Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air and tap water samples in residences of pregnant women living in an area of unconventional natural gas operations: Findings from the EXPERIVA study.

Background: Northeastern British Columbia (Canada) is an area of unconventional natural gas (UNG) exploitation by hydraulic fracturing, which can release several contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To evaluate gestational exposure to contaminants in this region, we undertook the Exposures in the Peace River Valley (EXPERIVA) study.

Objectives: We aimed to: 1) measure VOCs in residential indoor air and tap water from EXPERIVA participants; 2) compare concentrations with those in the general population and explore differences related to sociodemographic and housing characteristics; and 3) determine associations between VOC concentrations and density/proximity to UNG wells.

A Population-Based Cohort Study of Respiratory Disease and Long-Term Exposure to Iron and Copper in Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Their Combined Impact on Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Human Lungs.

Metal components in fine particulate matter (PM) from nontailpipe emissions may play an important role in underlying the adverse respiratory effects of PM. We investigated the associations between long-term exposure to iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) in PM and their combined impact on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in human lungs, and the incidence of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), COPD mortality, pneumonia mortality, and respiratory mortality. We conducted a population-based cohort study of ∼0.

Long-term exposure to iron and copper in fine particulate air pollution and their combined impact on reactive oxygen species concentration in lung fluid: a population-based cohort study of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality in Toronto, Canada.

Background: Exposure to fine particulate (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), but less is known about its specific components, such as metals originating from non-tailpipe emissions. We investigated the associations of long-term exposure to metal components [iron (Fe) and copper (Cu)] in PM2.

Air Pollution as a Risk Factor for Incident Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma. A 15-Year Population-based Cohort Study.

Current evidence on the relationship between long-term exposure to air pollution and new onset of chronic lung disease is inconclusive. To examine associations of incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and adult-onset asthma with past exposure to fine particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), and the redox-weighted average of NO and O (O) and characterize the concentration-response relationship.

Residential Greenness and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence, Readmission, and Mortality.

Background: Living in greener areas of cities was linked to increased physical activity levels, improved mental well-being, and lowered harmful environmental exposures, all of which may affect human health. However, whether living in greener areas may be associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease incidence, progression, and premature mortality is unclear.

Objectives: We conducted a cohort study to examine the associations between residential green spaces and the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF), post-AMI and HF hospital readmissions, and mortality.

Exposure to Road Traffic Noise and Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Congestive Heart Failure: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Toronto, Canada.

Background: Epidemiological evidence for the association between traffic-related noise and the incidence of major cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and congestive heart failure (CHF) is inconclusive, especially in North America.

Objectives: We evaluated the associations between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and the incidence of AMI and CHF.

Methods: Our study population comprised people 30-100 years of age who lived in Toronto, Canada, from 2001 to 2015 and were free of AMI (referred to as the AMI cohort) or CHF (the CHF cohort) at baseline.

An approach to estimating the environmental burden of cancer from known and probable carcinogens: application to Ontario, Canada.

Background: Quantifying the potential cancer cases associated with environmental carcinogen exposure can help inform efforts to improve population health. This study developed an approach to estimate the environmental burden of cancer and applied it to Ontario, Canada. The purpose was to identify environmental carcinogens with the greatest impact on cancer burden to support evidence-based decision making.

Urban green space and the risks of dementia and stroke.

Introduction: It is unknown whether urban green space is associated with reduced risk of major neurological conditions, especially dementia and stroke.

Methods: Retrospective, population-based cohorts were created for each study outcome, including 1.7 and 4.

Estimates of healthcare utilisation and deaths from waterborne pathogen exposure in Ontario, Canada.

Burden of disease analyses can quantify the relative impact of different exposures on population health outcomes. Gastroenteritis where the causative pathogen was not determined and respiratory illness resulting from exposure to opportunistic pathogens transmitted by water aerosols have not always been considered in waterborne burden of disease estimates. We estimated the disease burden attributable to nine enteric pathogens, unspecified pathogens leading to gastroenteritis, and three opportunistic pathogens leading primarily to respiratory illness, in Ontario, Canada (population ~14 million).

Association Between Road Traffic Noise and Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in Toronto, Canada: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background Exposure to road traffic noise has been linked to cardiometabolic complications, such as elevated blood pressure and glucose dysregulation. However, epidemiologic evidence linking road traffic noise to diabetes mellitus and hypertension remains scarce. We examined associations between road traffic noise and the incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in Toronto, Canada.

Regional variations in human chemical exposures in Canada: A case study using biomonitoring data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey for the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), an ongoing national health survey conducted in two-year cycles, collects extensive biomonitoring data that is used to assess the exposure of Canadians to environmental chemicals of concern. Combining data from multiple cycles of the CHMS allows for the calculation of robust regional estimates of chemical concentrations in blood and urine. The objective of this work was to compare biomarkers of exposure to several environmental chemicals for the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, two major CHMS regions, as well as the entire CHMS (representing Canada) minus Quebec (CMQ), and the entire CHMS minus Ontario (CMO), and to interpret differences between regions.

Is neighbourhood walkability related to body mass index among different age groups? A cross-sectional study of Canadian urban areas.

Background: Studies of neighbourhood walkability and body mass index (BMI) have shown mixed results, possibly due to biases from self-reported outcomes or differential effects across age groups. Our objective was to examine relationships between walkability and objectively measured BMI in various age groups, in a nationally representative population.

