Health Canada

Arsenic is a natural element that is widely distributed throughout the Earth's crust. It is often found naturally in groundwater, through erosion and weathering of soils, minerals, and ores. Arsenic compounds are used commercially and industrially in the manufacture of a variety of products and...

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

Aluminum is a metal widely distributed in nature. It may be present in water from natural sources or as a result of human activities. This guideline technical document was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and assesses all available...

The production of ammonia is a normal part of metabolism, and levels occurring in the human body from metabolic processes generally exceed concentrations found in drinking water. The concentration of free ammonia entering the distribution system can lead to nitrification and the potential...

These data tables present national data on concentrations of environmental chemicals in Canadians. These data were collected as part of an ongoing national direct health measures survey called the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Statistics Canada, in partnership with Health Canada and the...

Copper is present in tap water principally as a result of leaching from copper-containing components of distribution and plumbing systems. Copper has been, and continues to be, broadly used in drinking water applications, including in household pipes and in fittings. This guideline technical...

Uranium is widespread in nature and has been identified in many different minerals. It exists in several chemical oxidation states. Although natural uranium is a weakly radioactive substance, the principal health effects associated with natural uranium are due to its chemical toxicity. The...

Bromate is usually found in drinking water as a result of water treatment, rather than through source water contamination. The presence of bromate in treated drinking water is primarily related to the reaction between ozone and naturally occurring bromide in source water and to its formation...

This guidance document aims to support environmental public health and emergency management practitioners to plan and prepare for population health risks resulting from major crude oil incidents. It provides basic information on crude oil, its hazards, and its potential effects on health. The...

The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality are established by Health Canada in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water (CDW) and other federal government departments. They are published by Health Canada. This table is a summary of the values and...

These data tables present national data on concentrations of environmental chemicals in Canadians. These data were collected as part of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), an ongoing national direct health measures survey. Statistics Canada, in partnership with Health Canada and the...

Health Canada conducts research to assess the potential health risks from noise as part of its role in administering the Radiation Emitting Devices Act, which governs the radiation safety of products that are imported and sold in Canada, including products emitting acoustical radiation (noise).

This document provides generic guidance on predicting health risks of ionizing radiation in federal environmental assessments (EAs) of proposed major resource and infrastructure projects. It presents the principles, current practices and basic information Health Canada looks for when it reviews...

Noise can be defined as any unwanted sound. Sources of noise include aircraft, road vehicles, rail cars, construction and landscaping equipment, home and car stereo systems, media players, household appliances, and power tools.

This document provides generic guidance on predicting health risks of water quality in federal environmental assessments (EAs) of proposed major resource and infrastructure projects. It presents the principles, current practices and basic information Health Canada looks for when it reviews the...

This document provides generic guidance on predicting health risks associated with contamination of country foods, such as fruit, fish, seafood and game in federal environmental assessments (EAs) of proposed major resource and infrastructure projects. It presents the principles, current practices...

Find out about fine particulate matter, its sources and health risks.

In an emergency situation, the indoor air quality in your home may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove standing water or water damaged materials can present serious long-term health risks.

This document provides generic guidance on predicting health risks related to levels and/or types of sound predicted in federal environmental assessments (EAs) of proposed major resource and infrastructure projects. It presents the principles, current practices and basic information Health Canada...

Health Canada is responsible for conducting health risk assessments on air pollution as part of the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda. This includes assessment of the health effects of air pollution produced by industry to support development of regulations governing industrial emissions.