Health Canada

Poor indoor air quality can affect your health. The most effective way to improve your indoor air is to identify activities that can contribute to poor indoor air quality and remove or reduce the sources of indoor air pollutants.

Stewardship refers to overseeing and being responsible for the care and maintenance of property. Building operators and the employer are often able to directly and positively impact IAQ through building stewardship. By understanding IAQ and the interaction between products, furnishings,...

Everyone has a role to play in maintaining good IAQ in the workplace, from the employer and building operators, to the health and safety committee and the employees.

The IAQ resolution process will often involve responding to a reported air quality issue. Occupants may report concerns through the supervisor or manager, the health and safety committee or representative, the union, or the employer. As a best practice, it is recommended that the employer have a...

Building operators or employers may need to hire the services of a qualified professional or organization that has the necessary skills, training and equipment to further investigate and remediate the issue.

Indoor air quality professionals may include industrial or occupational hygienists, public health or medical professionals, environmental consultants, or other professionals that have an understanding of IAQ along with the training and equipment to investigate more detailed air quality issues,...

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a recognized health and safety issue. Indoor air quality issues may occur in buildings when chemical and biological contaminants exist at levels that may pose a health risk to building occupants. It is also important to note that some building occupants may be...

Health-based air quality objectives will identify safe exposure levels of outdoor air pollutants of concern for human health.

Fine Particulate Matter (also known as PM2.5) are particles in the air that measure less than 2.5 micrometers (μm) in diameter, and typically consists of a mix of things like smoke, soot, liquid or solid particles in aerosol, or biological matter like mould, bacteria, pollen and animal dander....

When outdoor air quality is poor, Health Canada recommends that individuals, particularly children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions remain indoors as much as possible. Ensuring good indoor air quality is especially important during periods of poor outdoor air quality.

In Canada, wildfire season occurs between April and October each year and can coincide with periods of extreme heat. It is important to know how to protect your health when experiencing wildfire smoke and extreme heat together.

Those who are at higher risk of the health effects from wildfire smoke will benefit the most from using an air purifier, also known as a portable air cleaner

Learn how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

If you live in an area at higher risk for wildfires, it's best to be prepared. You can develop plans and take actions to protect yourself and your family before wildfire season starts.

Resurfacers and edgers used to maintain the ice surface in these arenas are typically powered by internal combustion engines, which emit air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), both of which are associated with adverse health effects. Recommendations for reducing...

Traffic is a major source of air pollution especially in urban areas. Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a mixture of pollutants from vehicle exhaust, tire and brake wear, other particles such as road dust, and evaporation of fuels from engine components.

Health Canada assesses the health risks posed by specific indoor pollutants in residential environments and provides recommendations on how to reduce those risks. Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines (RIAQG) summarize the known health effects, pollutant sources, and exposure levels in...

A large body of scientific evidence has accumulated over the past 25 years attributing a wide range of adverse health effects to ambient (outdoor) air pollution exposure. These effects range in severity from respiratory symptoms to the development of disease and premature death.

The objective of this risk assessment is to evaluate the association of cancer with TRAP exposure in order to inform and support programs and policies designed to mitigate exposure to, and health impacts of, TRAP in Canada. TRAP best represents the real-world pollutant mixture that many Canadians...

Urban rail rapid transit systems are a staple of public transit. They provide access to employment and social services, decrease private vehicle use, and promote physical activity. This document provides guidance to public transit authorities and their municipal and provincial partners on options...