MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND PARKS HOSTS COMMUNITY MEETINGS

The Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project (SAEHP) initiative launched in 2020 with the aim of addressing concerns about potential health effects associated with environmental stressors in the Sarnia-Lambton community. The project consists of three key components: an air exposure review, plant study, and environmental stressor review of noise, odor, vibrations, and light.

Early work to scope a health study was carried out by the Lambton Community Health Study Board from 2008 to 2016, which resulted in a recommendation for the government to conduct a human health risk assessment. Planning for the SAEHP began in 2017 to further investigate the links between the environment and health in the community.

Community meetings for the SAEHP were held on June 7 at Aamjiwnaang First Nation and on June 8 in Sarnia. These information nights were open to community members and provided an opportunity to learn more about the project and receive updates on its status. The meetings were hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), who is overseeing the project.

Due to the global pandemic, the SAEHP has experienced some delays. However, the meetings in June offered community members the chance to ask questions and engage in open dialogue with project stakeholders, allowing them to stay informed and provide input. The project is expected to wrap up in the fall, bringing together the findings and recommendations based on the various components of the study. Additional community meetings will be held to share findings with the public once the full report is released.

To learn more about the SAEHP, visit the Clean Air Sarnia Area website: https://www.cleanairsarniaandarea.com/sarnia-area-environmental-health-project.aspx