AIR

According to the US Centre for Disease Control, ingestion is the main route of exposure to lead (Pb) for children, and the route that most commonly leads to elevated blood lead levels.

This is true for any community and is not specific to communities with a lead smelter.

Children are at greater risk of ingesting lead as they often put hands and objects in their mouth. 

Inhalation can be an exposure pathway for workers in lead industries, “do-it-yourself” home renovators, persons with hobbies (stained glass making/soldering), people who smoke and children exposed to second hand smoke. Absorption into the skin is a less common and rare exposure pathway. 

Fugitive dust is an air quality term used to describe an emission which does not pass through a stack. At the smelter in Trail, this is dust that escapes the smelter site from stockpiles, open handling of materials, buildings and vehicle traffic. Fugitive dust is not stack emissions. Fugitive dust is a source of lead (Pb) in airborne dust. 

Teck Trail Operations manages fugitive dust at the smelter mainly by investing in initiatives to reduce fugitive dust on roads, in open mix areas, and in buildings. Some examples include improved road cleaning and dust suppressant, installing a windfence as well as wheel washes. They also focus on monitoring and real-time behaviour changes within the operation. See additional FAQ for more on fugitive dust reduction efforts. 

Dust particles present in smelter emissions contain lead (Pb). Dust particles in the air that contain Pb is referred to as ‘lead in airborne dust’. This lead in airborne dust may travel from the smelter site and settle in the community as part of the dust and soil. In Trail, lead in airborne dust originating at the smelter site can come from fugitive dust emissions (e.g. stockpiles, open handling of materials, buildings and vehicle traffic) and stack emissions. Bare soils, deteriorating older paint, and other industries in the community can also add to Pb in airborne dust.  

Primary prevention is the most effective way to prevent lead exposure. Actions you can take to reduce the risk of lead exposure include:

• Wash your hands and your children’s hands especially before eating and after playing outdoors.
• Eat foods that have enough iron and other vitamins and minerals. A person who eats a balanced, nutritious diet may absorb less lead. Eat at the table.
• Keep your floors dust-free by vacuuming and damp-mopping often. Leave outside shoes at the door. Damp dust frequently, especially window ledges and countertops.
• Keep outdoor play areas clean. Cover the sandbox when you are finished playing. Hose off patios, play equipment, and driveways often. Play on the grass and cover bare soil areas.
• Renovate safely. Seal off the area of work, use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and clean well when complete. Keep children and pregnant women away if possible.

Secondary prevention including blood lead testing and follow-up minimizes further exposure. Trail offers an annual voluntary blood lead testing clinic for children under five years old.

Lead exposure can have detrimental effects on early childhood development and children’s future outcomes. Lead is most harmful to young children under the age of six. A pregnant woman who is exposed to lead can pass it to her baby through the mother’s breast milk. For children, there is no known safe level of lead exposure and no known safe blood lead concentration.

Most lead enters the body through the mouth via eating, drinking or breathing in dust containing lead. Young children are at a higher risk for lead exposure and its effects because:

• They often put their hands and objects in their mouths.
• They sometimes swallow non-food items.
• Their bodies absorb lead at a higher rate.
• Their brains are developing quickly.

Still, there are actions you can take to help reduce your family’s exposure to lead. 

Residents who have concerns about air quality are encouraged to call the Teck Community and Environment Feedback line at (250) 364-4817, a phone line answered 24 hours a day. 

If you have a health concern specific to lead exposure, please contact THEP Family Health Services at the Kiro Wellness Centre 250-364-5945 or text your public health nurse 250-231-5945.

Learn more about Pb and health here.

Teck shares summary information at the bi-monthly Trail Area Health & Environment Committee (THEC) meetings which are open to the public. All air quality reports are also published online at thep.ca.  Lastly, Teck participates in the THEC Air Quality Working Group to share more detailed information on air quality management at Teck and in the community.

Teck smelter’s aerial emissions (stack and fugitive) are regulated under permits issued by the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV). 

Over the past 30 years, there have been significant improvements in community air quality and over $1.7 billion has been invested in a modernization program to improve operational and environmental performance at Teck Trail Operations. Since the installation of the KIVCET Smelter in 1997 and subsequent operations improvements at Teck Trail Operations, there has been a 99.5% reduction in stack lead emissions.

The Air Quality Program, one of several programs overseen by the Trail Area Health & Environment Committee, is managed by Teck Trail Operations, and continues to reduce lead in the environment through the comprehensive Fugitive Dust Reduction Program.

