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Topics: Cannabis, Indoor Air, Pesticides General, Canada
Video Transcript
As of 2018, it became legal for Canadians to grow up to 4 cannabis plants per household.
Having cannabis plants in a home poses risks but there are ways to grow more safely. Children, pets, and even adults are at risk of poisoning during cultivation processing and waste disposal. Poison control center data tells us that kids and pets are just as likely to eat unfinished joints...
View Full Article Excessive dampness and mould growth on building material surfaces and contents can pose health risks and should not be tolerated in indoor environments. A mould assessment determines if mould is present, but does not determine or estimate mould exposure. Health-based exposure limits for indoor mould in residential environments have not been established; inspecting for visible and hidden mould,...
View Full Article Excessive dampness and mould growth on building material surfaces and contents can pose health risks and should not be tolerated in indoor environments. The main goal of remediation is to reduce the risk of exposure to mould and to prevent structural damage; the underlying cause of dampness must be identified and eliminated or mould will reappear. Effective mould remediation requires the ...
View Full Article Moulds are naturally occurring and widespread in the environment; therefore, it is not possible to eliminate exposure. Sufficient evidence exists to conclude that exposure to mould in indoor environments is associated with asthma and asthma-like symptoms (in asthmatic people), upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough and wheeze, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible people. There is...
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This report summarizes information on woodsmoke emissions and health effects associated with woodsmoke exposures from residential wood-burning (RWB) in Canada and provides a qualitative indication of the potential effectiveness of different intervention strategies based on a review of the available literature and interviews with Canadian health authorities. The purpose of this report is to...
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Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Indoor Air, Radiation General, Canada
Radon is a known carcinogen, and is estimated to cause up to 10% of all lung cancers in Canada. It is a radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of uranium. Radon is naturally occurring, and emanates from soil and rocks. It percolates up through soil into buildings, and if it is not evacuated there can be much higher exposure levels indoors than outdoors. Fortunately, high radon levels can...
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Topics: Built Environment, Indoor Air, Radiation, Radon General, Canada
Video Transcript
In Canada, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer but what is radon and what can public health do about it?
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium and soils break down. During this process, radon decays into radioactive alpha particles.
When inhaled, this radiation can break DNA bonds of cells inside the lungs. As DNA damage increases, the risk...
View Full ArticleTopics: Indoor Air, Radon General, Canada
This paper describes the key components of a three-year, on-reserve, community-wide residential radon testing project involving three Interior BC First Nations communities that resulted in an impressive 97% response rate for radon testing. The paper highlights the activities and considerations that led to the success of this program and offers insights into how testing rates can be increased for...
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Topics: Built Environment, Cannabis, Indoor Air, Mould General, Canada
Personal cultivation as described by the Cannabis Act (2017) will permit adults to cultivate up to four cannabis plants per household as of October 17, 2018. The Canadian Federal government will be responsible for regulating and enforcing industry-wide standards for commercial producers, while the provinces and territories will be responsible for overseeing the distribution and sale of cannabis...
View Full ArticleTopics: Indigenous Environmental Health, Agriculture, Built Environment, Cannabis, Chemical Agents, Children's Environmental Health, Climate Change, Drinking Water, Emergency Preparedness, Surveillance, Equity, Food, Forest Fires, Health Impact Assessment, Indoor Air, Outdoor Air, Personal Service Establishments, Pest Control, Physical Agents, Radiation, Recreational Water, Risk Analysis, Waste, Water, Zoonoses General, Canada
Full Scan
The attached PDF version of the Research Scan has over 100 references and is broken into over 30 categories.
Editor’s Picks
After searching through the dozens of articles referenced in the scan, our librarian picks the ones she feels may be especially interesting to our stakeholders. Her “Editor Picks” for March 2018 include:
Wildfires, emergency preparedness, and the importance of...
View Full ArticleTopics: Indigenous Environmental Health, Agriculture, Built Environment, Biological Agents, Cannabis, Chemical Agents, Climate Change, Infectious Diseases, Contaminants and Hazards, Drinking Water, Emergency Preparedness, Surveillance, Equity, Food, Forest Fires, Health Impact Assessment, Indoor Air, Nuisance Control, Outdoor Air, Personal Service Establishments, Pest Control, Physical Agents, Practices and Procedures, Public Facilities, Radiation, Recreational Water, Risk Analysis, Seniors' Environmental Health, Tobacco Reduction, Waste, Water, Zoonoses General, Canada
Full Scan
The attached PDF version of the Research Scan has over 100 references and is broken into over 30 categories.
