Health Canada

Every day, we are exposed to chemicals and pollutants in the air, water, soil, food and products we use in our home. Here are some tips on how to help protect yourself and those around you.

It assesses new studies and approaches and takes into consideration the availability of appropriate treatment technology in order to establish maximum acceptable concentrations that are protective of human health, measurable and achievable by both municipal and residential scale treatment...

Health Canada completed its review on the usefulness of total coliforms as part of a source-to-tap approach to producing microbiologically acceptable drinking water. This guideline technical document reviews and assesses available literature on the uses of total coliforms in drinking water...

An aesthetic objective of ≤500 mg/L has been established for total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking water. At higher levels, excessive hardness, unpalatability, mineral deposition and corrosion may occur. At low levels, however, TDS contributes to the palatability of water.

This supporting document focuses on the health risks associated with TCE in drinking water, including multiple routes of exposure -- ingestion as well as inhalation and skin absorption from showering and bathing. It assesses all identified health risks, taking into account new studies and...

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for trifluralin in drinking water is 0.045 mg/L (45 µg/L).

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water is 0.100 mg/L (100 µg/L) based on a locational running annual average of a minimum of quarterly samples taken at the point in the distribution system with the highest potential THM levels. The maximum...

This Guideline Technical Document reviews and assesses all identified health risks associated with turbidity in drinking water. It assesses new studies and approaches, and takes into consideration the availability of appropriate treatment technology. From this review, several guidelines for...

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for vinyl chloride in drinking water is 0.002 mg/L (2 μg/L). Every effort should be made to maintain vinyl chloride levels in drinking water as low as reasonably achievable (or ALARA).

The aesthetic objective for zinc is ≤5.0 mg/L. Zinc is an essential element and is generally considered to be non-toxic. Intake of zinc from food is more than sufficient to satisfy the recommended daily requirements.

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in drinking water is 0.000 04 mg/L (0.04 µg/L).

There is no evidence of adverse health effects specifically attributable to magnesium in drinking water. A guideline for magnesium has therefore not been specified.

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for malathion in drinking water is 0.19 mg/L (190 µg/L).

The main role of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water is the development of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. This role has evolved over the years, and new methodologies and approaches have led the Committee to develop a new type of document, Guidance...

A drinking water screening value of 0.015 mg/L (15 ug/L) is established for diazinon.

A drinking water screening value of 0.1 mg/L (100 µg/L) is established for RDX.

A drinking water screening value of 0.24 mg/L (240 µg/L) is established for iodide.

A drinking water screening value of 0.004 mg/L (4 µg/L) is established for perchlorate.

A drinking water screening value of 20 ng/L (0.000020 mg/L) is established for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

A drinking water screening value of 0.3 mg/L (300 µg/L) is established for Sulfolane