Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data Sources and Surveillance Activities

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

2004
ISBN: 0-662-66388-8
Cat. No.: H39-602/2002

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Table of Contents

• Acknowledgments
• Contact Information
• Index of Data Sources Classified by Subject Areas
• Index of Data Sources Classified by Federal Government Department or by Province/Territory
• Index of Related Surveillance and Monitoring Initiatives and Activities
• Introduction
  • Background/Context
  • F/P/T Environmental and Occupational Health Data Source Inventory
  • Additional Data Sources
  • Benefits of Integrating Environmental Monitoring and Health Surveillance Data
  • A Great Source of Information for Contaminated Sites and Environmental Assessment
  • Related Surveillance and Monitoring Initiatives and Activities
• Inventory of Data Sources (listed alphabetically)
  • Air Data and Management System (ADaMS) (British Columbia)
  • Air Quality Information System (AQUIS) (Ontario)
  • Air Quality and Meteorological Database (Northwest Territories)
  • Arctic Contaminants Database (Health Canada)
  • Asbestos Workers Registry (Ontario)
  • Banque de données commune (BDC) (Community Database, Québec)
  • Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Database (Health Canada)
  • Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Economic Impact Study (Health Canada)
  • Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Etiology Surveillance System (Health Canada)
  • Canadian Community Health Survey CCHS (Statistics Canada)
  • Canadian Heart and Stroke Surveillance System (CHSSS) (Health Canada)
  • Canadian Hospitals Injury Research and Prevention Program (CHIRPP)
  • Cancer Case Surveillance System (Health Canada)
  • Central Information System (CIS) (Occupational Health, Newfoundland)
  • Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Tracking System (Health Canada)
  • Chronic Respiratory Surveillance System (Health Canada)
  • Client File Database (Manitoba Environment Act)
  • Climatologie (Climatology Database, Québec)
  • CodeSTAT Database (Nova Scotia)
  • Compensation Assessment and Accident Prevention System (CAAPS) (Northwest Territories)
  • Comprehensive Record & Information System for Pesticides (CRISP) (British Columbia)
  • Connaissance et surveillance de la qualité de l'air (CESPA) (Air Quality Knowledge and Surveillance Database, Québec)
  • Drinking Water Information Management System (DWIMS) (Ontario)
  • Drinking Water Quality Database (Nunavut)
  • Drinking Water Web System (DWWS) (Ontario)
  • Drugs and Controlled Substances Database (Health Canada)
  • Economic Burden of Illness in Canada (Health Canada)
  • Emergency Health Services of Nova Scotia (EHSNS) Quality Assurance Database
  • Enteric Disease Surveillance System (EDSS) (Health Canada)
  • Enteric, Food and Waterborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance (Health Canada)
  • Environment Integrated System (EnvI) (New Brunswick)
  • Environmental Cancer Risk Surveillance System (Health Canada)
  • Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) (Manitoba)
  • Environmental Data Store (EDS) (Ontario)
  • Environmental Monitoring Company (EMC) System Manager Central Data Management System (Manitoba)
  • Environmental Monitoring Inventory Database (EMI) (Environment Canada)
  • Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) (British Columbia)
  • Equipment Registration Database (Newfoundland)
  • Fichier des tumeurs du Québec (J65) (Québec Tumour File)
  • Geochemical Database (SMGV1Published) (Geological Survey of Canada)
  • Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN) (Health Canada)
  • Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Database (Health Canada)
  • Hedgehog Environmental Reporting System (HERS) (Health Canada)
  • Hedgehog Environmental Systems (Yukon)
  • Hospital Morbidity Database (Health Canada)
  • Injury Surveillance [including Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP)] (Health Canada)
  • International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) Database (Health Canada)
  • Intoxications (Poisonings Database, Québec)
  • Inventaire des Émissions Atmosphériques (INVSRC) (Inventory of Atmospheric Emissions, Québec)
  • Inventory of Canadian Cardiovascular Disease Databases (ICCDD) (Health Canada)
  • Leak Test Sampling Database (British Columbia)
  • Links Database of OHS Division Activities (Saskatchewan)
  • Lotus Notes R5 Database (British Columbia)
  • Merged Information System (MIS) (Ontario)
  • Mine Medical X-Ray Database (Yukon)
  • Municipal Information Management System (MIMS) (Newfoundland)
  • Municipal Wastewater Database (New Brunswick)
  • National Contaminants Information System (NCIS) (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
  • National Dose Registry (NDS) (Health Canada)
  • National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP) (Health Canada)
  • National Environmental Monitoring of Radionuclides (Health Canada)
  • National Health Care Worker Influenza and Hepatitis B Vaccine Coverage Survey (Health Canada)
  • National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) (Environment Canada)
  • National Population Health Survey (NPHS) Asthma Supplement 1996/97 (Health Canada)
  • National Surveillance for Enteric Pathogens from Food and Animals -- Guelph Laboratory (Health Canada)
  • Occupational Exposure Database Management (OEDM) (Ontario)
  • (Occupational Health and Safety) Client-Generated Activities Database (Newfoundland)
  • OnAIR Database (Ontario)
  • Oracle Research Database of WCB Claims (Oracle/WCB) (Saskatchewan)
  • Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS 2000 FE) Database (New Brunswick)
  • Pesticide Products Information System (PEPSIS) (Ontario)
  • Physician Asthma Management Survey (PAMS) (Health Canada)
  • Prairie Soils (1992) and Ontario Soils (1994) [(Pr92 and Ont94)] (Geological Survey of Canada)
  • Prevention Services Information System (PSIS) (WCB of the Northwest Territories & Nunavut)
  • Product Safety Information System (PSIS) (Health Canada)
  • Radiation Exposure Report Database (Newfoundland)
  • Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) (Ontario)
  • Referentiel Territorial (M34) (Territorial Referential Database, Québec)
  • Sample Results Data Store (SRDS) (Ontario)
  • Saskatchewan Environment's Environmental Management System (SEEMS)
  • Septage Database (New Brunswick)
  • Site Information System (SITE) (British Columbia)
  • Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW) (Health Canada)
  • Special Waste Information System (SWIS) (British Columbia)
  • Spills Database (Nunavut)
  • Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program Database (FISHBASE) (Ontario)
  • Student Lung Health Survey (SLHS) 1995-96 (Health Canada)
  • Surveillance Médico-Environnementale de la santé des travailleurs (SMEST) (Medico-Environmental Surveillance of Workers' Health, Québec)
  • Système informatisé Eau-Potable (LCH) (Drinking Water Information System, Québec)
  • Système de surveillance épidémiologique sur les maladies à déclarations obligatoires (MADO) (Epidemiological Surveillance System for Mandatory Reportable Diseases, Québec)
  • Toxin (Toxin Database, Québec)
  • Waste Manifest Database (Yukon)
  • Water Quality Database (Newfoundland)
  • Watertrax (British Columbia)
  • West Nile Virus Database (Health Canada)
  • Work Injuries and Diseases Database (NWISP) (Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada)
  • Year 2000 Emission Inventory Update (British Columbia)
• Related Surveillance and Monitoring Initiatives and Activities
  • 1) Air Quality
  • 2) Water Quality
  • 3) Radiation
  • 4) Tobacco Use
  • 5) Children's Health and the Environment
  • 6) Northern Contaminants
  • 7) Integrated Monitoring or Surveillance Activities (General / Multiple Sources)

Acknowledgments

The federal/provincial/territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Surveillance Working Group, and the Surveillance Working Group of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) of Health Canada would like to thank Ms. Elizabeth Lamarche and Ms. Sylva Whyte for their contributions to the survey phase of the inventory project, and Neil Tremblay for the preparation of this report. We are also grateful for the guidance and support provided by the Policy and Planning Directorate, HECSB; the Centre for Surveillance Coordination, Population and Public Health Branch; and the Environmental Health Assessment Office, HECSB.

Contact Information

Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division
Bureau of Environmental Health Sciences
Safe Environments Programme
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
Tupper Building, 4^th Floor
2720 Riverside Drive,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
E-mail: envhealthsurv@hc-sc.gc.ca

Index of Data Sources Classified by Subject Area

Air Quality

• Air Data and Management System (ADaMS) (British Columbia)
• Air Quality Information System (AQUIS) (Ontario)
• Air Quality and Meteorological Database (Northwest Territories)
• Connaissance et surveillance de la qualité de l'air (CESPA) (Air Quality Knowledge and Surveillance Database, Québec)
• Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) (Manitoba)
• Environmental Monitoring Company (EMC) System Manager Central Data Management System (Manitoba)
• Inventaire des Émissions Atmosphériques (INVSRC) (Inventory of Atmospheric Emissions, Québec)
• OnAIR Database (Ontario)
• Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS 2000 FE) Database (New Brunswick) (tracks approved buyers & wholesalers of ODS)
• Year 2000 Emission Inventory Update (British Columbia)

Cancer

• Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Database (Health Canada)
• Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Economic Impact Study (Health Canada)
• Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Etiology Surveillance System (Health Canada)
• Cancer Case Surveillance System (Health Canada)
• Environmental Cancer Risk Surveillance System (Health Canada)
• Fichier des tumeurs du Québec (J65) (Québec Tumour File)

Environmental Contaminants

• Arctic Contaminants Database (Health Canada)
• Leak Test Sampling Database (environmental radiation; British Columbia)
• National Contaminants Information System (NCIS) (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) (Environment Canada)
• National Environmental Monitoring of Radionuclides (Health Canada)

Food Contaminants

• Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Tracking System (Health Canada)
• Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program Database (FISHBASE) (Ontario)

Hazardous Materials / Contaminated Waste

• Septage Database (New Brunswick)
• Site Information System (SITE) (British Columbia)
• Special Waste Information System (SWIS) (British Columbia)
• Spills Database (Nunavut)
• Waste Manifest Database (Yukon)

Infectious Disease

• Enteric Disease Surveillance System (EDSS) (Health Canada)
• Enteric, Food and Waterborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance (Health Canada)
• International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) Database (Health Canada)
• National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP) (Health Canada)
• National Surveillance for Enteric Pathogens from Food and Animals -- Guelph Laboratory (Health Canada)
• Système de surveillance épidémiologique sur les maladies à déclarations obligatoires (MADO) (Epidemiological Surveillance System for Mandatory Reportable Diseases, Québec)
• West Nile Virus Database (Health Canada)

Occupational Health and Safety

• Asbestos Workers Registry (Ontario)
• Banque de données commune (BDC) (CSST, Québec)
• Canadian Hospitals Injury Research and Prevention Program (CHIRPP)
• Central Information System (CIS) (Workplace Safety & Health Inspections, Newfoundland)
• Compensation Assessment and Accident Prevention System (CAAPS) (Northwest Territories)
• Equipment Registration Database (Workplace Safety & Health Inspections, Newfoundland; radiation equipment)
• Injury Surveillance [including Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP)] (Health Canada)
• Merged Information System (MIS) (Ontario)
• National Dose Registry (NDS) (Health Canada)
• Links Database of OHS Division Activities (Saskatchewan)
• Mine Medical X-Ray Database (Yukon)
• National Health Care Worker Influenza and Hepatitis B Vaccine Coverage Survey (Health Canada)
• Occupational Exposure Database Management (OEDM) (Ontario)
• Client-Generated Activities Database (Workplace Safety & Health Inspections, Newfoundland)
• Oracle Research Database of WCB Claims (Oracle/WCB) (Saskatchewan)
• Prevention Services Information System (PSIS) (WCB of the Northwest Territories & Nunavut)
• Radiation Exposure Report Database (Workplace Safety & Health Inspections, Newfoundland)
• Surveillance Médico-Environnementale de la santé des travailleurs (SMEST) (Medico-Environmental Surveillance of Workers' Health, Québec)
• Work Injuries and Diseases Database (NWISP) (Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada)

Pesticides

• Comprehensive Record & Information System for Pesticides (CRISP) (British Columbia)
• Pesticide Products Information System (PEPSIS) (Ontario)

Poisonings

• Intoxications (Poisonings Database, Québec)
• Product Toxicity Data Network (ProdTox) (Health Canada)
• Toxin (Toxin Database, Québec)

Product Safety

• Product Safety Information System (PSIS) (Health Canada)

Respiratory Health

• Chronic Respiratory Surveillance System (Health Canada)
• National Population Health Survey (NPHS) Asthma Supplement 1996/97 (Health Canada)
• Physician Asthma Management Survey (PAMS) (Health Canada)
• Student Lung Health Survey (SLHS) 1995-96 (Health Canada)

Soil Contaminants

• Geochemical Database (SMGV1Published) (Geological Survey of Canada)
• Prairie Soils (1992) and Ontario Soils (1994) [(Pr92 and Ont94)] (Geological Survey of Canada)

Water Quality

• Drinking Water Information Management System (DWIMS) (Ontario)
• Drinking Water Quality Database (Nunavut)
• Drinking Water Web System (DWWS) (Ontario)
• Environmental Data Store (EDS) (Ontario)
• Environment Integrated System (EnvI) (New Brunswick)
• Municipal Information Management System (MIMS) (Newfoundland)
• Municipal Wastewater Database (New Brunswick)
• Sample Results Data Store (SRDS) (Ontario)
• Saskatchewan Environment's Environmental Management System (SEEMS)
• Système informatisé Eau-Potable (LCH) (Drinking Water Information System, Québec)
• Water Quality Database (Newfoundland)
• Watertrax (British Columbia)

General Environment

• Environmental Monitoring Inventory Database (EMI) (Environment Canada)
• Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) (British Columbia)
• Hedgehog Environmental Reporting System (HERS) (Health Canada)
• Hedgehog Environmental Systems (Yukon)
• Lotus Notes R5 Database (environmental inspections, British Columbia)

Other

• Canadian Community Health Survey CCHS (Statistics Canada)
• Canadian Heart and Stroke Surveillance System (CHSSS) (Health Canada)
• Client File Database (Manitoba Environment Act)
• Climatologie (Climatology Database, Québec)
• CodeSTAT Database (Nova Scotia)
• Drugs and Controlled Substances Database (Health Canada)
• Economic Burden of Illness in Canada (Health Canada)
• Emergency Health Services of Nova Scotia (EHSNS) Quality Assurance Database
• Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN) (Health Canada)
• Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Database (Health Canada)
• Hospital Morbidity Database (Health Canada)
• Inventory of Canadian Cardiovascular Disease Databases (ICCDD) (Health Canada)
• Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) (Ontario)
• Referentiel Territorial (M34) (Territorial Referential Database, Québec)
• Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW) (Health Canada)

Index of Data Sources Classified by Federal Government Department or by Province/Territory

1) Federal Data Sources

Environment Canada

• Environmental Monitoring Inventory Database (EMI)
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

• National Contaminants Information System (NCIS)

Geological Survey of Canada

• Geochemical Database (SMGV1Published)
• Prairie Soils (1992) and Ontario Soils (1994) [(Pr92 and Ont94)]

Health Canada

• Arctic Contaminants Database
• Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Database
• Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Economic Impact Study
• Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Etiology Surveillance System
• Canadian Heart and Stroke Surveillance System (CHSSS)
• Cancer Case Surveillance System
• Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Tracking System
• Chronic Respiratory Surveillance System
• Drugs and Controlled Substances Database
• Economic Burden of Illness in Canada
• Enteric Disease Surveillance System (EDSS)
• Enteric, Food and Waterborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance
• Environmental Cancer Risk Surveillance System
• Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN)
• Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Database
• Injury Surveillance [including Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP)]
• Hedgehog Environmental Reporting System (HERS)
• Hospital Morbidity Database
• International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) Database
• Inventory of Canadian Cardiovascular Disease Databases (ICCDD)
• National Dose Registry (NDS)
• National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP)
• National Environmental Monitoring of Radionuclides
• National Health Care Worker Influenza and Hepatitis B Vaccine Coverage Survey
• National Population Health Survey (NPHS) Asthma Supplement 1996/97
• National Surveillance for Enteric Pathogens from Food and Animals -- Guelph Laboratory
• Physician Asthma Management Survey (PAMS)
• Product Safety Information System (PSIS)
• Product Toxicity Data Network (ProdTox) (Health Canada)
• Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW)
• Student Lung Health Survey (SLHS) 1995-96
• West Nile Virus Database

Statistics Canada

• Canadian Community Health Survey CCHS

2) Provincial / Territorial Data Sources

Alberta

• Injury Records Database

British Columbia

• Air Data and Management System (ADaMS)
• Comprehensive Record & Information System for Pesticides (CRISP)
• Environmental Monitoring System (EMS)
• Leak Test Sampling Database
• Lotus Notes R5 Database
• Site Information System (SITE)
• Special Waste Information System (SWIS)
• Watertrax
• Year 2000 Emission Inventory Update

Manitoba

• Client File Database (Manitoba Environment Act)
• Environmental Data Management System (EDMS)
• Environmental Monitoring Company (EMC) System Manager Central Data Management System

New Brunswick

• Environment Integrated System (EnvI)
• Municipal Wastewater Database
• Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS 2000 FE) Database
• Septage Database

Newfoundland

• Central Information System (CIS) (Occupational Health)
• Equipment Registration Database
• Municipal Information Management System (MIMS)
• (Occupational Health and Safety) Client-Generated Activities Database
• Radiation Exposure Report Database
• Water Quality Database

Northwest Territories

• Air Quality and Meteorological Database
• Compensation Assessment and Accident Prevention System (CAAPS)
• Prevention Services Information System (PSIS) (WBC of the NWT & Nunavut)

Nova Scotia

• CodeSTAT Database
• Emergency Health Services of Nova Scotia (EHSNS) Quality Assurance Database

Nunavut

• Drinking Water Quality Database
• Prevention Services Information System (PSIS) (WBC of the NWT & Nunavut)
• Spills Database

Ontario

• Air Quality Information System (AQUIS)
• Asbestos Workers Registry
• Drinking Water Information Management System (DWIMS)
• Drinking Water Web System (DWWS)
• Environmental Data Store (EDS)
• Merged Information System (MIS)
• Occupational Exposure Database Management (OEDM)
• OnAIR Database
• Pesticide Products Information System (PEPSIS)
• Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)
• Sample Results Data Store (SRDS)
• Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program Database (FISHBASE)

Quebec

• Banque de données commune (BDC) (Community Database)
• Climatologie (Climatology Database)
• Connaissance et surveillance de la qualité de l'air (CESPA) (Air Quality Knowledge and Surveillance Database)
• Fichier des tumeurs du Québec (J65) (Québec Tumour File)
• Intoxications (Poisonings Database)
• Inventaire des Émissions Atmosphériques (INVSRC) (Inventory of Atmospheric Emissions)
• Referentiel Territorial (M34) (Territorial Referential Database)
• Surveillance Médico-Environnementale de la santé des travailleurs (SMEST) (Medico-Environmental Surveillance of Workers' Health)
• Système informatisé Eau-Potable (LCH) (Drinking Water Information System)
• Système de surveillance épidémiologique sur les maladies à déclarations obligatoires (MADO) (Epidemiological Surveillance System for Mandatory Reportable Diseases)
• Toxin (Toxin Database)

Saskatchewan

• Links Database of OHS Division Activities (Saskatchewan)
• Oracle Research Database of WCB Claims (Oracle/WCB) (Saskatchewan)
• Saskatchewan Environment's Environmental Management System (SEEMS)

Yukon

• Hedgehog Environmental Systems (Yukon)
• Mine Medical X-Ray Database (Yukon)
• Waste Manifest Database (Yukon)

3) Other

• Work Injuries and Diseases Database (NWISP) (Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada)
• Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP)

Index of Related Surveillance and Monitoring Initiatives and Activities

Air Quality

• Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN) (EC)
• Canadian Atmospheric Mercury Measurement Network (CAMNet) (EC)
• Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) (EC, U.S. EPA)
• National Air Pollutant Surveillance (NAPS) Network (EC)
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) (EC)
• Chronic Respiratory Surveillance System (HC)
• Air Quality Index (EC)
• Proposed Air Health Indicator (HC/EC)
• NRTEE Air Quality Indicators
• National Environmental Indicator Series (EC)
• Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (CCAEC) (Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation)
• Ozone Annex to the Canada-US Clean Air Agreement (HC, EC)

Water Quality

• Drinking Water Monitoring ("Intake to Tap") (municipal)
• Ambient Water Monitoring (CCME Water Quality Task Group)
• Federal Water Quality Monitoring (EC)
• Community Water Quality Monitoring (EC)
• Canada-Wide Water Quality Data Referencing System (EC)
• Surveillance of Waterborne Infectious Diseases (HC)
• (Proposed) Safe Water Information System (SWIS) (EC, HC)
• NRTEE Water Quality Indicators
• National Environmental Indicator Series (EC)

Radiation

• National Dose Registry (NDR) (HC):
• NDR Linkage to Statistics Canada's Canadian Mortality Database & the Canadian Cancer Database (HC)
• Ozone and UV Monitoring Program (EC)
• UV Index (EC in cooperation with HC and others)

Tobacco Use

• Canadian Tobacco Use & Monitoring Survey (CTUMS) (1999-present) (HC)
• Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) (2002) (HC)
• Canadian Tobacco Sales Database (1988 to present) (HC)

Children's Health and the Environment

• Environmental Health Indicators (EHIs) article in Health Policy Research Bulletin (HC, EC)
• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Children's Environmental Health Indicators (CEC Cooperative Agenda for Children's Health and the Environment in North America)
• G8 Children's Environmental Health Indicators Initiative (G8 Environment Ministers)

Northern Contaminants

• Canadian Arctic Contaminants Database (HC, with support from DIAND)
• Arctic Council's Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)
• Northern Contaminants Program

Integrated Monitoring or Surveillance Activities (General / Multiple Sources)

• Canadian Information System for the Environment (CISE) (EC)
• Waterborne Disease and Climate Change (HC, EC, Guelph University)
• North American Regional Action Plan on Monitoring and Assessment (HC):
• Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) (Arctic Council)
• Northern Contaminants Program (DIAND)
• Quebec City Consensus Conference on Environmental Health Surveillance
• Environmental Indicators (EC)
• Environmental Public Health Indicators (EPHI) (HC, EC, CIHI)
• Sustainable Development Indicators (NRTEE)

Introduction

Background/Context

In 2001 a comprehensive assessment of the current state of environmental and occupational health (EOH) surveillance in Canada was commissioned by the Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Environmental and Occupational Health Surveillance Working Group (EOHSWG), a subgroup of the F/P/T Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health.

The assessment report, Strengthening Environmental and Occupational Health Surveillance in Canada concluded that there was a need to strengthen national EOH surveillance. A major initiative resulting from the report's findings and recommendations was the compilation of an inventory of federal, provincial and territorial environmental and occupational health data sources that would be useful for surveillance purposes.

