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Frequently Asked Questions

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Health FAQ

Are there other metals in Trail, besides lead, that residents should be aware of?
Is it safe to eat snow?
Why do children from Warfield, Waneta, Casino and Oasis need annual blood lead testing? What has changed over time?
Are we ever going to reach a safe blood lead level in Trail?
Why is the blood lead clinic in September?
If lead is most harmful for children up to the age of six, why do you only recommend testing for children up to the age of three?
Why should I get my children’s blood lead tested every year?
How can I get my child’s elevated blood lead level down?
Why is my child’s blood lead level elevated?
What should I do if I want to get my child’s blood lead level tested?
Who should have their blood lead tested?
What does an elevated blood lead level mean for children and why is that important to know?
How do blood lead levels in Trail compare with blood lead levels across Canada and in the U.S.?
What is the average blood lead level in Trail?
What is the Healthy Families Healthy Homes visit?
I have young children. Is there a specific program for me?
What can I do to keep my family healthy in a community with a smelter?
Is it safe for my family to live in Trail?
I am a healthcare provider and want to understand why lead is a potential concern in the Trail area?
What does this mean for my patients? What are the health issues related to lead exposure?
What Communities/Area does THEP include?
What can families and health-care providers do to support lead exposure prevention?
Where do I learn more or refer a patient?
Why is lead a potential health concern in the Trail area?
What should I know about lead if I am expecting?
Why should I inform myself about lead (Pb) when my family is expecting?
What supports are available to us before baby arrives?
What can I do to reduce lead (Pb) exposure?
I work in a Pb-based industry and I/my partner is expecting. Should I be concerned?
What are the potential effects of elevated blood lead levels in children later in life?
What studies have been done in Trail investigating Pb exposure for pregnant women and newborns?
Why is the focus on young children?
What have we achieved for children’s health?
Why is iron important in reducing lead uptake?
What are some iron-rich foods I can feed my children?
How can I improve my nutrition to reduce lead uptake?
Material Supports for Area 1 (September 30, 2025)

Soil FAQ

How much time will the soil management work take on a block?
Won’t lead exposure increase if the entire block is being dug up?
What is THEP’s soil management pilot block initiative?
How have you selected the blocks for the pilot initiative?
Why are you carrying out the pilot block initiative now?
Why was my block not chosen? How do I get on the list for the pilot block initiative?
When will my block be selected?
There are kids on my block and kids spend time in my yard. Why didn’t you select it for the pilot block initiative?
Why are you remediating an entire block in this neighbourhood when some properties in other neighbourhoods are still waiting for soil replacement?
Are you only doing the soil program because the Ministry of Environment told you to?
I live in a neighbouring community to the Environmental Management Area. Can I get my soil tested?
Is the Environmental Management Area the same as THEP’s Soil Management Area?
What is the Environmental Management Area?
What is a Wide Area Remediation Plan and what does it mean for the Trail area?
Are my pets safe from lead in soil?
Have boulevards been tested for lead?
Are unpaved alleys in Trail a source of lead?
Is it safe to play in parks and playgrounds in Trail?
How is soil at daycare facilities addressed?
How is soil at schools addressed?
We hired a contractor and they will be disturbing our soil. What does the contractor need to know?
Can I dump my soil somewhere rather than get it tested?
Why do we need to get soil tested before taking it to the landfill? What contaminants may exist?
What should I do if I want to move soil out of my yard?
Is it safe to forage for plants to eat throughout the Trail area?
Is it safe to plant berries in contaminated soil?
What lead levels are a concern for garden soil?
What should I do if I want my garden soil tested?
Is it safe for me to grow and eat vegetables grown in Trail?
Is it safe to construct a sand play area on top of contaminated soil?
What steps can I take if my soil cannot be replaced due to access or other issues?
What about cases where renters want soil management, but landlords do not?
How will soil management affect property values?
Why is my yard not being addressed when my neighbour’s property is?
When will properties only occupied by adults and children older than 12 receive soil management?
Will all properties with contaminated soil be addressed eventually?
Are your prioritization criteria intended to indicate ‘safe’ lead levels?
How is the presence of children defined?
Can you tell me about your prioritization criteria?
Can you address the soil on my property sooner?
How many properties has THEP addressed and how can you increase the pace to reach more properties?
Will removing soil just cause more dust and increase exposure?
Won’t the soil just get re-contaminated over time?
Our yard is having its soil replaced. What steps can we take to protect our family from exposure to lead before, during, and after the soil replacement activities?
How long does it take to get soil replaced?
Who is paying for soil management?
How do I get on the list for soil management?
What is a ground-cover evaluation?
I had my soil replaced years ago. Should I have my soil tested again?
I had my soil tested years ago. Should I have my yard tested again?
How do I find out if my soil has previously been tested?
Do I have to disclose my soil results if I sell my house?
What do these soil test result numbers mean?
How much soil do you take to test?
What is the cost for testing soil and associated next steps?
What is the cost for soil testing and disposal?
When can I get my soil tested if I am planning a yard or garden project this year?
Am I legally required to have my soil tested?
Why should I get my soil tested?
Who is eligible for soil testing?
What does it mean if I live in THEP’s Soil Management Area?
Do I live in THEP’s Soil Management Area?
What is THEP’s soil assessment and testing?
What are the regulatory standards that this plan is based on?
How does the soil management program work?
What does it mean to live with metals in soil?
How is lead in the soil being addressed?
Why is a soil management plan necessary?
What is the Soil Management Program?
What is THEP soil management?
I’m developing a property in Trail. What support is provided by THEP?
What is THEP’s Property Development Program?
What is the process to have soil addressed during property development?
What types of soil management solutions might be used?
Who pays for soil management during property development?
What are Metal Contaminated Soils?
Parks
- Is it safe to play in parks and playgrounds in Trail?

