Presentations

Portable air cleaners have the potential to reduce exposure to hazardous indoor particulate matter, such as smoke, dust, mould, pollen and pathogens. Although a good portable air cleaner typically costs less than $500, this cost may be prohibitive in some contexts, particularly if multiple air cleaners are needed to treat large rooms like classrooms. For this reason, public health agencies and others have been promoting the use of “do-it-yourself” (DIY) air cleaners constructed out of low-cost materials as an inexpensive and rapid means to address indoor particulate matter, particularly in emergency situations like a wildfire.

This webinar will highlight the findings of our upcoming NCCEH review on DIY air cleaner effectiveness compared to commercial units. The document also compares the various DIY air cleaner designs regarding cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, and noise generation, and reviews research on deploying these devices in the real world. The…

Abstract

Almost two years since the start of the pandemic, significant psychosocial impacts are still observed in the Canadian population. The results of various surveys, as part of a study carried out by Université of Sherbrooke with the collaboration of international universities, have depicted the association between various risk/protective factors and mental health in times of pandemic. The most recent survey was conducted in October 2021 (in Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland) among a large and representative sample of adults. Special attention will be paid to the evolution in anxiety and depression and its associated risk/protective factors, as well as to a newly explored concept called “pandemic fatigue”. In addition to these results, some interesting comparisons between the attitudes, perceptions and responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change will be made. Lessons in disaster risk management learned over the past two years can indeed be utilized to…

The risk of contracting coronavirus varies among people and places, making some British Columbians more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 than others, due to socio-economic factors, occupational hazards, personal behaviours or other factors that are amplified in places characterised by increased risk of transmission. To better understand this, we developed a vulnerability model to identify differences in COVID-19 risks across neighbourhoods, visualized in a series of maps on a public-facing dashboard that indicate where to focus policy and public health efforts. In this presentation we discuss how we worked with patient partners and some of the actions that have been informed by our maps. Dr. Valorie Crooks, Professor, Simon Fraser University Leah Rosenkrantz, EH & KT Scientist, NCCEH

Presentation Slides:

Drawing from years of experience navigating barriers in the social, cultural, and built environments as a person with a disability, this episode will focus on the importance of engaging people with diverse lived experiences at the outset of the design process as a step towards adopting a more inclusive approach to the built environment. By introducing the concept of disability-led design and incorporating lived-experience examples, this webinar further elucidates the power that is traditionally embedded and distributed within the creative process and intends to advocate for people with disabilities to be seen not just as end-users of design, but as drivers of design. The added context of a global pandemic brings new issues for safe accessible design to the forefront. Surfaces that require physical contact can no longer be used in the same way, but the sanitation of such surfaces can be a complicated issue. These are situations that the health community and society as a whole need…

There is no doubt that mental health challenges posed by disasters will increase due to climate, demographic and social changes. This presentation details findings from Canadian-led studies on the psychosocial impacts resulting from communities who experienced large-scale disasters in Canada. Such traumatic events include the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019 Quebec spring floods, the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires, and the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train derailment. There are links between observed psychosocial impacts and recovery during these recent disasters, with learnings that could be applied to the COVID-19 pandemic that could promote individual and community resilience following disasters. This session will be relevant to environmental and public health professionals in health prevention and health promotion roles. Presenter: Mélissa Généreux holds a doctorate in medicine, a master's degree in public health and a specialization in community medicine from the University of…

Fomite transmission is acknowledged as one of the potential transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, appropriate cleaning and disinfection of surfaces is one of the non-pharmaceutical control measures recommended by public health. However, while adequate cleaning and disinfection may be important to sever this chain of transmission of COVID-19, excessive cleaning and disinfection has led to an increase in accidental exposure to harmful cleaning and disinfection by-products due to heightened concerns about SARS-CoV-2 persisting on food, food packaging, and environmental surfaces. Improving public health practitioners’ understanding of appropriate cleaning and disinfection practices and the risks of misuse and overuse of disinfectant products would help to guide public health recommendations in public and private settings.

Presentation Slides:

Between June 20 and July 3, 2020 a COVID-19 outbreak associated with a personal service setting (PSS) was detected in the Kingston, Ontario and managed by the local public health unit (KFL&APH).

A mixed-methods analysis was conducted to review KFL&APH’s response to the outbreak. A social network analysis was conducted to determine the extent of the outbreak and route of acquisition of cases. Epidemic curves were created and analysed. Attack rates were calculated, and testing data and overall testing strategy were reviewed.

The outbreak consisted of 37 cases with 14 through direct PSS exposure. 23 cases were from subsequent generations, and a superspreading event led to 14 of those cases. The average age of cases was 38.6 years and 65% were female. One case required hospitalization. Over 10 000 tests were conducted using a multimodal approach, including fixed assessment centres, drive-through testing and targeted testing at outbreak sites. PCR lab results…

Presenter: Dr. Juliette O’Keeffe (KT Scientist, NCCEH)

This presentation reviewed current understanding of the key risks associated with the performing arts sector, and the precautions for minimizing risks of COVID-19 transmission in various settings. It will be of interest to environmental and public health professionals developing guidance and recommendations for safe resumption of performing arts activities as well as those working in the sector.

The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. See upcoming webinars. 

Related Evidence Review: COVID-19 Risks and precautions for the performing arts

Presenter: Jade Yehia (Regional Built Environment Consultant, Island Health)

This presentation synthesizes available evidence on environmental health risks associated with the physical environment in encampments, and best practices to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, to serve as guidance for environmental health practice as an integral part of a multi-sectoral approach to ensure people stay safe and healthy during their time in an encampment.

The NCCEH Environmental Health Seminar Series provides an opportunity for learning and knowledge exchange on a variety of environmental health topics. See upcoming webinars. 

Related Guidance Document: Environmental public health guidance for encampments during the COVID-19 pandemic