Manitoba Health
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Heavy Metal Soil Study in Creighton and Flin Flon
October 2008
Manitoba Conservation, in partnership with Saskatchewan Environment, conducted surface soil testing in Flin Flon and Creighton in August 2006. Several elements, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, thallium, selenium, zinc and mercury, were found to be above recommended soil quality guidelines at a number of sites. A preliminary health risk assessment has estimated that the risk to human health is likely low, but that a more comprehensive assessment should be done. A further human health risk assessment is underway and should be completed by late spring of 2009.
What metals were found in Flin Flon and Creighton?
A total of 33 different soil metals and characteristics were measured in the soil in Creighton and Flin Flon along with soil at Bakers Narrows and Cranberry Portage.
Soil samples collected at certain locations in Flin Flon contained more arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, selenium, and thallium than recommended in Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the protection of human health. In Creighton, levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury were found to be above these guidelines in some of the test sites.
In general, the highest metal levels were recorded at sites in west Flin Flon (near and to the northeast of the smelter). The highest metal levels in Creighton were found in the northeast part of town, south of the tailings facility.
How did these heavy metals come to be in Flin Flon and Creighton?
Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting has operated a base metal mining and smelting facility in Flin Flon since 1930. The main sources of the metals are probably atmospheric emissions from the smelter smoke stack(s) as well as dust from the complex site and the tailings management area located north of Creighton.
What are the levels of metals in the soil in Flin Flon and Creighton?
A number of sites in Flin Flon and Creighton exceeded the Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for some metals.
- The highest metal levels were usually found on undeveloped land and boulevards.
- The highest levels were recorded at sites in Flin Flon – usually in the core area near the smelter and the northeast.
- Significant levels in Creighton were found in the northeast part of the community, south of the tailings management area.
- The metal levels decreased with distance away from the smelter.
Is my health at risk?
Based on the preliminary human health risk assessment, it has been estimated that health risks to area residents from the soil content are likely low. Unless large amounts of soil were inhaled or swallowed, it is unlikely that measurable abnormal levels of these substances, diseases or injury would be detected in the body.
The human health risk assessment currently underway is considering all routes of exposure and will assess the probability that a resident could be exposed to sufficient amounts to produce negative health outcomes. For precautionary measures to reduce soil exposures, please see “How can I reduce my exposures to these metals?”.
What are the symptoms of heavy metal exposure?
The symptoms of heavy metal toxicity can vary, depending on the type and duration of exposure. Most of the symptoms are not unique to heavy metal toxicity. In general, a person would have to have significant exposure to the soil (such as swallowing or inhaling large amounts of soil or dust over a period of time) before their health would be jeopardized.
The symptoms of significant exposure to heavy metals can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, easy bruising, pale skin colour and other skin changes and/or nerve symptoms (ex: “pins and needles” sensation or a gradual loss of feeling over time). Any of these types of symptoms are more likely to be caused by common conditions such as a viral infection, a gastrointestinal illness, anemia (ex: from low blood iron) or diabetes. In addition to these symptoms, significant exposure to some of these metals over time has been linked to other health effects, such as delayed brain development or increased risk of certain cancers.
How do heavy metals enter the body?
Elements such as these can enter our body through breathing, eating, drinking, or – to a lesser extent – having skin contact. For some elements, such as cadmium, only five to 10 per cent of the cadmium ingested actually gets absorbed in the body; virtually none of it gets absorbed through the skin. For smokers, most of the cadmium in the body is from cigarette smoke, not from environmental exposures.
What is a human health risk assessment?
A human health risk assessment determines the potential for adverse health outcomes due to environmental exposures. This scientific assessment is done to determine the potential, type and severity of health risks and will make recommendations as to what action, if any, should be taken.
The assessment considers exposure to soil, water, air and food and uses mathematical models to calculate the potential health risk. In addition to this method, other assessments such as routine health statistics, specific health surveys, and samples of blood, urine and hair can be used.
The risk assessment currently underway will be assessing the possible exposures from all sources to determine the overall exposure risk. Usually, the need for biological monitoring (testing of levels in humans) is determined after the comprehensive risk assessment is done.
