Public Health Sudbury & Districts

10/29/2025

Elevated arsenic levels in the west part of House Lake

https://www.phsd.ca/elevated-arsenic-levels-in-the-west-part-of-house-lake/

On October 20, 2025, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) advised Public Health Sudbury & Districts that water samples collected by MECP from the west section of House Lake on August 8, 2024, had concentrations of arsenic that exceeded the Ontario Drinking Water Standards (ODWS). This location is near the abandoned McMillan Gold Mine.

MECP also shared that:

▪️Water samples collected from the east section of House Lake met the ODWS.
▪️Water flows from east to west in House Lake before flowing into Moose Lake.
▪️Water samples collected from Moose Lake also met the ODWS.

It is not expected that arsenic from the west end of House Lake would impact the east part of the lake, as the water flows from the eastern side to the west.

As a result, Public Health recommends that the water from the west end of House Lake not be consumed or used for food preparation unless it has been treated for arsenic. Water treatment systems are available from water treatment companies. Other options include an alternate water source or bottled water.

The risk for bathing or swimming in this water is low; however, individuals should avoid drinking the water during these activities.

With respect to fish consumption for House Lake and Moose Lake, Public Health recommends following the guidelines found in the most recent edition of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks’ Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish: https://www.ontario.ca/page/guide-eating-ontario-fish.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has installed mine hazard signage at the former McMillan Mine site in the north-west area of House Lake to inform and caution visitors about potential risks in the area. As high levels of arsenic were found in the tailings of the former McMillan Gold Mine, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and Public Health strongly recommend staying off the tailings area.

For questions regarding arsenic and health effects, please visit our website at phsd.ca or contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 464.

For questions regarding House Lake water sampling and the Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish, please contact the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks at 705.564.3237

For questions regarding the former McMillan Gold Mine tailings, please contact the Ministry of Energy and Mines at 705.507.6623 or minerehab@ontario.ca.

10/28/2025

Join our team!

▪️Clinical Dental Assistant #25-189

Learn about our current job opportunities and how to apply https://www.phsd.ca/join-us/

Join us if you want to become a part of a progressive, accredited public health agency that is committed to improving health and reducing social inequities in health through evidence-informed practice.

10/27/2025

The latest Public Health in Focus is now available! Check out the work of Public Health at https://www.phsd.ca/about/public-health-in-focus/

In this issue:
- Celebrating Environmental Public Health Week: Safe Spaces, Healthy Communities
- Our commitment to Francophone communities
- Strengthening to***co and va**ng laws to protect youth

10/27/2025

Join our team!

▪️Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Practitioner #25-192

Learn about our current job opportunities and how to apply https://www.phsd.ca/join-us/

Are you a highly motivated health professional? Join our team and contribute to our organizational mission of working with our communities to promote and protect health and prevent disease. Opportunities To see opportunities: On a desktop? When employment opportunities are available, they can be fou...

10/24/2025

Fall migration is underway. Help with avian influenza surveillance by reporting sick or dead birds or scavengers to the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative: 1-866-673-4781

10/24/2025

✨Our next Walk with a Doc is this SUNDAY, don’t miss out!✨

🗓️ Date: Sunday, October 26th
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Science North Patio
🎤 Guest Speaker: Dr. Mustafa Hirji
👩‍🏫Topic: Public Health: Learn About Your Role

With flu season around the corner, this is an especially important time to learn about how we can all play a role in keeping our community healthy.

As always, everyone is welcome—bring your friends, family, and walking shoes! 👟💙

🎁 Don’t forget — there’ll be fun prizes and giveaways for all ages! 🎁

About Dr. Hirji:

Dr. Mustafa Hirji (MD, MPH, FRCPC) is the Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer at Public Health Sudbury & Districts. He brings extensive experience from his years at Niagara Region Public Health, where he led the region’s COVID-19 response and advanced work on health equity, healthy public policy, and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Hirji is passionate about improving community health by addressing social determinants of health and strengthening partnerships across the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.

10/24/2025

Watch this month’s presentation to the Board of Health: Immunization in early childhood: Leveraging Technology, Delivering Results

https://youtu.be/cpg6b22rx9A

10/23/2025

One of our best defenses against avian influenza is implementing strong biosecurity measures. Learn more about the PPE recommended for those working with poultry and wild birds to prevent the spread:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-recommendations-personal-protective-equipment-workers-and

10/22/2025

Watch this month’s presentation to the Board of Health: Protecting Workers from Growing Food Insecurity, Exacerbated by US Tariffs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GpTn1npIsI

10/21/2025

Join our team!

▪️Manager – Human Resources #25-186

Learn about our current job opportunities and how to apply https://www.phsd.ca/join-us/

Join us if you want to become a part of a progressive, accredited public health agency that is committed to improving health and reducing social inequities in health through evidence-informed practice.

10/15/2025

Update on Glencore smelter dust event (October 15, 2025)
https://www.phsd.ca/update-on-glencore-smelter-dust-event/

In consultation with Public Health Ontario, Public Health Sudbury & Districts and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) have assessed the potential impacts from the estimated one cubic metre of dust that was discharged from the Glencore, Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations Smelter in Falconbridge between September 23 and September 24.

Results from samples collected by MECP in the community and at the smelter confirm that the dust was mostly comprised of metal oxides (iron, nickel, and copper) and smaller amounts of nickel-sulfur compounds, silicates, and other elements and compounds. The health effects of these compounds depend on the route, length, and intensity of exposure. If inhaled or left on the skin, the dust could have caused temporary and minor irritation (for example, red eyes, sore throat, runny nose, or rash). Since the dust is no longer being aerosolized and has been bound to soil or washed away, the risk of inhalation remains minimal. Surface water runoff continues to be collected in designated storm sewers and treated at Glencore’s treatment plant before being discharged to Coniston Creek. Since this was a short and limited release, no chronic or severe health effects are expected.

“We recognize that unexpected incidents like this are concerning,” said Dr. Emily Groot, Acting Associate Medical Officer of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “Protecting community health is our priority, and precautions were put in place while we investigated the event. Based on what we now know about the composition and amount of material released, no long-term health impacts are anticipated.”

Public Health continues to encourage washing hands after outdoor play or work. While it is unlikely the dust event will impact pre-existing soil conditions in Falconbridge, Public Health recommends that residents continue to take the following steps:

▪️ Wear gloves when gardening or handling produce, which can act as an additional physical barrier from the dust.
▪️ Practise 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.

If new information becomes available, Public Health will update these recommendations. Glencore will be hosting an information session for residents of Falconbridge on Thursday, October 16. Public Health will also be in attendance.

Community members affected by this release can contact Glencore’s Community Line at 705.693.2761, ext. 3989 or by email at sudburycommunity@glencore.ca for more information on the event.

For more information on the recommendations listed above, please call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).

10/14/2025

Join our team!

▪️IT Systems Specialist– Network and Security Infrastructure #25-150
▪️ IT Systems Specialist – Applications and Server Infrastructure #25-151

Learn about our current job opportunities and how to apply https://www.phsd.ca/join-us/

Are you a highly motivated health professional? Join our team and contribute to our organizational mission of working with our communities to promote and protect health and prevent disease. Opportunities To see opportunities: On a desktop? When employment opportunities are available, they can be fou...