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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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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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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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Local Geographic Area Boundaries Alberta Health 2018

Description

This dataset contains Local Geographic Areas Boundaries and associated aggregations. This dataset was developed to help create maps using health data. The boundaries correspond to data summaries... More ≫

Description

This dataset contains Local Geographic Areas Boundaries and associated aggregations. This dataset was developed to help create maps using health data. The boundaries correspond to data summaries available in Applied Research and Evaluation Services. Local Geographic Areas Boundaries and associated aggregations are available in SHP format and are viewable on the Applied Research and Evaluation Services GIS Information Hub. Please refer to the Distribution Information to view or obtain the data.

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Measurement of SO2 by ultraviolet fluorescence SO2 analyzer : standard operating procedure

Description

This document is a standard operating procedure for measuring Sulphur Dioxide concentration in ambient air environment. The use of the ultraviolet fluorescence SO2 analyzers technology for... More ≫

Description

This document is a standard operating procedure for measuring Sulphur Dioxide concentration in ambient air environment. The use of the ultraviolet fluorescence SO2 analyzers technology for measuring ambient SO2 is the basis of this SOP. Staff from Alberta Environment and Parks, Airsheds and other organizations across Alberta monitoring SO2 concentration under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring will benefit from this SOP. The SOP also ensures consistency and comparability of SO2 data collected across monitoring programs across Alberta. Future revisions to this SOP will reflect any technology updates.

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Assessing the impact of an established peer support model on the mental health of public safety personnel

Description

Contains survey data collected in support of a cross-sectional study on combined firefighter/paramedics in Alberta to assess the effectiveness of an established peer support model.

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The surveillance for antineoplastic exposures (SurFACEs) study

Description

Antineoplastic drugs (AD) used in treatment of cancer can present an occupational health hazard to healthcare workers causing adverse reproductive effects and increasing their risk of cancer. This... More ≫

Description

Antineoplastic drugs (AD) used in treatment of cancer can present an occupational health hazard to healthcare workers causing adverse reproductive effects and increasing their risk of cancer. This report presents the findings of a large-scale exposure assessment study which focused on wipe-sampling of hard surfaces to determine the presence and level of AD residues in six representative cancer care facilities in Alberta and three in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Measuring occupational health and safety vulnerability in Alberta

Description

In this report, a conceptual framework of occupational health and safety vulnerability is applied to a sample of Alberta workers, and then compared with similar samples from Ontario and British... More ≫

Description

In this report, a conceptual framework of occupational health and safety vulnerability is applied to a sample of Alberta workers, and then compared with similar samples from Ontario and British Columbia. The vulnerability tool: captures information about workplace hazard exposures; measures the presence (or absence) of workplace resources that protect workers against injury; and provides an understanding of how workplace hazards and a lack of protections contribute to an individual worker’s risk of injury.

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Metabolomics of welding fume exposure

Description

Contains research data collected in support of a research study conducted to determine whether exposure to welding fumes results in changes in metals and metabolites found in urine samples from welders. More ≫

Description

Contains research data collected in support of a research study conducted to determine whether exposure to welding fumes results in changes in metals and metabolites found in urine samples from welders.

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Artificial disc arthroplasty (ACDA)

Description

Artificial cervical disc arthroplasty (ACDA) is a surgical procedure that may replace cervical fusion in selected patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc disease. The main outcome of... More ≫

Description

Artificial cervical disc arthroplasty (ACDA) is a surgical procedure that may replace cervical fusion in selected patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc disease. The main outcome of ACDA that sets it apart from fusion is the preservation of the spine mobility. The aim of this report is to review the literature for evidence of effectiveness and safety of the cervical artificial disks approved by Health Canada.

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