https://open.alberta.ca/feeds/custom.atom?tags=environmental+public+health&audience=Government&res_format=XLSX&organization=health&language=en-CA+%5Bdefault%5DOpen Government - Custom query2024-03-19T10:08:40.526399+00:00Alberta Open Governmentpython-feedgenRecently created or updated datasets on Open Government. Custom query: ''https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/11050ae8-87fe-47a6-9a4c-14086861889bAlberta Biomonitoring Program: Chemicals in Serum of Pregnant Women and Children in Alberta2022-12-10T00:07:46.931647+00:00Biomonitoring 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 analysis in the study. Each row provides a mean concentration and standard error of measurement for the replicate pools in that Age + Region category. For more information please consult the Alberta Health reports (Phase 1: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9780778566953 ; Phase 2:https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9780778582786). 2016-08-25T16:21:10.316622+00:00https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/76a54113-1381-4824-b39c-2b32d2dfc652Cyanobacterial blooms in Alberta recreational waters2023-12-15T21:46:22.871281+00:00Cyanobacteria (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 the sampling role from Alberta Health Services under the Alberta Safe Beach Protocol. Water is collected from shallow water adjacent to beaches and submitted to laboratories for analysis of cyanobacterial bloom indicators. These data, along with visual inspection, are used to characterize potential cyanobacterial blooms and issue recreational water use advisories when cyanobacteria are found in a waterbody at levels that can affect human health.The data presented below is organized into two files that contain supporting data and key cyanobacterial bloom indicators, and counts of individual cyanobacteria species, respectively. Each row represents a water sample collected from an Alberta beach. In the cyanobacteria species data, each water sample will have many associated rows of data. Each column represents a piece of information about that water sample (e.g., key indicators and supporting information) that is used to characterize cyanobacterial blooms. Data from the current year (2023) should be considered preliminary and might change with further quality control/quality assurance steps. This dataset is updated weekly between June and September each year. For more information on these indicators please refer to the column descriptions “Usage Considerations” associated with this dataset. 2019-01-15T20:23:55.094861+00:00https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/85b4b47f-98de-40b1-bef4-09929c226019Domestic Well Water Quality in Alberta - Trace Elements2024-01-23T19:34:43.728271+00:00In 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 there were health concerns or when the water was suspected to contain chemicals of concern (2001 to Sep 2018). Currently, trace element testing is completed for all samples submitted for routine analysis (if the sample volume is sufficient). The Alberta Centre for Toxicology has conducted the analyses of raw domestic well water samples since March 2004. From 2001 to Mar 2004, testing was conducted by Enviro-Test Laboratories. Limited information is available regarding the analytical methods and detection limits for this lab; therefore, users are advised to exercise caution when using the 2001 to Mar 2004 data.These datasets contain the trace chemistry results for raw well water samples collected from 2001 to 2018. Corrections may be made to the dataset over time (e.g., removal of samples deemed to be treated); users should regularly check for updates and download the most current versions.For additional information, refer to the publications on the “Related” tab of this webpage.2017-01-19T22:32:25.104373+00:00