The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Highlights from the 2010 Flin Flon Soils Study and a follow-up study released this week: Blood lead levels in young children who were tested fell by about half between 2009 and 2012. Children's blood lead levels in both 2009 and 2012 were significantly below the level at which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends action to limit lead exposure. In terms of lessening lead exposure, the most significant development between 2009 and 2012 was the closure of Hudbay's copper smelter, but other initiatives were undertaken. Blood lead levels in Flin Flon's uptown area, and nearby, were higher in both 2009 and 2012 in comparison to the rest of Flin Flon and all of Creighton. Environmental levels of mercury and arsenic were not found to be influenced by unnatural factors. No health-related justification was found for removing metal-contaminated soil from area properties. While the research was funded by Hudbay, extensive public and government oversight helped ensure independent findings. Efforts to further limit lead exposure, including a handwashing campaign starring superhero Mighty Bubble, will continue. The research was borne out of a 2007 provincial study that found in Flin Flon soil levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium and thallium were above recommended guidelines for the protection of human health.