Editor’s Picks
After searching through the dozens of articles referenced in the scan, our librarian picks the ones she feels may be especially interesting to our stakeholders. Her “Editor Picks” for April 2018 include:
The built environment: Understanding how physical...
View Full ArticleTopics: Indigenous Environmental Health, Agriculture, Built Environment, Biological Agents, Cannabis, Chemical Agents, Climate Change, Infectious Diseases, Contaminants and Hazards, Drinking Water, Emergency Preparedness, Surveillance, Equity, Food, Forest Fires, Health Impact Assessment, Indoor Air, Nuisance Control, Outdoor Air, Personal Service Establishments, Pest Control, Physical Agents, Practices and Procedures, Public Facilities, Radiation, Recreational Water, Risk Analysis, Seniors' Environmental Health, Shale Gas, Tobacco Reduction, Waste, Water, Zoonoses General, Canada
Full Scan
The attached PDF version of the Research Scan has over 100 references and is broken into over 30 categories.
Editor’s Picks
After searching through the dozens of articles referenced in the scan, our librarian picks the ones she feels may be especially interesting to our stakeholders. Her “Editor Picks” for February 2018 include:
A review of the experimental evidence on the...
View Full ArticleTopics: Indigenous Environmental Health, Agriculture, Built Environment, Biological Agents, Cannabis, Chemical Agents, Children's Environmental Health, Climate Change, Infectious Diseases, Contaminants and Hazards, Drinking Water, Emergency Preparedness, Surveillance, Equity, Food, Forest Fires, Health Impact Assessment, Indoor Air, Nuisance Control, Outdoor Air, Personal Service Establishments, Pest Control, Physical Agents, Practices and Procedures, Public Facilities, Radiation, Recreational Water, Risk Analysis, Tobacco Reduction, Waste, Water, Zoonoses General, Canada
Full Scan
The attached PDF version of the Research Scan has over 100 references and is broken into over 30 categories.
Editor’s Picks
After searching through the dozens of articles referenced in the scan, our librarian picks the ones she feels may be especially interesting to our stakeholders. Her “Editor Picks” for January 2018 include:
Adverse effects after medical, commercial, or self-...
View Full ArticleTopics: Biological Agents, Chemical Agents, Contaminants and Hazards, Indoor Air, Practices and Procedures, Radiation General, Canada
Personal cultivation as described by the proposed Cannabis Act (2017) will permit adults to cultivate up to four cannabis plants per household. This provision is intended to both promote equity by facilitating access to legal cannabis, particularly when retail outlets are difficult to access, and to undercut the black market. However, indoor cultivation and processing of cannabis may also...
View Full ArticleEvaluating the Carbon Monoxide Monitoring and Response Framework in Long-term Care Facilities: A Brief Guide
This guide is intended for public health practitioners, facility/property maintenance managers, risk managers, occupational hygienists, clinicians, or other persons working at long-term care facilities (residential care facilities, nursing homes, seniors’ residences, care occupancies, etc.) when they:
have implemented a carbon monoxide (CO) policy in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) consistent...
View Full ArticleGuide for Implementing the Carbon Monoxide Monitoring and Response Framework in Long-term Care Facilities
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Indoor Air, Practices and Procedures, Risk Analysis General, Canada
This guide is intended for public health practitioners, facility/property maintenance managers, risk managers, occupational hygienists, clinicians, or other persons working at long-term care facilities (residential care facilities, nursing homes, seniors’ residences, care occupancies, etc.) who would like to implement a program to reduce the risk of indoor carbon monoxide (CO) exposure to...
Carbon_Monoxide_Framework_Implementation_Guide_Aug_2016.pdf, 
Carbon_Monoxide_Framework_Implementation_Slides_Aug_2016.pptxTopics: Indoor Air General, Canada
Canadians typically spend about 90% of their time indoors. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) resulting from biological and chemical exposures is associated with the development of acute and chronic cardio-respiratory disease. Biological agents commonly found in indoor environments include mould, house dust mites (HDM), pests, and pet dander. Chemical agents can include environmental tobacco smoke (...