Fugitive dust reduction efforts include:

• construction of the Smelter Recycle Building, close to the size of two Canadian football fields, to enclose mixing and storage of process feed materials;
• installation of a ten-metre high wind fence reducing dusting where feed materials are mixed;
• installation of wheel washes and truck washes onsite to help reduce tracking of materials onto roads;
• onsite street cleaning, via street sweepers and water trucks, provide a year-round program of roadway sweeping and flushing; and,
• identification and reduction of fugitive dust sources from work activities in Teck’s operating plants. 

Every hour, analyzers measure metals concentrations at Butler Park and Duncan Flats. Near real-time data is transmitted to Teck Trail Operations’ process control systems. If lead (Pb) levels begin to rise, plants at Teck Trail Operations are automatically notified so that actions can be taken to reduce Pb emissions.

Teck conducts the following monitoring in the community: 

• Measures of lead, arsenic and other particles in the air are taken at two testing locations in the Lower Columbia: Butler Park and Birchbank. Readings are taken over 24-hour periods.

This information is collected and analyzed by Teck’s environment staff and reported to the Ministry of Environment and Parks as well as the Trail Area Health & Environment Committee (THEC). THEC meetings are open to the public, occur five times per year, and include an air quality report with the most current data available.

In addition to the 24-hour samples collected at Butler Park and Birchbank, Teck also conducts the following monitoring:

• Every hour, analyzers measure metals concentrations at Butler Park and Duncan Flats and transmit readings directly to Trail Operations. Trail Operations immediately responds to any abnormal increase. See additional FAQ to learn how these data are used.
• Dustfall measurements are collected on a monthly basis at Birchbank, Downtown Trail, Columbia Avenue, Columbia Gardens, Tadanac, Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, Glenmerry, Oasis, Stoney Creek, Waneta and Warfield. These measurements help understand changes in dust settling in the community over time. 

The amount of lead (Pb) in outdoor air in Trail is measured at two locations, Butler Park and Birchbank. Data from Butler Park, a park in the heart of the community and closest to the smelter, is shown in Figure 1 indicated by the blue line. 

At this time, Federal and BC Provincial governments do not have ambient air quality objectives or standards for Pb; however, it is reasonable to rely on standards from other jurisdictions when this is the case. The green dashed line in Figure 1 indicates 0.15 μg/m3 on a 3-month average (US EPA standard). The Butler Park monitoring station has met the US EPA standard since 2020. 

Summary reports are provided at the bi-monthly public Trail Area Health & Environment Committee (THEC) meetings. Meeting minutes include the air quality reports and are available online.

There is no known safe level of Pb exposure. The Trail Area Health & Environment Committee (THEC) has a goal of continuous reduction of Pb in the community and the partners focus on efforts to achieve this. 

Young children are at highest risk of lead (Pb) exposure and its effects because:

• They often put their hands and objects in their mouths.
• They sometimes swallow non-food items.
• Their bodies absorb lead at a higher rate.
• Their brains are developing quickly.

Pregnant women exposed to lead can pass it to the baby. Lead can also be passed to a baby through the mother’s breast milk.

In addition to lead (Pb) contributions from historical use of products such as lead-based paint and leaded gasoline, Trail is home to one of the world’s largest Pb and zinc smelting and refining facilities, in operation for over one hundred years. Dust particles present in smelter emissions contain Pb. During operations, these particles can settle on surfaces in the Trail area as part of the dust and soil.

The amount of Pb currently contained in Teck’s stack emissions is low. Although fugitive dust emissions (see additional FAQ for definition) have also been significantly reduced, the main focus for further lowering lead levels in the Trail area remains on these fugitive dust emissions from onsite materials handling and vehicle traffic.

Continuous improvement is a key component of Teck Trail Operations Environmental Management System (ISO14001). Measurements of Pb in airborne dust help to understand levels of Pb in the community and inform environmental improvements.

Lead exposure can have detrimental effects on early childhood development and children’s future outcomes. Lead is most harmful to children younger than age 6 and especially those younger than age 3. During pregnancy, small amounts of lead can sometimes pass from a mother to her baby. It’s also possible for lead to be passed to a baby through breast milk. There is no known safe level of lead exposure. Taking steps to reduce lead exposure can help keep both mom and baby safe. Visit thep.ca to learn more.

Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. You can find lead in various products such as vehicle batteries, radiation protection and soundproofing.

Air quality is managed to protect the environment and human health relative to BC’s Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) and the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS). For SO₂, BC AQO are the same as the CAAQS; more information about these standards can be found at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/air/reports-pub/fs_so2_caaqs.pdf

BC uses these benchmarks to guide regulatory decisions, including permitting of discharges to air, to assess air quality, issue public advisories, aid regulatory development and support long-term air management strategies.

Teck Trail Operations operates under permits established by the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV).

