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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.
Radon, an odorless, colourless, radioactive gas, is an established carcinogen and the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Radon poses a health risk for indoor environments, particularly in rooms on ground or basement levels where the gas can enter through cracks in the foundation. Health Canada has been measuring radon levels in homes and workplaces and elevated levels of radon have...
NCCEH Overview of historical radon testing programs with FN communities April 2018rev_EN.pdf, NCCEH_Radon_Neathway_EN.pdf
ROOMING HOUSES 2017: Highlights of a study by Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal and Direction de l’habitation de la Ville de Montréal
Topics: Built Environment Location: General, Canada
The investigation was conducted in summer 2017 and focused on rooming house residents in five central boroughs of the Ville de Montréal: Côte‑des‑Neiges–Notre‐Dame‐de‐Grâce, Le Sud‐Ouest, Ville‐Marie, Rosemont–La Petite‑Patrie and Mercier–Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve. Of the 125 rooming houses listed in these areas, 52 or them were selected at random to form the participant sample. In total, 274...
2019-03-25_Rooming houses _FAITS SAILLANTS_EN.pdf
Topics: Biological Agents, Pest Control Location: General, Canada
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),...
View Full ArticleTopics: Drinking Water, Lead Location: General, Canada
Low level lead exposure has been linked to neurobehavioral and cognitive effects in children.1 No “safe” level of lead exposure exists and efforts should be made to reduce exposures to as low as possible. The phasing out of lead in gasoline, residential paints, and solder in food cans has substantially decreased blood lead levels among the general population, but residual sources still exist....
FINAL-Testing For Lead in School Drinking Water(web).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
Dinakdakan is a popular appetizer dish originating from the Ilocos region in the Philippines. This dish typically consists of cooked pig organs such as ears,liver, face, stomach, and/or intestines, but can be made with other cuts of meat. Pig brain is typically used to thicken and bind the ingredients together,although in North America, pig brain is difficult to find so mayonnaise may be used in...
Microbial Risks and Canadian Regulations for Specialty Ethnic Foods- Pork dinakdakan.pdf
Topics: Built Environment, Cannabis, Indoor Air, Mould Location: 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...
Fact Sheet - Environmental Health Risks of Personal Cannabis Cultivation - Oct 2018.pdf
Topics: Forest Fires Location: General, Canada
The public health response to wildfire smoke events is complex, involving inter-sectoral collaboration, community engagement and the use of many sources of information in decision-making. The focus of this project is to understand the perceptions, challenges and needs of public health practitioners in Canada when responding to wildfire smoke events. The project was undertaken as part of the...
Responding to Wildfire Smoke Events EN.pdf
Topics: Chemical Agents, Contaminants and Hazards, Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response Location: General, Canada
Crude oil spills/releases, alone or in combination with combustion/explosion of the oil, have been the cause of several major disasters in Canada and around the world including the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the 1989 grounding of the Exxon Valdez . The 2013 Lac-Mégantic, QC derailment was the most significant disaster involving crude oil in Canadian history, and left 47 dead, a...
Guidance for the Management of Crude Oil Incidents_EN.pdf
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: 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: 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: Biological Agents, Contaminants and Hazards, 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(ed).pdf
Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, 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, 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