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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 ≫

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 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 ≫

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 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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Alberta Biomonitoring Program: Chemicals in Serum of Pregnant Women and Children in Alberta

Description

Biomonitoring provides a measure of internal doses of environmental chemicals or agents and allows for a more accurate measure of human health risk from these chemical exposures. Information... More ≫

Description

Biomonitoring provides a measure of internal doses of environmental chemicals or agents and allows for a more accurate measure of human health risk from these chemical exposures. Information presented in these Alberta Biomonitoring Program datasets were collected as part of two province-wide biomonitoring studies investigating the serum concentrations of a variety of environmental chemicals (both natural and synthetic) in pregnant women in northern, central, and southern Alberta (Phase 1) and in children in southern Alberta (Phase 2). The goals of the Alberta Biomonitoring Program are to create a benchmark against which to track future exposures, to provide a starting point for assessing health risks, to indicate possible exposure sources and to prioritize research efforts. Chemicals targeted for monitoring in this program were selected using expert guidance and reviewing similar studies conducted by other agencies. Each column represents a single chemical that was included for...

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2016 MAML Horse River Wildfire Hourly Data

Description

Hourly data collected by Alberta Environment and Parks using a mobile atmospheric monitoring laboratory (MAML) as part of emergency response monitoring during the 2016 Horse River Wildfire.

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2016 EBAM Horse River Wildfire Hourly Data

Description

Hourly data collected by Alberta Environment and Parks using Beta-attenuation Particulate Monitors (EBAMs) as part of emergency response monitoring during the 2016 Horse River Wildfire.

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Alberta Air Quality Notification Protocol : what you need to know

Description

This information sheet provides information on how notification, assessment, and communication of air quality events occur in Alberta. It is also intended to increase public awareness about the... More ≫

Description

This information sheet provides information on how notification, assessment, and communication of air quality events occur in Alberta. It is also intended to increase public awareness about the Air Quality Notification Protocol and to encourage the public to sign up for Environment Canada’s EC Alert Me and WeatherCAN app, as well as the Government of Alberta’s Air Quality Health Index app.

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2019 fish consumption guidance : mercury in fish

Description

This technical report was prepared to provide summary information about the fish consumption advice available for Alberta water bodies and to present new data collected from 2013 to 2016... More ≫

Description

This technical report was prepared to provide summary information about the fish consumption advice available for Alberta water bodies and to present new data collected from 2013 to 2016 (inclusive) along with attendant advice. The information in this report may be of interest to researchers, public health professionals, or members of the public who are interested in fish consumption advice in Alberta and want additional information. This document has been produced using methods described in past reports – as such, the information contained herein is a summary of available data related to mercury in fish and human health advice.

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New developments : Verte Homesteader and Parcel Y : regulatory action underway based on recent testing data

Description

The Alberta government received new information from the responsible parties resulting in further regulatory action being taken in two areas. Government is taking action based on these results in... More ≫

Description

The Alberta government received new information from the responsible parties resulting in further regulatory action being taken in two areas. Government is taking action based on these results in the absences of a plan from the responsible parties.

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Odours and human health

Description

This report explores and summarizes the findings from over 500 peer-reviewed epidemiology and experimental studies assessing odour and health outcomes in humans. The intended audience for this... More ≫

Description

This report explores and summarizes the findings from over 500 peer-reviewed epidemiology and experimental studies assessing odour and health outcomes in humans. The intended audience for this report is primarily health professionals or other professionals with related scientific backgrounds, but information is contained in this report that may also be relevant to interested members of the public.

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Environmental public health indoor air quality manual : a guide for environmental public health professionals

Description

This manual describes a general framework and provides a menu of tools to empower Alberta Environmental Public Health professionals (EPHPs) in their investigations and management of indoor air... More ≫

Description

This manual describes a general framework and provides a menu of tools to empower Alberta Environmental Public Health professionals (EPHPs) in their investigations and management of indoor air quality matters. The manual does not intend to be a definitive nor a comprehensive prescriptive work; rather, it offers a concise and up-to-date collection of methodologies and approaches that are useful in problem identification, risk intervention and harm reduction. In addition to providing practical tools useful in field applications, this manual re-acquaints practitioners with toxicological, risk assessment and risk management principles that are also useful in other Environmental Public Health fields.

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