Accordingly, work on the inventory began in 2001 under the auspices of the EOHSWG as an essential initial step in building national EOH surveillance capacity in Canada. Work continues under the guidance of the Health Canada's Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) Surveillance Working Group (SWG), which was established following a May 2002 HECS Workshop on Enhancing Surveillance Capacity, aimed at identifying HECS surveillance needs and enhancing surveillance and monitoring capacity at the federal level. The needs assessment stage of this work includes the determination of what data sources currently exist in the area of environmental and occupational health.

F/P/T Environmental and Occupational Health Data Source Inventory

The resulting inventory of EOH data sources is based on the findings of a survey of F/P/T government departments (primarily ministries of health, of environment, and of labour). Although limited funds did not allow for a comprehensive or exhaustive survey, the information gathered on the approximately 100 databases identified thus far is a good start to compiling a larger inventory which will be updated on a continuous basis as new databases, datasets, or data sources are identified. The databases listed in the current inventory cover can be categorized by topic area, as follows:

• Air quality (11 databases)
• Water quality (12)
• Cancer (6)
• Environmental contaminants (5)
• Food contaminants (2)
• Hazardous materials / contaminated sites (5)
• Infectious diseases (7)
• Respiratory health (4)
• Occupational health & safety (21)
• Product safety (1)
• Soil contaminants (2)
• Pesticides (2)
• Poisonings (3)
• General environment (5)
• Other (15) (risk factors, drugs and controlled substances, climate changes, community health, cardiovascular health, community health, climate change)

The EOH surveillance-related databases listed in this inventory will also be included in the Infospace Inventory of Health Canada's Centre for Surveillance Coordination (Population and Public Health Branch), along with databases from the other 4 relevant health surveillance areas (communicable disease, chronic disease, injuries, and biotechnology). CSC is currently developing a prototype portal application for its Infospace Inventory of these surveillance data sources.

Additional Data Sources

There are many other environmental and occupational health-related data sources yet to be explored, including those of non-governmental organizations, both within Canada and internationally. These will be added to the current inventory as it is updated on a regular basis. As well, many of the data sources/databases listed in a companion Health Canada Inventory of Injury Data Sources and Surveillance Activities, compiled by the Centre for Surveillance Coordination (CSC) are relevant to the occupational health surveillance component of the work of Health Canada's HECS Branch. For those databases which are common to both inventories, some of the information may be different for a particular database, but generally both sources are consistent in their content. Both inventories were compiled using different survey questionnaires, as the two projects were undertaken independently by the HECS Branch and the Population and Public Health Branch of Health Canada, in keeping with their respective mandates and priorities.

The full citation for the CSC injury data source inventory is as follows:

Inventory of Injury Data Sources and Surveillance Activities. A Project of the Injury Surveillance Sub-group of the Health Surveillance Working Group. Centre for Surveillance Coordination, Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada, 130 Colonnade Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9. (Contact person: Alan Hotte)

Benefits of Integrating Environmental Monitoring and Health Surveillance Data

Most of the databases listed in this inventory house environmental monitoring data and/or health surveillance data. The monitoring data gathered on environmental conditions can be overlaid with data on health outcomes to provide information on the linkages between environmental hazards and human health. Such integration of environmental monitoring and health surveillance data serves a number of important functions, i.e.:

• to better understand present and emerging conditions in the environment and the health outcomes that are influenced by them;
• to contribute to the management of health risks and outcomes;
• to conduct outbreak investigations;
• to analyze health status;
• to guide public health interventions to minimize health problems;
• to evaluate public health interventions;
• as an early warning system for identifying potential health risks (for example, by linking ambient air quality monitoring data to the incidence of respiratory diseases such as asthma, it has been determined that poor air quality has a significant adverse impact on mortality and morbidity in the general population);
• to guide the adoption of measures to prevent and reduce environmental risks; and
• to develop environmental health indicators to inform decision-making and the general public.

A Great Source of Information for Contaminated Sites and Environmental Assessment

As noted above, this environmental and occupational health data source inventory will continue to grow, comprising an excellent source of information that can be used to undertake epidemiological studies and to assist in risk assessment at contaminated sites. Furthermore, it can be beneficial to the environmental assessment process by providing quality background information to adequately assess potential human health impacts associated with proposed clean-up and/or development projects. Please refer to the Index of Data Sources Classified by Subject Area to easily identify the relevant information available in the current inventory.

Related Surveillance and Monitoring Initiatives and Activities

The final section of this report briefly describes a number of related initiatives and activities planned or underway at Health Canada and Environment Canada. These comprise elements of environmental monitoring, environmental health surveillance, and environmental health indicators, in the following topic areas: air quality, water quality, radiation, tobacco use, children's health and the environment, northern contaminants, and integrated monitoring activities. These activities will contribute substantially to federal surveillance and monitoring capacity and add to the growing knowledge base in this area.

Inventory of Data Sources

Air Data and Management System (ADaMS)
(British Columbia)

Contact
Ernie Tradewell
Application Manager
Water, Air Monitoring and Reporting Branch
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
2975 Jutland Road, 3^rd Floor
Victoria, BC
V8T 5J9
Tel: (250) 387-9940
E-mail: envprotdiv@Victoria1.gov.bc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Water, Air Monitoring and Reporting Branch
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Purpose of Database
To store data on hourly average concentrations of major air pollutants in British Columbia, as well as meteorological data.

Content
Data on outdoor air quality. Data types: contaminant levels in air; chemical; meteorological; geographic. Geolocators: postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Year Database Established
1984

Coverage Period
1971 to present

Data Updates
Monthly

Data Provider
Water, Air Monitoring and Reporting Branch
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Data Availability
BC Government employees are the main users of the information in the database; a username and password are required for access.

Reports
No

Air Quality Information System (AQUIS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Melynda M. Bitzos
Coordinator, Air Quality Analysis and Reporting
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road
Etobicoke, ON
M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 235-6378
E-mail: melynda.bitzos@ene.gov.on.ca

Dan Anghel
Database Administrator
Environmental Sciences and Standards Science Division
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
[Address same as above]
Tel: (416)-235-6052
E-mail: anghelda@ene.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Sciences and Standards Science Division,
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch,
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
AQUIS is a data repository, and a data management and reporting system for Ontario outdoor air quality monitoring data and HiVol sample results. The data are used to inform the public about outdoor ambient air quality; to provide smog alerts for public health protection; to assess Ontario's air quality and evaluate trends; to identify areas where criteria are exceeded and identify the origins of pollutants; to provide the basis for air policy/program development; to provide quantitative measurements to enable abatement of specific sources; to determine the significance of pollutants from U.S. sources and their effects on Ontario; and to provide air quality researchers with data linking environmental and human health effects to air quality.

Content
Data on outdoor air quality in Ontario, and meteorological data (wind speed/direction and temperature at selected sites). Data types: location-level data on concentrations of contaminants in ambient outdoor air; chemical, radiological.

Data elements: Monitoring Station: station number, region, city /town, UTM, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates; elevation above ground and above sea level; industrial/ambient; trans-boundary; urban/rural; set-up date, termination date, update date; update user; end date; end reason. Pollutant parameters: name, type, code; update date; update user; end date; end reason.

HR Curr Data: HR ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number; collection date and time; results; remarks; region ID; update user and update date. HR Pub data: HR ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number; collection date and time; results; remarks; region ID; update user and update date. Lab Cur Data: lab ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number, collection date and time; collection interval; results; remarks; region ID; status; update user and date. Lab Pub data: lab ID, pollutant code, monitoring station number; collection date and time; collection interval; results; remarks; region; update user and date. Geolocators: Longitudinal or latitudinal coordinates; UTM.

Data coding/ classification standards: MOE legacy coding is used to code data in the database.

Year Database Established
AQUIS was migrated from an IBM mainframe version in 1997, while the AQUIS legacy system was established in the 1960s.

Coverage Period
1952 to 2003

Data Updates
AQUIS is updated hourly.

Data Provider
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Data Availability
Ontario Ministry of the Environment scientists and technical staff are the main users of the data. No one else has direct access. Users must have database user ID and password to login and access the database from OPS's wide area network only. However, no protocols or guidelines are in place which restrict the use or disclosure of the data.

Reports
Air Quality in Ontario, Annual Report. Available in printed format and also accessible via the ministry web site. Reports are disseminated to the public and NGOs. Data can be exported in spreadsheet format.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of Ontario legislative acts, i.e., Ontario Environmental Protection Act (1971); Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with federal government; and scientific research protocols.

AQUIS is one of 2 databases used by Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch to manage air quality data.

Keywords for searches: Data in AQUIS can be queried by monitoring station number, pollutant code, and collection date and time.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Air Quality and Meteorological Database (Northwest Territories)

Contacts
Graham Veale
Air Quality Programs Coordinator
Environmental Protection Service
Dept of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Government of NWT
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 873-7654
E-mail: graham_veale@gov.nt.ca

John McKay, Air Quality Technologist
[Address same as above]
Tel: (867) 873-7654
E-mail: john_mckay@gov.nt.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Protection Service,
Dept of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development,
Government of NWT

Purpose of Database
To store ambient air quality data and meteorological data for the Northwest Territories.

Content
Data on ambient outdoor air quality. Data types: contaminant levels in air; chemical, geophysical, and meteorological data (e.g., temperature and wind speed/ direction). Data elements: monitoring station; hourly average levels of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) (continuous monitoring); hourly averages for wind speed/direction and temperature (continuous monitoring). Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates; names of communities.

Year Database Established
March 2003; previously, a collection of Excel spreadsheets was used, but there was no formal organization of data under one heading

Coverage Period
March 2000 to December 2002

Data Updates
Weekly or monthly, as time permits

Data Provider
Environmental Protection Service, Dept of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Government of the NWT

Data Availability
Direct access to data is restricted to Environmental Protection Service staff. The Government of NWT computer network is password-protected. There are no formal protocols or guidelines, but data are available only by contacting the Environmental Protection Service.

Reports
Annual Air Quality Report; available in electronic format and disseminated to the public.

Additional Comments
Air quality monitoring (currently, of hourly average levels of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide) may be expanded to other parameters in the future.

Data are collected under the authority of the NWT Environmental Protection Act.

Arctic Contaminants Database (Health Canada)

Contact
Jay Van Oostdam
Senior Epidemiological Advisor
Toxic Substances Division
Environmental Contaminants Bureau
Safe Environments Programme
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
Environmental Health Centre, Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, ON
Tel: (613) 941-3570
E-mail: Jay_Van_Oostdam@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organizational Unit
Toxic Substances Division, Environmental Contaminants Bureau, Safe Environments Programme, HECS Branch, Health Canada.

Year Database Established
1996

Coverage Period
1994 to 2001

Purpose of Database
To monitor tissue (blood, breast milk) levels of environmental contaminants in Arctic populations.

Content
Data on environmental contaminants in tissues of arctic residents. Data types: bio-monitoring; toxicological; blood and breast milk concentrations of contaminants (e.g., organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, lead, mercury, cadmium). Data elements: geographic location in Arctic Canada; year; demographic breakdown (e.g., age, sex, ethic group (Inuit, Dene/Metis, Caucasian, Other).

Geolocators: Arctic region: NWT (including Inuvik), Nunavut (Baffin, Kitikmeot, Kivalliq), Yukon, northern Labrador, and Nunavik (northern Quebec). Personal data: ethnic group, gender, birth date.

Frequency of Data Updates
Variable (every 3-5 years).

Data Availability
Data are available to Arctic communities and authorized personnel at Health Canada and the Dept of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (guidelines on access are in place). Data can be made available to researchers in the 8 circumpolar countries; policy-makers (e.g., Council of Arctic Ministers); the Secretariat of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) (Copenhagen, Denmark). Contact: Jay Van Oostdam, Health Canada. Tel: (613) 941-3570.

Data Provider
Provincial and territorial governments in the NWT, Nunavut, the Yukon, and Quebec; Aboriginal groups and associations.

Reports
Published reports which include data contained in the Arctic Contaminants Database: 1) Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Report (1997, 2002) in printed format; disseminated to Northern aboriginal communities, Territorial governments, Dept of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Health Canada, Tapirisat, and the Centre for Indigenous Peoples Nutrition and Environment.

2) Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Report (AMAP): Human Health chapter (1998, 2002). Disseminated to the 8 circumpolar nations: Canada, USA (Alaska), Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland; the Council of Arctic Ministers; and the Office of Sustainable Development, Health Canada.

Additional Comments
Data are categorized by Arctic region, ethnic group, and year, but sample sizes vary from year to year. Also, data for any particular region or ethnic group are not necessarily updated at the same time as those for other regions or groups. Data are generated through various studies that may examine a specific region in a specific year.

Asbestos Workers Registry (Ontario)

Contacts
Leon Genesove
Provincial Physician
Freedom of Information and Privacy Office
400 University Avenue, 10th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7
Telephone Inquiries: (416) 326-7786
E-mail: Leon.Genesove@ontario.ca

Joanne Seon
Program Assistant
[Address same as above]
Tel: (416)-326-1403
E-mail: joanne.seope@mol.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Occupational Health and Safety Branch

Ontario Ministry of Labour

Purpose of Database
To collect and store data on hours of worker exposure to asbestos. Upon reaching 2000 hours of exposure, there is notification of the need to have chest x-rays.

Content
Ontario data on exposure to asbestos, including number of hours of work with asbestos. Data elements: worker identification data, employer details, family physician details, hours of work with asbestos. Person-level data with identifiers. Personal data: individual's name, address, name of employer, birth date, telephone number, social insurance number. Number of data records: 24,000.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
1986 to 2003

Data Updates
Weekly

Data Provider
Employers

Data Availability
Provincial physicians are the main users of the information in the database. Security protocols restricting access to the database and the use or disclosure of the data are in place.

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of Regulations Respecting Asbestos in Buildings and in Construction and Repair Operations.

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

Banque de Données Commune (BDC) (Community Database, Québec)

Contact
Gaetane Cloutier
Chef de service 'Evolution et fonctionnement des systemes d'information'
(Head, Development and Functioning of Information Systems Service)
Direction de la comptabilité et de la gestion de l'information
Commission de la Santé et Securité au Travail (CSST)
524 Bourdages St., local 260
Québec, QC
G1K 7E2
Tel : (418) 266-4747 Ext. 5582
E-mail: gaetane.cloutier@csst.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Vice-presidence Finances, Direction de la statistique et de l'information de gestion, Service de l'evolution et du fonctionnement des systemes d'information, CSST

Purpose of Database
To house strategic and tactical information for statistical, actuarial, and accounting purposes; as well as client profiles and managerial information.

Content
Provincial occupational health data consisting of client profiles and managerial information. The information records in the database are related to accident events, and pertain to all injuries and illnesses that meet the criteria dictated by provincial legislation (listed under Additional Comments, below). Personal data: individual's name, address, and all other nominal data types.

The occupational health content and data types are based on the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification (OIIC) system. There are approximately 515,618,185 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1996

Coverage Period
1983 to 2001

Data Updates
Twice a week

Data Provider
Commission de la Santé et Securité au Travail (CSST). The original data sources are the operational systems of CSST, such as reparation (repairs), prevention/inspection, and finance.

Data Availability
Access is restricted to internal staff such as statisticians, actuarial employees, accounting employees, and managers; also specific companies.

Reports
Annual reports, statistical reports, management information reports, actuarial reports, accounting reports, client profiles.

Additional Comments
The information in the database pertains to all injuries and illnesses that meet the criteria dictated by provincial laws governing occupational accidents and diseases, and occupational health ands safety.

Keywords for searches: CSST, LATMP, accidents du travail, maladies professionnelles, santé et securité au travail, prevention, readaptation, indemnisation.

Documentation on the database is available.

Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Database (Health Canada)

Contacts
Alex Madramootoo
Research and Technology Division
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-3318
Fax: (613) 957-6218
E-mail: Alex_Madramootoo@hc-sc.gc.ca

Christina Bancej
Cancer Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 952-6143
Fax: (613) 954-8631
E-mail: Christina_Bancej@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Data are collected and analyzed to monitor and evaluate the performance of breast cancer screening in organized programs.

Content
For each woman screened, information is collected on risk factors for breast cancer, medical screening history, screening results, referral status, diagnostic tests, and final diagnosis (for women referred for diagnostic follow-up). Data types: demographic, clinical, and risk factors. Geolocators: province and postal code.

Data Providers
Provincial/territorial breast cancer screening programs and cancer registries.

Coverage Period
1988 to 1998

Data Updates
Biennially

Data Availability
Access to the data is limited to Health Canada Cancer Bureau staff; the data are potentially available to external researchers through a Memorandum of Understanding. Use is restricted through Health Canada and provincial security guidelines and licensing agreements.

Reports
Biennial report, in print and electronic formats, on organized breast cancer screening activities in Canada, focusing on national statistics and provincial comparisons. These reports are publicly available. Data may also be used by the scientific community for approved research projects, to respond to internal and external requests, and in articles appearing in periodical literature.

Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Economic Impact Study (Health Canada)

Contacts
Les Mery
Childhood Cancer Surveillance
Cancer Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 952-9846
Fax: (613) 941-1732
E-mail: Les_Mery@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Information is gathered to assess the economic impact of childhood cancer. Direct costs are estimated by a chart review to determine hospital days, procedures, etc., and associated costs. Costs to families are assessed through the use of survey data. The resulting analysis may influence the effective allocation of resources associated with cancer treatment.

Content
Childhood cancer treatment costs (e.g., of hospital days, medical procedures); survey data on private costs to families. Data types: case studies; clinical; medical procedures; financial.

Data Providers
The provinces and Health Canada

Year Database Established
1997

Coverage Period
1990 to 1995

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
The provinces and Health Canada

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
Not specified

Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program: Etiology Surveillance System (Health Canada)

Contact
Les Mery
Childhood Cancer Surveillance
Cancer Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 952-9846
Fax: (613) 941-1732
E-mail: Les_Mery@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Data are collected and analyzed to investigate factors which may increase the risk of children developing cancer, using a case-control design. The current data collection is for diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia and brain tumours for individual cases. Subsequent analysis of risk factors will provide Health Canada with an ongoing evidence-based approach to risk management policy and control strategies.

Content
Case-control data on risk factors for and the diagnosis of childhood cancer (currently acute lymphocytic leukemia and brain tumours). Data types: demographic, risk factors, and case studies.

Data Providers
Health Canada, and the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Year Database Established
1997

Coverage Period
1994 to 1995

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Health Canada

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
Not specified

Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) (Statistics Canada)

Contacts
Stéphane Racine
A/Manager, Research Division
Office of Canada's Drug Strategy
Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme
Health Canada
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON
Tel: (613) 946-3598
E-mail: stephane_racine@hc-sc.gc.ca

March Hamel
Chief, Statistics Canada
Jean-Talon Building, 1-B3, Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, ON
Tel: (613) 951-2495
E-mail: marc.hamel@statcan.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
 Statistics Canada (www.statcan.ca)

Purpose of Database
To track and monitor legal and illicit drug use among the general Canadian population aged 12 years and older.

Content
National and provincial data on legal and illegal drug use among the general population 12 years of age and older, obtained from a telephone survey. Data types: epidemiological, demographic, and other. Also includes occupational health data on mental fatigue. Levels of data: person-level data with identifiers; person-level data without identifiers; and group-level or aggregate data. Geolocators: postal codes; health region level.

Year Database Established
September 2000

Coverage Period
2000/01 to 2001/02

Data Updates
The surveys from which the data are obtained are on a 2-year cycle: year one = health region survey (sample size="130,000);" and year 2 = focused content survey (sample size="30,000).

Data Provider
Statistics Canada

Data Availability
The main users are Statistics Canada, Health Canada; no other parties have direct access to the data. There are security protocols restricting accessto the database, and protocols restricting the use or disclosure of the data. (Contact responsible for privacy, use and disclosure of data: Marc Hamel, Chief, Statistics Canada; (613) 951-2495; marc.hamel@statcan.ca).

Reports
Reports available in printed and electronic format; these reports are widely disseminated.

Additional Comments
Funding for the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) was provided under the health Information Roadmap initiative, a plan to modernize and standardize health information across the country. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) received funds for the Roadmap from Health Canada, and Statistics Canada has joined as a partner in supporting a series of projects.

Plans are well underway for the development of output products and services to be released. It is expected that all CCHS products from a particular cycle will be released over the 12-months following completion of the cycle's last interview. A CCHS microdata file will be produced and shared with the provinces, territories and Health Canada under a data sharing agreement. In addition, a public use microdata file (PUMF) will be produced and released on compact disc.

Access to CCHS microdata can also be obtained by using Statistics Canada's custom tabulation and remote access services. Results of each survey cycle will be disseminated in the form of an overview report, quarterly CCHS articles on topics or sub-populations of interest, articles in Health reports and a series of 136 health region profiles available on the Statistics Canada web site. Finally, workshops are planned to assist users in maximizing their use of the CCHS.

Canadian Heart and Stroke Surveillance System (CHSSS) (Health Canada)

Contacts
Seema Nagpal
Disease Intervention Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 941-1293
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Seema_Nagpal@hc-sc.gc.ca

Rick Fry
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: 957-7395
Fax: 954-8286
E-mail: Rick_Fry@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
No permanent data are kept, but enables data otherwise collected to be monitored, analyzed, and interpreted to reveal cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates and hospitalization trends in Canada, by province/territory and health region, as well as rates and trends of CVD hospital procedures.

Using a multi-partner and integrative approach, this system will reduce duplication and provide improved cost-effectiveness and coordination in CVD surveillance in Canada. Analyzed data may be used to provide information to Health Canada; provincial, territorial, and local governments; NGOs, professional organizations, and other stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of cardiovascular disease prevention and control strategies and services.

Content
Data on cardiovascular disease mortality rates and hospitalization trends; hospital utilization (admissions and discharges); trends in hospital medical procedures for treatment of CVD. The database is being enhanced (1999) and currently includes activities related to the CVD Mortality and Hospitalization Databases and the CVD Hospital Procedures Database. Data types: epidemiological; demographic; admission/discharge; behavioural risk factors; health outcomes; financial; service visits; medical procedures.

The enhanced system will address present CVD data gaps: risk factors (other than behavioural), incidence, health care system encounters, treatment modalities, outcome indicators, quality of care, and economic burden.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1995 / 1997 (latest years)

Data Updates
Annual

Data Providers
Statistics Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
Analyzed data with interpretation results are disseminated to appropriate governments/stakeholders for planning, implementation, and evaluation of cardiovascular disease prevention and control programs and health care services.

Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP)

Contact
Brie Morey
Health Information Analyst
Performance Measurement and Health Informatics
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Joseph Howe Building, 10^th Floor
1690 Hollis Street
P.O. Box 488
Halifax, NS
B3J 2R8
Tel: (902) 424-5663
E-mail: MoreyB@gov.ns.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
There is a network of 15 CHIRPP centres across Canada which contribute data to this national database. The IWK Grace Health Centre is one of these 15 centres.

Purpose of Database
For surveillance of childhood injuries across Canada, and specifically within Nova Scotia.

Content
Provincial and national data on childhood injuries. Geolocators: postal codes.

Year Database Established
1992

Coverage Period
1992 to present

Data Updates
Regularly

Data Providers
15+ hospitals throughout Canada.

Data Availability
The main users of the data are the 15 CHIRPP centres across Canada. Access is restricted to authorized staff at these centres. There are security protocols restricting access, and the use or disclosure of data.

Reports
Not specified

Cancer Case Surveillance System (Health Canada)

Contact
Robert Semenciw
Surveillance and Risk Assessment Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention & Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-1768
Fax: (613) 941-2057
E-mail: Robert_Semenciw@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The goal of this surveillance program, which collects information from a variety of databases, is to provide timely, reliable cancer statistics for use in publications and to respond to information requests; to monitor national cancer incidence, prevalence and mortality, using temporal geographic and high-risk population information, survival analysis, and projections; and to establish a nationwide and world class population-based cancer surveillance network.

Content
Data on cancer incidence, prevalence, and mortality, risk factors, epidemiology; hospital admission and discharge data; demographic data; geographic data. Geolocators: postal code; metropolitan area.

Coverage Period
1969 to 1997

Data Updates
Annually; 120,000 records per year are added to the database.

Data Providers
Provincial cancer registries, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and Statistics Canada.

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted to Health Canada surveillance personnel.

Reports
"Canadian Cancer Statistics" and "Chronic Diseases in Canada", as well as mortality atlases, journal articles, etc. Information is also posted on the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control (Health Canada) website.

Central Information System (CIS) (Occupational Health, Newfoundland)

Contact
Trudy Northover
Workplace Health and Safety Inspections
Occupational Health and Safety Division
Newfoundland Dept of Labour
Confederation Bldg West, 4^th Floor
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Tel: (709) 729-1108
E-mail: tnorthover@gov.nf.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Occupational Health and Safety Division, Newfoundland
Department of Labour

Purpose of Database
To track all inspections activity of occupational and health safety officers in Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes tracking Directives and 'Stop Work Orders' issued for all companies in Newfoundland and Labrador; as well as contact information for OHS Committee members and worker representatives; and notes to file and general information regarding inspected firms.

Content
Occupational data types: workplace dust, fumes, pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, chemicals, UV radiation (e.g., sunlight), dangerous machinery, noise, ionizing radiation, and other identified hazards. Also data on contaminant levels in the workplace; ergonomic and musculo-skeletal data; and data on mental fatigue. Geolocators: postal codes.

Data elements: company name and address; reason for inspection (i.e., Regular; Required; Complaint; Accident; Incident; Work Refusal); site and location; employer and employer co-chair or worker representative; number of employees; general findings of inspection; number of violations and section of legislative Act or Regulations violated; complied by date and date of compliance. There are approximately 14,375 records in the database.

Data coding/classification codes: Newfoundland Industrial Classification Codes (NIC) (based on SIC Code).

Year Database Established
1996

Coverage Period
1996 to present

Data Updates
Annually for data from the Workplace Health and Safety Inspections Claims Commissions (WHSCC); monthly for data from officer uploads.

Data Providers
Access to the data is limited to WHSCC occupational health and safety inspectors. Information pertaining to firm name, address, firm number, and NIC Code are downloaded from the WHSCC Database.

OHS officers input data at the inspection site. This information is then uploaded to an FTP site and taken from FTP to the central database. In this way reports, queries, and other statistical information can be generated.

Data Availability
Access is limited to the Nfld Department of Labour and to WHSCC for information purposes. A security protocol restricting access to the database is in place (passwords); also guidelines restricting use or disclosure of data (information is not released to third parties). Contact person responsible for privacy, use, and disclosure of data is: Jackie Manuel, Director, Workplace Health & Safety Inspections, 4^th Floor West Block, PO Box 8700, St., John's, NL, A1B 4J6; telephone: (709)729-7454; e-mail: jmanuel@mail.gov.nf.ca

Reports
Monthly Flash-sheet for internal purposes only.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Radiation Health and Safety Act, and the Smoke-Free Environment Act.

The database links with information in the WHSCC database.

Documentation on the database is available in printed format.

Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Tracking System (Health Canada)

Contact
Genevieve Moreau
Toxicologist Evaluator
Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Division
Food Directorate
Health Products and Foods Branch
Health Canada
F. Banting Bldg., Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0L2
Tel: (613) 952-5986
E-mail: genevieve_moreau@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Division
Bureau of Chemical Safety
Food Directorate
Health Products and Foods Branch
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The tracking system is for internal use only. (This is not a database per se; CHHAD uses internal submission/risk assessment tracking systems to retrieve past assessments and files on specific compounds)

Content
National and provincial data on food contaminants.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
The tracking system contains data from the mid-1980s to the present.

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Health Canada collects the data from industry and provincial bodies

Data Availability
Evaluators are the main users of the tracking system. Security protocols restricting accessto this database are in place.

Reports
No

Chronic Respiratory Surveillance System (Health Canada)

Contacts
Paula Stewart
Disease Intervention Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 946-2617
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Paula_Stewart@hc-sc.gc.ca

Louise McRae
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 957-9429
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Louise_McRae@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Information gathered, on a one-time basis, facilitates the monitoring, analysis and interpretation of chronic respiratory mortality and hospitalization trends in Canada, the provinces, territories, and health regions. Also included are data linked to both patient information and physician treatment practice information related to asthma prevention and control. Resulting analyses enable HC, provincial and territorial authorities, NGOs and health professional organizations to plan and implement strategies for the reduction of asthma morbidity and mortality among patients, or the improvement physician education on asthma management, thereby enhancing patients' health outcomes.

Content
Surveillance data on mortality, hospital utilization (e.g., admissions and discharges), risk factors, and epidemiology of chronic respiratory diseases; also patient and treatment information on asthma. Data types: epidemiological; health outcomes; hospital admission and discharges; risk factors; medical procedures; pathological.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1995 / 1997 (latest years)

Data Updates
Annually

Data Providers
Statistics Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information provide morbidity and mortality data annually. Statistics Canada's National Population Health Survey and other population-based survey prevalence data are also provided annually. The Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control (Health Canada) provides 1996-97 data from the physician asthma management survey (may be conducted biennially).

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
Reports containing analyzed data with interpretations are disseminated to relevant governments and stakeholders to assist in planning, implementation, and evaluation of chronic respiratory disease prevention and control programs and health care services.

Client File Database (Manitoba Environment Act)

Contacts
Larry Strachan
Director
Environmental Approvals Branch
Manitoba Conservation
123 Main Street, Suite 160
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 1A5
Tel: (204) 945-7071
E-mail: Lstrachan@gov.mb.ca

Irene Casey
Approvals Clerk
[Address same as above]
Tel: (204) 945-7038
E-mail: Icasey@gov.mb.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Approvals Branch, Manitoba Conservation

Purpose of Database
To track clients licensed under the Manitoba Environment Act.

Content
Information on client listings and client approval licences. Data elements: client; location; date of application for approval; date approval license filed; approval license number; type of development; and Branch contact person. (Note: The approval licenses address many data types, but that information is not in the database). Geolocators: municipal codes.

There are approximately 6,000 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1969

Coverage Period
1969 to 2003

Data Updates
Continuous

Data Providers
Clients

Data Availability
Branch personnel are the main users of the information in the database; the data are also available to the public. There are no security protocols restricting access to the database, and no protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data.

Reports
1) Master Client Report: bi-annual; in printed and electronic formats; disseminated to Branch managers. 2) Public Registry Report: monthly; in printed and electronic formats; disseminated to Branch managers and the public registry custodian.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Manitoba Environment Act.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Climatologie (Climatology Database, Québec)

Contact
M. Ghislain Jacques
Data Management Coordinator
Ministère de l'environnement du Québec
Édifice Marie-Guyart
675 est, boulevard René Lévesque, 7^e étage
Québec, QC
G1R 5V7
Tel: (418) 521-3820, extension 4569
E-mail: ghislain.jacques@menv.gouv.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Service de l'information sur le milieu atmosphérique (SIMAT), Direction du suivi de l'état de l'environnement (DSÉE), Ministère de l'environnement du Québec (MENV)

Purpose of Database
To manage meteorological and climatological data to meet the needs of MENV and its clients (both governmental and outside the government of Québec); management of public dams and the tracking of climate variables are among the main objectives.

Content
Meteorological and climatological data; at national, provincial, and municipal levels. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Year Database Established
2000 (overhaul of the former database from 1976)

Coverage Period
1970 to present

Data Updates
In real-time (twice daily for manual stations and every hour for automatic stations)

Data Provider
Service de l'information sur le milieu atmosphérique (SIMAT), Direction du suivi de l'état de l'environnement (DSÉE), Ministère de l'environnement du Québec (MENV)

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are Québec ministries, federal ministries, universities, insurance agents, lawyers, and individuals. The data used are extracted from the database by means of automated or ad hoc processes, but for security reasons there is no direct external access; internal access is protected by identifier and password.

Reports
None per se, but data files are available on the FTP server.

CodeSTAT Database (Nova Scotia)

Contact
Brie Morey
Health Information Analyst
Performance Measurement and Health Informatics
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Joseph Howe Bldg., 10th Floor
1690 Hollis Street
P.O. Box 488
Halifax, NS
B3J 2R8
Tel: (902) 424-5663
E-mail: MoreyB@gov.ns.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Emergency Health Services, Nova Scotia

Purpose of Database
Serves as a repository of all Emergency Health Services sponsored audits on paramedic patient care reports, used to track compliance with EHSNS protocols. Patient care and paramedic performance indicators are tracked and reported from the quality assurance database.

Content
Data on EHS-sponsored audits on paramedic patient care reports; and patient care and paramedic performance indicators

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
Not specified

Data Updates
Not specified

Data Provider
Emergency Health Services, Nova Scotia (EHSNS)

Data Availability
EHS NS service planners and management are the main users of the data; security protocols restricting access and the use or disclosure of the data are in place.

Reports
Annual Emergency Health Services Report identifies some CodeSTAT information.

Compensation Assessment and Accident Prevention System (CAAPS) (Northwest Territories)

Contact
Dr. David P. King
Chief Medical Advisor
Workers Compensation Board, NWT and Nunavut
P.O. Box 8888
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2T9
Tel: (867) 920-3890
E-mail: davidk@wcb.nt.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
CGI, Edmonton Office (current outsourcer)
David Hiscock,
Service Manager, Technical Support
10303 Jasper Ave, Suite 800
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 3N6
Tel: (780)-409-2200
E-mail: david.hiscock@cgi.com

Purpose of Database
This national database is used to collect and store workers compensation claims data and employer assessment information.

Content
The database content is under development, with completion anticipated in 2004 (the WCB System database is the system currently in use). CAAPS will include national data on workers compensation claims and employer assessment information, including person-level data with identifiers, and also group-level or aggregate data.

Personal data: name, address, name of employer, birth date, telephone number, e-mail address, social insurance number. Geolocators: municipal codes; postal codes; longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. There are approximately 17, 760 records the database.

Data coding/classification standards: WCB Data Base (CAAPS); NWISP standard for workplace accidents; SIC standard for industry.

Year Database Established
CAAPS is not yet established; the system is under development and will not be completed until 2004. The WCB System was rebuilt in 1995 and is the database currently in use.

Coverage Period
Claims: 1941 to present. Revenue: 1976 to present

Data Updates
Live data

Data Providers
Workers Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are claim officers, assessment analysis; and statistician and support staff, all of whom who have direct access. There are security protocols restricting access to the database, and the use or disclosure of the data. Sign-off by the Minister is required to release data with identifiers.

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Workers Compensation Act.

Keywords for searches: employer name or person name.

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

This database links with information in other databases (e.g., Pesticide Products Information System (PSIS) database; see entry).

Comprehensive Record and Information System for Pesticides (CRISP) (British Columbia)

Contact
Corey Bell
SITE, SWIS, and CRISP Database Administrator
BC Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection
P.O. Box 9342, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC
V8W 9M1
Tel: (250) 387-9754
E-mail: corey.bell@gems3.gov.bc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection

Purpose of Database
To track the use of pesticides in British Columbia.

Content
Data on domestic, industrial, and farm pesticides.

Year Database Established
2000

Coverage Period
2000 to 2003

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
BC Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection

Data Availability
Ministry employees are the main users of the information in the database.

Reports
Not specified

Connaissance et Surveillance de la Qualité de l'Air (CESPA)
(Air Quality Knowledge and Surveillance Database, Québec)

Contact
M. Ghislain Jacques
Data Management Coordinator
Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
Édifice Marie-Guyart
675 est, boulevard René Lévesque, 7^e étage
Québec, QC
G1R 5V7
Tel: (418) 521-3820, extension 4569
E-mail: ghislain.jacques@menv.gouv.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Service de l'information sur le milieu atmosphérique (SIMAT), Direction du suivi de l'état de l'environnement (DSÉE), Ministère de l'environnement du Québec (MENV)

Purpose of Database
To increase our knowledge on ambient air quality and to facilitate surveillance in this area, at the national, provincial, and local/municipal levels.

Content
National, provincial, and regional/municipal data on ambient concentrations of atmospheric pollutants in outdoor air (by monitoring station and date). The targeted pollutants are ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM_2.5), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Data are generated on an hourly basis; also, every 6 days, data are collected on the weight (or mass) of PM₁₀ PM_2.5, and PST, and the speciation of certain samples of PM₁₀ PM_2.5 and PST in the form of arsenic, cadmium, lead, nitrate, and sulphate. Data types: chemical, geographic. Also, for national data: number of the monitoring station (SNPA); provincial data: number and name of the administrative region; municipal data: number and name of the municipality. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Year Database Established
1975

Coverage Period
1975 to present

Data Updates
Data from the Ministère de l'environnement du Québec are in real time (except for lab analysis); data from the City of Montreal and from Environment Canada are updated annually.

Data Provider
Ministère de l'environnement du Québec, the City of Montréal, and Environment Canada

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database and having direct access are the Ministère de l'environnement du Québec (MENV), Environment Canada, and the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS). A user identifier and password are required; a firewall is also in place. Clients with access to real-time data on the FTP site of the MENV must accept and sign a document supporting methods of access and use of the data.

There is a data-sharing agreement between the City of Montréal and Environment Canada (Programme SNPA).

Reports
Some data files are available on the FTP server of the Ministère de l'environnement du Québec; they are produced hourly, in electronic format. Reports are disseminated to target clients.

Data can be exported as formatted text.

Additional Comments
CESPA is a relational database (ORACLE). Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Keywords for searches: Any field in the database can be used for searching purposes. The most common search requests cite: station number, station name, municipality, the specific pollutant, date, concentration, data quality code.

Drinking Water Information Management System (DWIMS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Patrick Cheung
Drinking Water Specialist
Drinking Water Surveillance Program
Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
125 Resources Road
Etobicoke, ON
M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 235-6236
E-mail: cheungpa@ene.gov.on.ca

Nazma Khan
DWIMS Database Administrator
[Address same as above]
Tel: (416)-235-6250
E-mail: khanna@ene.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Drinking Water Surveillance Program, and the Systems Group of the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
To collect and store drinking water quality data to support standards development iin the Drinking Water Surveillance Program (DWSP) and for audit water samples collected when MOE inspects municipal waterworks in Ontario; to define contaminant levels and trends; to assess emerging contaminants; and to monitor the efficiency of water treatment processes.

Content
Water quality data on concentrations of environmental contaminants; and analytical results for a variety of chemical (e.g., pesticides) and radiological parameters (most of the parameters listed in the Ontario Drinking Water Standards, as well as for parameters which are not regulated in Ontario).

Data types: chemical, radiological, and water facilities in Ontario. Provincial and local/municipal level data. Data elements: Waterworks information, such as waterworks name, number, address, contacts, water source(s), treatment information, and sample site(s).

Person-level data with identifiers for data on waterworks ownership and operator information are available. Personal data: individual's name; address (for sample sites where an individual may live); workplace telephone number; and e-mail address. Also group-level or aggregate data (e.g., data can be grouped or summarized by ownership type, operator type). Geolocators: postal codes; some UTM coordinates are available at the waterworks level.

Data coding/classification standards: The database is an Oracle 9i database which follows Oracle Relation Database Management Standards (RDBMS). Most International Union of Pure and Applied Chemisty (IUPAC) standards are followed for parameter names; however, some trade names for pesticides, and short forms, such as NDMA for N-nitrosodimethylamine, are also used. Metric SI-units, such as mg/L, are used for most units of measure.

Year Database Established
1986

Coverage Period
1986 to 2003

Data Updates
Weekly to monthly

Data Provider
Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE); analytical results of are provided by the MOE laboratory which analyzes the DWSP drinking water samples. Waterworks data are entered by DWSP staff so that the analytical data can be captured in the proper place on the database.

Data Availability
The main users of the database information are MOE staff, such as Standards Development Branch, regional water inspectors, and Laboratory Services Branch, who can access the data directly via the MOE Intranet to the DWIMS web site to run reports that query the DWIMS database for information. A username account and password are required for access; access can also be restricted to read-only.

External MOE users, such as the federal Ministries of Health and of Environment, consultants, academia, and the public, cannot access the data directly but must request the data from MOE. Others: Direct access to the data is only available if an individual can access the MOE Intranet and if the appropriate software and plug-ins are installed to gain access to the DWIMS web site to run reports. Public access is via the MOE Internet web site (see URL: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/water.htm)

Reports
Drinking Water Surveillance Program Biennial Reports; in printed format (from 1986 to 1995) and electronic format (from 1990 to 1999).

Additional Comments
The data for the DWSP are collected under a voluntary partnership between the MOE and the municipalities. The data collected from audit water samples, which are collected when MOE inspects municipal waterworks in Ontario, are subject to internal agreements between MOE Operations Division and the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch, MOE.

Linkages with other databases: Some of the information, such as laboratory codes, which are owned and maintained by the MOE laboratory, is snapshot (weekly) from the lab's Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). In addition, some of the waterworks data, such as the waterworks name and number, which are created in another database -- the Drinking Water Web Site (DWWS) -- are downloaded (weekly) to DWIMS. The snapshots and downloads follow Oracle RDBMS conventions.

Data can be exported in Adobe PDF and HTML format.

Other databases: Drinking Water Web Site (DWWS); Drinking Water Information System (DWIS).

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

For more information on Ontario Drinking Water Standards, see:
www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/WaterReg/WaterReg.htm

Drinking Water Quality Database (Nunavut)

Contact
Bruce Trotter
Environmental Health Specialist
Dept of Health and Social Services
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 1000, Stn 1000
Iqaluit, NU
X0A 0H0
Tel: (867) 975-5764
E-mail: btrotter@gov.nu.ca

Manon Asselin
Business Analyst
[Address same as above]
Tel: (867)-975-5751
E-mail: masselin@gov.nu.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Departmental Systems Coordinator
Dept of Health and Social Services
Government of Nunavut

Purpose of Database
To record and store data on parameters of bacteriological quality of drinking water in Nunavut.

Content
Bacteriological data on drinking water quality in Nunavut. Data types: microbiological (total coliforms and E. coli); geographic. Geolocators: postal codes.

Year Database Established
2001

Coverage Period
2001 to 2003

Data Updates
Monthly

Data Provider
Government of Nunavut, Health and Social Services

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are environmental health officers. Access is limited to these individuals; no one else has direct access to the data.

Reports
Yes (unspecified); for internal use; printed format.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Public Drinking Water Supply Regulations, Public Health Act.

Drinking Water Web System (DWWS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Cammy Mack
Group Leader
Laboratory Inspection Program
Laboratory Services Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road
Etobicoke, ON
M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 235-6005
E-mail: cammy.mack@ene.gov.on.ca

Wilson Soon
Database Administrator
Information Technology Lead
IMTB/ CMD
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
40 St. Clair St. W, 11^th Floor
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Tel: (416)-314-1979
E-mail: wilsonsoon@ene.gov.on.ca

Database URL
Drinking Water Information System
www.environet.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
IMTB / CMD, Ontario Ministry of the Environment

The DWWS is a stand-alone system which has been managed from a business perspective in the Laboratory Services Branch. Effective June 1, 2003, the DWWS will be part of a much larger database handled by the Ministry's Information Management and Technology Branch (IMTB; contact: Wilson Soon - see above).

Purpose of Database
To store data on drinking water sample test results in order to monitor Ontario drinking water quality.

Content
Data on drinking water quality in Ontario. Data types: biological, microbiological, chemical, radiological. Person-level data with identifiers; personal data includes: individual's name, name of employer, telephone number, and e-mail address. There are approximately 30 million data records in the database.

This system collects adverse test results/events relating to drinking water from regulated Waterworks in the province of Ontario.

Year Database Established
2001

Coverage Period
2001 to 2003

Data Updates
Irregularly

Data Provider
Drinking Water Testing Laboratory, Ontario Ministry of the Environment. The original data sources are Waterworks facilities in Ontario.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are Ontario Waterworks and laboratories; the only others having direct access to the database are MOE Internet users. Security protocols restricting accessto this database are in place (Oracle Database Security). There are also protocols or guidelinesrestricting the use or disclosure of the data.

Reports
Administration Reports in electronic and printed formats; for internal use. Data can be exported in various forms: spreadsheet, data dump, formatted text output.

Additional Comments
The database is undergoing major change and was slated to become part of a much larger project currently underway at the Ministry of the Environment on June 1, 2003.

The data are collected under the authority of Ministry of the Environment legislative Acts - i.e., the Safe Drinking Water Act and other associated Ontario regulations.

Keywords for searches: DWWS, drinking water, drinking water sample results.

Documentation on the database is available (format unspecified).

