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.
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…
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…
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…
Sea level rise can cause a range of physical impacts on the built environment, with potential damage, loss, or change to coastal ports, critical infrastructure, private dwellings, transport routes,…
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…
Environmental noise refers to unwanted sounds caused by human activity, such as road noise, aircraft, rail traffic, construction noise, building systems (e.g., ventilation or cooling), or…
The transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, occurs primarily via direct contact with or respiratory droplets from an infected person. However, there is evidence to suggest that…
(Last updated: June 2021)
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted major cities around the world, leading to businesses and public facilities closures and stay-at-home orders. Public transit ridership…
The goal of any public health emergency is to help as many people as quickly as possible. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new dimension to emergency management. Not only has COVID-19 made it…
[Last Updated: Feb 11, 2021]
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary to periodically close public buildings and facilities, followed by re-opening when safe again. Periods of low…