Topic Pages
Our topic pages 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.
Earthquakes result when tectonic forces cause sections of the crust to move suddenly against each other, sending out seismic waves that cause imperceptible to violent shaking on the surface. This…
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…
Global change due to factors such as climate change, conflict, migration, urbanization, and aging are expected to amplify the public health impacts of disasters. Psychosocial impacts refer to the…
Mould is a ubiquitous fungus in indoor and outdoor environments. The general population is commonly exposed to mould through inhalation, and less commonly through direct contact, with no adverse…
Climate change is driving an increase in daily extreme precipitation in Canada, which when combined with other landscape factors, such as urbanization, deforestation, and loss of wetlands, can result…
Flooding is the most common climate-related disaster globally, and floods are increasing in frequency across Canada. Floods have a significant and long-term impact on community mental health and…
Legionella is naturally occurring waterborne bacteria that can survive within building water systems and multiply under ideal conditions that include warm temperature (e.g., 25-45°C), lack of…
Marine shellfish poisoning refers to illnesses caused by eating marine bivalve shellfish (e.g., clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles) that contain biotoxins, which shellfish can accumulate when…
The definition and regulatory oversight of small drinking water systems (SDWS) across Canada varies by provincial and federal jurisdictions. A small system may be defined by size, or by who owns and…
Radon gas is a colourless, odourless, radioactive gas that is released during the decay of uranium in rocks and soils. Radon levels outdoors are generally low, but radon gas indoors poses more of a…