Drugs and Controlled Substances Database (Health Canada)

Contacts
Katie Greenwood
Head, Disposal and Monitoring Unit
Office of Controlled Substances
Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Program
Health Canada
123 Slater St., 2nd Floor
Tel: (613) 946-1142
E-mail: Katie_Greenwood@hc-sc.gc.ca

Roy Sanscartier
Data Administrator
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 954-6527
E-mail: Roy_Sanscartier@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Office of Controlled Substances, Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme

Purpose of Database
To track illicit drug sources, loss, theft, and forgery of prescriptions for controlled drugs.

Content
National data on legal and illegal drugs. Data are limited to known drug-related criminal activity; prescription forgeries do not (by regulation) need to be reported to Health Canada. Data elements: police file numbers; reporting police force; defendant date of birth; sex; fingerprint numbers; province; date of drug seizure; type of drug; quantity; unit; disposal authorization; date of authorization; charge: place of trial, drug name, sentencing information, arrest date, sentence date, offence (conviction). Person-level data with identifiers: birth date, province; fingerprint numbers. Geolocators: municipal codes; postal codes. There are approximately 850,000 cases in the database.

Year Database Established
February 1999 (replaced an older application; data transferred)

Coverage Period
1980 to present (ongoing)

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Data are collected by the Office of Controlled Substances from law enforcement agencies, Canada Customs, licensed dealers, and pharmacists.

Data Availability
The main users of the data are staff in the Office of Controlled Substances. Data are also provided to other researchers (depersonalized data); no one else has direct access to the data. There are security protocols restricting accessto the database (directory access, Oracle access, software installation); use or disclosure of the data is restricted under the Privacy Act.

Reports
No, but data are produced for international reporting requirements.

Additional Comments
Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Key words for searches: seizure, charge, province, drug name.

Economic Burden of Illness in Canada (Health Canada)

Contacts
Rachel Moore
Quantitative Analysis and Research Section
Strategic Policy Directorate
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 946-5073
Fax: (613) 954-5542
E-mail: Rachel_Moore@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
To acquire and collate data relating to the economic burden of disease in Canada in order to assess the allocation of health care dollars. These data and analyses may subsequently be used as a platform for health care priority setting and policy development.

Content
Data on costs of medical treatment; morbidity and premature mortality costs; disease prevalence and demographic data; distribution of costs of illness by sex, age, diagnosis, and region. Data types: epidemiological; health outcomes; demographic; financial.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1993 (latest year)

Data Updates
Irregularly; data are collected every five years for input.

Data Providers
Statistics Canada; Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI); IMS; Medical Research Council; Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services; Manitoba Health; Association of Canadian Medical Colleges; Traffic Injury Research Foundation; Residential Care Facilities Survey; Labour Income Survey; Value of Unpaid Work Survey; and Survey of Consumer Finances.

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
"Economic Burden of Cancer in Canada"

Emergency Health Services of Nova Scotia (EHSNS)
Quality Assurance Database

Contact
Brie Morey
Health Information Analyst
Performance Measurement and Health Informatics
Nova Scotia Department of Health
Joseph Howe Bldg., 10^th Floor
1690 Hollis St.
P.O. Box 488
Halifax, NS
B3J 2R8
Tel: (902) 424-5663
E-mail: MoreyB@gov.ns.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Emergency Health Services, Nova Scotia

Purpose of Database
Serves as a repository of all Emergency Health Services (Nova Scotia) (EHSNS) sponsored audits on paramedic patient care reports, used to track compliance with EHSNS protocols. Patient care and paramedic performance indicators are tracked and reported from the quality assurance database.

Content
Data on all Emergency Health Services (Nova Scotia) sponsored audits on paramedic patient care reports, and on patient care and paramedic performance indicators.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
1998 to present

Data Updates
Ongoing

Data Provider
Emergency Health Services, Nova Scotia (EHSNS)

Data Availability
Emergency Health Services planners and management personnel are the main users of the data; security protocols restricting access and the use or disclosure of the data are in place.

Reports
Paramedic Report Cards and Summary Reports

Enteric Disease Surveillance System (EDSS) (Health Canada)

Contacts
Rafiq Ahmed
National Laboratory for Enteric Pathogens
National Microbiology Laboratory (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Health Canada
Tel: (204) 789-6013
Fax: (204) 789-5012
E-mail: Rafiq_Ahmed@hc-sc.gc.ca

Sponsoring Organization
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
To collect and disseminates laboratory-based weekly acute surveillance data on enteric foodborne causing human disease, in an effort to identify and reduce risk factors and to enable early intervention. These data may reduce the risk of outbreaks and lower the economic burden of disease through the rapid exchange of information on outbreak investigations.

Content
Laboratory-based weekly acute surveillance data on enteric foodborne pathogens (bacterial, viral, and parasitic); and on foodborne diseases (epidemiology, risk factors). Data types: pathological; microbiological; epidemiological; geographic.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1999 (latest year)

Data Updates
Weekly

Data Providers
Provincial laboratories

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
Weekly/quarterly acute surveillance reports are provided to Canadian provincial public health laboratories, the Centres for Disease Control (Atlanta), and the British Public Health Laboratory Service.

Enteric, Food and Waterborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance (Health Canada)

Contacts
Sandy Isaacs
Bureau of Infectious Diseases
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch (Ontario)
Ontario/Nunavut Region
Health Canada
Tel: (519) 826-2212
Fax: (519) 826-2244
E-mail: Sandy_Isaacs@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The goal of this system is to provide national data on enteric, food and waterborne outbreaks; to identify risk factors associated with enteric, food and waterborne diseases; to contribute to fact-based development of disease prevention and control programs; and to contribute to studies on the burden of disease and to international surveillance of enteric, food and waterborne diseases. Data may also be used to identify high-risk contaminated food and water products.

Content
National data on enteric, food and waterborne diseases and outbreaks; waterborne and enteric infections; risk factors for and epidemiology of these diseases/infections.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1998 (start)

Data Updates
Weekly

Data Providers
Provinces

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
3-month and annual summaries on national outbreak reporting trends.

Environment Integrated System (EnvI) (New Brunswick)

Contact
Manager
Information Management and Services Branch
New Brunswick Dept of Environment & Local Govern't
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Tel: (506) 453-2020

Organization Maintaining the Database
Information Management Services (IMS) Branch
New Brunswick Dept of Environment & Local Govern't (This branch develops and provides support for databases; it is not the end user).

Purpose of Database
This operational data warehouse stores New Brunswick water quality data for monitoring purposes, as well as industrial certificate-of-approval documents.

Content
Data on water quality data (drinking water source and distribution points; surface water (rivers and lakes); industrial, mining, and wastewater treatment plants); and on industrial certificate-of-approval documents. Also data on soil contaminants.

Data types: microbiological, chemical, radiological. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. Person-level data with identifiers, and person-level data without identifiers; also group-level or aggregate data. Personal data: individual's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, PIDs, and Well IDs.

Data elements: For water quality data: geo-referenced Stations (locations); data on water quality samples collected at these Stations are entered indicating the sample date and unique Field Number identifier. After analysis at the laboratory the Parameter Results from these Samples are then updated on nightly basis from the LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) to EnvI. Each sample analyzed at the laboratory is assigned a unique identifier called a Lab Number. These parameter results are then quality assured by the sample collector prior to the data being made available to other Department staff.

The number of records in the database as of June 2002: clients (1480), sites (1709), industrial approvals (3161), stations (17,915), samples (119,197), parameter results (1,518,399).

Data coding/classification standards: Leszynski's naming convention, Province of New Brunswick data standards.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
1975 to 2002 for water quality data (most data are post-1987)

Data Updates
Daily

Data Providers
The New Brunswick Dept of Environment and Local Government collects the data from New Brunswick Health and Community Services, municipalities, volunteer and community groups, and industry. Municipal water systems and Dept of Health investigations are the original sources of the data.

Data Availability
Access is limited to NB Dept of Environment and Local Government (DELG) staff (Head Office and six Regional Offices). There are no external users at this time.

Users require DELG network access with user name and password, Oracle account, an EnvI Staff ID, and EnvI User Roles that are assigned at table level.

Disclosure of data is at the discretion of the applicable business area of the Department, but for water quality data from an individual's domestic well collected under the Potable Water Regulation of the Clean Water Act, this data can only be released to that person. For third party domestic well data requests, the information can be provided only in aggregate form.

The person who is responsible for privacy, use and disclosure of data: Director of Policy and Planning, NB Dept of Environment and Local Government.

Reports
No

Additional Comments
Data on drinking water quality are collected under the authority of the Potable Water Regulation of the Clean Water Act since January 1994. Surface Water: routine baseline monitoring at selected rivers & lakes. Industrial Water Quality Monitoring: audit programs to verify that Certificate of Approval (CoA) guidelines are being met. Occurrences Monitoring - as a result of incidents having a negative impact on the environment (fuel and chemical spills, etc.)

Keywords for searches: program, subprogram, station, client, site, field number, approval number.

Documentation on the database is available in electronic and printed formats.

The database links with information in the Groundwater, Pesticides, and Acid Rain databases. The IMS Branch also provides technical support and maintenance to these and other databases in the Department.

Environmental Cancer Risk Surveillance System (Health Canada)

Contacts
Ken Johnson
Surveillance and Risk Assessment Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-0339
Fax: (613) 941-2057
E-mail: Ken_LCDC_Johnson@hc-sc.gc.ca

Anne-MarieUgnat
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 941-8498
Fax: (613) 941-2057
E-mail: Anne-Marie_Ugnat@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Stores data used to assess the risk of cancer from environment-related factors, and monitors known environmental risk factors. The goal is to establish a nationwide, population-based cancer risk assessment surveillance system and to ensure effective use of the data by providing national, provincial, and community-level information on cancer determinants. This information supports the development of policies (e.g., standards) and the implementation of recommended preventive measures.

Content
Data on environmental risk factors for cancer (e.g., chlorination by-products); environmentally induced cancers; and cancer risk assessment. Data types: environmental; epidemiological; clinical; behavioural; risk factors.

Coverage Period
1995/1996 to 1996/1997

Data Updates
Quarterly

Data Providers
Provincial cancer registries provide case-control data; the Environmental Quality Database (Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada) generates information on individual environmental, lifestyle, and behavioural risk factors. Additional environmental data are derived from public sources (e.g., Environment Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
Reports can be provided to local public health officials alerting them of potential "hot spots", or presenting them with data derived from residential information linked to environmental databases containing survey data on community air and water quality; and which indicate links to cancer risk. Information derived from this database may also be used in articles appearing in periodical literature, as well as such publications as atlases.

Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) (Manitoba)

Contacts
Jean Van Dusen
Air Quality Specialist
Manitoba Conservation
160-123 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 1A5
Tel: (204) 945-1671
E-mail: jvandusen@gov.mb.ca

Bert Krawchuk
Air Quality Analyst
[Address same as above]
Tel: (204) 945-7044
E-mail: bkrawchuk@gov.mb.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Manitoba Conservation (Air Quality Section)

Purpose of Database
To compile ambient air quality data from air monitoring stations in Manitoba and to generate summary statistics based on these data.

Content
Provincial and local/municipal data on outdoor air quality in Manitoba. Data types; air borne contaminant levels. Geolocators: longitudinal/latitudinal coordinates.

Data coding/classification standards: SAROAD.

Year Database Established
1987

Coverage Period
1987 to 2000

Data Updates
Continuous monitoring data are downloaded from the air monitoring stations on a daily basis; all other data are added when received.

Data Provider
Manitoba Conservation

Data Availability
Access is limited to air quality analysts in the Air Quality Section of Manitoba Conservation; the database is password protected. There is a data-sharing agreement with Environment Canada (EC National Air Pollution Surveillance).

Reports
1) Manitoba Ambient Air Quality Annual Report; annual; in printed format; disseminated to other government departments, public libraries, interested stakeholders, etc.

2) Hourly Parameter Data: electronic; disseminated on request to interested stakeholders.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of provincial legislation, i.e., The Environment Act; and under a Federal/Provincial agreement: the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program (see NAPS entry).

Environmental Data Store (EDS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Duncan Boyd
Supervisor, Surface Water Monitoring
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road
Etobicoke, ON
M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 235-6221
E-mail: Duncan.Boyd@ene.gov.on.ca

Jan Proboszcz
Database Administrator
Environmental Sciences and Standards Science Division
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
[Address same as above]
Tel: (416)-235-6020
E-mail: probosja@ene.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Sciences and Standards Science Division,
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch,
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
Serves as a repository for all data on surface water sample analyses done by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, including surface water monitoring data.

Content
Monitoring data on Ontario surface water quality, and data on industrial hazards relating to water quality. Data types: contaminant levels in media; bio-monitoring data; biological, microbiological, and chemical data. There are data on approximately 300,000 surface water samples from about 10,000 sample locations, and 6,000,000 test results. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates; UTM.

Data Elements: For station data: station ID, program ID, study ID, sampling agency ID, region ID, district ID, province ID, terminal stream ID, hydro level stream, station number, station code, station group, zone, UTM coordinates, latitude, longitude, county, municipality, concession, lot number, electoral district, setup date, station type description, plant description, user data, result, data correct, update date, update user, end date, end reason.

Sample data: sample ID, program ID, study ID, sample type, sampling agency, analysis agency, region, district, province, station ID, station number, physical species, sample date, sample distance, sample number, sample depth, zone, time, status, project, water depth, water layer, sample composite, UDM parameters, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, location, municipality, system input source, system update source, update date, update user, number of samples, time interval, soil ph, species code, done date, redo flag.

Results data: result ID, sample ID, program ID, study ID, test ID, unit ID, analysis method, update date, update user, result remark ID.

Test data: test ID, test class ID, test code, description, effective date, update date, update user, end date, end reason.

Data coding/classification standards: MOE Corporate Standard is used as the classification standard for the database

Year Database Established
The Environmental Data Store (EDS) was migrated from the Sample Information System (SIS) in 1997 (SIS was established in 1967).

Coverage Period
1967 to 2003

Data Updates
EDS is updated daily; it receives new data from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) every day.

Data Provider
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Data Availability
Scientists and technical staff in the Ontario Ministry of the Environment are the main users of the database information; users must have database user ID and password to log in and access the database from OPS's wide area network only. No one else has direct access to the data. Protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data fall presumably under Ontario Freedom of Information legislation.

Reports
Various technical reports available to the public in printed and electronic formats. Data can be exported in various ways, including: spreadsheet, data dump, and formatted text output.

Additional Comments
There are no direct legal requirements for surface water monitoring by the Ontario MOE. Data are collected under the authority of the MOE policy document "Water Management, Policies, Guidelines, Provincial Water Quality Objectives".

Keywords for searches: Data in EDS can be queried by program, study, station, sample collection date and test; or it can be searched using the Laboratory Information Management System's (LIMS) submission number.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Environmental Monitoring Company (EMC) System Manager Central Data Management System (Manitoba)

Contact
Jean Van Dusen
Air Quality Specialist
Manitoba Conservation
160-123 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 1A5
Tel: (204) 945-1671
E-mail: jvandusen@gov.mb.ca

Bert Krawchuk
Air Quality Analyst
[Address same as above]
Tel: (204) 945-7044
E-mail: bkrawchuk@gov.mb.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Manitoba Conservation (Air Quality Section)

Purpose of Database
To compile ambient air quality data from air monitoring stations in Manitoba and to generate summary statistics based on these data.

Content
Provincial and local/municipal data on outdoor air quality in Manitoba. Data types; air borne contaminant levels. Geolocators: longitudinal/latitudinal coordinates.

Data coding/classification standards: SAROAD.

Year Database Established
2000

Coverage Period
2001 to 2002

Data Updates
Continuous monitoring data are downloaded from the air monitoring stations on a daily basis; all other data are added when received.

Data Provider
Manitoba Conservation

Data Availability
Access is limited to air quality analysts in the Air Quality Section of Manitoba Conservation; the database is password protected. There is a data-sharing agreement with Environment Canada (EC National Air Pollution Surveillance).

Reports
1) Manitoba Ambient Air Quality Annual Report; annual; in printed format; disseminated to other government departments, public libraries, interested stakeholders, etc.

2) Hourly Parameter Data: electronic; disseminated on request to interested stakeholders.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of provincial legislation, i.e., The Environment Act; and under a Federal/Provincial agreement: the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program (see NAPS entry).

Environmental Monitoring Inventory Database (EMI) (Environment Canada)

Contacts
Donald (Don) Andersen
Science Liaison and Integration Office
Environmental Quality Branch
Environment Canada
Tel: (819) 953-7919
E-mail: Donald.Andersen@ec.gc.ca

Sandra Luz
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (819) 997-2721
E-mail: Sandra.Luz@ec.gc.ga

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environment Canada

Purpose of Database
The goal is to create an inventory of all the environmental monitoring activities conducted by Environment Canada in order to generally improve the management of toxic substances by the federal government.

Content
The inventory includes databases which monitor outdoor air quality, water quality (excluding drinking water), soil contaminants, domestic, industrial and farm pesticides, hazardous waste, contaminated sites, and climate and weather hazards. There are also data on wildlife programs and water quantity programs. Geolocators: geo-coordinates.

Year Database Established
2000

Coverage Period
1975 to 2001

Data Updates
Live data

Data Provider
Not specified

Data Availability
Access is currently limited to a small group of Environment Canada staff, but will eventually be made publicly available through the Internet.

Reports
Not specified

Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) (British Columbia)

Contact
Ute Muller
Application Support Analyst
Business and Information Services Division
Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management
P.O. Box 9364, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC
V8W 9M3
Tel: (250) 356-1924
E-mail: emshelp@gems5.gov.bc.ca

Organizational Unit Maintaining
Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection/Water, Air and Climate Change

Year Database Established
1996

Coverage Period
1965 to 2003

Purpose of Database
To capture data covering physical/chemical and biological analyses performed on water, air, solid waste discharges and ambient monitoring sites throughout the province.

Content
British Columbia data on outdoor air quality, drinking water quality (minimal), other water quality, soil contaminants, hazardous products (industrial), pesticides (industrial, farm). Data types: biomonitoring, biological, microbiological, chemical, and geographic. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Data elements: Monitoring site, name, and description; establishing agency of site; site type; site purpose; discharge to; latitude and longitude; geographic reference source; requisition number; sample start and end date; lab arrival date; sample state; sample descriptor; sample class; collection method; disinfectant type; preservative; sampling and analyzing agency; sampler; Ministry contact; parameter code; method code; taxonomic identification; life stage; media; result letter; result; confidence interval; result units.

There are approximately 5 million records in the database.

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management collects the data from permit holders and Ministry staff; the original source of the data is municipal/industrial waste operators.

Data Availability
Ministry staff throughout British Columbia are the main users of the data, and access is password protected. There is no direct access by external parties.

Reports
No

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the
Waste Management Act, and the Federal/Provincial Water Quality Agreement.

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

The database links with information in the ministry's WASTE and WIDM databases.

Equipment Registration Database (Newfoundland)

Contacts
Al Samms
Radiation Inspector
Workplace Health and Safety Inspections
Occupational Health and Safety
Newfoundland Department of Labour
4^th Floor Confederation Bldg West
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Tel: (709) 729-0218
E-mail: asamms@gov.nf.ca

Denise Ivany, Radiation Analyst
[Address same as above]
Tel : (709) 729-0366
E-mail: divany@gov.nf.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Workplace Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, Newfoundland Department of Labour

Purpose of Database
Serves as an in-house registration and tracking system for radiation equipment. Each piece of ionized radiation producing equipment in the province is registered annually with the Division and assigned a registration number. Equipment sold, loaned, transferred, or removed from service is tracked using this registration process.

Content
Data on ionizing radiation and ionizing radiation equipment in Newfoundland. Radiological data; can be helpful in epidemiologic studies. Data elements: radiation equipment, date of registration, type of equipment, installation date, function of the equipment, and location.

Year Database Established
Unknown

Coverage Period
(Start date not specified) to present

Data Updates
The equipment registration database is continuously updated and is modified as needed, depending on the information required to be reproduced. The database is also updated annually (annual registration requirements).

Data Providers
National Dosimetry Service, Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada. Original data source is from personal thermo-luminescent dosimetry for specific wearing period based on industry or workplace situation.

Data are provided by the Radiation Protection Bureau (Health Canada) when dosimeters are read.

Data Availability
The registration database is for in-house purposes only. Access is restricted (password protected) to authorized personnel (Denise Ivany, Radiation Analyst, Newfoundland Dept of Labour, (709) 729-0366). Data are not released to third parties.

Reports
Internal reports on equipment registration (for internal use only)

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Radiation Health and Safety Act and Regulations (regarding equipment ownership and registration).

Keywords for searches: Search by registration number.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Fichier des Tumeurs du Québec (J65) (Québec Tumour File)

Contact
Michel Beaupré
Pilote d'orientation
Direction générale de la santé publique
Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux
1075, chemin. Ste-Foy, 3^ième étage
Québec, QC
G1S 2M1
Tel: (418) 266-6739
E-mail: michel.beaupre@msss.gouv.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Direction générale de la santé publique, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux(MSSS)

Purpose of Database
The database is a centralized system used to collect data on all new cancer cases reported annually in the province of Québec. The data are used for cancer surveillance, program evaluation, and epidemiologic research.

Content
Provincial, regional, and municipal data on all new cancer cases reported annually in the Québec population. Data types: epidemiologic, geographic, demographic. Person-level data with identifiers. Personal data: surname and given name, identification number, health insurance number, medical file number, name of father, name of mother, date of birth, sex, RCC identification, place of birth, unique identification number assigned by the Canadian Cancer Registry. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, CLSC of residence (RSS-CLSC), hospital code, care section, CLSC of the hospital.

Medical data elements: cancer site, laterality, morphology, and behaviour; date of declaration, date of confirmation, date of hospital admission, date of release, date of death.

Approximately 35,000 records are added to the database every year.

Year Database Established
1969

Coverage Period
1975 to 1999 (The quality of data varies over time; generally, data from 1975 to 1983 are not exhaustive and can be difficult to use. Certain distinctive features can also apply depending on the cancer site in question).

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Direction générale de la santé publique, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS)

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are participants / interveners in the Québec health and social services network, regional public health branches, and university and hospital-based researchers. Only those responsible for upkeep of the databank have direct access to data. Protocol for use or release of the data falls under the regulations of the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec.