Full_Review-Effective_Indoor_Air_Interventions_Jan_2015.pdf, Summary-Effective_Indoor_Air_Interventions_Jan_2015.pdf Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) across Canada have different responsibilities, policies, and guidelines when it comes to investigating public inquiries about mould in indoor environments. Some PHIs/EHOs conduct initial walkthroughs only, some conduct comprehensive investigations, and others educate the public about next steps without conducting any field...
Mould_Toolkit_Overview_Nov_2014.pdf, Mould_Toolkit_Checklists_Forms_Nov_2014.pdf, Mould_Toolkit_Typical_Fungi_Nov_2014.pdf, Mould_Toolkit_Sampling_Methods_Nov_2014.pdf, Mould_Toolkit_Interpretation_Lab_Reports_Nov_2014.pdf, Mould_Toolkit_Reviewing_Investigation_Reports_Nov_2014(ed).pdfTopics: Built Environment, Indoor Air, Public Facilities General, Canada
Green building rating systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) employ a variety of design solutions to reduce energy and minimize environmental damage. These solutions, such as the use of passive ventilation, do not necessarily lead to improvements in occupant health
Passive ventilation strategies employed to reduce energy can lead to uneven airflow distribution and...
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A Public Health Inspector calls about an issue flagged at an older elementary school. As part of a teacher complaint process, the provincial health and safety agency has been conducting a workplace investigation. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels were measured and ranged from 412 ppm in an unoccupied classroom to 1,130 ppm in the school library and 1,660 ppm in an occupied classroom that had closed...
View Full ArticlePepper Spray in the Indoor Environment and in the Vicinity of Food Products and Preparation Surfaces
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Chemical Agents, Food, Indoor Air General, Canada
Pepper spray is discharged during an attempted robbery of a jewellery store in a large urban mall. The robbery site is located next to the mall’s food court. For several days, mall patrons continue to report uncomfortable symptoms (e.g., burning sensation in their eyes and throat) when they enter the food court. Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are asked to respond to concerns about...
View Full ArticleWorkshops Presentations
Topics: Indoor Air, Outdoor Air General, Canada
L'Institut national de santé publique (INSPQ) 8e Atelier de santé environnementale
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International Union for Circumpolar Health (IUCH) 14th International Congress on Circumpolar Health
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Topics: Public Facilities, Indoor Air ON, Canada
Presentation:
Housing and HealthTom Kosatsky, NCCEHMona Shum, NCCEH
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Topics: Indoor Air, Seniors' Environmental Health SK, Canada
Saskatoon 2013
Presentations:
Carbon monoxide exposures in long-term care facilities and hospitals: Developing a monitoring frameworkPrabjit Barn & Tom Kosatsky, BCCDC/NCCEH
Modeling of the Kinetics of Carbon Monoxide for Long Term Care Facilities and HospitalsNathalie Gosselin, Pharsight Consulting ServicesMichele Bouchard, University of Montreal
CO Exposure – St. Mary’s Villa, December 26...
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Topics: Indoor Air General, Canada
Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) 79th Annual National Educational Conference
Presentations
General indoor air quality parameters: CO, CO2, relative humidity, temperatureDru Sahai, Public Health Ontario
Volatile organic compoundsPrabjit Barn, NCCEH
MouldDaniel Fong, NCCEH
RadonPam Warkentin, Radonmatters
Additional indoor pollutantsDru Sahai, Public Health Ontario
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Event
Dr. Leonardo Trasande a pediatrician, professor, and world-renowned researcher, will tell us a story of how our everyday surroundings are making us sicker, fatter, and poorer. He uncovers evidence that helps to show how emerging health conditions result from endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our food, our homes, and our personal care products.
Dr. Trasande will explore how industrializing...
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Topics: Cannabis, Indoor Air, Mould ON, Canada
This webinar is presented as part of the CPHA Cannabis Webinar Series.
Personal cultivation as described by the Cannabis Act (2017) permits adults to cultivate up to four cannabis plants per household. This provision is intended to both promote equity by facilitating access to legal cannabis, particularly when retail outlets are difficult to access, and to undercut the black market. However,...