Built Environments FAQ

How can I tell if my shop vac is leaking?
How do I get a free vacuum cleaner?
What should I do if I want to reduce dust in my home?
Why is the dust in and around homes a concern in the Trail region?
Is drinking water a source of lead exposure in Trail?
What actions can I take to reduce my family’s exposure to lead in dust?
What should I do if I want to renovate my home?
What should I do if I am a building contractor or professional home renovator?
How do I know if the paint in my home contains lead?
How can I be lead safe when cleaning the gutters?
How can I contain dust when removing roofing materials?
Why has THEP starting testing paint?
Why do I need my paint tested?
Am I required to disclose the results if paint at my home is found to contain lead?
What should I do if lead is detected in paint in my home?
I have lead in paint in my home and I’m starting a renovation. What should I do?
How do I dispose of products or building materials containing lead in paint?
What about paint on the exterior of my home?
I’ve had my soil tested/replaced. Can I still have my paint tested for lead?
Does THEP carry out lead abatement services?
What support can I receive as a senior that may have lead in paint in my home?
Why is THEP doing lead in paint testing?
What will THEP do with the data it gathers from SPS?
Can homeowners ask for paint testing without soil testing?
Besides homeowners, who else can benefit from information about paint testing?
What are the current standards for identifying lead in paint?
Why is THEP reporting on ‘lead in paint’ rather than ‘lead-based paint’?
Material Supports for Area 1 (September 30, 2025)
Paint

About THEP FAQ

What do I need to know about the rail line to the fertilizer plant?
How did COVID-19 affect THEP’s work?
What was the Trail Lead Task Force and the Trail Lead Program?
What can other communities in proximity to smelting and mining industries learn from Trail’s experience?
What would you like people outside the region to know about Trail?
How do I learn more about Teck’s environmental efforts in Trail?
How important is collaboration to reducing exposure to lead in the community?
How would you describe the progress that has been made to reduce the risk of lead exposure in the community? What have been some of the key milestones?
How would you describe the importance of the smelter to the community?
What studies have been done?
How can I get more involved?
Why are community members on the THEC?
How is my local government involved?
How are the City of Trail and other local governments involved in THEC?
Who sits on the Trail Area Health & Environment Committee (THEC)?
What is THEC?
How many families are supported by THEP each year?
How is THEP’s work paid for? How much of THEP’s budget comes from Teck, the Province, and the City of Trail?
What exactly does each area of THEP focus on?
How is THEP implemented?
Who are the THEP partners?
What are the areas in THEP?
What is the purpose of the Trail Area Health & Environment Program (THEP)?
What is the Trail Area Health & Environment Program (THEP)?

Air FAQ

What is sulphur dioxide (SO2)?
Why do we have SO2 in Trail?
How does SO2 affect my health?
What are the long-term risks of SO2 exposure?
How do I know if I am sensitive to SO2?
Who is at the highest risk of SO2 exposure?
What actions can I take to reduce potential health effects of SO2?
What are the SO2 levels in Trail?
Where is SO2 monitored in Trail?
What is Teck doing to reduce SO2 emissions?
How does Teck Trail Operations use data to manage SO2 levels in Trail?
Who regulates Teck with respect to SO2?
What are the applicable standards for SO2?
What is Lead (Pb)?
How does Pb affect my health?
Why do we have lead (Pb) in Trail?
Who is at highest risk of lead (Pb) exposure?
What are the amounts of Pb in outdoor air in Trail and what are the applicable standards?
Where is lead (Pb) in air monitored?
How does Teck Trail Operations use data to manage lead (Pb) levels in air in Trail?
What is Teck doing to reduce lead (Pb) emissions?
Who regulates Teck’s lead (Pb) emissions?
How does Teck share air quality information locally?
If I have a concern about air quality or health, who do I contact?
What are the concerns about lead?
What actions can I take to reduce my family’s exposure to lead in dust?
What is lead (Pb) in airborne dust and how does it affect the community?
What is fugitive dust and how is it being managed at the smelter?
How does lead enter the body?

