Public Health Sudbury and Districts says people in the Falconbridge area of Greater Sudbury can resume normal activities, after some homes were coated in dust from the smelter last week.
On Sept. 23, the health unit said an estimated 1 cubic metre of dust was discharged from Glencore’s smelter in Falconbridge.
The health unit said it received preliminary results about the dust from Glencore on Friday and said the results of tests by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks are pending, “but since the dust is no longer being aerosolised and has been bound to soil or washed away, risk of inhalation is now minimal.”
“Residents can resume normal activities, taking simple precautions such as wearing a mask and gloves when cleaning dust, washing dust off skin, following gardening safety practices and checking or replacing air filters in furnaces or air conditioners,” Dr. Emily Groot, acting associate medical officer of health said in a release.
Those in Falconbridge who have gardens are asked by the health unit to take the following advice:
Wear gloves when gardening or handling produce, which can act as an additional physical barrier from the dust. Practice hand hygiene by washing hands after gardening and prior to eating to avoid any dust ingestion. Ensure dust is not tracked into the home after harvesting produce. Gardening tools, clothes and any items with excess dust should be washed with soap and water or left outside the home. Wash produce thoroughly using running water or soap and water. Discard the outer layers of leafy produce, as dust may have accumulated in these areas. Peel root vegetables prior to consumption.
The health unit also recommends people change their furnace filters.
It said further analysis of the dust samples will be shared when available.
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