pollutants released by local facilities. Results showed that most pollutants are not occurring at concentrations that would pose a health risk to people living in the Sarnia area. However, chemicals such as benzene, sulphur dioxide and fine particulate matter are at high enough levels in some areas to pose a health risk.

For Plants, the study found no evidence of toxic air pollutants building up in plants harvested in Aamjiwnaang First Nation and identified no health concerns.

The Environmental Stressors Review found that noise, vibration, odours, and night-time light from industrial operations impact quality of life and contribute to stress in nearby communities.

Importance of Project Findings

This work has helped to identify which neighbourhoods experience elevated health risk and which pollutants are the priorities from a health perspective. The project also identified information gaps for some pollutants.

The ministry continues to take action to reduce releases of benzene, sulphur dioxide and fine particulate matter from key sources in the area.

The project results are important to help further focus the ministry's policies, programs, and actions on air quality and environmental protection in the Sarnia area. We hope these findings will also be useful to others who share an interest in Sarnia air quality and environmental health.