What is a Health Hazard?
Refers to environmental, biological, chemical, or physical hazards that may negatively affect human health. Examples include air pollution, extreme heat, radon exposure, toxic substances, noise, and indoor environmental hazards. These exposures may contribute to conditions such as respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
For example: In Ontario, over 90 per cent of all environmental cancer cases result from exposure to three main carcinogens:
- 2,090 to 2,990 new cancer cases from UV radiation in sunlight
- 1,080 to 1,550 new cancer cases from radon
- 290 to 900 new cancer cases from fine particles (PM2.5) in air pollution
Cancer Care Ontario and Public Health Ontario have partnered to produce a report on the impact of environmental carcinogens, Environmental Burden of Cancer in Ontario.
Extreme Temperatures
As our climate changes and extreme weather events become more regular and severe, Lambton Public Health works with all levels of government to be prepared to help keep people safe and healthy. This includes:
Sharing Health Information
Lambton Public Health works with interest holders to help coordinate notifications and increase access to warming and cooling centres. We share information to increase awareness of extreme temperature notifications, and monitoring and testing for emerging diseases linked to our changing environment.
Indoor Environmental Hazards
Every day, we are exposed to chemicals and pollutants in the air, water, soil, food and products we use in our home. Hazards may include carbon monoxide, household cleaning products, mould, and radon.
Radon
Radon is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless naturally occurring gas found in soil, water, and rock and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada behind smoking. All buildings contain some levels of radon, however high levels in homes can be a health hazard to its occupants.
The only way to know if unsafe levels of radon are in your home is to test for radon. You can purchase a do-it-yourself kit at a local hardware store or by hiring a radon measurement professional. Health Canada recommends that you test radon in your home every two years OR if you change the air exchange system in your home (i.e., basement renovations, installation of a new HVAC system or air conditioner).
Resources:
Our role includes:
Public Health Investigations and Enforcement
We investigate complaints of indoor mould to visually confirm mould is present and to facilitate tenant and landlord action related to property standards.
Sharing Health Information
We share related information to increase awareness of potential health risks.
Air and Water Quality
Lambton Public Health works closely with all levels of government as well as industrial and community interest holders to ensure that municipal water is safe to drink and that we understand, and address health impacts related to air quality in our community.
Our role includes:
Understanding Community Health
Collecting beach water samples for local beach monitoring of water quality during the summer months.
Public Health Investigations and Enforcement
We investigate complaints to ensure drinking water supplies are safe for consumption and recreational water is safe for swimming. Inspection reports are posted online.
Engaging Community Partners
Lambton Public Health works with interest holders identified through the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project.