All Resources

Assessing air quality in High Level report 1 : a preliminary analysis of physician visits and air particulate data

Description

A study was done to assess air quality in High Level from a human health perspective. The study had two major components: an examination of existing health data on selected respiratory diseases;... More ≫

Description

A study was done to assess air quality in High Level from a human health perspective. The study had two major components: an examination of existing health data on selected respiratory diseases; and a collection of direct measures of air quality. The air quality component of the study focused on estimates of the personal exposure levels to selected air pollutants and how these exposures related to ambient levels of the pollutants. The health data component of the study showed rates of physician claims for the respiratory disorders in High Level were less than the provincial average.

Tags

Maternal risk factors in relationship to birth outcome

Description

This report describes how maternal behaviours such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs among Alberta’s women impacts the risk of pre-term birth and low birth weight. As well, the... More ≫

Description

This report describes how maternal behaviours such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs among Alberta’s women impacts the risk of pre-term birth and low birth weight. As well, the report highlights regional variations in maternal and infant characteristics, the understanding of which may be useful in the design and implementation of targeted intervention programs.

Tags

Northern River Basins human health monitoring program

Description

This report examines the differences in health outcomes across the province, compares the Northern River Basin Study area with the other areas of the province and examines possible relationships... More ≫

Description

This report examines the differences in health outcomes across the province, compares the Northern River Basin Study area with the other areas of the province and examines possible relationships between health outcomes and environmental contaminants. It includes a series of regional and local maps and graphs that identify the prevalence of certain diseases and disorders within the Peace and Athabasca river basins. The focus is on reproductive health, congenital anomalies, respiratory ailments, circulatory diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and neurocognitive disorders.

Tags

Assessment of respiratory disorders in relation to solution gas flaring activities in Alberta

Description

Alberta Health conducted a study of health data, socioeconomic and environmental factors including solution gas flaring activity in response to concerns raised through the Clean Air Strategic... More ≫

Description

Alberta Health conducted a study of health data, socioeconomic and environmental factors including solution gas flaring activity in response to concerns raised through the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA). The study involved information for the period 1994 to 1996 on population demographics, physician claims and hospitalizations collected from Alberta Health databases. This information was compared to data on flaring activities obtained from the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (AEUB). The health disorders investigated were asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and respiratory infections. The age-standardized rate of physician claims and hospitalizations were estimated for each postal code area in the province.

Tags

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran in cow's milk near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Description

In this study, cow’s milk from farms which are potentially affected by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions from various industries in Ft.... More ≫

Description

In this study, cow’s milk from farms which are potentially affected by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions from various industries in Ft. Saskatchewan, including the Dow Chemical EDC/VCM facility, were sampled and analyzed for PCDD/F. The results were compared with samples from reference farms as well as supermarket milk.

Tags

Swan Hills Special Waste Treatment Center human health impact assessment

Description

The Swan Hills Treatment Centre is a facility for the safe disposal of special wastes located approximately 12 kilometers northeast of the town of Swan Hills. A furnace malfunction in October 1996... More ≫

Description

The Swan Hills Treatment Centre is a facility for the safe disposal of special wastes located approximately 12 kilometers northeast of the town of Swan Hills. A furnace malfunction in October 1996 caused the release of a portion of process gases containing toxic substances into the ambient air. As a precautionary measure, Alberta Health issued a local food consumption advisory for wild game and fish and followed this with a detailed human impact assessment carried out from December 1996 to October 1997. The human impact assessment was designed to document the current status of exposure and to address questions about population exposures arising from accidental and fugitive emissions of PCBs, dioxins and furans from the waste treatment plant. This report presents the findings of the assessment. As a result of the assessment, Alberta Health determined that continued restrictions on the consumption of wild game and fish contaminated with PCBs and dioxins/furans are warranted.

Tags

Geographic and temporal variations of selected respiratory diseases in Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan

Description

This report provides the findings of a descriptive epidemiologic study of asthma, bronchitis and emphysema in Strathcona County. Comparisons of rates of these selected respiratory diseases are... More ≫

Description

This report provides the findings of a descriptive epidemiologic study of asthma, bronchitis and emphysema in Strathcona County. Comparisons of rates of these selected respiratory diseases are made for Ft. Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Ft. McMurray and the province. The study was undertaken at the request of Strathcona County Council, due to a concern that respiratory diseases, especially asthma, may be higher in their community. A committee comprised of the medical officers of health and health inspectors from Lakeland and Edmonton Regional Health Authorities, and the Provincial Health Officers and the Director of the Surveillance Branch, Alberta Health have participated in the review of the findings. This report represents the first in a series of population health assessment and monitoring activities conducted by the Surveillance Branch, Alberta Health, in collaboration with Regional Health Authorities.

Tags