Health Canada

Boron can be present in drinking water supplies through weathering of boron-containing rocks and soils, seawater spray and volcanoes as well as from anthropogenic sources such as wastewater from municipal sewage treatment and industrial processes, pesticide application and other human activities....

Standardized methods available for the analysis of malathion in source and drinking water and their respective MDLs are summarized in Table 4. MDLs are dependent on the sample matrix, instrumentation and selected operating conditions and will vary between individual laboratories. These methods...

This guideline technical document was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and is based on assessments of malathion completed by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency and supporting documents.

Table A-1. Total boron concentrations for select river basins across Canada, taken from Environment and Climate Change Canada's long-term monitoring data (2000-2015)

Analytical methods to detect boron. Standardized methods available for the analysis of total boron in drinking water and their respective MDLs are summarized in Table 3. MDLs are dependent on the sample matrix, instrumentation, and selected operating conditions and will vary between individual...

Source water characterization should be part of routine system assessments. Boron is not widely distributed in source water in Canada and tends to be present at elevated concentrations only in groundwater in certain areas. Therefore, utilities should consult the responsible authority to determine...

The World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. EPA, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council and the European Commission have developed guidelines or advisory values for boron in drinking water (Table 6). WHO (2011), Australia (NHMRC and NRMCC, 2011) and the European Commission (2020)...

covers the literature up to 2012. The present assessment considers the previous data, as well as material published after this period from 2012 to 2018. Health Canada has also previously reviewed the toxicity of boric acid, its salts and its precursors under the Canadian Environmental Protection...

The average total daily boron intake from environmental media, food and drinking water for the general Canadian population ranges from 3 to 92 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day, depending on the age group, with an estimated 3% to 16% of total dietary intake attributable to drinking water (ECCC and...

This guideline technical document was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and assesses all available information on boron. A maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of 5 mg/L (5 000 μg/L) is established for total boron in drinking water...

This guideline technical document evaluated the available information on physical, chemical and aesthetic characteristics of recreational waters with the intent of recommending guidelines for various parameters. The purpose of this consultation is to solicit comments on the proposed guidelines,...

Canadian ecosystems support significant biodiversity, with approximately 80,000 plant and animal species known to exist in Canada and potentially more yet to be discovered. Some species are more sensitive to particular substances while others may be less affected due to differences in their...

Recreational water areas are any natural fresh, marine or estuarine (somewhat salty) bodies of water used for recreational purposes, such as: lakes, rivers, oceans human-made systems, for example: artificial lakes, stormwater ponds. They do not include swimming pools, splash parks or other...

Before your visit, Check for up-to-date water quality monitoring results and swimming advisories on local health department or municipal websites. Pack protective gear such as: hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, personal flotation devices (if needed). Talk to your health care provider about the risks...

Understanding hazardsIt's important to understand the potential hazards in recreational water areas. Authorities can help protect people from these hazards with: water quality management plans tools such as surveys and source tracking

Pathogenic microorganisms are extremely small organisms that may cause disease, and include:bacteria, viruses, parasites. Many different kinds can be present in the water and sand at recreational water areas. Most come from human and animal waste that enters waterways from: swimmers, runoff from...

Cyanobacteria are also known as blue-green algae. They're a type of bacteria that occur naturally in fresh and marine bodies of water. There are many types of cyanobacteria, and some can produce harmful toxins called cyanotoxins. Cyanobacteria can grow quickly in freshwater lakes and rivers under...

The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality consist of multiple guideline technical documents that consider the various factors that could interfere with the safety of recreational waters from a human health perspective. This includes technical documents on understanding and managing...

The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality comprise multiple guideline technical documents that consider the various factors that could interfere with the safety of recreational waters from a human health perspective. This includes technical documents on understanding and managing...

Water quality affects everyone. Find out more about water pollution and your health. What the flood? Recreational water safety.