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Chemical Monitoring in Local Foods: Mercury in Fish

Description

Mercury (Hg) enters the environment through natural processes and human activities. There are three forms of Hg: elemental (metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury salts and organic mercury... More ≫

Description

Mercury (Hg) enters the environment through natural processes and human activities. There are three forms of Hg: elemental (metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury salts and organic mercury compounds. Methylmercury (MeHg) is often formed from inorganic mercury during biological processes such as methylation by microorganisms in water and sediment. MeHg can accumulate in aquatic organisms including fish. People are exposed to very low levels of mercury in the air, water and food. Some people may be exposed to relatively higher levels of mercury by eating MeHg-containing fish. MeHg accumulates in the human body over time and because it is a known neurotoxin, it is necessary to limit human exposure to MeHg. To protect public health, Health Canada has proposed mercury guidelines and advisories for fish consumption based on total mercury (THg; all forms of Hg in a sample). This dataset was collected as part of long-term monitoring of mercury levels in various species of fish in Albertan...

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10 ways to protect your water well

Description

This postcard highlights ten ways to protect your water well. A private water well can provide a reliable, safe source of drinking water if properly operated and maintained. This resource is in... More ≫

Description

This postcard highlights ten ways to protect your water well. A private water well can provide a reliable, safe source of drinking water if properly operated and maintained. This resource is in support of the Working Well Program.

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10 reasons to test your well water

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This postcard highlights 10 important reasons to test your private water wells water quality & safety. This resource supports the Working Well Program.

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Domestic Well Water Quality in Alberta - Trace Elements

Description

In rural Alberta, 90 per cent of people use private well water supplies for domestic use (e.g., drinking, cooking, bathing). Domestic well water systems are not regulated by the provincial or... More ≫

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In rural Alberta, 90 per cent of people use private well water supplies for domestic use (e.g., drinking, cooking, bathing). Domestic well water systems are not regulated by the provincial or federal governments. The Government of Alberta along with Alberta Health Services (AHS) provides water chemistry testing of private well water and information and advice on safe water for domestic purposes; however, it is the responsibility of well owners to ensure the quality and safety of their water supply. Water quality may be impacted by contamination from natural sources or human activities and cause noticeable aesthetic issues or potential health concerns. Water samples are collected and submitted by well owners through local AHS sites for analysis of routine chemistry and trace element parameters. Routine chemistry testing focuses on the suitability of the water for drinking and household use with two health-related parameters. For trace elements, testing used to be conducted only when...

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Cyanobacterial blooms in Alberta recreational waters

Description

Cyanobacteria (also referred to as blue-green algae) are common photosynthetic bacteria that live in surface waters. Under favorable conditions, such as warm water and high nutrient content, these... More ≫

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Cyanobacteria (also referred to as blue-green algae) are common photosynthetic bacteria that live in surface waters. Under favorable conditions, such as warm water and high nutrient content, these bacteria can form nuisance “blooms”. The presence of blooms in recreational water causes unpleasant aesthetics and exposure to some toxin-producing blooms may pose potential health risks. Contact with blooms can cause skin rashes and irritation, itchy eyes, and ear infections. Inhaling water may cause allergic-like reactions, runny noses or sore throats. Ingestion of toxins can cause a range of symptoms (e.g., hepatotoxic or neurotoxic effects, and even death). There has been increased public awareness as a result of research over the past 20 years, recent monitoring efforts, and increased public education on the topic. In 2009, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services began seasonal monitoring for cyanobacterial blooms at high use recreational beaches. In 2019, beach operators took over...

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Working well : clean water. Well protected [2023]

Description

These fact sheets are part of a series for the Working Well Program and are designed for private well owner education. The objectives of the program are to: advise private well owners of their... More ≫

Description

These fact sheets are part of a series for the Working Well Program and are designed for private well owner education. The objectives of the program are to: advise private well owners of their responsibility to manage and maintain their wells to ensure safe drinking water supplies; provide well owners with a basic understanding of groundwater science, how to operate and maintain water wells and how to recognize the potential impacts their land-use activities have on provincial groundwater resource; and provide the knowledge and skills needed to adopt recommended best management practices.

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Swan Hills Treatment Center: PCBs and PCDD/F in wild game and fish tissue (1999-2014)

Description

The Swan Hills Treatment Centre (SHTC) is a facility for the safe disposal of special wastes located approximately 12 km northeast of the town of Swan Hills, AB. On October 16, 1996, a malfunction... More ≫

Description

The Swan Hills Treatment Centre (SHTC) is a facility for the safe disposal of special wastes located approximately 12 km northeast of the town of Swan Hills, AB. On October 16, 1996, a malfunction of a transformer furnace was discovered to have caused the release of a portion of process gases containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) into the ambient air. These chemicals can be harmful to human health. Therefore, in 1997 Alberta Health (AH) conducted a human health risk assessment study to estimate human exposure and to evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions. As a result of the study, food consumption advice for wild game and fish taken within a 30 km radius of the facility were issued out of concern that PCBs and PCDD/Fs were accumulating in these locally caught foods. A long-term environmental monitoring and human exposure assessment program has been ongoing since 1998 to monitor concentrations of...

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Grant payments disclosure

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These searchable files provide information on grant payments made by the Government of Alberta departments and select agencies to support programs and initiatives throughout the province. The... More ≫

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These searchable files provide information on grant payments made by the Government of Alberta departments and select agencies to support programs and initiatives throughout the province. The payment data is available in files for each fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). The data identifies: the ministry which provided the grant; the grant recipient; the payment amount; the program under which the grant was made; and whether the grant was funded by the Lottery Fund.

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Greenhouse gas emissions by municipality

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Amount of CO2-equivalent emissions from facilities emitting over 10kt, as required by Canada's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, by year and municipality or municipal district. CO2 equivalent is a... More ≫

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Amount of CO2-equivalent emissions from facilities emitting over 10kt, as required by Canada's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, by year and municipality or municipal district. CO2 equivalent is a term for describing different green house gases (like methane, nitrous oxide, HFCs, etc.) in a common unit. The CO2 equivalent would signify the amount of CO2 required to have a equivalent greenhouse effect.

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Stormwater Ponds in Alberta: Health Guidance Information Sheet

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This information sheet describes important considerations around stormwater ponds and advises the public of the potential chemical and physical hazards that may be present.

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