Guidance Documents

Our guidance reviews help environmental health professionals to contextualize evidence and identify relevant best practice recommendations, guidance, and tools in emerging subject areas. These documents summarize existing recommendations and guidelines from across multiple agencies and are produced via rapid reviews of academic and grey literature, expert consultation, and cooperation with external partners. These documents do not supersede provincial or federal guidance or regulations.
[Updated: May 20, 2021] Introduction Extensive debate over when, where, and what types of masks should be worn, and by whom, has persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health agencies…
Masking during the pandemic_NCCEH UPDATE JUN2021_EN.pdf657.69 KB
To prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, public health guidance promotes physical distancing, staying home when ill, good hand hygiene and environmental…
Homeless encampment guidance document_July_EN_JY (2).pdf647.71 KB
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure of workplaces, public facilities, retail and commercial spaces, entertainment venues, and other indoor spaces where groups of people congregate. As cities…
COVID-19 in indoor environments — Air and surface disinfection measures Oct 2020 update.pdf484.54 KB
Hand sanitizer use continues to be prevalent during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, increased use and new formulations have led to accidents and sparked concerns over safety. The NCCEH has developed…
Background The primary mode of human-to-human transmission for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is via direct contact with an infected person and their…
[NOTE:a printer friendly version of this document is attached at the bottom] Introduction Outdoor recreational spaces make important contributions to social well-being as well as physical and…
Although COVID-19 is primarily spread by direct contact with an infected person or their respiratory droplets, it may also be possible to transmit the virus by touching a contaminated surface, and…
Multi-unit residential buildings bring together tens to hundreds of people within the same building envelope and in contact with many of the same surfaces. Although we know that COVID-19 is primarily…
COVID-19 Precautions for Multiunit Residential Buildings - March 31 2020.pdf320.19 KB
What are cyanobacteria? Cyanobacteria, or ‘blue-green algae,’ are naturally occurring microscopic organisms found in fresh, brackish, or marine water. Under conditions such as warmer water…
Boil water advisories are issued when water testing detects higher than accepted amounts of microbial indicators or when there are deficiencies with water treatment. The fear of not issuing a boil…
Microbial_Indicators_Jan_2013.pdf253.27 KB