SNOLAB donated around 3,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical and research supplies to Health Sciences North (HSN) March 24 to support local health-care workers in their response to COVID-19.
Made aware of the immediate need for PPE, SNOLAB took it upon themselves to sort through their clean room located in Vale's Creighton nickel mine for any equipment and supplies they could do without.
This led to a sizeable donation to HSN and its staff.
“Canada has been extremely supportive (of) SNOLAB over the years, and it is great we are able to contribute back in these positive ways,” said Nigel Smith, executive director of SNOLAB in a press release.
“At times like this, community matters more than ever. Stay home, keep the community safe, and look out for one another.”
Greater Sudbury’s world-class science facility is one of many engaged in provincial and federal initiatives to utilize their skills, equipment and expertise in local and global response efforts to the virus.
In addition to its material contribution to HSN, SNOLAB is in the process of co-ordinating with other research and development initiatives to identify capabilities or personnel that could be useful to medical teams down the road.
These capabilities include chemical and assay expertise (testing of metal or ore), computing and data analysis support, machining, 3-D printing and machining skills.
Included in the donation was:
- 530 N95 respirator masks
- 480 boxes of nitrile gloves
- Four face shields
- Two pairs of splash resistant goggles
- 925 Tyvek disposable suits
- 830 disposable booties
- 14 packs of disposable petri dishes
- First Aid supplies
- Eight four-litre containers of 70 per cent isopropanol