When will this more complete human health risk assessment be completed?
Intrinsk Environmental Sciences Inc., a consulting firm contracted to do the study has extensive experience in human health risk assessments. The health risk assessment is underway and is expected to be completed in late spring of 2009.
Manitoba Conservation, Saskatchewan Environment, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, Manitoba Health and Healthy Living, Health Canada and the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company are participating in the Technical Advisory Committee which is guiding the risk assessment parameters. A Community Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from Creighton and Flin Flon, has been meeting to provide community input on the study.
What about air exposure? Is my water safe to drink?
Air levels of some metals are monitored at various locations in Flin Flon and Creighton. The air quality in both communities has improved over the years. However, outdoor air levels of some metals such as arsenic have sometimes exceeded air quality guidelines, especially in the "uptown" area of Flin Flon. Manitoba Conservation is working with the company to try and reduce these emissions.
The human health risk assessment underway has included further testing of metals in water, and will determine if this contributes to health risk. None of the residential water samples had levels of metals above guidelines for human health.
What about other substances in the air (other than metals)?
Sulphur dioxide and particulate matter in the air are monitored at various sites in Flin Flon and Creighton. Although the air quality has improved since the 1990s, there are still instances when the air quality guidelines are exceeded, especially in the "uptown" area of Flin Flon. Elevated levels of particulate matter can also be the result of forest fires or chimney smoke from residential wood-burning during certain weather conditions.
Increased levels of air pollutants have been shown to aggravate or lead to lung and heart conditions. Keeping the air quality within guideline levels is recommended. When air quality guidelines are exceeded for sulphur dioxide, community alerts are issued and residents are asked to their reduce exposure to reduce the risk of health impacts.
Manitoba Conservation is working with the company to try and reduce emissions. You can track current sulphur dioxide levels in outdoor air quality for Flin Flon and Creighton online.
Can my children play in playgrounds? In our backyard?
Yes. The preliminary health assessment indicates that the risk to human health is likely low. However, Manitoba Health and Healthy Living and Saskatchewan Health remind parents and children to take usual hygiene precautions to reduce exposure to soil by encouraging children to keep their hands out of their mouths when playing outside and washing hands after outside activities.
We garden and pick wild fruits and vegetables in this area. Are they safe to eat?
For area residents who keep gardens, a study completed by Manitoba Conservation in 2002 found that although some vegetables accumulated certain metals, the levels were below what would be considered harmful. It is the same for wild fruits and vegetables. Potential heavy metal exposure due to consuming local produce will be examined as part of the human health risk assessment currently underway.
Washing all garden produce and peeling root vegetables before cooking can reduce soil exposure. If you are working in your yard or garden, hand washing or wearing garden gloves will reduce exposure.
Is it safe to eat any fish and/or wild game from around Flin Flon and Creighton?
Free ranging game animals and game birds in Manitoba are generally in good health and are usually safe for human consumption. The human health risk assessment will include further testing of nearby lakes and hunting areas. Based on the preliminary testing results, it is believed that the health risk to eating local fish and game is low and is likely outweighed by the benefits.
If you have any questions about the safety of the fish or game from the Creighton/Flin Flon area, please talk to your local conservation officer.
How can I reduce my exposure to these metals?
The preliminary assessment information indicates that the risk to human health is likely low. However, as a precautionary measure, the following measures can be taken to reduce exposure to soil:
- Wash your hands after outside activities, such as playing and gardening, before handling and eating food, or smoking.
- Wear gloves when working outside.
- Wear certain clothing only for outdoor play, work and gardening, and remove that clothing when going inside.
- Keep children’s toys, play areas and surfaces clean.
- Clean stroller and bike wheels to avoid tracking soil indoors.
- Remind children to keep their hands out of their mouths when playing outside.
- Remove shoes and boots at the door.
- Wet-mop/wet-wipe when dusting where possible (vacuuming and sweeping can raise dust levels).
- Clean heat ducts and furnace filters regularly.
- Brush and/or wash pets often and outdoors, removing dirt before they enter the home.
- Wash all locally-grown produce with soap and water and peel root crops (carrots, potatoes, turnips, etc.) before eating or cooking.
