Man-made Perfluoroalkylated substances have been detected in North Bay, specifically Trout Lake, Lee’s Creek, North Bay Jack Garland Airport, the Canadian Forces Base North Bay, and monitoring wells located near CFB. The Health Unit was notified by the Department of National Defence about the detection of PFAS. PFAS are found in a variety products like adhesives, cosmetics, cleaning products, and in specialized chemical applications, such as fire-fighting foams. Scientists are not yet certain about the possible health effects resulting from human exposure to PFAS at levels typically found in our water and food. The PFAS are suspected to have come from the CFB North Bay/Airport area, from fire-fighting foam used in the past to fight fires and to train firefighters.
The Health Unit has received the following test results on PFAS levels: The levels of PFAS detected in Trout Lake, and in the City of North Bay Municipal Water are below Health Canada’s Drinking Water Screening Values. The levels of PFAS detected in Lee’s Creek are above Health Canada’s values. Based on the finding that the PFAS levels in Lee’s Creek are above the screening values, the Health Unit is advising the public not to drink water from the creek. As per the Guide to Eating Ontario Fish issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, fish caught in Lee’s Creek should also not be consumed. The Health Unit is working with DND to have private water wells in the vicinity of CFB North Bay/Airport area and Lee’s Creek sampled and tested for PFAS. Residents in these areas with wells are being notified this week by the Health Unit.
Medical Officer of Health, Jim Chirico says the Health Unit works to protect the community from environmental hazards in waterways, and to respond to situations that impact food and water. Chirico says the PFAS levels being detected in the drinking water sources are below Health Canada’s Drinking Water Screening Values, and at these levels he believes there are no adverse effects on health. He says they will continue to work closely with the Department of National Defence, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, and the City of North Bay in monitoring, and responding to this issue.
