The federal government has been asked for $1.76 million over five years to push ahead with a community health study.
A local board was formed in 2008 to bring about a comprehensive health study to determine what impact environmental pollution has had on the local population.
The Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association has offered $1.4 million toward the $4.8 million needed to complete phase 3 of the study.
Ottawa is currently providing in-kind support of $100,000 a year.
The board has broad input from municipalities, First Nations, business, labour, industry and health officials.