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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 exposures. In these Alberta... More ≫

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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 exposures. In these Alberta Biomonitoring Program datasets, information was collected as part of 3 province-wide studies investigating the serum levels of environmental chemicals (both natural and synthetic) in pregnant women in northern, central and southern Alberta (Phase 1), in children in southern Alberta (Phase 2), and maternal and umbilical cord blood samples from 7 Alberta cities (Phase 3). The goals of the program are to create a benchmark against which to track future exposures, provide a starting point for assessing health risks, indicate possible exposure sources and prioritize research efforts. Chemicals targeted for monitoring were selected using expert guidance and review of similar studies. For Phases 1 and 2, results for each chemical are presented in a single column, as either whole serum or lipid-adjusted...

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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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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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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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Domestic Well Water Quality in Alberta - Routine Chemistry

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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Continuing Care Accommodation Standards Compliance Reporting

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Alberta Health monitors all supportive living and long-term care accommodations for compliance to the Accommodation Standards, the Resident and Family Councils Act (RFCA) and the Continuing Care... More ≫

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Alberta Health monitors all supportive living and long-term care accommodations for compliance to the Accommodation Standards, the Resident and Family Councils Act (RFCA) and the Continuing Care Health Service Standards (CCHSS). The purpose of the Accommodation Standards is to ensure accommodations maintain a high quality of accommodation services (e.g. meals, building maintenance, security and housekeeping) that promote the safety, security and quality of life of Albertans living in those accommodations. The RFCA is intended to support residents and their families in establishing an effective Resident and Family Council. The CCHSS are a set of legislated, minimum standards that operators must comply with in the provision of health care (e.g., medication management, care planning, staff training). Alberta Health monitored CMOH Orders between March 20, 2020 and June 30, 2022. The CMOH Orders were explicit requirements for all operators, staff, residents, as well as the families and...

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Emergency Visits for Patients Residing in the Local Geographic Area (LGA) by Triage Level, Fiscal Year 2020/2021

Description

Figure 8.1 provides emergency visits by semi-urgent and non-urgent triage levels for patients residing in the local geographic area and Alberta for the most recent fiscal year available. Canadian... More ≫

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Figure 8.1 provides emergency visits by semi-urgent and non-urgent triage levels for patients residing in the local geographic area and Alberta for the most recent fiscal year available. Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) is a scale to categorize patients according to the type and severity of their initial presenting signs and symptoms at the Emergency Department that helps to determine priorities for treatment. The CTAS is used to determine the triage level. There are 5 levels, with level 1 being the most urgent and level 5 the least urgent. This indicator dataset contains information at both Local Geographic Area (for example, Lacombe, Red Deer, Calgary West Bow, etc.) and Alberta levels. Local geographic area refers to 132 geographic areas created by Alberta Health (AH) and Alberta Health Services (AHS) based on census boundaries. This figure is the part of "Alberta Health Primary Health Care - Community Profiles" report published August 2022.

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Health Status Indicators for Zone versus Alberta Residents, 2019 and 2020

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Table 1.2 shows zone-level health status indicators compared to the province for the two most recent calendar years available.For each healthcare status indicator, the table shows percentage of... More ≫

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Table 1.2 shows zone-level health status indicators compared to the province for the two most recent calendar years available.For each healthcare status indicator, the table shows percentage of males or female affected, for the Zone compared to Alberta. The healthcare status indicators described in this table include the following: Body Mass Index (Normal Weight, Over Weight, Obese), Mental Health before (2019) and during (2020) COVID ( Excellent/Very Good/Good, Fair/ Poor), Smoking(Daily/occasional smokers, Never/former smokers), Self-Perceived Stress Tolerance (Excellent/Very Good, Poor/Fair/Good). This table is the part of "Alberta Health Primary Health Care - Community Profiles" report published August 2022.

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Zone versus Alberta Community Mental Health Access by Service Type, 2020/2021

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Table 1.5 shows zone-level community mental health utilization by treatment service type compared to the province for the most recent fiscal year available. This table is part of "Alberta Health... More ≫

Description

Table 1.5 shows zone-level community mental health utilization by treatment service type compared to the province for the most recent fiscal year available. This table is part of "Alberta Health Primary Health Care - Community Profiles" report published August 2022.

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