_Internal FAQ

Is it safe to eat snow?
Why do children from Warfield, Waneta, Casino and Oasis need annual blood lead testing? What has changed over time?
Are we ever going to reach a safe blood lead level in Trail?
Why is the blood lead clinic in September?
If lead is most harmful for children up to the age of six, why do you only recommend testing for children up to the age of three?
How can I get my child’s elevated blood lead level down?
Why is my child’s blood lead level elevated?
Who should have their blood lead tested?
What does an elevated blood lead level mean for children and why is that important to know?
How do blood lead levels in Trail compare with blood lead levels across Canada and in the U.S.?
What is the average blood lead level in Trail?
I have young children. Is there a specific program for me?
How do I get a free vacuum cleaner?
What do I need to know about the rail line to the fertilizer plant?
How did COVID-19 affect THEP’s work?
What was the Trail Lead Task Force and the Trail Lead Program?
What would you like people outside the region to know about Trail?
How do I learn more about Teck’s environmental efforts in Trail?
How would you describe the progress that has been made to reduce the risk of lead exposure in the community? What have been some of the key milestones?
How would you describe the importance of the smelter to the community?
How are the City of Trail and other local governments involved in THEC?
How is THEP’s work paid for? How much of THEP’s budget comes from Teck, the Province, and the City of Trail?
What exactly does each area of THEP focus on?
What are the areas in THEP?
Are you only doing the soil program because the Ministry of Environment told you to?
I live in a neighbouring community to the Environmental Management Area. Can I get my soil tested?
Is the Environmental Management Area the same as THEP’s Soil Management Area?
What is the Environmental Management Area?
Have boulevards been tested for lead?
How is soil at schools addressed?
Can I dump my soil somewhere rather than get it tested?
Is it safe to forage for plants to eat throughout the Trail area?
Is it safe to plant berries in contaminated soil?
What lead levels are a concern for garden soil?
Is it safe to construct a sand play area on top of contaminated soil?
What steps can I take if my soil cannot be replaced due to access or other issues?
What about cases where renters want soil management, but landlords do not?
How will soil management affect property values?
Why is my yard not being addressed when my neighbour’s property is?
When will properties only occupied by adults and children older than 12 receive soil management?
Are your prioritization criteria intended to indicate ‘safe’ lead levels?
Can you address the soil on my property sooner?
How many properties has THEP addressed and how can you increase the pace to reach more properties?
Will removing soil just cause more dust and increase exposure?
Won’t the soil just get re-contaminated over time?
Our yard is having its soil replaced. What steps can we take to protect our family from exposure to lead before, during, and after the soil replacement activities?
How long does it take to get soil replaced?
How do I get on the list for soil management?
I had my soil replaced years ago. Should I have my soil tested again?
I had my soil tested years ago. Should I have my yard tested again?
Do I have to disclose my soil results if I sell my house?
What do these soil test result numbers mean?
How much soil do you take to test?
What is the cost for soil testing and disposal?
Am I legally required to have my soil tested?
Why should I get my soil tested?
How does the soil management program work?
What are Metal Contaminated Soils?
Why is THEP doing lead in paint testing?
What will THEP do with the data it gathers from SPS?
Can homeowners ask for paint testing without soil testing?
Besides homeowners, who else can benefit from information about paint testing?
Updating FAQ / Documentation
History of THRC and pathway / transition to present (Dr. Karin Goodison).
Material Supports for Area 1 (September 30, 2025)

Style Guide and Templates

THEP Visual Identity Guidelines
What is THEP Diagram
THEP Letterhead Template
THEC Letterhead Template
THEP Presentation Template (PPT)
THEP Report Templates
THEP and THEC Logo Packages

Home
Documentation
_Internal FAQ
Is it safe to forage for plants to eat throughout the Trail area?

Is it safe to forage for plants to eat throughout the Trail area?

THEP hasn’t specifically tested foraged foods for metals content. Be aware that foraged foods may contain metals from soil or dust.

What should I do if I want to move soil out of my yard?Is it safe to plant berries in contaminated soil?

250-368-3256

programs@thep.ca

1319 Bay Avenue, Trail V1R 4A7

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THEP has a regular newsletter that is delivered twice a year by Canada Post to residences in Trail, Casino, Oasis, Rivervale, Waneta and Warfield. The newsletter helps keep local families up-to-date on events, news, and programs in the area. If you would like to request a PDF version of the newsletter be sent to you by email, please fill out the form below. We won’t share your email address with anyone.

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