In addition to reducing emissions, near real-time data is transmitted to Teck Trail Operations’ process control systems. If SO₂ levels begin to rise (such as during a temperature inversion or during periods of higher emissions), plants at Teck Trail Operations are automatically notified so that actions can be taken to further reduce SO₂ at the source and in the community.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Teck Trail have the ultimate goal of achievement of the Provincial and Federal benchmarks.

Over the past 30 years, over $1.7 billion has been invested in a modernization program to improve the operational and environmental performance at Teck Trail Operations resulting in significant improvements in community air quality.

Teck Trail Operations currently captures more than 99% of the sulphur contained in feed and meets the highest standard for sulphur capture for base metal smelters across Canada.

Teck Trail Operations has made a 25% reduction in emissions in the last ten years, accomplished through the installation of two new state of the art Acid Plants and operational changes. Teck Trail Operations continues to drive improvements and is currently advancing capital projects to achieve further reductions by 2023. 

In addition to SO₂ emissions reduction initiatives, Teck Trail Operations uses near real-time data to manage SO₂ .

SO₂ is monitored by Teck at four locations throughout Trail and the surrounding areas – Birchbank, Butler Park, Columbia Gardens and Warfield. These stations operate continuously, with near real-time data publicly available. SO₂ levels fluctuate throughout the day, month and year. Find current and historical levels online at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map-SO2.html

Actual ambient SO₂ concentrations in Trail fluctuate throughout the day, month and year.

This chart calculates the total hours of SO₂ measured in community air (by monitoring station) in 2023. For actions to take at different levels, see docs 7.

Although levels fluctuate, monitoring data from recent years exceed the benchmarks for ambient air quality set by the Provincial and Federal governments that came into effect in 2020.

Find current and historical data online at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map-SO2.html

When SO₂ concentrations are elevated, consider reducing or rescheduling activities outdoors, remaining indoors, and reducing indoor sources of SO₂ including tobacco smoke and unvented gas stoves. Persons with asthma should follow a management plan developed with their health care provider. If you are having trouble breathing, have chest pain or discomfort, or a severe cough, contact your health care provider or emergency department. See HealthLinkBC for a summary of health recommendations.

The SO₂ levels and health guidance in the table below are based on Health Canada’s 2016 Human Health Risk Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide. For more information on the levels experienced in Trail, see docs 8.

Workers in industrial facilities where SO₂ is used or is a by-product of industrial processes have the greatest exposure. People who live near these industries and other point sources can also be exposed to higher levels of SO₂. See docs 7 and 8 for more information on SO₂ levels.

Some people, particularly those with respiratory conditions, may be more sensitive to SO₂ exposure. Sensitivities may result in symptoms such as irritation of the eyes and respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Long-term exposure to the particles produced by the reaction of SO₂ with other compounds in the air may also affect your health. These particles penetrate deeply into the lungs. This can cause irritation and inflammation that can damage the lining of the lungs and affect other parts of the body. Particles can worsen existing heart and respiratory disease, including emphysema and bronchitis. Because of this, children who live in areas with elevated sulphur dioxide concentrations may develop more breathing problems as they get older.

Short-term exposures to elevated SO₂ levels can cause the air passages in the lungs to constrict or tighten, leading to breathing difficulties and tightening in the chest. Symptoms may include constriction or tightening of the airways in the lungs, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. It may also irritate the nasal passage, throat and eyes. Those most sensitive to the effects of SO₂ include persons with chronic respiratory disease, especially persons with asthma. Symptoms may worsen during vigorous exercise or hard physical labour. See docs 7 and 8 for more information on SO₂ levels.

SO₂ is emitted by Teck Trail Operations as a by-product of processing mine concentrates, which contain sulphur, into metal and chemical products. With environmental improvements, SO₂ emissions continue to decline. Teck Trail Operations currently captures more than 99% of the sulphur and converts it to by-products, such as fertilizer and sulphuric acid. About 1% leaves the operation through emissions to air. Sulphur capture at Teck Trail Operations is similar to what you might find at a brand-new smelter. However, the dispersion of air emissions from the smelter is constrained due to the location of the smelter, weather and the surrounding topography. SO₂ levels in Trail are not static and fluctuate throughout the day, month and year. See docs 7 and 8 for more information on SO₂ levels.

Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) is a colourless, reactive gas. At higher concentrations it can have a strong odour. It is produced during the combustion of sulphur-containing fuels and industrial operations involving sulphur-containing materials. Major sources of SO₂ in BC include the upstream oil and gas industry, metal smelting facilities, pulp / paper mills and marine operations (in the Lower Mainland area). Once released, one possibility is that SO₂ can react with other compounds in the air to form fine particulate matter (small solid or liquid particles suspended in air).