Why has an advisory on arsenic in soils been issued to the community of Falconbridge?
Letters on how to reduce arsenic exposure from soil were sent to all residents of Falconbridge on May 12, 2003. This action was taken by the Sudbury & District Medical Officer of Health because arsenic levels in Falconbridge soil samples are higher than levels found in soil samples from elsewhere in the City of Greater Sudbury, and there is no provincial human-health based guideline for arsenic levels in soils. Even though arsenic levels were elevated in Falconbridge, there are no expected immediate health concerns for residents. Studies done in other mining communities with similar or higher levels of arsenic in the soil have not shown any associated measurable health effects. .