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Sound-Sorb Update
Ministry of the Environment
Central Region, York-Durham District
Issue #1 - January, 2004

As part of our ongoing commitment to informing and working with our stakeholders, the ministry is pleased to provide you with the first update on the initiatives that we are currently undertaking with respect to Sound-Sorb. These regular updates will keep you informed of any activities and progress made in the project, as well as provide you with information that you may be interested in.

Independent Expert Panel on Sound-Sorb in Development

In response to an Environmental Bill of Rights request for review, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) committed to the development of an Independent Expert Panel on Sound-Sorb. Once established, this panel will review and assess all existing and new data and technical reports.

Robb Ogilvie of Ogilvie, Ogilvie and Company, has been retained as the project facilitator to manage and coordinate this review. He is currently in the process of finalizing specific panel membership to represent the following areas of expertise:

• Human health impact
• Hydrogeologist
• Air quality
• Bio-aerosols
• Groundwater quality
• Site Specific Risk Assessment
• Others as determined

Individuals and organizations with an interest in this process and the potential outcomes will also be invited to participate. Details will be provided when panel membership is finalized.

Studies and Results

Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater monitoring is ongoing at the Oshawa Skeet and Gun Club. The analysis of the February 2003 sampling was released on August 5, 2003. The results for the next round of sampling are currently being compiled.

The contract for the Site Specific Risk Assessment (SSRA) has been awarded to Cantox. The SSRA will assess and develop criteria for acceptable levels of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, acrylamide monomer, bacteria and polyaromatic hydrocarbons at the Oshawa Skeet and Gun Club

Bio-Aerosol Studies

The Bio-Aerosol study final report was submitted to the ministry in October 2003. This study looks at the generation, release and potential for human exposure to bio-aerosols (i.e., airborne particles containing bacterial, fungal spores and molds). GlobalTox presented this report to the Bio-Aerosols Committee at their meeting on December 16, 2003.

Conclusions indicate that overall, the potential for bio-aerosol release is expected to be minimal. The ministry requested recommendations regarding the need for further air sampling to help better understand the potential for inhalation issues to site users and nearby residents. The consultant recommended against air sampling be conducted as it is unlikely the exercise would produce useful results.

Berm Studies

As part of the ongoing technical review of the use of Sound-Sorb, the Ministry of the Environment committed to sampling and analyzing two additional Sound-Sorb berms in the summer of 2003 to review the composition and consistency between berms located in the province. The Madoc and District Anglers and Hunters site and the Orilla Gun Club were selected and sampled during the summer of 2003. Details are provided in the final reports, found on the ministry website under: www.ene.gov.on.ca/land.htm.

Sound-Sorb Berm Use and Construction Protocols

MOE York-Durham District staff has been meeting with representatives from Atlantic Packaging and Courtice Auto Wreckers to develop berm use and construction protocols.

Upcoming meetings

The inaugural meeting of the Independent Expert Panel on Sound-Sorb is scheduled for early 2004.

If you have any questions pertaining to the content in this update, please contact:

Shyrin Hirji,
MOE York-Durham District Office
by phone at (905) 427-5617
or by email at shyrin.hirji@ene.gov.on.ca