Field Inquiries
Our field inquiries address emerging environmental public health issues raised by practitioners. Each inquiry undergoes expert consultation to understand the context, a rapid literature review to capture the existing evidence, and a review of existing guidance to understand the various potential approaches. We use a question-based approach to guide readers through the scenario and then summarize the key considerations for policy action. These documents are internally reviewed before publication.
Primary inquiry: Is there evidence for or against the use of clean vs. sterile dressings in the care of tattoos?
Primary inquiry: Information regarding tebori, a traditional form of Japanese “hand-poke” tattooing; requesting information regarding infection control and inspection.
Infection_control_for_tebori_tattooing-Jan_2018.pdf846.58 KB
Primary inquiry: What information is available regarding the environmental health-related risks of colonics in the academic literature, and how can environmental health practitioners help reduce…
Adverse_effects_after_colon_cleansing_procedures-Jan_2018.pdf822.21 KB
Primary inquiry: In Canada, as in many other countries, cemeteries are required to be setback a certain distance from waterbodies to protect drinking water sources from contaminated liquids that can…
Cemetery_setback_distances_surface_water_contamination-Oct_2017.pdf1.63 MB
Primary inquiry: Small horticulture growers have been watering their crops with surface water containing a cyanobacterial bloom, before selling their crops at local markets. Can irrigation of food…
Irrigating_Food_Crops_Water_Containing_Cyanobacteria-Oct_2017.pdf1021.72 KB
Concerned citizens and municipal authorities contacted their public health region about a proposal by an electrical utility company to build an underground electrical substation in an urban area,…
This case study explores the issue of health impacts in the community from persistent landfill fires and covers a number of topics including: outdoor air pollution; waste management; health equity;…
Persistent_Landfill_Fire_Health_Impacts_Case_March_2015.pdf50.6 KBPersistent_Landfill_Fire_Health_Impacts_Solutions_March_2015.pdf253.09 KB
Trigger for Investigation On June 18, 2010 a commercial harvester advised an inspection specialist at CFIA of four cases of suspect PSP-related illness that occurred June 17, 2010. CFIA began an…
In 2011, three high-definition outdoor LED video billboards were erected around a city sports stadium. The residents of the surrounding community are exposed to the lighted images of these screens…
A provincial Health Ministry has been asked by the Ministry of the Environment to advise on the health risks associated with use of nematodes to control the cranberry girdler, an insect that has…