Reports
" Surveillance du cancer au Québec: incidence et mortalité." Limits on use of the registry are described in this document. Website:
http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/f/statistiques/tumeurs.htm

Geochemical Database (SMGV1_Published) (Geological Survey of Canada)

Contacts
Guy Buller
Geochemical Database Expert
Geological Survey of Canada
Natural Resources Canada
601 Booth St.
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0E8
Tel: (613) 947-1889
E-mail: gbuller@nrcan.gc.ca

Richard Laframboise
Computer Scientist
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 992-6837
E-mail: Richard_romeo.laframboise@nrcan.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada

Purpose of Database
The purpose is to collect and preserve geochemical and geoscientific data which may, over time, become otherwise irretrievable; with the goal of improving management of and access to these data in order to further the understanding of geology and geological processes.

Content
Geological and geochemical data on all collected samples (e.g., minerals, heavy metals, radioactive geological samples). Data are national and provincial (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia). Data types: metals; ionizing radiation. All analytical chemical testing results (e.g., both high and low values) and metadata are stored in the database. Where contamination of material may have taken place, the values received are entered but flagged to show contamination and to indicate that the numbers are not reliable. Geolocators: geo-coordinates.

All collected data are entered for all the samples that have been gathered. Metadata for each sample are maintained as are the analytical results from chemical testing. As both the high values and the low values have significance in the field of geology, all analytical results are recorded. Where contamination of material may have taken place, the values received are entered but are flagged to show contamination and the numbers should not be trusted.

Year Database Established
2000

Coverage Period
1998 to 1999

Data Updates
Irregularly

Data Providers
This is a distributed data system that uses a common data model; data are supplied by a variety of providers but they are all the collectors of the information, including Saskatchewan Energy and Mines, Manitoba Energy and Mines, and Nova Scotia Natural Resources.

Data Availability
The primary users of the data are geochemists, exploration companies, prospectors and geoscientific researchers. There are protocols restricting access to the database; guests have only select permissions under SQL server protocols, and other access is limited to the development team. Restrictions on disclosure and use of the data: a user agreement and business rules to release only published data are the main restrictions. Some data are available to the public and can be accessed via the website.

There are data-sharing agreements between geoscientific departments in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba; along with the Canadian Geoscience Knowledge Network (federal-provincial-territorial agency).

Reports
Geoserv is produced in electronic format and is available at:
www.Geochemiatest.cgkn.net

Additional Comments
Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN) (Health Canada)

Contacts
Ron St. John
Office of Public Health Security
Health Canada
Sean Lake
Research and Technology Division
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 952-6420
Fax: (613) 946-9867
E-mail: Sean_Lake@hc-sc.gc.ca

Zheng Wang
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-3920
Fax: (613) 957-0381
E-mail: Zheng_Wang@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Database URL
http://gphinweb.itssti.hc-sc.gc.ca

Purpose of Database
Intended to provide 24 hour-per-day, 7 day-a-week monitoring of global infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters in terms of the details of outbreak events. The goal is to identify potential international health risks and to provide an early warning to programs and public health clients (e.g., the World Health Organization) who assess and manage risk.

Content
Data on natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks or epidemics (e.g., total number of cases and deaths, location, duration, initial control efforts, etc.). Also provides information on therapeutic product (e.g., drug) recalls and announcements, product safety, food and water safety, and radiation safety. The database contains current news articles; no individual case records are included. Information is posted for a 15-day period only. English, French and Spanish texts are included. Data types: epidemiologic, demographic, geographic, health outcome, risk factors, clinical, environmental.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
2001 (latest year)

Data Updates
Live

Data Providers
News media wires and networks; the Internet; Reuters and online information service providers (Dialog, Informart).

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted, and password authentication is required. Secure sockets layer (SSL) and Livelink/Domino password authentification are in effect. Access is granted to select individuals from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, World Health Organization, Dept of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and within Health Canada: Safe Environments Programme, Infectious Diseases Bureau, Therapeutic Products Programme, and Radiation Safety Bureau.

Reports
Current news articles specified; information is posted for a 15-day period only. English, French and Spanish texts are included.

Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Database (Health Canada)

Contacts
Stéphane Racine
A/Manager, Research Division
Office of Canada's Drug Strategy
Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme
Health Canada
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON
Tel: (613) 946-3598
E-mail: stephane_racine@hc-sc.gc.ca

Lesley Doering
Senior Research Analyst
Health Canada
Jeanne Mance Bldg, 9^th Fl.
Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K9
Tel: (613) 957-8342
E-mail: lesley_doering@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Strategic Policy and Research Section
Division of Childhood and Adolescence
Centre for Healthy Human Development
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada

Database URL
Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/childhood-youth/spsc/e_trends.html

Purpose of Database
Data obtained from this cross-national collaborative survey of 11, 13, and 15 year-olds allows for trend comparisons of\ various adolescent health behaviours and influences on their health. More recently, the Canadian sample has been comprised of 11-15 years olds inclusive.

Content
Data on legal and illegal drugs, and on social environmental factors (e.g., violence). Data are obtained form school-based survey (of 11 to 15 year-olds) administered by pencil-and-paper questionnaire in the classroom. Data types: epidemiological; demographic; behavioural (includes data on attitudes). Also some occupational health data on mental/ fatigue and social factors such as harassment. Levels of data: group-level or aggregate data; and also person-level data without identifiers. The survey includes all provinces but uses a national sample. International data are also available.

Data coding/classification standards: World Health Organization-established protocols.

Year Database Established
1992

Coverage Period
1989/90, 1997/98; coming soon: 2001-02

Data Updates
The survey is conducted every four years and the database is subsequently updated.

Data Provider
The Social Program Evaluation Group of Queen's University. The original sources of the data are schools.

Data Availability
Health Canada is the main user of the data; Queen's University and other academics also have direct access. Security protocols restricting access, and protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data, are in place (includes WHO protocols). Health Canada policies, Statistics Canada policies and informal agreements between Health Canada and Queen's University are in the process of being formalized.

Reports
Every four years, in printed and electronic formats, with wide dissemination. Report, survey questionnaire, and data tables are available online. The data file is available through DAIS; and data tables available through E-stat and CANSIM II.

Additional Comments
In 1982, a small group of researchers from three countries, England, Finland and Norway, administered the first Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey. By 1985-86, 11 countries were involved in the survey, and the World Health Organization (Regional Office for Europe) had taken on a coordinating role. During this time, Health Canada had also undertaken similar research on the health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of young Canadians.

Under the auspices of Health Canada, the European HBSC research team invited Canada to participate in the 1989-90 survey as an associate member. Since then, Canada has participated as a full member in three subsequent HBSC surveys conducted in 1993-94, 1997-98, and 2001/02. The HBSC surveys are now administered every four years to a representative sample of 11, 13 and 15 year-olds in the participating countries. Currently, there are 36 countries participating in the survey.

Since the core questions on the HBSC survey have remained essentially the same, this seemed to be an opportune time to examine trends in the health of Canadian youth over three surveys conducted between 1990 and 1998. The latest HBSC survey was conducted for the 2001-02 school year.

All countries participating in the study are required to follow WHO International Research Protocols.

Keywords for searches: youth health trends, youth health behaviours, school-aged children, school health, HBSC.

Hedgehog Environmental Reporting System (HERS)

Contact
Christian Noel
Senior Advisor, Mould & Housing / Environmental Health
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB)
Health Canada
171 Slater St.
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0L3
Tel: (613) 957-9503
E-mail address: christian_noel@hc.sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
The FNIH Branch's Environmental Directorate coordinates the database project at present. It is currently a pilot project in three regions and the final roll-out is planned for the fall of 2003. No administrator has yet been assigned.

Purpose of Database
The purpose of this national database is to develop a system to capture environmental information on facilities in First Nations communities. This will concern various aspects of environmental health (see below). The system will also have the capacity to produce reports by the environmental health officers in the field.

Content
National data on indoor and outdoor air quality; drinking water quality; other water quality; soil contaminants; food contaminants; housing conditions in First Nations communities; and sanitation in food establishments and public buildings. Personal data: individuals' names, telephone numbers, addresses. Geolocator: address.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
Not specified

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Not specified

Data Availability
The main users of the data are environmental health officers, regional environmental health managers, and senior and assistant advisors at headquarters. There are security protocols restricting access to this database (e.g., a password is needed). There are no protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data.

Reports
Not applicable

Additional Comments
In the future, this database will link/interface with information in the First Nations Health Information System (FNHIS).

Documentation on the database is available in paper format.

Hedgehog Environmental Systems

Contacts
Lynn K. Richards
Manager
Environmental Health Services (EHS)
Dept of Health and Social Services
Yukon Government
# 2 Hospital Road
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 4A9
Tel: (867) 667-8321
E-mail: lynn.richards@gov.yk.ca

Eric Bergsma
Environmental Health Officer
[Address same as above]
Tel: (867) 667-8370
E-mail: eric.bergsma@gov.yk.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health and Social Services Department, Yukon Government

Database URL
http://www.hedgehogsystems.com/hedgehog/frame

Purpose of Database
The Hedgehog Environmental System provides a single centralized source of integrated data for the critical functions required by public health inspectors and environmental health officers.

Content
The database stores integrated data for facility inspections, critical drinking water analysis, regulatory and licensing compliance, and resource management.

Data types: biological, chemical, microbiological, toxicological, epidemiological, geographic. Geolocators: municipal codes; postal codes; longitudinal/latitudinal coordinates (sometimes). Person-level data without identifiers. Personal data: individual's name, address, name of employer, telephone number, e-mail address, genetic data.

Data elements: This database is designed to calculate risk and hazards based on inputted parameters on such facilities as food premises, drinking water supplies, etc.

Year Database Established
The database is currently being implemented.

Coverage Period
Data were not expected to be entered until April 1, 2003

Data Updates
Data will be updated daily.

Data Providers
Data are collected by Environmental Health Services; original data sources are BC Public Health, Water and Food Laboratory or other laboratories.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are Environmental Health Services staff and systems administrators, who have direct access. There are role-based restrictions on access and the use or disclosure of data.

Reports
None yet available

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Access to Information, the Protection of Privacy Act, and the Public Health and Safety Act.

Hospital Morbidity Database (Health Canada)

Contacts
Ora Kendall
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-2268
Fax: (613) 952-0844
E-mail: Ora_Kendall@hc-sc.gc.ca

Mark Vanderkloot
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 952-6706
Fax: (613) 952-0844
E-mail: Mark_Vanderkloot@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Provides a count of hospital separations through discharge or death, by primary diagnosis.

Content
The database contains 100% of acute care discharges for Canada, compiled from data provided from general and allied special hospitals, including acute care, convalescence and chronic facilities. Data do not include outpatients or patients treated in psychiatric hospitals. Information is now derived from the Discharge Abstract Database, but contains fewer reporting elements. Data types: clinical; demographic. Data elements: primary diagnosis; operation admission date; health outcome; hospital discharge condition; and institution/hospital number. Geolocators: postal code; province.

Year Database Established
1960

Coverage Period
1994 to 1997

Data Updates
Annual

Data Provider
Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The source database is CIHI's Discharge Abstract Database. CIHI has initiated work towards merging the Hospital Morbidity and Discharge Abstracts Databases (2001). The original sources of the data are general and allied special hospitals across Canada.

Data Availability
Access is restricted to Health Canada employees through a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

Reports
Not specified

Injury Records Database (Alberta)

Contact
Ron Stojanowski
Education Coordinator
Alberta Environment
9820 -106 St. NW, Main Floor
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2J6
Tel : (780) 427-4976
E-mail: ron.stojanowski@gov.ab.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Education and Partnership Program
Alberta Health and Wellness

Purpose of Database
To record and store data on injuries.

Content
Data on name of injured person; type of injury; where treatment was received and by whom.

Year Database Established
1997

Coverage Period
Continual

Data Updates
Not specified

Data Provider
Another source (unspecified)

Data Availability
Access is limited to First Aid personnel, and to other authorized personnel for insurance purposes.

Reports
Not applicable

International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) Database (Health Canada)

Contact
John (Dr.) Spika
Bureau of Infectious Diseases
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-0322
Fax: (613) 941-7708
E-mail: John_Spika@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The aim is to gather data which will lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology of infectious diseases in northern Aboriginal populations in order to improve prevention and control programs. Enables the assessment of the burden of illness and identification of risk factors related to invasive pneumococcal diseases among aboriginal peoples.

Content
Epidemiological data on infectious diseases in northern Aboriginal peoples; and on risk factors for pneumococcal diseases in these subpopulations.

Year Database Established
1999

Coverage Period
Not specified

Data Updates
Irregularly; data will be forwarded on a regular basis, as cases are identified.

Data Providers
The provinces and territories

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
An annual report is disseminated to all participants, ICS data contributors, and public health and clinical communities. Data will also be reflected in articles appearing in periodical literature.

Intoxications (Poisonings Database, Québec )

Contact
Germain Lebel
Professionnel de recherche
Unité de recherche en santé publique,
Centre de recherche du CHUL (CHUQ)
945 Avenue Wolfe, 2e étage
Sainte-Foy (Québec)
G1V 5B3
Tel: (418) 650-5115 (extension: 5249)
E-mail: germain.lebel@crchul.ulaval.ca

M^me Lyse Lefebvre
Responsable des extrants statistiques, CAPQ
Direction de la Toxicologie Humaine
Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec
Tel: 418-650-5115 poste 215
E-mail: lyse.lefebvre@inspq.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Direction de la Toxicologie Humaine, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec

Purpose of Database
The database records and stores data on all poisoning-related calls to the Centre Anti-Poison du Québec (CAPQ).

Content
Provincial, regional, and municipal data on hazardous products (domestic), medications, pesticides (domestic, industrial, agricultural), water quality, soil contaminants, food contaminants, hazardous waste, contaminated sites. Also, data on the type of call, type of problem, and the contaminant(s) concerned. Data types: toxicological, chemical, microbiological, epidemiological, clinical/health outcomes. Personal data: name, city or town, telephone number. Geolocator: RSS.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1989-2001

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Institut National de Santé Publique

Data Availability
Not specified

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
Keywords for searches: Intoxications, nombre d'appels

Inventaire des Émissions Atmosphériques (INVSRC) (Inventory of Atmospheric Emissions, Québec)

Contact
Gérard Houle
Engineer
Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
675 Boulevard René Lévesque Est, 9th Floor
P.O. Box 71
Québec, QC
G1R 5V7
Tel: (418) 521-3950 (ext. 4972)
E-mail: gerard.houle@menv.gouv.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Atmospheric Quality Service (Service de la qualité de l'atmosphère), Québec Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
To store inventory data on atmospheric emissions of a variety of airborne contaminants.

Content
Provincial data on atmospheric emissions of contaminants from industrial and other sources in Québec. Monitoring station activities are classified by sector of activity. Data elements: atmospheric emission samples; atmospheric emission factors; assessment of results and mathematical model. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. Approximately 25,000 data records are generated annually.

Year Database Established
1990

Coverage Period
1990 to 2001

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Québec Ministry of the Environment (Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec)

Data Availability
Access is limited to employees of the Atmospheric Quality Service (Service de la qualité de l'atmosphère). Password protocols or director' lines are in place to limit utilizing or divulging data on environmental quality.

Reports
No

Inventory of Canadian Cardiovascular Disease Databases (ICCDD) (Health Canada)

Contacts
Seema Nagpal
Disease Intervention Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 941-1293
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Seema_nagpal@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Database URL
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Cardiovascular Disease
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/cdc/bcrdd/cardio/ccdb/index.html

Purpose of Database
To house information on cardiovascular disease (CVD) databases and resources in Canada, directing users to links to data resources and expertise (but direct access is not provided to the database itself). Each database included in the inventory is mainly national in orientation, routinely collects data, and assists in identifying sources of information for use in the Heart and Stroke Surveillance System and in providing information on additional centres of knowledge on CVD. Analysis of the content of these databases will reveal any gaps in CVD data collection in Canada which may then be redressed.

Content
Information on CVD databases and resources, and centres of knowledge on CVD. Data elements: purpose, geographic coverage, number of cases, recording period, update frequency, data availability, strengths, weaknesses, and contact information.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
1998 to 2001

Data Updates
Irregularly (the database is updated as new data sources are identified).

Data Providers
The provinces

Data Availability
Data are publicly available.

Reports
Information derived from the system is used to produce a paper publication and an electronic web database which notifies stakeholders of the availability of data on cardio-vascular disease.

Leak Test Sampling Database (British Columbia)

Contacts
Brian Phillips
Director, Radiation Protection Services
British Columbia Centre for Disease Control
210-4940 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC
V5G 4K6
Tel: (604) 660-6630
E-mail: brian.phillips@bccdc.org

David Morley
Head, Environmental Radiation Assessment Program
[Address same as above]
Tel: (604)-660-6629
E-mail: david.morley@bccdc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Radiation Protection Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control

Purpose of Database
To record certain environmental radiation and Leak Test results for the province of British Columbia.

Content
Data on soil contaminants, ionizing radiation, and nuclear submarine environmental samples. Data types: primarily radiological. Data elements: results of Leak Test sampling; results of nuclear submarine environmental monitoring; background radiation levels; radon concentrations in homes and schools. Geolocators: municipal codes and postal codes.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1996 to present

Data Updates
Ongoing

Data Provider
Radiation Protection Services, BC Centre for Disease Control

Data Availability
Access to the data is limited to authorized personnel in Radiation Protection Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. No one else has direct access to the database.

Reports
No

Links Database of OHS Division Activities (Saskatchewan)

Contacts
Rita Coshan
Manager, Risk Assessment & Research
Occupational Health and Safety Division
Saskatchewan Labour
6^th Floor, 1870 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 3V7
Tel: (306) 787-4539
E-mail: rcoshan@lab.gov.sk.ca

Brian Schwab
Manager of Systems
Administration, Saskatchewan Labour
1870 Albert St.
Regina, SK
S4P 3V7
Tel: (306) 787-4209
E-mail: bschwab@lab.gov.sk.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Research Officer, Occupational Health and Safety Division, Saskatchewan Labour

Purpose of Database
To identify and analyze trends in occupational injuries and illnesses in Saskatchewan to better target activities in the Occupational Health and Safety Division.

Content
Occupational data on: dust, fumes, pesticides, solvents, chemicals, sunlight/uv, dangerous machinery, noise, ionizing radiation, mental/ fatigue, ergonomic, musculo-skeletal, heavy metals, miscellaneous occupational health and safety hazards.

Data types: contaminant levels in workplace; toxicological; bio-monitoring data; epidemiological; biological; microbiological; demographic; chemical; geographic; radiological; miscellaneous occupational health and safety hazards.

Person-level data without identifiers; also group-level or aggregate data. Personal data: name of employer, birth date Geolocators: postal codes.

Data elements: field reports noting legislative violations, recommendations and technical information, including hygiene and toxicology reports. There are data on approximately: 31,000 employers in 35,000 lines of business; 38,000 claims/year, with 33,500 accepted; 3,000 OHSD inspection reports per year.

Data coding classification standards: WCB uses claim characteristic codes based on CSA Standards.

Year Database Established
2002

Coverage Period
1997 to 2002

Data Updates
Live data

Data Provider
Occupational Health and Safety Division, Saskatchewan Labour

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are staff in the Occupational Health and Safety Division, and access is restricted to these individuals. Use or disclosure of the data: cannot release individual or workplace/employer-related data; can release only aggregate data. Freedom of Information Coordinator: Sharon Ackerman 787-4527.

Data-sharing agreements: Executive Sponsors are: Allan Walker, Executive Director, Occupational Health & Safety Division; and Gail Kruger, Vice President Finance and information Technology.

Reports
Annual report; reports on high-risk industrial sectors, occupational groups, and hazards. Annual, quarterly, and ad hoc; printed and electronic formats. Disseminated internally and to stakeholders, including the public.

Additional Comments
The data in the database are collected under the authority of the Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.

The database links with information in the Oracle/WCB database.

There are plans to make use of Statistics Canada data and other survey data.

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

Lotus Notes R5 Database (British Columbia)

Contact
John Harper
Development Co-ordinator
Health Protection and Environmental Services Software Application
Vancouver Island Health Authority
201-777-1 Vernon Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8X 5A7
Tel: (250) 475-5127
E-mail: john.harper@caphealth.org

Organization Maintaining the Database
1) Health Space Solutions -- Hope, British Columbia
2) Vancouver Island Health Authority
3) Health Protection and Environmental Services Software Application, Vancouver Island Health Authority (John Harper is the software coordinator and analyst)

Purpose of Database
To collect and store data on environmental inspections and permit approvals.

Content
Provincial data on indoor air quality, drinking water quality, other water quality, food contaminants, hazardous waste, contaminated sites, and human waste. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, longitudinal or latitudinal coordinates, land title, legal description.

Year Database Established
1999

Coverage Period
2000 to present

Data Updates
Live data

Data Provider
Vancouver Island Health Authority

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are administrative support personnel, officers, managers, vendors, and Health Space Solutions (see website:www.HealthSpace.ca)

Reports
Custom in-house Crystal Reports^TM

Merged Information System (MIS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Marg Fraser
Manager, Information and Administrative Services
Ontario Ministry of Labour
655 Bay Street
Toronto, ON
M5G 2K4
Tel: (416) 326-7732
E-mail: marg.fraser@mol.gov.on.ca

Paul Tidswell
Application Analyst
Ontario Ministry of Labour
250 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON
Tel: (416)-326-7107
E-mail: paul.tidswell@mol.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Information and Administrative Services
Occupational Health and Safety Branch
Ontario Ministry of Labour

Purpose of Database
The database serves as a repository for data used for sector planning and evaluation.

Content
Ontario occupational health and safety data on projects, organizations, events, field visits conducted, and orders issued. This database contains mainly safety data (e.g., on chemicals, noise, and ionizing radiation) as opposed to data on occupational health and illnesses. The hygiene visit/order portion of the data is most relevant to this database inventory survey. The text of field visit/order/event may contain the particular substance(s) present in the workplace. Mainly group-level or aggregate data. Personal data: individual's name; name of employer; birth date (for some). Geolocators: postal codes, SGC.

Data coding/classification standards: Standard Industrial Classification 1980; Standard Geographic Classification 2001.

Year Database Established
1991

Coverage Period
1991 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Ontario Ministry of Labour

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are Ontario Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Branch staff. The Industrial Accident Prevention Association, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Construction Safety Association of Ontario also have direct access to the data. A security password is needed to access the database.

Protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data: Ontario Management Board Corporate Management Directives; Secretariat Information; and Information Technology Security Directive. The person responsible for privacy, use and disclosure issues: Chris Berzins, Freedom of Information Co-ordinator, 400 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M7A 1T7.

Data-sharing agreements are in place with the Industrial Accident Prevention Association, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the Construction Safety Association Ontario.