Methods: The study population came from the 2007-2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey, a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative Canadian population.

The impact of air pollution on the incidence of diabetes and survival among prevalent diabetes cases.

Purpose: Growing evidence implicates ambient air pollutants in the development of major chronic diseases and premature mortality. However, epidemiologic evidence linking air pollution to diabetes remains inconclusive. This study sought to determine the relationships between selected air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide [NO], fine particulate matter [PM], ozone [O], and oxidant capacity [Ox; the redox-weighted average of O and NO]) and the incidence of diabetes, as well as the risk of cardiovascular or diabetes mortality among individuals with prevalent diabetes.

Ambient Air Pollution and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Although growing evidence links air pollution to stroke incidence, less is known about the effect of air pollution on atrial fibrillation (AF), an important risk factor for stroke.

Objectives: We assessed the associations between air pollution and incidence of AF and stroke. We also sought to characterize the shape of pollutant-disease relationships.

Exposure to ambient air pollution and the incidence of congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction: A population-based study of 5.1 million Canadian adults living in Ontario.

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been linked to cardiovascular mortality, but the associations with incidence of major cardiovascular diseases are not fully understood, especially at low concentrations. We aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), redox-weighted average of NO and O (O) and incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Our study population included all long-term residents aged 35-85 years who lived in Ontario, Canada, from 2001 to 2015 (~5.

Exposure to ambient air pollution and the incidence of lung cancer and breast cancer in the Ontario Population Health and Environment Cohort.

Lung and female breast cancers are highly prevalent worldwide. Although the association between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM ) and lung cancer has been recognized, there is less evidence for associations with other common air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO ) and ozone (O ). Even less is known about potential associations between these pollutants and breast cancer.

Evidence synthesis - Evaluating risk communication during extreme weather and climate change: a scoping review.

Introduction: Communicating risk to the public continues to be a challenge for public health practitioners working in the area of climate change. We conducted a scoping literature review on the evaluation of risk communication for extreme weather and climate change to inform local public health messaging, consistent with requirements under the Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS), which were updated in 2018 to include effective communication regarding climate change and extreme weather.

Methods: Search strategies were developed by library information specialists and used to retrieve peer-reviewed academic and grey literature from bibliographic databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL) and Google country specific searches, respectively.

A systematic review of the health impacts of occupational exposure to wildland fires.

The aim of the paper is to summarize the evidence of health impacts of occupational exposure to wildland fires. The authors searched 3 databases for relevant articles and screened the results. After full-text review, articles were included based on pre-determined criteria.

Time Trends of the Incidence, Prevalence, and Mortality of Parkinsonism.

Objectives: We assessed trends in the incidence, prevalence, and post-diagnosis mortality of parkinsonism in Ontario, Canada over 18 years. We also explored the influence of a range of risk factors for brain health on the trend of incident parkinsonism.

Methods: We established an open cohort by linking population-based health administrative databases from 1996 to 2014 in Ontario.

Screening for hand dermatitis in healthcare workers: Comparing workplace screening with dermatologist photo screening.

Background: Healthcare workers are at increased risk for occupational contact dermatitis, owing to wet work exposure. Early detection and management improves outcomes. Although several diagnostic tools are available, none is appropriate for rapid screening.

Estimated Annual Deaths, Hospitalizations, and Emergency Department and Physician Office Visits from Foodborne Illness in Ontario.

Public Health Ontario is working to estimate the burden of disease from environmental hazards in Ontario, Canada. As part of this effort, we estimated deaths and health care utilization resulting from exposure to pathogens and toxic substances in food. We applied fractions for the proportion of illness attributable to foodborne transmission to the annual (2008-2012) counts of deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and physician office visits for 15 diseases (13 pathogen-specific diseases and 2 nonspecific syndromes) captured by administrative health data.

Effects of ambient air pollution on incident Parkinson's disease in Ontario, 2001 to 2013: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Despite recent studies linking air pollution to neurodegenerative illness, evidence relating air pollution and Parkinson's disease (PD) remains scarce. We conducted a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada, to determine the association between air pollution and incident PD.

Methods: Using health administrative databases, we identified all adults aged 55-85 years, free of PD, and who lived in Ontario on 1 April 2001 (∼2.

Long-term exposure to air pollution and the incidence of multiple sclerosis: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Evidence of the adverse neurological effects of exposure to ambient air pollution is emerging, but little is known about its effect on the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.

Objectives: To investigate the associations between MS incidence and long-term exposures to fine particles (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), and ozone (O) METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study to investigate the associations between long-term exposures to PM, NO, and O and the incidence of MS. Our study population included all Canadian-born residents aged 20-40 years who lived in the province of Ontario, Canada from 2001 to 2013.

Effect of air quality alerts on human health: a regression discontinuity analysis in Toronto, Canada.

Background: Ambient air pollution is a major health risk globally. To reduce adverse health effects on days when air pollution is high, government agencies worldwide have implemented air quality alert programmes. Despite their widespread use, little is known about whether these programmes produce any observable public-health benefits.

Temporal trends in multiple sclerosis prevalence and incidence in a large population.

Objective: We sought to better understand the reasons for increasing prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) by studying prevalence in relation to incidence, mortality rates, sex ratio, and geographic distribution of cases.

Methods: We identified MS cases from 1996 to 2013 in Ontario, Canada, by applying a validated algorithm to health administrative data. We calculated age- and sex-standardized prevalence and incidence rates for the province and by census division.