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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 ≫

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 assessment 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 as part of an environmental impact assessment, 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

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

Description

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 ≫

Description

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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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 ≫

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 Wildfire of 2016 and after clean-up of the debris and damage that remained. The first part of the report 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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Inventory and analysis of exposure factors for Alberta

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Presents the findings of a study conducted to provide information on human behaviours and characteristics that influence an individual's exposure to environmental contaminants in Alberta. The... More ≫

Description

Presents the findings of a study conducted to provide information on human behaviours and characteristics that influence an individual's exposure to environmental contaminants in Alberta. The purpose of the study was threefold: to inventory and evaluate data on exposure factors that are relevant to Albertans; to determine the most suitable exposure factors for use in exposure and human health risk assessments in Alberta; and to determine where gaps in the data exist and prioritize the gaps that could be considered for future study.

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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

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.... 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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Mercury in fish in Alberta water bodies 2009-2013

Description

Because methylmercury is a known neurotoxin and can accumulate in the body over time, it is necessary to limit human exposure. From 2009 to 2013, the Departments of Environment and Parks and... More ≫

Description

Because methylmercury is a known neurotoxin and can accumulate in the body over time, it is necessary to limit human exposure. From 2009 to 2013, the Departments of Environment and Parks and Health initiated a survey of mercury levels in fish in selected water bodies in Alberta which are extensively accessed by the public for recreational activities. Environment Canada sampled and tested fish from Alberta lakes for mercury during the same time period. The results of these analyses are included and discussed in this report.

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Domestic well water quality in regions of Alberta : physical & chemical testing

Description

Under the framework of the Alberta Water for Life Strategy initiative, Alberta Health initiated a domestic well water quality monitoring and human health assessment program in 2009. This report... More ≫

Description

Under the framework of the Alberta Water for Life Strategy initiative, Alberta Health initiated a domestic well water quality monitoring and human health assessment program in 2009. This report presents the findings of a project undertaken in 2010 and 2011 as part of this program, which involved monitoring domestic well water quality in eleven selected regions where more intensive agricultural activities are present. The objectives of this project were to: assess long-term suitability of domestic well water quality for well owners; collect information on drinking water consumption patterns; assist well owners through education to improve well water quality; and build a better understanding of domestic well water quality in specific regions of the province.

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