All Resources

Assessment of the potential lifetime cancer risks associated with exposure to inorganic arsenic among indigenous people living in the Wood Buffalo region of Alberta

Description

The toxicity of arsenic is a subject of considerable research, as well as some controversy, particularly in relation to its potential to cause cancer. In order to better understand and assess the... More ≫

Description

The toxicity of arsenic is a subject of considerable research, as well as some controversy, particularly in relation to its potential to cause cancer. In order to better understand and assess the significance of the elevated cancer risk from arsenic exposure, Alberta Health and Wellness retained Cantox Environmental Inc. (CEI) to review previous research and assess the potential cancer risk using refined methodology consistent with that typically used by CEI. The work was meant to serve as a “second opinion” of the lifetime cancer risk that could be presented to people living in the Wood-Buffalo region from arsenic exposure.

Tags

Assessment report on isopropanol for developing an ambient air quality objectives

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical... More ≫

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical information to assist in evaluating the basis and background for an ambient air quality objective for isopropanol. Isopropanol is a colourless, clear, volatile liquid under standard conditions. It can react with air or oxygen to form unstable peroxides. Isopropanol has widespread use as a solvent and as a component of many industrial, commercial and consumer products. Isopropanol is also a naturally occurring metabolic product in a variety of microorganisms and plants; as such, it occurs naturally in a wide variety of foods.

Tags

Assessment report on toluene for developing an ambient air quality objectives

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical... More ≫

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical information to assist in evaluating the basis and background for an ambient air quality objective for toluene. Toluene is a clear, colourless, volatile and flammable liquid under standard conditions. It is a naturally occurring component of crude oil and petroleum. Toluene is also formed during the combustion of organic materials; thus forest, grass and other biomass fires will release toluene to the atmosphere. The manufacturing of toluene occurs primarily via isolation from petroleum mixtures by the distillation of reformed or pyrolyzed petroleum and coal-tar oil. Toluene is widely used as a solvent in paints, varnishes, pesticide formulations, printing inks, dyes, adhesives, sealants, cleaning agents, nail polish, and for chemical extractions. Toluene also is used as a feedstock or starting...

Tags

Assessment report on hexane for developing an ambient air quality objectives

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical... More ≫

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical information to assist in evaluating the basis and background for an ambient air quality objective for hexane. Hexane is a colourless, clear, highly volatile and flammable liquid under standard conditions. The majority of n-hexane is obtained from the controlled fractional distillation of petroleum mixtures and other refinery-based processes. Commercial and laboratory grades of hexane are widely used as solvents and extractants in numerous industrial, commercial and domestic applications. n-Hexane is a naturally occurring component of crude oil and natural gas, and also may be a metabolic by-product produced by certain types of fungi, marine phytoplankton and terrestrial vegetation. The principal industrial sectors in Alberta that release n-hexane to air are food manufacturing (vegetable oil-...

Tags

Assessment report on xylenes for developing an ambient air quality objectives

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical... More ≫

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical information to assist in evaluating the basis and background for an ambient air quality objective for xylenes. Xylenes are clear, colourless, volatile, flammable liquids under standard conditions. They are a naturally occurring minor component of all petroleum products. Also, they are formed during combustion of organic materials and are present in volcanic gases. Anthropogenic xylenes are primarily produced via the catalytic reforming of petroleum and as by-products of the cracking of crude and heavy oil. The major use of xylenes is as an additive to gasoline during blending to enhance the fuel’s octane rating. Xylenes are widely used as solvents in paints, varnishes and other coatings, pesticide formulations, vitamins, pharmaceuticals, printing inks, dyes, adhesives, sealants, cleaning agents,...

Tags

Assessment report on ethylbenzene for developing an ambient air quality objectives

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical... More ≫

Description

Ambient air quality objectives are established as part of the Alberta air quality management system. The purpose of this assessment report was to provide a review of scientific and technical information to assist in evaluating the basis and background for an ambient air quality objective for ethylbenzene. Ethylbenzene is a clear, colourless, volatile liquid under standard conditions. It is a flammable liquid and is combustible at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure. Ethylbenzene is primarily used as a precursor in the production of styrene and cellulose acetate, but is found in a large number of industrial, commercial and consumer products. Ethylbenzene is a naturally occurring component of crude oil. It is formed during combustion of organic materials; thus, forest, grass and other biomass fires will release ethylbenzene to the atmosphere.

Tags

Health effects associated with short-term exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) : a technical review

Description

In response to recommendations of the final report of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Public Safety and Sour Gas released in December 2000, Alberta Health and Wellness commissioned reports on... More ≫

Description

In response to recommendations of the final report of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Public Safety and Sour Gas released in December 2000, Alberta Health and Wellness commissioned reports on the health effects of low-level exposure to hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The present report on hydrogen sulphide is the first of four reports. It focuses on the health effects information on short-term exposures to H2S at concentrations in the range of 0 to 100 ppm. A principal aim of the work was to update the conclusions reached in 1988 by the Ad Hoc Committee on H2S Toxicity. The review focused on the health effects of short-term exposures to low levels of H2S on normal, healthy individuals. Issues surrounding “hypersusceptible” individuals were not directly addressed. Similarly, health effects that might occur secondary to the odour of H2S were not specifically addressed.

Tags