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Contaminants and Hazards


Identifying hazards posed by infectious diseases, chemicals, radiation, and noise, in homes and personal service establishments.

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Understanding the Public Health Implications Concerning Shale Gas Production and Hydraulic Fracturing

Topics: Chemical Agents, Contaminants and Hazards, Resource Extraction, Shale Gas
The intent of this document is to synthesize scientific information related to public health concerns of relevance to Canada about shale gas production (including the pre-production stages of…
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Unwrapped – Plastic Food Contact Articles And Chemical Food Safety

Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Food
Plastics are emerging as an important environmental public health (EPH) issue. Within this issue, the safety of plastic food contact articles (PFCA) is especially important for EPH practice. PFCA are…
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Use of Microbial Source Tracking Tools in Waterborne Disease Outbreak Response

Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Water
Fecal pollution in recreational and drinking source waters can result in outbreaks leading to the transmission of disease. Information on the sources of fecal pollution is important because the level…
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Using a Hierarchy of Evidence to Assess Chemical Health Risks of Artificial Turf

Topics: Artificial Turf, Built Environment, Chemical Agents, Contaminants and Hazards, Practices and Procedures, Risk Analysis
Over the past 40 years, artificial turf has become common in public and private settings. Compared to natural turf, artificial turf is easier to maintain, requires less water and no fertilizer, and…
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Using Shared Laundry Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Topics: Built Environment, Contaminants and Hazards, COVID-19, Infectious Diseases
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…
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Wading through the mire: Keeping up with new and changing Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines

Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Drinking Water, Water
Changes to Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines Over the past year there have been nine new consultations and announcement of eleven new or updated Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. Keeping up with…
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Water-borne Disease Outbreaks in Canadian Small Drinking Water Systems

Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Water, Infectious Diseases, Drinking Water
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Waxing Promising Practices Fact Sheet

Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Personal Service Establishments
Waxing can draw blood and body fluid from the skin. If this occurs, there is a potential to transmit viral, bacterial, and fungal infectionsbetween the technician and the client, as well as between…
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When can Point-of-Use Water Filters be used for Removal of Protozoa?

Topics: Contaminants and Hazards, Water, Biological Agents, Infectious Diseases, Drinking Water
While boiling water is an effective way to kill most microbial pathogens, research performed in the United Kingdom has shown that people do not necessarily comply with boil water advisories.…
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When hand washing is not handy: Cautions for hand sanitizer use

Topics: Infectious Diseases, Built Environment, Contaminants and Hazards, COVID-19
Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the most effective strategy for removing the COVID-19 virus from hands. In some situations, hand sanitizers can be used as a substitute if…
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Wind Turbines and Environmental Assessment

Topics: Built Environment, Contaminants and Hazards, Physical Agents
Western Medical Officers of Health Meeting June 2009; previous versions presented at Atlantic Medical Officers of Health Meeting May 2009 and CIPHI (NS/PE Branch) 2009 Annual Educational Session
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