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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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Human health risks associated with aerially applied fire retardants : screening level risk assessment

Description

Alberta Health retained Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd. to prepare a Screening Level Risk Assessment (SLRA) related to the general public being exposed to aerially applied fire retardants used... More ≫

Description

Alberta Health retained Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd. to prepare a Screening Level Risk Assessment (SLRA) related to the general public being exposed to aerially applied fire retardants used during wildfires. The objectives of this work were to estimate human exposure to fire retardants in various media following use during a wildfire, to characterise the potential human health risks from these exposures, and to provide appropriate and valuable public health advice for residents returning to an area impacted by fire retardant use.

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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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Odours and human health

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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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Protective action criteria : review summary

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This document presents the summary findings of a review conducted by Alberta Health to provide background information for health professionals who may use protective action criteria, or PACs.... More ≫

Description

This document presents the summary findings of a review conducted by Alberta Health to provide background information for health professionals who may use protective action criteria, or PACs. Protective Action Criteria (PACs) are exposure guidelines used during chemical emergencies to help protect the public from health effects of short-term exposures to hazardous chemicals in the air. PACs are used by government agencies and the private sector to evaluate the potential impact of a one-time rare exposure to a chemical.

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Protective action criteria : a review of their derivation, use, advantages and limitations

Description

Protective Action Criteria (PACs) are exposure guidelines used during chemical emergencies to help protect the public from health effects of short-term exposures to hazardous chemicals in the air.... More ≫

Description

Protective Action Criteria (PACs) are exposure guidelines used during chemical emergencies to help protect the public from health effects of short-term exposures to hazardous chemicals in the air. PACs are used by government agencies and the private sector to evaluate the potential impact of a one-time rare exposure to a chemical. Alberta Health conducted a review and prepared a report to provide background information for health professionals who may use protective action criteria. The main objectives of this report are to provide background information on PACs, present a summary of real-world usage of PACs, and discuss the advantages and limitations associated with these guidelines.

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Domestic well water quality in Alberta : 2002 – 2008 characterization : physical & chemical testing

Description

Under the framework of the Alberta Water for Life Strategy initiative to ensure safe drinking water for all Albertans, Alberta Health initiated a domestic well water quality monitoring and human... More ≫

Description

Under the framework of the Alberta Water for Life Strategy initiative to ensure safe drinking water for all Albertans, Alberta Health initiated a domestic well water quality monitoring and human health assessment program in 2009. This report presents the findings of the initial project conducted under this program. The objects of the project were to: provide baseline information on the occurrence and geographic distribution of physical and chemical properties of domestic well waters; assess drinking water quality and safety; develop and select relevant indicators for well water quality monitoring programs; provide province-wide, science-based information on domestic well water quality to enhance domestic well owners’ awareness and encourage involvement in the protection of their domestic well water quality; and assist other government departments by generating reliable scientific evidence to address practical and effective groundwater management and strategies.

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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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