The risk of exposure to heavy metals in soil decreases with snow cover.
Key healthy living activities that have been shown to improve health include: avoiding direct and indirect exposure to tobacco, eating a healthy and balanced diet, keeping physically and mentally active and maintaining a healthy weight.
I think I have been exposed to heavy metals. What should I do?
If you have concerns about heavy metal exposure, discuss this with your family doctor.
Will the community be tested for heavy metals using hair testing? Nail testing? Urine sampling? Blood samples?
The human health risk assessment which is currently underway will determine whether biological testing of community residents for heavy metal exposure should be done. Current exposure for some metals can be measured in the urine, blood, hair or nails, depending on the metal of interest.
If this plant has been in operation since the 1930s, why are the tests just being done now?
There have been several studies conducted in the Flin Flon area since environmental monitoring began in the 1970s. Manitoba Conservation studied the lead levels in boulevard soils in 1983. The University of Winnipeg and Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting conducted garden studies in 1990s and Manitoba Conservation completed a garden study in 2002.
These studies suggested that levels of metals and other elements might be elevated in Creighton and Flin Flon. Manitoba Conservation decided this required further investigation and designed a systematic soil survey for the area.
The soil study was conducted with three principle objectives:
- determine the concentrations of metals and other elements in surface soil in Flin Flon, Creighton and area;
- map the distribution of metals and other elements; and
- provide a preliminary assessment of the results by comparing the area concentration data to existing, national environmental quality guidelines.
The soil study was released in July 2007.
Has anyone become ill as a result of being exposed to soil in Flin Flon and Creighton?
Most health conditions have multiple risk factors, including smoking, alcohol, diet and physical activity and it can be difficult to determine simple cause and effect. For example, arsenic has been linked to lung cancers, but it is estimated that about 90 per cent of lung cancers in Canada are related to tobacco smoke, other causes include radon in homes, occupational exposures and air pollution.
Manitoba Health and Healthy Living and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health are currently conducting a health assessment study looking at a number of health conditions in Flin Flon and Creighton and comparing those results to other areas of the provinces, to determine if these results are significantly different.
How many sites were sampled in the Manitoba Conservation survey?
There were 93 test sites in Flin Flon and 13 test sites in Creighton. Sample sites included public lands including boulevards, parks, playgrounds, schoolyards, vacant lots and other undeveloped lands within each community. Further samples have been taken from the front and back yards at various locations in Creighton and Flin Flon during the fall of 2007 as part of the human health risk assessment.
As a Flin Flon/Creighton resident, should I get my property tested for heavy metal levels?
In October 2007, soils were sampled at 200 residential properties from all areas of Flin Flon and Creighton to provide data for the human health risk assessment currently underway. No further soil sampling and analyses are being considered at this time. The human health risk assessment is expected to determine if any more testing should be done. For more information about the soil testing that has been done to date, please contact Manitoba Conservation or Saskatchewan Environment.
What are the plans to improve soils in the Flin Flon area?
In August 2008, the Manitoba Government announced a program for soil improvement at 10 Flin Flon parks/playgrounds which had tested high for metals. This early work is a precautionary measure to protect young children using the parks. Up to $150,000 will be invested on the two sites where work commenced in September 2008. Soil improvements to the remaining eight parks are expected to begin in the spring of 2009.
Other programs such as the Flin Flon Green Project are improving the soils and natural ecosystems in the Flin Flon area. Government support to this program will be continued and enhanced.
Once the comprehensive human health risk assessment is complete, further actions will be considered by Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, the communities of Flin Flon and Creighton, as well as the involved government departments from both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The human health risk assessment is expected to be complete in late spring of 2009.
Links
For Your Health Fact Sheet: Heavy Metal Soil Study in Creighton and Flin Flon 
Manitoba Conservation: July 2007 Soil Metals – full report
Manitoba Conservation: July 2007 Soil Metals - summary of report
Manitoba Government News Release:
“FLIN FLON PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS TO BE IMPROVED: PREMIER”
Manitoba Health & Healthy Living: Environmental Health
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health
Flin Flon Soils Human Health Risk Assessment website
Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting
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