Assessing Effects on Human Health Meadowbank Gold Project Margaux Brisco Nunavut Impact Review Board Final Hearings, Baker Lake, Nunavut March 27 to 31, 2006

2 Nunavut Land Claim Agreement Requires a consideration of environmental and socio-economic effects

3 Health Canada Expert information and knowledge about human health Promotes a holistic definition of human health: -complete physical, mental and social well- being -not only the absence of disease or infirmity.

4 Health Canada’s Review of the Meadowbank Gold Project –Air Quality –Drinking Water Quality –Noise –Country Foods –Socio-economic –Occupational Health & Safety Plan

5 Air Quality Issues: - Dust -construction -road traffic -mine operations - Emissions from burning fuel -trucks -machinery -power plant

6 Air Quality Health Canada’s initial comments have been addressed No indication of concern for human health We encourage monitoring

7 Drinking Water Quality Issues: - Dike construction (construction phase) - Discharge to lakes (operational phase) - Reflooding of mine pits (decommissioning)

8 Drinking Water Quality Predicted maximum values for Third Portage Lake are not expected to have any health effects. Monitoring will indicate if drinking water guidelines are exceeded.

9 Noise Issues: - Construction - Mine operations -blasting, crushing, drilling… - Road traffic

10 Noise Potential for sleep disturbance at workers’ quarters World Health Organization’s Community Noise Guidelines

11 Noise Possibility of summer camps near the mine site Recommendation: noise at the camp sites should also be monitored

12 Country Foods Fish Mammals Birds

13 Country Foods Issues: - Changes to bodies of water -dikes -reflooding

14 Country Foods Monitoring of foods recommended -Arctic char A baseline should be collected to verify predictions

15 Socio-Economics Issues: - Rotational Employment - Housing - Community Wellness - Public Health & Safety - Effects of Closure

16 Socio-Economics Concerns have been addressed It is acknowledged that there is potential for some negative effects Mitigation and management are important

17 Occupational Health & Safety Plan Health Canada recommends that a nurse be hired at the mine site. -To meet workers’ needs –Accidents –Infectious disease -To prevent pressure on health services in Baker Lake

18 References Canadian Handbook on Health Impact Assessment Determinants of Health website: sp/phdd/determinants/index.html Health Canada website: Environmental Health Assessment Services website: