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Health Topics
Environmental and Occupational Health
Health Hazards

Health Hazards

Health hazards are chemical, physical or biological factors in our environment that can have negative impacts on our short- or long-term health. Exposure can occur through touch, inhalation, and ingestion. Understanding the risks of these hazards can help us to take action to avoid or mitigate these risks.

Biological Health Hazards

Documents, resources and links related to microorganisms, viruses, toxins, spores and fungi that pose a threat to human health.

Chemical Health Hazards

Information, resources and links related to toxic chemicals that can cause acute or chronic negative health effects from short or long-term exposure.

Physical Health Hazards

Information, resources and links for assessing, monitoring and addressing the risk of physical hazards: noise, temperature, vibration and radiation.

Featured

Focus On

This document describes the PFAS group of chemicals, the evidence on potential health effects associated with exposures, and various environmental guidelines for this group of chemicals.

1.8 MB
Published 1 May 2023

Focus On

Describes radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF), how they are regulated in Canada, and an overview of the evidence on potential health effects associated with exposures.

1.7 MB
Updated 20 Nov 2023

Interactive Map

The Raw Water Chemicals Map provides information from untreated water sampling programs to support risk assessments of small drinking water systems. It includes specific information on chemicals relevant to public health.

Webpage
Updated 16 June 2021

Infographic

Describes the lung cancer burden of radon in Ontario
775 KB
Updated 28 Aug 2013

Technical Report

Reviews how lead exposures occur and identifies interventions that can prevent exposure.
583 KB
Updated 20 Oct 2014

Case Studies

Case Study

This review describe sous vide cooking, list the main microbiological safety concerns, and application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system for sous vide cooking.
722 KB
Updated 26 Oct 2016

Case Study

This paper explores the illnesses associated with Low moist food (LMF), eg. spices & dried herbs, contributing factors for contamination of LMF and pathogen survival.
972 KB
Updated 11 Jan 2016

Case Study

We review the environmental fate and transport of chromium; potential health effects related to mining and processing; and strategies to prevent exposure.
664 KB
Updated 1 April 2015

Case Study

We review the potential health effects of traffic-related air pollution in a small community from industrial vehicles.
465 KB
Updated 1 April 2015

Case Study

Is pizza a potentially hazardous food? This paper reviews the evidence of foodborne outbreaks associated with consumption of pizza.
416 KB
Updated 12 Jan 2015

Case Study

Information on the use of neonicotinoids and the potential impacts on food security.
511 KB
Updated 12 Jan 2015
Event

2023 wildfire smoke exposure and public health in Ontario: Triangulation of evidence

To address these gaps, we leveraged this wildfire event as a natural experiment to quantify the effect of wildfire smoke exposure on selected respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes across Ontario’s 22 largest health regions (~80% of total population) and will present the results in this PHO Rounds.

See the Event Details
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Contact the Department

Environmental and Occupational Health

eoh@oahpp.ca

Updated 1 May 2023
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