Reports
Industrial Sector Plan; annual, in printed format, and disseminated to Ontario Ministry of Labour staff.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Mine Medical X-Ray Database (Yukon)

Contacts
Rob McClure
A/Director, Occupational Health and Safety
Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board
401 Strickland Street
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 5N8
Tel: (867) 667-3726
E-mail: rob.mcclure@gov.yk.ca

Naresh Prasad
Mine Engineer
[Address same as above]
Tel: (867)-667-3777
E-mail: naresh.prasad@gov.yk.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Inspections and Compliance Unit, Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board

Purpose of Database
The database organizes and houses annual x-ray and medical files of miners exposed to silica in Yukon mines.

Content
Occupational health data on a sequence of medical examinations, including chest x-rays, for miners in the Yukon over time. (X-rays are done only in cases where there was silica exposure). Data elements: limited to administration retrieval of medicals and x-rays by company or individual, by year. Person-level data with identifiers; personal data includes individual's name, address, name of employer, birth date, telephone number, social insurance number. There are approximately 22,000 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1989

Coverage Period
1950s to 2001

Data Updates
Irregularly

Data Provider
Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB)

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are claimants and Yukon WCHSB physicians. Database access is password protected, and permission of the individual concerned is required for use or disclosure of the data (contact: Naresh Prasad, 867-667-3777). No other individuals have direct access to the database. There are data-sharing agreements with other WCBs.

Reports
No

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Yukon Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Municipal Information Management System (MIMS) (Newfoundland)

Contacts
Darryl Johnson
Environmental Health Analyst
Health and Community Services, Newfoundland
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Tel: (709) 729-3422
E-mail: djohnson@gov.nf.ca

Jack Balram
Manager, Information Technology
Health and Community Services, Newfoundland
Tel: (709) 729-1051

Organization Maintaining the Database
Information Technology Division, Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

Purpose of Database
To store drinking water quality data relating to Newfoundland's local/municipal public water supplies.

Content
Provincial regional data on drinking water quality parameters. Data types: biological, bacteriological, chemical, geographic, and demographic. Data elements: chemical parameter data on arsenic, lead, uranium, pH, copper, etc; E.coli levels, total coliform levels in drinking water, chlorine-2 residual levels, and 'boil water' advisory reasons. Also data on treatment system operators: name, address (city, postal code), telephone number. Geolocators: municipal codes.

Year Database Established
2002

Coverage Period
Varies; generally, 2001 to 2003

Data Updates
Live data

Data Providers
Dept of Government Services and Lands and the Dept of Environment; provincial staff collect samples from public water supplies and enter the testing results into the database.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are health and environment officials, including medical officers of health; also the Municipal and Provincial Affairs Dept. Access is limited to inspectors, managers, water collection technicians, health officers and environmental staff.

Reports
None yet available; a report generating component is currently being tested.

Additional Comments
First Nations and Inuit communities are included in the database.

Municipal Wastewater Database (New Brunswick)

Contact
Sheryl Johnstone
Wastewater Technical Advisor
Environmental Management Division
Stewardship Branch
New Brunswick Dept of Environment & Local Govern't
20 McGloin St.
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 6H1
Tel: (506) 453-3824
E-mail: Sheryl.Johnstone@gnb.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Management Division, Stewardship Branch, New Brunswick Dept of the Environment and Local Government

Purpose of Database
To collect and store wastewater data for internal records/analysis.

Content
New Brunswick provincial and local/municipal data on wastewater quality. Data types: biological, microbiological, chemical. Data elements: wastewater testing data on E-coli, temperature, ph, biological oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids (SS), and DO. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. There are approximately 300 records in the database.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1995 to 2003

Data Updates
Regularly

Data Provider
New Brunswick Dept of the Environment and Local Government; wastewater facility operators collect the data.

Data Availability
Access to the data is limited to internal users in the New Brunswick Dept of Environment and Local Government.

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Clean Environment Act. A Certificate of Approval is provided for each facility.

National Contaminants Information System (NCIS) (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

Contact
Claude Guay
Marine Environmental Data Service
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Tel: (613) 990-0266
E-mail: guay@meds-sdmm.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Purpose of Database
Secures data on waterborne contaminants for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in support of the Fisheries Act, the Oceans Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

Content
Environmental data on water quality (other than drinking water); contaminants in water, sediment, and organisms. Also information on domestic, industrial and farm pesticides. Occupational data on solvents, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons, as they affect occupational health.

Data elements: analysis method, storage method, treatments, date sampled, area sampled, date analyzed, and the name of the data producer and who took the measurements. The database size is approximately 100 Mo per region (7 regions in all), with about 3 million measurements (with some metadata being considered a measurement). Geolocators: postal code; province; geo-coordinates.

Year Database Established
1995

Coverage Period
1970 to 2000

Data Updates
Irregularly; the database is updated as new information becomes available.

Data Provider
Not specified

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted; requests for access must be approved by a regional data manager of the Marine Environmental Data Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Reports
Not specified

National Dose Registry (Health Canada)

Contacts
Willem Sont
Head, Analysis Unit, National Dose Registry
Occupational Radiation Hazards Division
Radiation Protection Bureau
Safe Environments Programme
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
775 Brookfield Rd.
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1C1
Tel: (613) 954-6664
E-mail: willem_n_sont@hc-sc.gc.ca

Brian Davies
Head, Operations Unit, National Dose Registry
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 954-6663
E-mail: brian_davies@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Aids the management of risk of occupational radiation exposure by monitoring radiation doses received by employees who work with radioactive substances, are exposed to radioactivity, and are monitored in their workplace.

Content
Data on occupational radiation dosages, which are reported in milli-seiverts and in working-level months for workers occupationally exposed to radioactive substances.

Year Database Established
1987

Coverage Period
1951 to 2000

Data Updates
Daily

Data Providers
There are currently 11 dosimetry service providers contributing to the database, and they range from crown corporations and provincial government departments and agencies to private companies.

Data Availability
Access is restricted to database management staff, and designated employees of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and provincial Departments of Health and/or Labour. Security protocols protect access.

Reports
An annual report, "Occupational Radiation Exposure in Canada", is published in both print and electronic formats for public distribution.

National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP) (Health Canada)

Contacts
Frank Pollari
Bureau of Infectious Diseases
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention & Control
Population and Public Health Branch (Ontario)
Ontario/Nunavut Region
Health Canada
Tel: (519) 826-2184
Fax: (519) 826-2244
E-mail: Frank_Pollari@hc-sc.gc.ca

Marielle Pauzé
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention & Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-3250
Fax: (613) 946-0798
E-mail: Marielle_Pauze@hc-sc.gc.ca

Rafiq Ahmed
National Laboratory for Enteric Pathogens
National Microbiology Laboratory (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Health Canada
Tel: (204) 789-6013
Fax: (204) 789-5012
E-mail: Rafiq_Ahmed@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The collection, collation, and dissemination of laboratory-based surveillance data on enteric pathogens causing human disease provide a timely national view of enteric pathogens in Canada. Information is used to detect and investigate outbreaks, trigger intervention strategies and/or food recalls, and reduce risk factors, thereby contributing to better management of the economic burden of disease.

Content
Data on foodborne disease, waterborne disease, enteric infections; epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, reporting on these. Data types: pathological; epidemiological; biological. Data elements: include details on the pathogen phenotype and toxigenic markers, as well as risk factor information such as transmission source (animal, foodborne, waterborne) and travel history. Geolocator: province.

Year Database Established
1997

Coverage Period
1997 to 2001

Data Updates
Weekly

Data Providers
11 provincial laboratories send summary data.

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted to employees of the Division of Enteric, Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases, Health Canada; and the National Laboratory for Enteric Pathogens.

Reports
Monthly and annual reports on enteric pathogens are provided to provincial health laboratories, as well as to inter-agency and international stakeholders.

National Environmental Monitoring of Radionuclides (Health Canada)

Contacts
Sonia Johnson
Head, National Monitoring Section
Environmental Radiation Hazards Division
Radiation Protection Bureau
Safe Environments Programme
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
775 Brookfield Rd.
Ottawa, ON
K1A 1C1
Tel: (613) 954-6677
E-mail: sonia_johnson@hc-sc.gc.ca

Wendy Hunt
Technologist, National Monitoring Section
[Address same as above]
Tel: (613) 954-6663
E-mail: wendy_hunt@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
National Monitoring Section
Environmental Radiation Hazards Division
Safe Environments Programme
HECS Branch, Health Canada

Purpose of Database
To record and maintain data on radionuclides in environmental and food samples from across the country. This database is a health surveillance system with the aim of minimizing radiation exposure in Canadians.

Content
National data on radionuclides (ionizing radiation) in outdoor air, precipitation, drinking water, and in food. Data types: contaminant levels in media; radiological; geographic. Data elements: sample type, sampling period, station identification, tests conducted, results of tests, unique identifier. Also data on location (city, address) of field equipment. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1991 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Health Canada.

Data Availability
Only staff in the Environmental Radiation Hazards Division (Health Canada) have direct access to the data. The main users of the information in the database are staff in the Division's National Monitoring Section. Security protocols restricting access to the database are in place; a user name and password are required.

Reports
Regular reports to the Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network (CRMN) website are produced quarterly in electronic format and made available to the public.

Additional Comments
Staff in the ERHD are in the process of setting up a Laboratory Management Information System, using an Oracle database. The process of integrating with the new system is expected to take about 2 years.

Documentation on the database is available (in paper format).

National Health Care Worker Influenza and Hepatitis B Vaccine Coverage Survey (Health Canada)

Contacts
Susan Squires
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Division
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-0751
Fax: (613) 998-6413
E-mail: Susan_Squires@hc-sc.gc.ca

Theresa Tam
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 957-8685
Fax: (613) 998-6413
E-mail: Theresa_Tam@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The survey's primary objective was to estimate national influenza and hepatitis B immunization coverage rates by health care workers in the provinces and territories. The results of the survey may be used, at the federal level for example, to better plan for prevention and control of pandemic influenza. At the provincial and territorial level, the information may be used to assist provinces and territories in evaluating their policies and programs in order to improve strategies for increased utilization of influenza and Hepatitis B vaccines.

Content
Data on vaccine coverage rates for influenza and hepatitis B among health care workers across Canada. Data types: behavioural; epidemiological; geographic; risk factors. Geolocators: metropolitan area; province; census division.

Year Database Established
2001

Coverage Period
2001 (start)

Data Updates
Not applicable

Data Provider
Not specified

Data Availability
Access to the data is currently limited to the custodian and the database administrator at Health Canada.

Reports
None currently available

National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) (Environment Canada)

Contacts
Ora Kendall
Quantitative Analysis and Research Section
Strategic Policy Directorate
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-2268
Fax: (613) 952-0844
E-mail: Ora_Kendall@hc-sc.gc.ca

Mark Vanderkloot
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 952-6706
Fax: (613) 952-0844
E-mail: Mark_Vanderkloot@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization(s) Maintaining
Environment Canada and Health Canada

Database URL
National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/npri/npri_home_e.cfm

Purpose of Database
The NPRI database is the only legislated, nationwide, publicly accessible inventory of its kind in Canada. Its main objective is to provide Canadians with access to pollutant release information for facilities located in their communities. The NPRI also supports a number of environmental initiatives by providing information in identifying priorities for action; encourages industry to take voluntary measures to reduce releases; allows the tracking of progress in reducing releases; and supports a number of regulatory initiatives across Canada.

Content
Data on air, water, and soil pollutants (e.g., pesticides, hazardous substances). These data represent only a portion of all chemical pollutant releases and transfers to the environment from a range of non-industrial and industrial sources (more than 2,500 industrial facilities across Canada). This inventory provides information in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act on the release of 273 listed substances, which are emitted into the atmosphere, water and in/on the ground. Many other pollutants and other sources are reported to other inventories or are managed under other programs.

Data types: contaminant levels in media; chemical; geographic; risk factors. Geolocators: metropolitan area; province; postal codes; longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

The database is held on CD-ROM within Health Canada, which allows for data manipulation to further study and analysis.

Year Database Established
1994

Coverage Period
1994 to 2001

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Environment Canada. Industrial facilities are required to report data collected by their staff to Environment Canada.

Data Availability
The main users of the data are environmental specialists at various levels of government and industry. Environmental groups, the media, and others also make use of the data.

Access to the CD-ROM containing the data is restricted to the database administrator, per a license agreement with Environment Canada. However, the information posted on Environment Canada's web site is publicly available.

Reports
Not specified

National Population Health Survey (NPHS) Asthma Supplement 1996/97 (Health Canada)

Contact
Louise McRae
Analyst, Disease Intervention Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Jeanne Mance Bldg., Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, ON
Tel: (613) 957-9429
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Louise_McRae@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
The data are the property of Statistics Canada, but the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada, maintains a copy.

Purpose of Database
Survey data are used to monitor the prevalence of asthma nationwide (all provinces), and to provide information on severity of asthma, associated risk factors, and management and treatment practices.

Content
1996/97 national and provincial data on severity of asthma, associated risk factors, and management and treatment practices - from the National Population Health Survey. Data types: service visits; hospital admissions and discharges; clinical; epidemiological; risk factors (e.g., including behavioural); treatment, clinical/health outcome; demographic; geographic; financial. Also includes environmental data on indoor air quality; legal drugs; climate and weather hazards. Geolocator: province.

Other data elements: self-reported survey data on triggers of asthma symptoms (e.g., dust, mould, pollen, ETS, humidity, cold air, air pollution, chemical fumes); environmental control practices (e.g., washing of linens, carpeting, pets in home, home heating/air conditioning, humidification, air filters, mould in home); medications for asthma. Person-level data without identifiers; (there is only a record identifier, which is meaningful only to Statistics Canada, which also has other person identifiers in the original dataset). There are about 1814 records in the database and 125 variables per record

Year Database Established
1996/97

Coverage Period
One year: 1996 to 1997

Data Updates
Not applicable (this was a one-time survey; no updating)

Data Provider
Statistics Canada.

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted to CCDPC staff, Health Canada and is controlled per a licensing agreement with Statistics Canada. The Information, Analysis, and Connectivity Branch (IACB), Health Canada, also has direct access to the data. Access for others within Health Canada is considered on case-by-case basis. There is a data-sharing agreement between Statistics Canada and Health Canada. Release of data outside Health Canada is limited by Statistics Canada release guidelines.

Reports
Data have been used in " The Prevention and Management of Asthma in Canada: A Major Challenge Now and in the Future -- A Report from the National Asthma Control Task Force." Available at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/lcdc/publicat/asthma00/pdf/asthma00e.pdf

Additional Comments
Information on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Keywords for searches: NPHS; asthma triggers; medications; tobacco smoke; asthma symptoms

The asthma dataset is linked with information in the main NPHS 1996-97 database.

Other databases: National Mortality and National Morbidity databases (maintained by Ora Kendall, Health Canada) and National Population Health Surveys, National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, Canadian Community Health Survey (maintained by Bill Bradley's group in IACB, Health Canada)

National Surveillance for Enteric Pathogens from Food and Animals -- Guelph Laboratory (Health Canada)

Contact(s)
Elroy Mann
Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses
Population and Public Health Branch (Ontario)
Ontario/Nunavut Region
Health Canada
Tel: (519) 826-2172
Fax: (519) 826-2255
E-mail: Elroy_Mann@hc-sc.gc.ca

Anne Muckle
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (519) 822-3300 ext. 285
Fax: (519) 822-2280
E-mail: Anne_Muckle@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
To monitor trends in the sources and characteristics of enteric pathogens (including antimicrobial resistance) isolated from food and animal sources, as an aid in determining risk factors for human illness.

Content
Data on enteric infections (etiology, risk factors, pathology); Salmonellosis and Escherichia coli infection (etiology); zoonoses (etiology); and animals as carriers of disease. Also data on antimicrobial resistance.

Coverage Period
Not specified

Data Updates
Monthly

Data Provider
Not specified

Data Availability
Not applicable

Reports
Not specified

Occupational Exposure Database Management (OEDM) (Ontario)

Contacts
Lita Wong
Program Analyst
Ontario Ministry of Labour
655 Bay Street
Toronto, ON
M5G 2K4
Tel: (416) 326-1432
E-mail: lita.wong@mol.gov.on.ca

Paul Tidswell
Application Analyst
Ontario Ministry of Labour
250 Yonge Street, Toronto
(416)-326-7107
E-mail: paul.tidswell@mol.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Information and Administrative Services
Occupational Health and Safety Branch
Ontario Ministry of Labour

Purpose of Database
The sampling results associated with work environment exposure to various airborne hazards in the OEDM database are used in the analysis of work exposure to specific hazards as well as in providing information for regulatory changes.

Content
Provincial occupational data on dust, fumes, heavy metals, solvents, chemicals, noise. Data types: contaminant levels in the workplace. Data elements: sampling date, description of sample, sampling duration, sample concentration, workplace name. Geolocators: postal codes.

Person-level data without identifiers, and group-level or aggregate data. Personal data: individual's name, name of employer.

Data coding/classification standards: Organization standard classification system for gathering information on occupational accidents. Standard Industrial Classification 1980 for gathering industry data.

Year Database Established
2001

Coverage Period
1980 to 1996

Data Updates
This database has not been updated since 1996.

Data Provider
Ontario Ministry of Labour

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted to certain Ministry of Labour staff; the database is security password protected. Protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data: general public service guidelines, Ontario Management Board Corporate Management Directives, and Secretariat Information and Information Technology Security Directive.

The person responsible for privacy, use and disclosure of data: Chirs Berzins, Freedom of Information Co-ordinator, Ministry of Labour, 400 University Ave. ,Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7

Reports
No

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act

Documentation on the database is available in printed format.

(Occupational Health and Safety) Client-Generated Activities Database (Newfoundland)

Contact
Trudy Northover
Workplace Health and Safety Inspections
Occupational Health and Safety Division
Newfoundland Dept of Labour
4th Floor Confederation Bldg W
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Tel: (709) 729-1108
E-mail: tnorthover@gov.nf.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Occupational Health and Safety Division, Newfoundland Department of Labour

Purpose of Database
To keep records of all client-driven assignments from and initial contact by occupational health and safety officers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Content
Province-wide client-driven data are captured in a spreadsheet form and used for internal purposes only. Assignments are identified by location, given a reference number, and assigned to a specific officer for that particular area.

Occupational data types: workplace dust, fumes, pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, chemicals, UV radiation (e.g., sunlight), dangerous machinery, noise, ionizing radiation, mental fatigue, and other identified hazards. Also geographic data and ergonomic and musculo-skeletal data.

Data elements: assignment number; type of assignment (e.g., complaint, accident, incident, work refusal, or request for inspection); date and location; parties involved; assignment details; officer referred; date of referral; date of initial action by officer.

There are approximately 3,000 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1996

Coverage Period
1996 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Providers
Workplace Health and Safety Inspections, Occupational Health and Safety Division, Newfoundland Dept of Labour

Data Availability
Access is limited to Departmental Executive and Inspection staff (i.e., departmental use only). A security protocol restricting access to the database is in place (passwords); also guidelines restricting use or disclosure of data (information is not released to third parties). The contact person responsible for privacy, use, and disclosure of data is: Jackie Manuel, Director, Workplace Health & Safety Inspections, 4^th Floor West Block, P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NL, A1B 4J6; telephone: (709)729-7454; e-mail: jmanuel@mail.gov.nf.ca

Reports
Not applicable

OnAIR Database (Ontario)

Contacts
Nicholas Ting
Supervisor of Air Emissions
Environmental Sciences and Standards Division
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road
Toronto, ON M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 235-5772
E-mail: Tingni@ene.gov.on.ca

Donna Cramp
Senior Business Analyst
Information Management and Technology Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
40 St. Clair Avenue West, 10^th Floor
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Tel: (416) 314-8747
E-mail: donna.cramp@ene.gov.on.ca

Database URL
Airborne Contaminant Discharge Monitoring and Reporting
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environet/onair/splash.htm

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Sciences and Standards Science Division, the Database
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch,
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
OnAIR is Ontario's industrial, commercial, institutional, and municipal air emissions registry. OnAIR gives the public immediate access to information about what emissions are being released into the air and by whom.

Content
Data on annual, smog season, and quarterly emissions of contaminants from larger facilities which meet the reporting criteria. Company and facility-level data. Geolocators: postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. Data elements: basic facility information on the company contact, facility location, and operation and equipment; air emissions for facilities meeting the reporting criteria; mode of emission release (i.e., point or fugitive); and air emission estimation method. There are approximately 20 million records in the database.

Data coding/classification standards: North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code; Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry number.

Year Database Established
2002 (April)

Coverage Period
April 2002 to present

Data Updates
Larger facilities report annual, smog season, and quarterly emissions of contaminants which exceed the reporting thresholds. In order to ensure timely, public access to emission data, this information is posted directly to a public Website by the regulated facilities. These facilities may also flow the information through the ministry for posting. Regulated facilities are accountable for the accuracy and timeliness of the data they submit.

Data Provider
Environmental Sciences and Standards Division
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Data Availability
OnAIR gives the public immediate access to emissions information. Normal Oracle database access restrictions are in effect. Data are subject to the provisions of Ontario Regulation 127 and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Reports
Not at this time

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of Ontario Regulation 127/01 of the Environmental Protection Act.

This database links with information in Environment Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) database. The OnAir database has been harmonized with NPRI, thereby allowing for one-window reporting.

Keywords for searches: Air emissions, Regulation 127, environmental reporting, air pollution, green house gases, SMOG, contaminant, Ontario.

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

Oracle Research Database of WCB Claims (Oracle/WCB) (Saskatchewan)

Contacts
Rita Coshan
Manager, Risk Assessment and Research
Occupational Health and Safety Division
Saskatchewan Labour
6^th Floor, 1870 Albert Street
Regina, SK
S4P 3V7
Tel: (306) 787-4539
E-mail: rcoshan@lab.gov.sk.ca

Brian Schwab
Manager of Systems
Administration, Saskatchewan Labour
1870 Albert Street
Regina, SK
S4P 3V7
Tel: (306) 787-4209
E-mail: bschwab@lab.gov.sk.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Performance Management Coordinator of the Occupational Health and Safety Division (OHSD), Saskatchewan Labour

Purpose of Database
To identify and analyze trends in occupational injuries and illnesses in Saskatchewan to better target Occupational Health and Safety Division activities.

Content
Data on exposures to occupational hazards in Saskatchewan: dust, fumes, pesticides, solvents, chemicals, ultraviolet radiation (e.g., sunlight), dangerous machinery, noise, ionizing radiation, heavy metals, and miscellaneous occupational health and safety hazards. Also ergonomic and musculo-skeletal data and data on mental fatigue.