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Topics: Indoor Air General, Canada
This webinar will focus on examples of interventions health care providers can facilitate to reduce the burden of radon-related lung cancer. It will also describe the development of a new radon guide for health care providers titled A Guide for Health Care Providers - Reducing the Risk From Radon: Information and Interventions.
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Topics: Infectious Diseases, Indoor Air General, Canada
Legionnaires' disease is a respiratory disease caused by Legionella bacteria, which can be found in the water systems of large buildings. In 2016, there were an estimated 6,100 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States. NACCHO invites you to learn more about Legionella and the available resources and recommendations. Participants will hear from CDC subject matter experts with the...
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Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) - Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke: Part 5 of 5
Topics: Emergency Preparedness, Forest Fires, Indoor Air, Outdoor Air General, Canada
This webinar series will provide attendees with an understanding of the impacts of wildland smoke on the health of tribal communities and strategies to minimize exposure. Each 90-minute webinar will feature multiple presentations on the topics listed below. The webinars are free and open to anyone; registration for the webinars will be available in late November. The webinars will be recorded....
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Topics: Indoor Air, Radon BC, Canada
Radon is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring radioactive gas in open atmosphere that comes from the decay of uranium, which is distributed throughout soil and rocks. Radon and its decay products are found in higher concentrations in confined space such as homes, buildings and underground workplaces. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and the second leading cause after...
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Topics: Built Environment, Children's Environmental Health, Drinking Water, Equity, Food, Indoor Air, Public Facilities, Radiation, Recreational Water BC, Canada
The annual conference is designed to help attendees learn new methods of fostering safe, healthy and inclusive communities by showcasing the latest work and research within the realm of public health and beyond. Some topics that will be discussed include: Violence prevention at the individual & societal level, health equity, health literacy, fostering healthy relationships, keeping...
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UBC School of Population and Public Health - How low to go? Assessing the health effects of low levels of air pollution
Topics: Indoor Air, Outdoor Air BC, Canada
The best of current research in the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (OEH) field is presented at these seminars, which run weekly during the academic year.
Title: How low to go? Assessing the health effects of low levels of air pollution. The Mortality Air Pollution Associations in Low Exposure environments (MAPLE) project.
Presenter: Anders Erickson
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UBC School of Population and Public Health - Indoor air quality and health in Canadian First Nations communities
Topics: Indigenous Environmental Health, Indoor Air BC, Canada
The best of current research in the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (OEH) field is presented at these seminars, which run weekly during the academic year.
Title: Indoor air quality and health in Canadian First Nations communities
Presenter: Karen Bartlett
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UBC School of Population and Public Health - Characterizing the Impacts of Residential Woodsmoke in BC Communities
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Indoor Air, Outdoor Air BC, Canada
The best of current research in the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (OEH) field is presented at these seminars, which run weekly during the academic year.
Presenter: Matthew Wagstaff
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Topics: Chemical Agents, Surveillance, Indoor Air, Physical Agents ON, Canada
Please see link below for more details.
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Topics: Indigenous Environmental Health, Built Environment, Biological Agents, Cannabis, Children's Environmental Health, Contaminants and Hazards, Drinking Water, Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response, Surveillance, Equity, Food, Indoor Air, Personal Service Establishments, Practices and Procedures, Radiation, Recreational Water, Tobacco Reduction, Water ON, Canada
TOPHC 2019 will explore how strategy, leadership and practice align to address changes in the public health sector. Discover tools and approaches to move knowledge into practice, refresh your knowledge at thought-provoking sessions and collaborate with colleagues motivated to build healthier and more sustainable communities.
View Full ArticleCanadian Health Measure Survey (CHMS) cycle 3 results: National survey of selected volatile organic compounds in Canadian residences
Topics: Chemical Agents, Indoor Air, Surveillance General, Canada
The Air Health Science and the Exposure and Biomonitoring Divisions at Health Canada are inviting you and your group to participate in our next Air-Health webinar. This webinar series is designed to provide a forum for communities to exchange information about health risks from air quality and effective measures to protect health.
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Topics: Indoor Air, Outdoor Air General, Canada
CAREX Canada is hosting a webinar on diesel exposure in workplaces, taking place June 5th, 2018. The goal of this webinar is to convey the importance of diesel engine exhaust as a workplace hazard and to discuss ways this hazard can be assessed and controlled in the workplace.
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