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Guidance Documents
This section is comprised of recommendations and tools designed to advise on issues encountered in the field. These documents are peer-reviewed and the content is the responsibility of the authors.
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Biological Agents, Drinking Water, Water Location: General, Canada
What are cyanobacteria? Are cyanoblooms preventable? Who is at risk and how does exposure occur? Is there testing for cyanotoxins? This NCCEH document provides a brief outline of these key questions related to cyanobacteria and the toxins they produce.
Cyanobacteria_in_Freshwater-May_2017.pdf
Evaluating the Carbon Monoxide Monitoring and Response Framework in Long-term Care Facilities: A Brief Guide
Topics: Air, Indoor Air, Practices and Procedures, Seniors' Environmental Health Location: 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.) when they: have implemented a carbon monoxide (CO) policy in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) consistent...
Carbon_Monoxide_Framework_Evaluation_Guide_Mar_2017.pdf
Topics: Built Environment, Contaminants and Hazards, Chemical Agents, Practices and Procedures, Risk Analysis Location: General, Canada
Over the past 40 years, artificial turf has become common in public and private settings. Compared to natural turf, artificial turf is easier to maintain, requires less water and no fertilizer, and provides a year-round access to playing surfaces. This is presumed to have important public health benefits by promoting physical activity and access to recreational space, although detailed research...
View Full ArticleKey resources for environmental public health practitioners to address health equity: A curated list
Topics: Equity, Practices and Procedures Location: General, Canada
Public health organizations across Canada have highlighted health inequities as a priority area for action. Environmental public health practitioners may be unclear of how to approach health inequities within their scope of practice because they have often not been included in discussions about how public health can do this work. This list contains resources specific to environmental public...
Key_Resources_Env_PHP_Health_Equity_Oct2016.pdf
Topics: Equity, Practices and Procedures Location: General, Canada
NCCEH, the NCC for Determinants of Health, and the BC Centre for Disease Control have collaborated to produce a Framework and accompanying User Guide to help environmental public health practitioners identify potential actions on the social determinants of health and health equity. Environmental health practitioners can play a role to address the social determinants of health (SDH) and work...
Health_Equity_PHIs-Framework_Sept_2016.pdf, Health_Equity_PHIs-User_Guide_Sept_2016.pdf
Guide for Implementing the Carbon Monoxide Monitoring and Response Framework in Long-term Care Facilities
Topics: Air, Contaminants and Hazards, Indoor Air, Practices and Procedures, Risk Analysis Location: 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.pptx
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Chemical Agents Location: General, Canada
Exposure to the small amount of mercury found in common household devices, such as fever thermometers, thermostats, or fluorescent light bulbs, is not likely to cause serious health problems. Humans are frequently exposed to greater quantities of mercury, much of it methylmercury, through diet. Nevertheless, all mercury spills, regardless of quantity, should be treated seriously and cleaned up ...
Small_Mercury_Spills_Clean-up_Oct_2015.pdf
Topics: Built Environment, Contaminants and Hazards, Chemical Agents, Nuisance Control, Pest Control Location: General, Canada
Recent news on Canadian fatalities linked to the inappropriate use of phosphine for bed bug control underlines the need for public health practitioners to be aware of the issue.
Phosphine_Poisoning_Bed_Bug_Treatment_March_2015.pdf
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Air, Biological Agents, Indoor Air Location: General, Canada
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.pdf
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Air, Biological Agents, Indoor Air Location: General, Canada
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,...
Mould_Assessment_Evidence_Review_March_2014.pdf
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Air, Biological Agents, Indoor Air Location: General, Canada
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 ...
Mould_Remediation_Evidence_Review_March_2014.pdf
Topics: Water, Drinking Water Location: General, Canada
Boil water advisories are issued when water testing detects higher than accepted amounts of microbial indicators or when there are deficiencies with water treatment. The fear of not issuing a boil water advisory when there is truly a health risk associated with water consumption can lead water operators to call for boil water advisories as a precautionary measure. Yet, issuance of boil water...
Microbial_Indicators_Jan_2013.pdf
Topics: Built Environment, Nuisance Control, Pest Control Location: General, Canada
In the past decade, bed bug infestations have been increasing worldwide. Historically, studies have failed to provide evidence for the transmission of human diseases through bed bugs, but recent evidence is lacking. Although physical reactions to bed bug bites continue to be documented, evidence regarding the mental health effects arising from bed bug infestations is limited to anecdotes and...
View Full ArticleClandestine Amphetamine-Derived Drug Laboratories: Remediation Guidelines for Residential Settings - revised
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Chemical Agents
Clandestine labs produce illegal substances using a variety of chemicals and manufacturing processes. Clandestine labs can be housed in a variety of structures, including residential and non-residential uildings. In particular, residential buildings previously used for clandestine labs can pose health concerns to re-occupants. Amphetamine-derived drug labs are the most common type of clandestine...
View Full ArticleTopics: Air, Outdoor Air Location: General, Canada
Several tools exist to assess local air quality, including the impact of specific sources, emissions, and meteorological conditions. Information generated from the use of air quality assessment tools can inform decisions on permitting of emissions, industrial siting, and land use; all can impact local air quality, which in turn can influence air pollution related health effects of a population....
View Full ArticleTopics: Built Environment, Contaminants and Hazards, Chemical Agents, Pest Control Location: General, Canada
The scientific literature indicates that avoidance of pesticide use and alternative practices, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), may be effective methods for reducing indoor residential pesticide exposure. Safe use of pesticides, indoors and outdoors, involves following label directions and taking precautionary measures, such as wearing gloves and protective clothing. Track-in and take-...
View Full ArticleOur HeatAdvice project was about the advice provided to the public for protection against heat-related illness. The potential impact of elevated temperatures on mortality and morbidity are severe. Every year, hospitalizations and deaths in numbers well above average, occur during and just after days of extreme heat, particularly in vulnerable populations. HeatAdvice was developed by the NCCEH...
View Full ArticleTopics: Personal Service Establishments, Practices and Procedures Location: General, Canada
Personal services establishments (PSEs) have been identified as a priority area by public health inspectors (PHIs) and provincial ministry staff in several provinces, as well as by people within the industry. There are a lot of gaps and conflicting information regarding public health issues associated with PSEs. Guidelines and regulations are often vague or impractical. In general, there is a...
PSE_Guidelines_Comparison_Table_July_2010.pdf
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Personal Service Establishments Location: General, Canada
Waxing can draw blood and body fluid from the skin. If this occurs, there is a potential to transmit viral, bacterial, and fungal infectionsbetween the technician and the client, as well as between clients. Folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle), irritant dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and general skin irritation can also occur. These health risks can be minimized by using proper...
View Full ArticleTopics: Built Environment Location: General, Canada
How ready is your organization to work in this area? We've developed resource materials to be used as a package or separately. The package includes the following: Dialogue between a public health physician and a planner (DVD, available on request)
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