Our subject guides introduce the reader to important and emerging environmental public health issues through a curated list of NCCEH and external resources. The most relevant resources have been selected to best guide the search for further information. Topic pages are reviewed and updated with new content periodically. These lists are not intended to be exhaustive, and the omission of any individual resource does not preclude it from having value.
Catastrophic wildfires have had devastating impacts on many Canadian communities over the past decade from Fort McMurray AB in 2016, to Lytton BC in 2021, to Jasper AB in 2024, and many others. As…
Aspects of the built environment, including man-made and natural features, impact human health directly and indirectly through air quality, traffic injuries, and toxic substances. These aspects can…
Oil spills are very complex events that, depending on where they occur, may result in acute exposures to nearby human populations. Regardless of the presence of humans, however, oil spills have the…
Recreational waters such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and their associated beaches, attract large numbers of users engaging in primary contact activities (e.g., swimming, water skiing, surfing, paddle…
The frequency and intensity of Canadian wildfires is increasing due to the changing global climate, as well as long-standing forest management practices. Ever-worsening fire seasons impact…
Climate change is generally expected to lead to warmer winters, while paradoxically, arctic warming is also leading to more extreme cold events. However, defining extreme cold is difficult in a place…
Drought is defined as an extended period of abnormally dry weather that depletes water resources for human and environmental needs. It is important to note that for drought to occur, the number of…
As climate change leads to more frequent and severe heat waves and more very hot days in Canada and elsewhere, there is an increased risk of indoor overheating. Indoor overheating refers to the…
Climate change is increasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of the number of very hot days in Canada. During heatwaves, the daytime and night-time average temperatures are projected to…
Cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, are naturally occurring photosynthetic bacteria found in lakes, rivers, brackish, and marine waters. Cyanobacteria can pose a hazard to people…