Guidance Documents

Giant hogweed is an invasive alien plant that can severely burn the skin. The plant is not yet very prevalent in Bas-SaintLaurent, and intervention in the region to date has focused on eradicating it during the first stage of its invasion. To that end, a consultation process was undertaken in 2015 under the leadership of the public health authority and the regional development collective (CRD),...

2019-03-22_BerceDuCaucase.pdf

Ceviche is a popular dish in Central and South America, and is rapidly gaining popularity in Canada and the US. Typically, raw fish or shellfish such as shrimp or scallops are marinated in lime or other citrus juices until the flesh firms up and turns opaque, although cooked seafood can also be used. It is then mixed with seasonings and other ingredients and eaten as a snack or appetizer. This...

Microbial Risks and Canadian Regulations for Specialty Ethnic Foods- Ceviche.pdf

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...

Fact Sheet - Environmental Health Risks of Personal Cannabis Cultivation - Oct 2018.pdf

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

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...

Artificial_Turf_Oct_2016.pdf

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

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

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).pdf

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