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Strategies to manage heat : a jurisdictional scan

Description

In the summer of 2021, Alberta experienced multiple periods of extreme heat lasting several days. Extreme heat has the potential to cause serious negative health impacts, ranging from heat ... More ≫

Description

In the summer of 2021, Alberta experienced multiple periods of extreme heat lasting several days. Extreme heat has the potential to cause serious negative health impacts, ranging from heat exhaustion and dehydration to exacerbation of cardiovascular disease and death. The impacts of heat can largely be prevented through early planning and implementation of appropriate public health interventions. As a step towards improving the response to extreme heat in Alberta, this jurisdictional scan creates a synthesis of common strategies used to manage heat, drawing on heat health documentation from various municipal, provincial, federal and international agencies. The findings will primarily be used to inform management options for extreme heat in Alberta.

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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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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 2010, 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 ≫

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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 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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Guidance on human health risk assessment for environmental impact assessment in Alberta. [Version 2]

Description

Environmental assessment is a key element of Alberta's process for the review and approval of new major industrial projects. The process requires the preparation of an environmental impact ... More ≫

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Environmental assessment is a key element of Alberta's process for the review and approval of new major industrial projects. The process requires the preparation of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, which includes information on the potential human health impacts of the proposed project. The primary objective of this document is to provide general guidance for the completion of a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) as part of an EIA, with the overall goal of ensuring quality, consistency and completeness of risk assessments conducted in Alberta.

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2019 fish consumption guidance : mercury in fish

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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 ≫

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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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Smoke from outdoor recreational fires and wildfires : jurisdictional review and summary of management options

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This review summarizes the health impacts of wood smoke and provides a description of the regulatory measures that different provincial, state and municipal governments have implemented to manage ... More ≫

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This review summarizes the health impacts of wood smoke and provides a description of the regulatory measures that different provincial, state and municipal governments have implemented to manage it. For recreational fires, bylaws from various municipalities are reviewed. For wildfires, the guidelines used in different jurisdictions to manage wildfire smoke and reduce public exposure are summarized.

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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 or cleaning). Domestic well water systems are not regulated by either the ... More ≫

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In rural Alberta, 90 per cent of people use private well water supplies for domestic use (e.g. drinking, cooking, bathing or cleaning). Domestic well water systems are not regulated by either the provincial or federal governments. The Government of Alberta along with Alberta Health Services provides water chemistry testing of private well water and information and advice on safe water for domestic purposes; however, it is the responsibility of private 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 quality problems or potential human health concerns. The water samples are collected and submitted by well owners through local Alberta Health Service sites for analysis of physical and chemical parameters. Domestic well water quality monitoring in Alberta, includes routine chemistry and trace element analyses. Routine chemistry testing focuses on the...

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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 or cleaning). Domestic well water systems are not regulated by either the ... More ≫

Description

In rural Alberta, 90 per cent of people use private well water supplies for domestic use (e.g. drinking, cooking, bathing or cleaning). Domestic well water systems are not regulated by either the provincial or federal governments. The Government of Alberta along with Alberta Health Services provides water chemistry testing of private well water and information and advice on safe water for domestic purposes; however, it is the responsibility of private 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 quality problems or potential human health concerns. The water samples are collected and submitted by well owners through local Alberta Health Service sites for analysis of physical and chemical parameters. Domestic well water quality monitoring in Alberta, includes routine chemistry and trace elements analyses. Routine chemistry testing focuses on the...

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Horse River Wildfire response : environmental monitoring, public health assessment and ecological screening technical summary document

Description

This report was prepared to assess whether the soil and air quality in Fort McMurray and surrounding areas met ecological and human health guidelines during the response to the Horse River ... More ≫

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This report was prepared to assess whether the soil and air quality in Fort McMurray and surrounding areas met ecological and human health guidelines during the response to the Horse River Wildfire of 2016 and after clean-up of the debris and damage that remained. This two-part report has been finalized and undergone quality control. The first part includes high-level summaries from literature reviews on the contaminants of potential concerns from wildfire smoke and ash and their impacts on soil and human health. The second part includes the identification of potential risks to human and ecological health from ash and soil in fire affected areas, a health risk assessment of potential ash migration into residential gardens, an overview of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s remedial program and a post-cleanup health risk assessment based on the post remedial soil sampling program results.

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