SAEHP: About

The Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project (SAEHP) aims to help address concerns of Sarnia area communities about air pollution and other environmental stressors from local industries in the area. The project will help enhance understanding of the links between the environment and health in the community, with a focus on assessing exposures to chemicals in air.

Since 2017, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservations and Parks (MECP) has been working closely with provincial and federal government departments, health agencies and First Nations to develop the SAEHP, and has also been guided by previous foundational work of the Lambton Community Health Study Board as well as input from local stakeholders, such as municipalities and industrial associations.

The ministry has formed a multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee to share information and informed perspectives and advice during the project. The Advisory Committee includes representatives from provincial, municipal and federal governments, First Nations, health agencies, community groups, industry and environmental groups.

The ministry expects to complete the project in summer 2023.

Based on the concerns of local communities, the SAEHP was scoped to focus on the following components:

The Air Exposure Review (AER) is a scientific assessment of community exposures and associated risks from chemicals in outdoor air.  This component is being conducted by a team of consultants (Intrinsik, CanNorth, 4 Directions of Conservation), and will involve reviewing monitored and modelled data for relevant chemicals in the area.

Click here for more information on the Air Exposure Review.

The Plants Study aims to assess chemicals in air that may be deposited or taken up by locally grown medicinal plants. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Aamjiwnaang First Nation, and an academic team from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Click here for more information about the Plants Study.

The Environmental Stressors Review aims to characterize how quality of life is impacted by disturbances from industrial operations, such as noise/vibration, odour and light, and to identify opportunities to enhance communication related to incidents and emergencies. This review is being led by the ministry in collaboration with a multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee.

Click here for more information about the Environmental Stressors Review.

Government Air Exposure Review Panel (GAERP)

The Government Air Exposure Review Panel was formed to provide direction to the Air Exposure Review consultants (Intrinsik, CanNorth, 4 Directions of Conservation), to support the quality, accuracy, and relevance of the consultant’s deliverables. The GAERP is comprised of the following members:

• Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP)
• Aamjiwnaang First Nation Health and Environment Departments
• Walpole Island First Nation Heritage Centre
• Lambton Public Health
• Public Health Ontario
• Health Canada

Advisory Committee (AC)

The multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee supports the delivery of the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project, by providing informed perspectives and advice. The AC includes representatives from provincial, municipal and federal governments, First Nations, health agencies, community groups, industry and environmental groups

List of Advisory Committee Invitees

Community meetings will be held periodically to provide updates on the progress of the SAEHP, and to receive input and feedback from community members and local stakeholders. Meetings will be announced in advance on the SAEHP webpage and through community partners. Meeting materials and information on how to join meetings will also be made available on the SAEHP webpage.

The SAEHP aims to help address concerns raised by local community members. By sharing your experiences and ideas, we can better inform the project. Your feedback is important, and we want to hear from you.

For questions or feedback, please contact: SAEHP@ontario.ca

Click here for more information on meetings.