Data types: contaminant levels in workplace; bio-monitoring data; toxicological; biological; microbiological; chemical; radiological; epidemiological; demographic. Person-level data without identifiers; also group-level or aggregate data. Personal data: name of employer, birth date. Geolocators: postal codes.

There are data on approximately: 31,000 employers in 35,000 lines of business; 38,000 claims/year, with 33,500 accepted; 3,000 OHSD inspection reports per year.

Data coding/ classification standards: claim characteristic codes based on CSA Standards.

Year Database Established
2002

Coverage Period
1997 (negotiating change to 1996) to 2002

Data Updates
Live data

Data Providers
Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board (WCB). Original data source is WCB claimants (monthly and yearly transfers of data on WCB claims from the Saskatchewan WCB). WCB Client Service representatives enter the data into the database.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are staff in the Occupational Health and Safety Division, and access is restricted to these individuals. Use or disclosure of the data: cannot release individual or workplace/employer-related data; can release only aggregate data. Freedom of Information Coordinator: Sharon Ackerman 787-4527.

Data-sharing agreements: Executive sponsors are Allan Walker, Executive Director, Occupational Health and Safety Division; and Gail Kruger, Vice President Finance and Information Technology.

Reports
Annual report; reports on high-risk industrial sectors, occupational groups, and hazards. Annual, quarterly, and ad hoc; in printed and electronic formats. Disseminated internally and to stakeholders, including the public.

Additional Notes
Data are collected under the authority of the Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board Act.

The database is linked with information in the LINKS database, and also with the Occupational Health Committee database.

There are plans to make use of Statistics Canada data and other survey data.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS 2000 FE) Database (New Brunswick)

Contact
Jennifer Bishop
Environmental Officer
New Brunswick Dept of the Environment and Local Government
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Tel: 506-444-4599
E-mail: Jennifer.Bishop@gnb.ca

Help Desk
Tel: (506)-457-7382

Organization Maintaining the Database
Approvals Branch
NB Dept. of the Environment and Local Government

Purpose of Database
To track approved buyers and wholesalers of ozone-depleting substances and to track certified technicians in New Brunswick.

Content
The database contains information on persons who are approved through the Dept. to buy and sell ozone-depleting substances; also data on certified technicians in New Brunswick.

The data base includes personal data on those persons who have applied to the Dept. for a permit to buy or sell ozone-depleting substances, and on those persons who have completed a one-day environmental awareness course (certified technicians). Includes person-level data with identifiers. Personal data: name, address, name of employer, telephone number, social insurance number; apprenticeship number or certificate of qualification number. Geolocators: city/town, postal codes.

Year Database Established
Unspecified

Coverage Period
1992 to 2003

Data Updates
As needed

Data Provider
New Brunswick Dept. of the Environment and Local Government

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are the Environmental Officer (Jennifer Bishop) in the Approvals Branch, and the Administration Section of the Approvals Branch. The Information Management Section also has direct access to the data. The information used in the database is for internal purposes only.

Reports
Wholesalers Reports and Buyers Reports, in printed and electronic format; available on request and also quarterly. Disseminated to buyers and sellers of ozone-depleting substances.

Pesticide Products Information System (PEPSIS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Doug Mewett
Executive Secretary
Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee (OPAC)
2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1023
Toronto, ON
M4P 1E4
Tel: (416) 314-9235
E-mail: Doug.Mewett@oeb.gov.on.ca

Mieke Bradshaw
Secretary
[Address same as above]
E-mail: mieke.bradshaw@oeb.gov.on.ca

Database URL
Pesticide Products Information System
www.opac.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee (OPAC)

Purpose of Database
To provide a listing of pesticides classified for use in Ontario.

Content
Data on pesticides for domestic, industrial, and farm use in Ontario. Data types: toxicological and chemical. Data elements: Numerical listing of pesticide products classified for sale and use in Ontario. There are approximately 4,000 records in the database. Levels of data: group-level or aggregate data; no personal nominal data.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
1998 to 2003

Data Updates
Weekly

Data Providers
The Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee collects the data; the primary provider and original source of the data is the pesticides industry.

Data Availability
The pesticides industry and the Ontario provincial government are the main users of the information in the database. Any Internet subscriber also has direct access to the data (website:www.opac.gov.on.ca)

Reports
No

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Ontario Pesticides Act and Regulation 914.

The PEPSIS database links with information in the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) label information database.

Physician Asthma Management Survey (PAMS) (Health Canada)

Contact
Louise McRae
Analyst, Disease Intervention Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-9429
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Louise_McRae@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada

Purpose of Database
To understand physician asthma management practices in Canada. The database stores data based on physician interviews to identify asthma management practices, to create baseline information on these practices, and to compare them with consensus guidelines.

Content
Self-reported survey data (provincial and regional) on physician asthma treatment and management practices; indoor air quality; legal drugs; information on avoidance of asthma triggers and on environmental control measures for asthma. Data types: clinical outcomes; epidemiological; risk factors (e.g., behavioural); treatment; physician specialty; geographic; demographic. Data elements: self-reported survey data on physician asthma management. Personal data: person-level data without identifiers. Geolocator: province (data are aggregated to region). There are approximately 2,180 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1996

Coverage Period
Late 1996 to early 1997

Data Updates
Not applicable (one-time survey)

Data Providers
Physicians (self-reported data), via a survey conducted by Price Waterhouse for the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, PPHB, Health Canada

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are staff in the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada. Access is restricted to CCDPC staff. However, there are no protocols or guidelines restricting use or disclosure of the data.

Reports
Data were reported in "Physician Asthma Management Practices in Canada: Report of a National Survey", as well as in various journal articles.

Additional Comments
The database been approved by a Provincial/Federal Privacy Commissioner. The person who is responsible for privacy, use and disclosure of the data: Louise McRae (see above)

Keywords for searches: asthma, management.

Prairie Soils (1992) and Ontario Soils (1994) [(Pr92 and Ont94)] (Geological Survey of Canada)

Contact
Ken Ford
Geological Survey of Canada
Natural Resources Canada
601 Booth St.
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0E8
Tel: (613) 992-1235
E-mail: Kford@NRCan.gc.ca

Robert G. Garrett
Coordinator, Metals in the Environment Initiative
Geological Survey of Canada
Natural Resources Canada
[Address same as above]
Tel: (613) 995-4517
E-mail: garrett@gsc.NRCan.gc.ca

D. Sharpe
Geological Survey of Canada
Natural Resources Canada
[Address same as above]
Tel: (613) 992-3059
E-mail: David.Sharpe@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada

Purpose of Database
The main purpose of this database is to establish ambient background levels of trace elements in agricultural and rural soils in Ontario and the Prairies by collecting information on soil chemistry, including data on metals/metalloids.

Content
Data on soil chemistry (composition, trace element content) for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Data types: metalloid. Data elements: Sample site geographic coordinates, field observations at the sample site, and major, minor and trace element geochemical data by total (XRF and INAA) or near total (AAS following HF-HClO₄-HNO₃ acid decomposition) methods of the <2 mm fraction of both surface (0-25 cm) and C-horizon (>70 cm depth) soils. Geolocators: geo-coordinates.

Year Database Established
Pr92 in 1993; Ont94 in 1995

Coverage Period
1992 to 1994 (The database reflect soil geochemical surveys undertaken in the summers of 1992 and 1994. They do not reflect continuous temporal monitoring data; as such they are snapshots in time of the soil chemistry

Data Updates
The data in the database are from a one-time survey and are not updated.

Data Provider
Geological Survey of Canada

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted and currently limited to Ken Ford, D. Sharpe, and Robert Garrett of the Geological Survey. At this time the data are not publicly available. The data are held in two MS Access databases. Queries from OGDs and provincial organizations are responded to with appropriate data, summary statistics, and graphics.

In the case of the Prairie Soil (1992) there were data-sharing agreements between the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Reports
Not per se; there have been scientific papers and posters published

Additional Comments
Trace elements occur naturally in soils and except at contaminated sites reflect the natural abundance levels. These vary as a function of geology and pedology, and sometimes due to natural processes of metal/metalloid concentration reach levels of concern if the elements present can be transformed to bioavailable forms.

In the context of environmental and health issues, the relevance of these data has to be considered carefully, as the total/near-total analyses for metals, etc. do not necessarily reflect the bioavailable amounts of metal present at a particular site. For this reason we respond to requests so that geochemists who understand these issues can put appropriate caveats on the use of the geochemical survey results.

Data are collected under the authority of the Intergovernmental Geoscience Accord, or Federal-Provincial Mineral Development Agreements.

Other databases: The NATGAM database contains airborne gamma ray spectrometry data (K, eU, eTh) that have been used to assess radon risk for communities and planned developments.

Prevention Services Information System (PSIS) (WCB of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut)

Contact
Dr. David P. King
Chief Medical Advisor
Workers Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut
P.O. Box 8888
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2T9
Tel: (867) 920-3890
E-mail: davidk@wcb.nt.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
CGI, Edmonton Office (current outsourcer)
David Hiscock
Service Manager, Technical Support
10303 Jasper Ave, Suite 800
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 3N6
Tel: (780)-409-2200
E-mail: david.hiscock@cgi.com

Purpose of the Database
To collect and store NWT and Nunavut information on occupational health and safety inspections, investigations and certifications (for inspection purposes).

Content
Occupational health and safety data on inspections, investigations and certifications in the NWT and Nunavut. Does not pertain to the environment except for data on indoor air quality, which is recorded as an inspection only.

Occupational data on: dust, solvents, dangerous machinery, fumes, chemicals, noise, ergonomics (these are recorded in the inspection only and not as specific health data types).

Personal data: individual's name, address, name of employer, birth date, telephone number, social insurance number. Geolocators: postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. There are approximately 17,760 records in the database.

Year Database Established
January 2001

Coverage Period
2001 to present

Data Provider
Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of the NWT and Nunavut

Data Updates
Live data

Data Availability
Access is limited to occupational safety officers and mining inspectors, and support staff. Security protocols restricting accessto the database, and protocols restricting the use or disclosure of data, are in place.

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the NWT and Nunavut Workers Compensation Board Act; the Mine Health and Safety Act; and the NWT and Nunavut Safety Act and Regulations.

The database links with information in the WCB system. Protocol for database linkages: sign-off by the Minister to release data with identifiers.

Search keywords: employer, person, location and type of event (i.e., inspection).

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

Product Safety Information System (PSIS)

Contact
Helen MacLellan
Senior Information Management and Systems Analyst
Consumer Product Safety Bureau
Product Safety Programme
HECS Branch, Health Canada
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A OK9
Tel: (613) 946-6455
E-mail: helen_maclellan@hc-sc.gc.ca

Roy Acres
I.T. Project Leader
HECS Informatics Division
Client Services Centre
Information Management Services Directorate
Information, Analysis and Connectivity Branch
Health Canada
123 Slater Street, Rm C857
Ottawa, ON
(613) 957-2331
E-mail: roy.acres@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
National Compliance and Information Systems Division
Consumer Product Safety Bureau
Product Safety Programme
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
This national database is a health surveillance system. The PSIS application captures information about: 1) complaints related to consumer products, including any injury details as well as the victims' age groups and gender; 2) inspections related to consumer products, including enforcement actions taken, such as seizures, recalls, and warning letters.

Content
[Please note that only certain fields are mandatory and the level of completeness of the information captured from record to record varies]. Data on complaints about consumer products; injury details; and inspections, including enforcement actions taken, such as seizures, recalls, and warning letters. Occupational health data (as they relate to consumer product complaints) on: fumes, solvents, chemicals, heavy metals, dangerous machinery. Data types: chemical, demographic, geographic, other (e.g., narrative text may indicate the setting (where exposure occurred)). Personal data: individual's name, age group, gender, address, telephone number. Geolocators: city names, postal codes.

Data elements: The PSIS application was designed to print the various forms in use at the time - e.g., the form associated with a PSIS inspection which is used to record a visit to a trader, a contact or action; or the form used to record a complaint.

Data elements for information on complaints: the source of the complaint; incident date (the date the injury occurred, not the date it was reported); complaint type (92% are consumer complaints); employee and region(s) handling the complaint; date of complaint and of the actions taken; victim's age group (years) (< 1 , 1 - 2 , 3 - 4, 5 - 14, 15 - 19, 20 - 25, 26 - 45, 46 - 55, 56 - 65, 65+); victim's sex; injury type (death, major, minor, no injury); injury nature (cut, fracture, burn, other, strangulation, suffocation, poisoning, bruise, concussion, chemical burn); body part description (free-form text description Varchar2(60)); treatment type (poison control, emergency room, hospital, home, other, none, doctor's office); details describing any other relevant information about the incident (free-form text).

If more than one person was injured or there are multiple injuries associated with the same complaint, the most serious injury would be the one recorded in the fields above, and information on other persons' injuries in the would be described in the Detail field.

Data elements for complaint actions: Product description fields, and the following additional fields for entering data relevant to the complaint: how the product was acquired (borrowed, new, rented, second-hand) and the date acquired; whether the product is regulated; the period of use of the product, if known (free-form text 60 characters); whether there is a warning label on product; whether there is a warning label on package; whether the product was repaired/modified before; whether there are instructions with the product; distributor details; vendor details.

There are 10,799 complaint records in the database and 20,363 inspections records (an inspection is used to record a visit to a trader, a contact, or action. A "visit" can occur by fax or telephone, in some cases.)

Data coding/classification standards: Product categorization is loosely based on the NEISS (U.S. consumer product coding system), but has not been synchronized since inception.

Year Database Established
1995

Coverage Period
1997-2003

Data Updates
Upon receipt of complaints or completion of inspection work, although some persons wait to enter details of multiple activities all at once.

Data Provider
Consumer Product Safety Bureau, Health Canada

Data Availability
The main users of the database are Regional Product
Safety Officers / Inspectors; also Project Officers.

There are security protocols restricting accessto the database (Health Canada firewall; list of CPSB user accounts); and guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data -- a confidential flag is used to indicate a complainant wants the information to remain confidential. Contact person who is responsible for privacy, use and disclosure: Helen MacLellan (see contact information above).

Requests for information can be forwarded to the National Compliance and Information Systems Division, Product Safety Programme, Health Canada

Reports
Not as of yet. Ad hoc reporting is done on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Hazardous Product Act (Part 1), and the Cosmetic Regulations of the Food and Drug Act.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Radiation Exposure Report Database (Newfoundland)

Contact
Al Samms
Radiation Inspector
Workplace Health and Safety Inspections
Occupational Health and Safety
Newfoundland Dept of Labour
4^th Floor Confederation Bldg W
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Tel: (709)-729-0218
E-mail: asamms@gov.nf.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Workplace Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, Newfoundland Department of Labour

Purpose of Database
The database is a tracking system to monitor individual occupational radiation exposure; and to evaluate trends in radiation exposure, dose history, and dose management.

Content
Individual radiological data on ionizing radiation exposures in workplaces (worker radiation dose) in Newfoundland; for use in dose management and evaluating trends in exposure. Also data on ionizing radiation equipment. The data can be helpful in epidemiologic studies.

Data elements: Personal exposure data for radiation accumulated exposures for current monitoring period, year and total to date. Person-level data with identifiers. Personal data: individual's name, address, name of employer, radiation dose record. Data on personal exposures include current exposure; exposure during wearing period; total exposure for the current year; and total exposure to date. Exposures include whole body and skin dose estimates. Some include thyroid and extremity monitoring when applicable. Group-level or aggregate data are also available..

Year Database Established
Unknown

Coverage period
(Start date not specified) to present

Data Updates
Irregularly (data are provided by Health Canada's Radiation Protection Bureau when dosimeters are read).

Data Providers
National Dosimetry Services, Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada. The original source of the data is from personal thermo-luminescent dosimetry for specific wearing period based on industry or workplace situation.

Data Availability
Access is restricted (password protected) to authorized personnel (Al Samms); data are not released to third parties.

Reports
Internal reports on radiation exposure monitoring and trend evaluation for radiation workers in Newfoundland and Labrador (for internal use only).

Exposure data and reports are sent to the Department by the National Dosimetry Services of Health Canada, Ottawa.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of Radiation Health and Safety Regulations - Personal Monitoring.

Keywords for searches: Search by name, group code, dose estimate.

Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.

Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) (Ontario)

Contact
Lynne Russell
RRFSS Coordinator
Central West Health Planning Information Network
10 George Street, Suite 301B
Hamilton, Ontario
L8P 1C8
Tel: (905) 570-9952, ext. 238
Fax: (905) 570-0974
E-mail: lrussell@cwhpin.ca

Database URL
Cehip
www.cehip.org/rrfss

Organization Maintaining the Database
A consortium of 20 health units in Ontario forms the

RRFSS Working Group. Each month, a new concatenated data set is sent to each RRFSS representative from each RRFSS-participating health unit. It is the responsibility of the individual RRFSS representatives to maintain the data set. Issues and concerns about the data set are brought forward to the RRFSS Analysis Group and the RRFSS Working Group.

Purpose of Database
The information in the database is used to assist with program planning and evaluation (i.e., to prioritize health issues, direct operational plans, measure effectiveness of strategies, and monitor progress towards program goals and objectives); and for advocacy or to influence local interests; and to monitor trends over time.

Content
RRFSS uses telephone survey methodology to collect data on risk behaviours such as smoking, sun safety, physical activity, testing of well water, etc., along with data on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on issues of public health importance such as pesticide use, immunizations in health care workers, support for smoke-free bylaws, etc.

RRFSS is population-based. Presently, there are 2 employment questions possibly allowing for preliminary sub-population analysis. Most of the RRFSS modules relate to behaviours and attitudes towards environmental issues of public health importance such as water testing, pesticide use, food safety, recreational water safety, smoke-free workplaces, etc.

Data elements: The data set includes variables that identify the month of data collection, the health unit identifier, and all core and optional questions. Person-level data without identifiers are available. Personal data includes: postal code, census division and subdivision, and birth date. Geolocators: municipal codes and postal codes.

In 2001, there were data on 12,817 completed CATI interviews; in 2002, data on 21,591 interviews. (Each calendar year, a new data set is created).

Year Database Established
RRFSS started as a pilot project in 1999 involving Health Canada, Cancer Care Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and the Durham Region Health Department. The system was modelled after the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in the United States. By December 2001, 12 health units were involved in RRFSS, 21 by 2002. 2003 will be the third year of data collection for some health units.

Coverage Period
2001 to 2003; in January 2001, 4 health units commenced data collection; as of February 2003, 20 health units are participating in RRFSS.

Data Updates
Monthly

Data Provider
The Institute for Social Research (ISR) is the primary provider of the data.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are epidemiologists in Public Health Units in Ontario; no one outside of RRFSS-participating health units has direct access to the data. Access to the RRFSS data set requires a formal written request to each RRFSS-participating health unit (RRFSS External Data Requests). A RRFSS-participating health unit may not release any information concerning another RRFSS-participating health unit without written notification (RRFSS Internal Data Request)

There are data-sharing agreements among the Public Health Units across Ontario.

Reports
Each RRFSS-participating health unit produces their own reports to meet their health unit's needs. Any RRFSS reports can be found on the web site, for example, the 2001 Evaluation Report. Annual RRFSS results for core modules only are posted on the web site (includes only those RRFSS-participating health units that sign a web site agreement).

Additional Comments
RRFSS is administered by the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at York University. All interviewing is completed by ISR's centralized computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) facilities. At the end of each month of data collection, ISR provides an SPSS data file of all completed interviews to all RRFSS-participating health units.

Adults aged 18 years and older are interviewed from each RRFSS-participating health unit area. The interview is 20 minutes in length. The questionnaire is composed of core modules (asked by all RRFSS-participating health units) and optional modules (asked by one or more of RRFSS-participating health units).

Each RRFSS-participating health unit has a yearly contractual agreement with the Institute for Social Research (ISR). All members of the RRFSS Working Group and ISR sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

The RRFSS representatives at the local health units would be responsible for ensuring that RRFSS meets the requirements under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Documentation on the database is available (e.g., questionnaire, questionnaire map, data dictionary) in printed and electronic formats. (See Cehip
www.cehip.org/rrfss for all questionnaires and related maps).

Referentiel Territorial (M34) (Territorial Referential Database, Québec )

Contact
Michel Blondeau
Pilote d'orientation et opérationnel
Direction générale de a coordination ministérielle et des relations avec le réseau (DGCMRR)
Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux
1075, chemin Ste-Foy, 4^ième étage
Québec , QC
G1S 2M1
Tel : (418) 266-7125
E-mail: michel.blondeau@msss.gouv.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Service du développement de l'information, Direction générale adjointe aux ententes de gestion, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS), Québec

Purpose of Database
To provide information to public health professionals who need to update and standardize information on geographic constituencies of the Québec socio-health services network or of other databases.

Content
The database contains essentially data on correspondence of each territorial constituency of the social-health services network, for all of the information systems of the MSSS and of the social-health network. Current and historical data at the provincial, local, and municipal levels of the social-health network. Data types: geographic/cartographic. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Data elements: codes and names of diverse territorial entities and the correspondence among them; postal code, municipal code, CLSC, RSS, TSS, ambulance zone, SAT territory, MRC, RADM, CEP, THQ, DR, SDR, SR, AD.

There are approximately 500,000 records in the database.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1990 to 2003

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Ministère des affaires municipales; Institut de la statistique du Québec ; Statistics Canada; Canada Post; Direction générale de a coordination ministérielle et des relations avec le réseau (DGCMRR), Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS).

Data Availability
Data are available free of charge on the MSSS web site. The database can be used by all public health professionals who need to update and standardize information on geographic constituencies of the Quebec social-health services network or of other databases; also, anyone interested in the Québec territorial constituencies and their correspondence. Website URL:
http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/f/statistiques/dectergo.htm

Reports
Reports on lists of codes and names of territorial constituencies of the Quebec social-health services network.

Sample Results Data Store (SRDS) (Ontario)

Contacts
Neville Reid
Supervisor, Environmental Modelling and Data Analysis
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road
Etobicoke, ON
M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 235-6007
E-mail: Neville.reid@ene.gov.on.ca

Leon Aureus
Data System Coordinator
[Address same as above]
Tel: 416-235-6245
E-mail: leon.aureus@ene.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Municipal Industrial Strategy for Abatement (MISA) Data Group, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
Stores data that industries are required to submit under the MISA (Municipal Industrial Strategy for Abatement) Regulations; these data relate to direct discharges of pollutants to provincial water bodies.

