Update on Falconbridge dust event

French copy will be issued and published at phsd.ca/fr as soon as translation is available.
La version française sera publiée et affichée à phsd.ca/fr dès qu’elle aura été traduite.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to investigate the Falconbridge dust event that was reported on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Public Health has received preliminary testing results conducted by Glencore. The results indicate that this was unlikely an industrial release. The test results are more consistent with trace residual dust from the previous industrial release on September 23, 2025, in addition to other particulate matter. This other particulate matter is possibly fine sand and powdered gravel, however, further investigation is ongoing and Public Health cannot yet say with confidence what is the source of the dust. These initial analyses suggest that health impacts are likely to be minimal. More detailed and independent results from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks are expected earlier next week. At that point, Public Health hopes to be in a better position to comment more definitively.

At present, with only preliminary results from Glencore and none from an independent source, Public Health continues to advise that precautions be practised out of an abundance of caution. However, based on the results received so far, residents can be reassured that any inadvertent exposures are unlikely to carry significant health risk.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates as soon as new information is available. For more information regarding the suggested precautions, please call Public Health at 705.522.9200, ext. 464. Glencore’s Community Line can be reached by calling 705.693.2761, ext. 3989 or emailing sudburycommunity@glencore.ca for more information from Glencore.

Precautions recommended by Public Health:

• Wash your hands with soap and water if you come in contact with the ambient dust.
• Use personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks when cleaning the dust from properties.
• Do not eat affected garden produce.
• Keep children and pets from playing in impacted areas.
• Cancel outdoor sporting events until further notice as these activities can disturb the dust and cause it to be breathed in.
• Refrain from activities that may disturb the dust (for example, mowing the lawn).
• Turn off air exchangers and set furnaces to recirculate if it is an option until further notice.

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