British Columbia's oil and gas sector is regulated with modern legislation that includes public and environmental safety as top priorities. The protection of human health is a vital aspect of our commitment to world-leading practices. Our health assessment will ensure our province remains a responsible oil and gas resource developer

Intrinsik was awarded the contract following a competitive request for proposals process. The health risk assessment began with phase one in January 2012. The project will evaluate potential human health concerns related to oil and gas activities.

Phase two includes the actual human health risk assessment, a jurisdictional scan of past and current studies and related reports and a review of existing regulations. It will focus on potential impacts to air, water, land and food quality and how these may relate to public health. It is anticipated that phase two will be complete by March 2014. The budget is between $700,000 and $900,000.

The second phase of the assessment follows up on phase one, which collected and compiled submissions from the public and stakeholders regarding potential health impacts. The phase one report, completed by Fraser Basin Council, can be found at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/index.html

Phase three will consist of the public reporting out of findings and any suggestions for improvement that might be found.

The B.C. government has already taken action on the phase one report. The Ministry of Environment; the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas; and the BC Oil and & Gas Commission are working together with industry to expand air-quality monitoring in the Northeast. Air-quality monitoring was raised as a concern in consultations earlier this year.

Quotes:

Minister of Health Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid -

"We take the health of British Columbians very seriously, and that is why we are undertaking this three-phase oil and gas human health risk assessment. I look forward to seeing the work that Intrinsik does, and learning how we can best protect families in Northeast B.C."

Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman -

"British Columbia's oil and gas sector is regulated with modern legislation that includes public and environmental safety as top priorities. The protection of human health is a vital aspect of our commitment to world-leading practices. Our health assessment will ensure our province remains a responsible oil and gas resource developer."

Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South -

"I am pleased that we have found a successful proponent to undertake this important work. I look forward to working with Intrinsik on behalf of my constituents in the Northeast of B.C."

Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North

"As the three-phase oil and gas human health risk assessment continues to move forward, it reinforces our commitment of taking the health of families in the Northeast very seriously. As the work unfolds, residents can be assured that government will continue to take action."

Bart Koppe, project manager, Intrinsik -

"In order to conduct this important work, Intrinsik assembled a multi-disciplinary team of scientific professionals with demonstrated expertise and experience in designing and performing assessments of this kind. On behalf of the Intrinsik study team, we look forward to assisting the Ministry of Health and all British Columbians to better understand the potential health-related impacts of oil and gas activities in northeast B.C. through the completion of what promises to be a comprehensive and transparent health risk assessment."

Quick Facts:

• The phase one consultation took place from January to March 2012.

• Engagement was undertaken through various channels, and submissions were gathered using in person meetings, an online web form, email, a toll-free telephone line and regular mail.

• More than 300 unique comments and submissions were received. In total more than 200 participants took part in either one-on-one or group meetings.

Learn More:

Intrinsik Environmental Sciences Inc website: www.intrinsik.com

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers shale gas information: www.capp.ca/canadaindustry/naturalGas/ShaleGas/Pages/default.aspx

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

BACKGROUNDER

Intrinsik Environmental Sciences Inc.

Intrinsik is an employee-owned environmental health sciences firm that specializes in toxicology, risk assessment and stakeholder engagement.

The company has over 25 years of experience in providing expert scientific analysis on the health and environmental impacts of industrial activities. Intrinsik will also be working with several other organizations to undertake this work, including:

• McDaniel Lambert, an interdisciplinary health sciences team that includes epidemiologists, health risk assessors and a physician who specializes in the assessment, communication and management of risk.

• RWDI Air Inc, a Canadian consulting engineering firm concentrating in the areas of waste management, air quality, and risk analysis.

• Matrix Solutions Inc, a Canadian integrated environmental and engineering company with expertise in the area of ground water impact assessments.

• Skystone Engineering Inc, a speciality engineering firm offering services in pipeline failure assessment, risk analysis and emergency response management.

Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)