Environmental Health
90 Articles & Excerpts
Laser Pointers: Health Safety
by Health Canada
Hand-held laser pointers are popular in Canada. Unfortunately, users are not knowledgeable about the intensity of the light and the effect it may have on the eye. If you look directly into the beam from a laser pointer for more than a minute and a half
Vermiculite Insulation Containing Amphibole Asbestos
by Health Canada
Some vermiculite insulation may contain amphibole asbestos fibres. These products can cause health risks if disturbed during maintenance, renovation or demolition. However, there is currently no evidence of risk to your health if the insulation is sealed
Holiday Safety
by Health Canada
Holidays are busy and joyous times for most Canadians. But holiday routines can also give rise to greater safety hazards than would normally occur. Candles on the table and a tree decorated with lights are part of the holiday season in Canada.
Halloween Safety
by Health Canada
Halloween is a time of great excitement for children. However it is important to keep in mind all aspects of your child's safety when planning costumes, decorations, treats and activities on the special night itself.
Extreme Heat Health Effects
by Health Canada
Possibly influenced by a changing climate, many regions of Canada are experiencing prolonged periods of unusually hot conditions. It is important that Canadians know how to protect themselves and their families from the health effects of extreme heat.
Garden and Health Safety
by Health Canada
More Canadians are discovering the pleasures and rewards of gardening, but the activities involved in creating and maintaining a garden are not without some health hazards. Perhaps due to the long winters, gardening has become an increasingly popular
Formaldehyde and Indoor Air
by Health Canada
Formaldehyde is released from a variety of indoor sources, and is present at low levels in the air inside Canadian homes. Formaldehyde (CH2O) is a colorless gas. It is irritating and has a sharp odour.
Fluorides Safety and Health Effects
by Health Canada
Fluorides are chemical compounds, which in nature are found in air, water, soil and almost all foods. Fluorides are released into the environment by weathering processes and by volcanic activity and may be released by the production of phosphate fertilize
PBDE Flame Retardants Health Effects
by Health Canada
Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs) are man-made chemicals added to a wide variety of consumer products to make them less likely to catch fire. Recently, there has been media attention on PBDEs because levels in the environment
Electric and Magnetic Fields' Health Effects
by Health Canada
There are concerns that daily exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) may cause health problems. These concerns are reflected in a number of reports that have attempted to link EMF exposure to a variety of health issues, including childhood cancer
Dioxins and Furans
by Health Canada
Dioxins and furans are common names for toxic chemicals that are found in very small amounts in the environment, including air, water and soil. As a result of their presence in the environment, they are also present in some foods.
Drinking Water Chlorination
by Health Canada
Chlorine is a disinfectant added to drinking water to reduce or eliminate microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, which can be present in water supplies. The addition of chlorine to our drinking water has greatly reduced the risk of waterborne
Computer Monitors and Health Safety
by Health Canada
There are concerns about possible health effects related to electric and magnetic fields from computer monitors and other types of video display terminals (VDTs). Headaches, skin disorders and adverse pregnancy outcomes (e.g., miscarriage, birth defects)
Health Safety and Cellular Phones
by Health Canada
With the growing popularity of hand-held cellular phones (or cell phones), questions have been raised about the safety of being exposed to the radiofrequency (RF) energy they emit.
Health Risks of Asbestos
by Health Canada
Asbestos was a popular material used widely in construction and many other industries. If asbestos fibres are enclosed or tightly bound in a product, for example in asbestos siding or asbestos floor tiles, there are no significant health risks.
Arts and Crafts Materials and Potential Health Risks
by Health Canada
If you are an artist or craftsperson, you may be working with materials that have the potential to harm your health. It is important to protect yourself by taking proper precautions.
Arsenic in Drinking Water
by Health Canada
Arsenic is a natural element found widely in the earth's crust. It may be found in some drinking water supplies, including wells. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause health effects. There are trace amounts of arsenic in all living matter.
The Effects of Smog on Your Health
by Health Canada
Smog can cause damage to your heart and lungs - even when you can't see or smell it in the air around you. When we hear the word smog, many of us picture the chemical 'soup' that often appears as a brownish-yellow haze over cities.
Road Traffic and Air Pollution
by Health Canada
Automotive vehicle engines produce a number of air pollutants that pose risks to your health. Cars, buses and trucks are a source of air pollution. When their engines burn fuels (gasoline or diesel), they produce large amounts of chemicals
Formaldehyde and Indoor Air
by Health Canada
Formaldehyde is released from a variety of indoor sources, and is present at low levels in the air inside Canadian homes. Formaldehyde (CH2O) is a colorless gas. It is irritating and has a sharp odour. Formaldehyde is widely produced around the world
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