Asbestos

Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Web resource page on the topic. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that primarily affects the tissue that lines the lungs, called the mesothelium and is caused by cancer.

With the modern rise in respiratory diseases and cancers resulting from indoor air toxins, it is increasingly important to ensure these threats do not persist. While poor air can result from gases and insufficient ventilation, the presence of asbestos poses one of the most lethal threats. The past popularity of asbestos makes it a continued mesothelioma danger, especially as the material deteriorates into tiny particles that enter the air, allowing it to be inhaled. 

ToxFAQs for Asbestos: This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about asbestos by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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 Cleaning Products

Safer Cleaners: Making a change towards safer, healthier cleaners

 Cold 

Hypothermia: Surviving the cold

Description: This pamphlet provides a basic understanding about when and why hypothermia occurs, how to recognize and give first aid to victims of hypothermia, and, most important, how to prevent it from occurring.

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 Indoor Air Quality

INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH by Yale University School of Medicine/Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised): Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) by US Environmental Protection Agency   The term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

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 Latex

Dealing with "latex allergies" at work

Description: This document describes the various health problems (commonly referred to as "latex allergies") associated with the use of natural rubber latex products. As well, the document focuses on the natural rubber latex allergy as it may cause severe health problems that are life-threatening.  Source: WCB of B.C.

Latex Allergy: A Prevention Guide "Latex gloves have proved effective in preventing transmission of many infectious diseases to health care workers. But for some workers, exposures to latex may result in allergic reactions. Reports of such reactions have increased in recent years--especially among health care workers." Source: NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)

Latex Allergy  "Allergy to latex was first recognized in the late 1970s. Since then, it has become a major heath concern as an increasing number of people in the work place have been affected." Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Preventing Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace

Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) "Describes six case reports of workers who developed latex allergy. The document also presents NIOSH recommendations for minimizing latex-related health problems in workers while protecting them from infectious materials."

              Mercury

Worksafe B.C: Bulletin re mercury

Cleaning up small mercury spills

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 Mould

What is histoplasmosis and what causes it? from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

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 Needlestick Injuries

CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety): needlestick injuries

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 Noise

Points to remember:

1.  Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common of all industrial diseases.

2.  Not all sound is noise — noise is unwanted or unpleasant sound.

3.  Noise can cause stress and interfere with concentration. It can cause chronic health problems and it can also cause accidents by interfering with communication and warning signals.

4.  Short-term exposure to excessive noise can cause temporary hearing loss.

5.  Exposure to noise over a longer period of time can cause permanent hearing loss.

Source: International Labour Organization

NOISE AT WORK: Your health and safety at work by the International Labour Organization. This Module provides trainees with background information on how occupational noise exposure can affect a worker's health and safety. Topics discussed include: the health effects of exposure to noise, how to measure noise, methods of noise control, and the role of the health and safety representative in controlling occupational noise.

Noise survey project report: This project was initiated as a result of the lowering of the exposure limit in the new Noise Regulations to 85 dBA Lex from 90 dBA Lex.   The consultant obtained 167 personal noise exposure samples for workers in the following nine different types of businesses: autobody, automotive service/repair, brake/muffler, dry cleaners, garment manufacturing, hospitals, laundries, tar/gravel roofing, and tire installers. (1997)

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  Organo-phosphate Insecticides

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 PCBs 

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             Radon

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 Reproductive Health Hazards

Points to remember:

1.  Thousands of hazardous chemicals are produced and used in a wide variety of workplaces worldwide. Some of these substances can have negative effects on the reproductive health of workers who are exposed to them.

2.  There are also physical and biological agents and a variety of work situations that may result in negative reproductive health outcomes when workers are exposed to them.

3.  Little is known about the potential for damage to the reproductive system from exposure to certain substances, agents, or work situations. Despite the lack of adequate information, many workers are forced to work with and be exposed to reproductive hazards.

4.  Workers and unions need to be as informed as possible about the substances used in their workplaces.

5.  Protective measures should be implemented to ensure that pregnant workers and workers (male or female) planning to have a child are not exposed to known or suspected reproduction health hazards.

  Source: International Labour Organization

MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE Your health and safety at work by the International Labour Organization. This Module provides trainees with background information on how occupational hazards can affect the reproductive systems of both men and women. Topics discussed include: when and how reproductive damage occurs, what kinds of reproductive health problems can occur, how a worker can tell if a chemical or work situation is hazardous to his or her reproductive health, how workers are protected, and the role of the health and safety representative.

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 Tobacco

Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada (PSC) is a national health organization, founded in 1985 as a registered charity. "We are a unique organization of Canadian physicians who share one goal: the reduction of tobacco-caused illness through reduced smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke."

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Toxicology

What is Toxicology? Canadian Network of Toxicology Centres

Reducing Toxins: Check the MSDS, review the ingredients

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