Content
Data on surface water quality. Data types: contaminant levels and discharges into water bodies; chemical; geographic. Data elements: Facility location, pipe related information, pollutant types and concentrations and mass loadings. Geolocators: postal codes, longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Year Database Established
Early 1990s

Coverage Period
About 1992 to present

Data Updates
Quarterly

Data Provider
Submitted by facilities andindustry

Data Availability
Access to the data is limited to MOE Regional Operations; no one else has direct access. Data are accessible only through WAN; there are no restrictions once the data have been approved for release.

Reports
No

Saskatchewan Environment's Environmental Management System (SEEMS)

Contacts
Marlon Killaby
Manager, Environmental Information Section
Saskatchewan Environment
3211 Albert Street
Regina, SK
S4S 5W6
Tel: (306) 787-5021
E-mail: mkillaby@serm.gov.sk.ca

Sreenivas Palla
SEEMS Database Administrator
[Address same as above]
Tel: (306)- 87-8608
E-mail: spalla@serm.gov.sk.ca

Database URL
SaskH2O
www.SaskH2O.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Information Section, Environmental

Protection Branch, Saskatchewan Environment

Purpose of Database
To manage provincial drinking water quality data and information.

Content
Provincial and local/municipal data on drinking water quality and other water quality. Data types: contaminant levels in media; bio-monitoring data; biological, microbiological, chemical, toxicological, geographic. Geolocators: municipal codes; legal land description; longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. Data elements: Waterworks permits to operate, inspection results, and water quality laboratory results.

Data coding/classification standards: Federal and provincial water quality guidelines.

Year Database Established
April 2003

Coverage Period
1974 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Water testing laboratories, consultants and Saskatchewan Environment staff; drinking water operations across the province are the original sources of the data.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are Saskatchewan Environment staff and the general public through its public webpage; also other provincial government agencies. Staff enter the system through a web browser and unique password; public access information is via a separate webpage.

Reports
Not specified.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Environmental Management and Protection Act and its Drinking Water Regulations.

Documentation on the database is available.

Septage Database (New Brunswick)

Contact
Sheryl Johnstone
Wastewater Technical Advisor
Environmental Management Division
Stewardship Branch
New Brunswick Dept of Environment & Local Govern't
20 McGloin St.
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 6H1
Tel: (506) 453-3824
E-mail: Sheryl.Johnstone@gnb.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Management Division, Stewardship Branch, New Brunswick Dept of the Environment and Local Government

Purpose of Database
To collect and store septage data for internal records and analysis.

Content
Provincial and local/municipal data on septage. Data elements: septage volumes disposed and disposal areas. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. There are approximately 3,000 records in the database.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
1999 to 2003

Data Provider
New Brunswick Dept of the Environment and Local Government; the original sources of the data are septage facility operators, who collect the data.

Data Updates
Regularly

Data Availability
Access to the data is limited to internal users in the New Brunswick Dept of the Environment and Local Government.

Reports
No

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Clean Environment Act. A Certificate of Approval is provided for each facility.

Site Information System (SITE) (British Columbia)

Contact
Corey Bell
SITE, SWIS, and CRISP Database Administrator
BC Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection
P.O. Box 9342, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC
V8W 9M1
Tel: (250) 387-9754
E-mail: corey.bell@gems3.gov.bc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection

Purpose of Database
To track the remediation status of potentially contaminated property in British Columbia.

Content
Data on contaminated sites in British Columbia, including data on the status of property. Data types; contaminant levels in media; chemical; geographic. Geolocators: postal codes; longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

Year Database Established
1997

Coverage Period
1997 to 2003

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Data Availability
The main users of the data are lawyers, real estate agents, and environmental consultants; the public also has direct access to the data through the Site Registry available via BC Online. Person-level data are not releasable.

There is a data-sharing agreement with the Dept of Land Titles; the Site Information System links with information in the Land Titles database.

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of the Waste Management Act: Contaminated Sites Regulation.

Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW) (Health Canada)

Contacts
David A. Lewis
Research and Technology Division
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 946-0451
Fax: (613) 957-6218
E-mail : David_A_Lewis@hc-sc.gc.ca

Kara Linttell
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 946-4816
Fax: (613) 957-6218
E-mail: Kara_Linttell@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Database URL
gltp://127.0.0.1:80/cwogdi/hdw/hdw@hdw

Purpose of Database
The Geographic information System (GIS) infrastructure developed by Health Canada's Centre for Surveillance Coordination (CSC) supports the spatial information needs of CSC projects, epidemiologists, regional surveillance and public health programs, etc. Does not collect any data, but purchases datasets from, e.g., Statistics Canada, and loads them into the warehouse. These datasets must have a geographic reference (e.g., postal code).

The information may be used to visualize and analyze notifiable disease reports, infectious outbreaks, risks, research issues, and desired effects of program interventions, by linking data from different surveillance databases and public health information systems where their common reference points are geographic locations. GIS layers population demographics, political and administrative boundaries and environmental factors on a series of maps to support evidence-based planning.

Content
Datasets from other sources (e.g., Statistics Canada),which include data on notifiable diseases, risks, research issues, and desired effects of program interventions. Data types: demographic; geographic; epidemiologic; environmental; surveillance. Geolocators: postal code; province; census division; census subdivision; metropolitan area; federal electoral district; census tract; enumeration area.

Year Database Established
1998

Coverage Period
1991 to 1998

Data Updates
Irregularly

Data Providers
Statistics Canada, DMTI Spatial, and Natural Resources Canada; also geographic information systems across Canada.

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted to individuals designated in the Network for Health Surveillance in Canada, and requires authorization from the GIS infrastructure. User authentication is controlled through F Secure SSH. An OGDI (Open Geospatial Datastore Interface) or OGC plug-in for the GIS software is required to communicate with the warehouse and allow for downloading of data. An end-user agreement restricts use and disclosure of data.

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
Spatial information is provided to clients free of charge.

Special Waste Information System (SWIS) (British Columbia)

Contact
Corey Bell
SITE, SWIS, and CRISP Database Administrator
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
P.O. Box 9342, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC
V8W 9M1
Tel: (250) 387-9754
E-mail: corey.bell@gems3.gov.bc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Purpose of Database
To track the generation & transport of special waste.

Content
Data on hazardous waste and the generation and transport of special waste in British Columbia. Geolocators: postal codes. There are approximately 200,000 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1997

Coverage Period
1997 to 2003

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Data Availability
The main users of the data are transporters and generators of special waste. There are no security protocols restricting access to this database, or the use or disclosure of the data.

Reports
Not specified

Additional Comments
The data are collected under the authority of the Waste Management Act: Special Waste Regulations.

Spills Database (Nunavut)

Contact
Robert Eno
Manager, Pollution Control
Environmental Protection Service
Department of Sustainable Development
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 1000, Stn 1195
Iqaluit, NU
X0A 0H0
Tel: (867) 975-5907
E-mail: REno@gov.nu.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Environmental Protection Service, Department of Sustainable Development, Government of Nunavut

Purpose of Database
To monitor all spills of hazardous materials in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Content
Data on spills of hazardous products from domestic and industrial sources in Nunavut and the NWT. Data types: domestic and industrial hazardous products; type of material, quantity, and associated hazards. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. (The database is still under development).

Year Database Established
The original database was established in the late 1970s under an agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Environment Canada.

Coverage Period
1978 to 2003

Data Updates
Monthly

Data Providers
Data are provided by government, industry, and the public through a 'spill line'. Collection of the data is done externally, under contract.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are regulatory agencies; no one else has direct access to the data. There are data-sharing agreements with the Dept of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Environment Canada, the Dept of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Governments of Nunavut and of the Northwest Territories.

Reports
No

Additional Comments
The data are collected under the authority of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between various parties.

Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program Database (FISHBASE) (Ontario)

Contacts
Al Hayton
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road
Etobicoke, ON
M9P 3V6
Tel: (416) 327-7470
E-mail: haytonal@ene.gov.on.ca

Jan Proboszcz
Database Administrator
[Address same as above]
Tel: (416)-235-6020
E-mail: jan.proboszcz@ene.gov.on.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Biomonitoring Section

Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program

Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch

Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Purpose of Database
To store data used to develop sport fish consumption advisories, which are published in the Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish.

Content
Data on environmental contaminants in Ontario sport fish. Data types: contaminant levels in media (water); bio-monitoring data; toxicological; chemical; and geographic. Geolocators: longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates. Data elements: location description, date sampled, fish species, size, sex, length, contaminant type and concentration, field sampler, fish portion type. There are approximately 1,260,194 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1994

Coverage Period
1967 to 2002

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are: Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Health Canada, consultants, and conservation authorities. Direct access by others is not available, but data can be provided on request.

Reports
Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish; biennial; available in printed and electronic formats, and disseminated to sport fish anglers and their families.

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of Cabinet Committee minute dated April 27, 1977 (Cabinet Minute 11-19-77).

FISHBASE is linked with information in the Environmental Data Store (EDS) and the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Data can be exported via spreadsheet, data dump, or formatted text.

Data are provided to First Nations through a Health Canada/Assembly of First Nations joint program.

Keywords for searches: Species, location, contaminant, sample date.

Documentation on the database is available in printed format.

Student Lung Health Survey (SLHS) 1995-96 (Health Canada)

Contact
Louise McRae
Disease Intervention Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-9429
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Louise_McRae@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The database was established to store and provide survey data on the severity of asthma among children aged 5 to 19; associated risk factors, and management and treatment practices. Nine health units participated in the survey. The database is associated with the Sentinel Health Unit Surveillance System (SHUSS).

Content
Self-reported survey data on childhood (ages 5-19) asthma prevalence, severity, associated risk factors, and management and treatment practices -- from 9 sentinel health units across Canada. Also, data on indoor air quality, legal drugs, climate and weather hazards.

Data types: epidemiologic; clinical (medical history, treatment, health outcomes); demographic; geographic. Data elements: triggers of asthma symptoms (e.g., dust, mould, pollen, ETS, humidity, cold air, air pollution, chemical fumes); environmental control practices (e.g., washing of linens, carpeting, pet in home, home heating/air conditioning, humidification, air filters, mould in home); medications for asthma; service visits; hospital admissions and discharges; risk factors.

Personal data: person-level data with identifiers; address (city, province, postal code); health unit and school; assigned student ID number (meaningful only to Health Units). Geolocators: postal codes; province.

There are approximately 29,400 records in the database.

Year Database Established
April 1995

Coverage Period
1995 / 1996

Data Updates
Not applicable (one-time survey; no updating)

Data Providers
The data collectors are the nine participating sentinel health units (located in (Prince Edward Island, Halifax, Sherbrooke, Guelph, Kingston, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Kelowna). The self-reported survey data are then forwarded to the CCDPC.

Data Availability
Direct access to the data is restricted to the CCDPC and to the 9 participating sentinel health units. There are no protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data. Data can be provided to other regional health units and Health Canada personnel.

Reports
No regular reports; however, data were reported in "Childhood Asthma in Sentinel Health Units: Report of the Student Lung Health Survey Results 1995-96". The report's executive summary is available online at:
Findings of the Student Lung Health Survey 1995-1996
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/lcdc/publicat/asthma/index.html

Additional Comments
The database has been approved by a Provincial/Federal Privacy Commissioner. The person who is responsible for privacy, use and disclosure of the data: Louise McRae (see above).

Keywords for searches: SLHS, asthma, triggers; medications; tobacco smoke; asthma symptoms.

Surveillance Médico-Environnementale de la Santé des Travailleurs (SMEST)
(Medico-Environmental Surveillance of Workers' Health, Québec)

Contacts
Céline Lemieux
Agente de recherche
Direction de la protection de la santé publique
Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux
1075, chemin Sainte-Foy, 11e étage
Québec, QC
G1S 2M1
Tel: (418) 266-6725
E-mail: celine.lemieux@msss.gouv.qc.ca

Diane Morrissette
Pilote d'orientation
DGSP, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux
[Address same as above]
Tel: (418) 266-5902; (418)266-6725

Organization Maintaining the Database
Direction des technologies de l'information, Direction de la protection de la santé publique, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (Québec)

Purpose of Database
The database is an occupational health information system which captures data gathered by the occupational health teams of CLSC and the Régies Régionales from the establishments (e.g., industrial) within their respective regions as part of provincial programs or health programs specific to these establishments. There is a component that includes the "Maternity without Danger' program, which is aimed at pregnant or nursing working women. These data serve to track the various interventions and can be used to prepare provincial portraits and reports (together with data from the banque de données ministérielles (BDM), a ministerial database).

Content
Provincial and regional/municipal data on indoor air quality in occupational settings; includes data on chemical and physical contaminants, as well as ergonomic constraints in the work environment. Data types: chemical; biological; and contaminant levels in the workplace. Personal data: The SMEST database includes nominal data at the local level (locally in CSLCs; person-level data with identifiers). SMEST local data: name, address (street and number, city or town, province, postal code), date of birth, telephone number, social insurance number, medical file number, name of employer. All data in the BDM are denominalized (person-level data without identifiers). Group-level data are available for both SMEST and BDM. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes.

Data elements pertain mainly to the work establishments visited: name of establishment, address, CAEQ, CSST office, social-health services region, etc. Occupational health data: exposure to physical and chemical contaminants, first aid, medical interventions (results of screening tests for deafness, asbestosis, silicosis, etc.). Also data on interventions relating to the "Maternity without Danger" program.

Data classification codes: CCDP (codes canadien des professions)

There are approximately 376,949 records in the database.

Year Database Established
SMEST has been installed since May 1994; the ministerial database (BDM) is an extract of SMEST, and has been in operation since 1996.

Coverage Period
1994 to 2002

Data Updates
Twice a year

Data Provider
The MSSS receives data from 15 regional boards which collect the data from their CLSC representatives in occupational health. The data of the BDM make up 33% of all the data, and these denominalized data are aggregated by the MSSS.

Data Availability
MSSS and la direction de santé publique de Montréal-Centre extract the data for the MSSS according to specific needs for the BDM (CSST for the BDM). SMEST data are accessible by the CLSCs and their régie régionale; the interveners themselves (CLSCs) have access to all the data, their Régie régionale to 95%, and the MSSS to 33%. Occupational health files do not constitute patient files; these data belong to the company and the medical data are the only tracking data divulged (as group-level data). SMEST data are not patient file data.

There is a data-sharing agreement with CSST

Reports
No; selective studies are done according to need.

Additional Comments
SMEST is a system slated to disappear because it uses older technology and is not user friendly. At present a new information system that will replace SMEST is in development -- the SISAT, an occupational health information system which will work via the Web, and will be much more user friendly and will allow links to different organizations in occupational health

Occupational health intervention data are collected under the authority of Quebec provincial laws governing occupational health and safety.

Keywords for searches: SMEST; retrait préventif; hygiène; médical.

Information on the database is available in electronic and printed formats.

Système Informatisé Eau-Potable (LCH) (Drinking Water Information System, Québec)

Contacts
Isabel Parent
Technicienne en eau et en assainissement
Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
675 boulevard René-Lévesque Est, 8^e étage
Boîte 42
Québec, QC
G1R 5V7
Tel: (418) 521-3885, extension 7040
E-mail: isabel.parent@menv.gouv.qc.ca

Alain Riopel
Pilote système
Direction des opérations régionales
Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
675 boul. René-Lévesque Est, 29^e étage
Boîte 95
Québec, QC
G1R 5V7
Tel: (418) 521-3899
E-mail: alain.riopel@menv.gouv.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Direction des ressources informationnelles (Information Resources Directorate), Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec

Purpose of Database
To monitor drinking water quality, specifically in distribution networks (Aqueduc) in Québec regions, localities, and municipalities.

Content
Provincial and local/municipal data on all contaminants which affect the quality of drinking water and which could be harmful for human consumption. Data types: levels of contaminants in drinking water; chemical, microbiological, geographic. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, longitudinal or latitudinal coordinates. Personal data on those responsible for the Aqueduc networks: name and address (street and number, city or town, postal code).

Data elements: All results of analyses of regulated parameters/substances and of all other substances (microorganisms, metals, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc.) studied in distributed drinking water.

There are roughly 5,705,964 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1984

Coverage Period
1970 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Québec Ministry of Environment; accredited laboratories are the original data sources and transmit sample test results to the Ministry.

Data Availability
Regional branches (directions) of the Québec Ministry of Environment, and the Direction de Santé publique du Québec are the main users of the information in the database. Direct access is only through the Québec Ministry of Environment. There is a specific identifier for every co-user. Protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data: Québec Access to Information Act.

Reports
1) A catalogue / report on exceedances of standards is produced monthly and is available in printed and electronic formats. It is disseminated to regional branches of the Québec Ministry of Environment. Data can be exported in spreadsheet format or as formatted text, or through an Info-Centre. 2) Catalogue / rapport de non-respect de fréquence: produced monthly, every 3 months, and annually. Remaining information is the same as for (1).

Additional Comments
Boil-water advisories and non-consumption advisories for drinking water are always transmitted to the Direction de la Santé publique of the region concerned.

Data were collected under the authority of the provincial regulation on drinking water up to June 27, 2001; and the provincial regulation on drinking water quality since June 28, 2001 (a regulation under the provincial law on the Quality of the Québec Environment).

Documentation on the database is available in printed format.

Système de Surveillance Épidémiologique sur les Maladies à Déclarations Obligatoires (MADO)(Epidemiological Surveillance System for Mandatory Reportable Diseases, Québec)

Contacts
Luc Bhérer
Médecin conseil en santé au travail
Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux
1075, chemin Sainte-Foy, 3e étage
Québec, QC
G1S 2M1
Tel: (418) 266-6726
E-mail: luc.bherer@msss.gouv.qc.ca

Monique Douville-Fradet
Pilote d'orientation
DGSP, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux
Tel: (418)-266-6736
E-mail: monique.douvillefradet@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

René Jean
Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec
Tel : (514) 457-2070
E-mail : René Jean/inspq/ssss@ssss

Organization Maintaining the Database
Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS), Québec

Purpose of Database
To store Québec public health network data on diseases subject to mandatory reporting (i.e., notifiable diseases) for the purpose of tracking and documenting the progress of these diseases. This information system supports actions which help prevent or limit the spread of transmittable diseases.

Content
Provincial and local/municipal data on food contaminants and pesticides (domestic, industrial, farm); occupational and environmental diseases: berylliosis, asbestosis, lung cancer linked to asbestos, mesothelioma, silicosis, occupational asthma, acute bronchio-pulmonary attacks of chemical origin (bronchiolitis, pneumonitis, alveolitis, bronchitis, bronchial irritation syndrome, pulmonary edema), and chemical poisonings. Also data on clinical symptoms/signs related to vaccination, and information on disease outbreaks. Data types: chemical, toxicological, epidemiological, microbiological, and biomonitoring data.

Personal data: for the regional base, person-level data with identifiers; for the provincial base, person-level data without identifiers. Personal data for regions: individual's name, address, CLSC/RSS, birth date, telephone number. For the province: depersonalized data (i.e., no nominal data).

Data elements: for the region: name of validated notifiable disease, date of onset, social-health region, name of affected person, date of birth, sex, CLSC sector, name of reporting physician. The list is not exhaustive.

Data coding/classification standards: CIM9 and CIM10 classifications of disease.

Year Database Established
1989

Coverage Period
1990 to present

Data Updates
Data are in real-time.

Data Provider
Directors of public health in each social-health services region; doctors and laboratories are the original data sources. Data on notifiable diseases reported by physicians and laboratories (according to current regulations) are entered into the database by the 18 Quebec public health units.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are interveners / participants in the provincial health and social services network. Access to and use and release of the data are restricted.

Reports
Surveillance of infectious diseases and chemical poisonings subject to mandatory reporting in Québec from 1990 to 1999 (intention is to do it each year from 2002). Reports are in printed and electronic formats, and are disseminated to interveners in the health and social services network, directors of public health, and the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux.

Additional Comments
Documentation is available on the database of notifiable infectious diseases (nosological definitions), and two nosological definitions for chemicals (carbon monoxide and lead; currently under development). The documentation is available in electronic and printed formats.

Keywords for searches: maladies à déclaration obligatoire, intoxications, nom de la MADO, région socio-sanitaire, âge, sexe.

Toxin (Toxin Database, Québec)

Contact
Anne Letarte
Unit Head (Chef d'unité)
Québec Anti-Poison Centre
Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ)
1050 Sainte-Foy Rd.
Québec, QC
G1S 4L8
Tel: (418) 654-2731
E-mail: anne.letarte@inspq.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Québec Anti-Poison Centre (Le centre Anti-poison du Québec (CAPQ), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ)

Purpose of Database
To capture data on incidents of poisoning reported to the CAPQ; and to store and provide information on interventions and on health resources (e.g., treatment guides) available in Québec.

Content
National, provincial (Quebec), and regional and municipal (Quebec) data on food contaminants, hazardous products (domestic, medicinal, and industrial), drugs (legal and illegal), pesticides (domestic, industrial, and farm); manufacturers of hazardous products, drugs, and pesticides; and data on time (date, hour) of call, and interventions. Data types: chemical, toxicological, epidemiological. Also, treatment guides associated with exposures to these products. Personal data with identifiers; name, city or town, telephone number.

Year Database Established
1986

Coverage Period
1986 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Centre Anti-poison du Québec (CAPQ), INSPQ. Product manufacturers relay data to CAPQ / INSPQ on a voluntary basis, including data in MSDS or in product monographs.

Data Availability
Access is limited to staff of CAPQ and authorized personnel in human toxicology (INSPQ) exclusively; as well as medical interns (consultation only). User numbers and password are used. There is special access for certain other users (e.g., administration (updating); Access to Information Act queries).

Reports
Annual report

Waste Manifest Database (Yukon)

Contact
Shelagh Frotten
Administrative Assistant
Environmental Protection and Assessment Branch
Government of the Yukon
P.O. Box 2703
Whitehorse, YK
Y1A 2C6
Tel: (867) 667-5683
E-mail: shelagh.frotten@gov.yk.ca

Organization Unit Maintaining
Environmental Protection and Assessment Branch, Government of the Yukon

Purpose of Database
To track special waste movement in the Yukon Territory, including from local/municipal and provincial sources (Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon).

Content
Information on special waste, including hazardous waste, and its movement/transport in the Yukon Territory. Data elements: Types and amounts of hazardous waste that is transported through and out of the Yukon. Territorial and local/municipal data. Person-level data with identifiers, without identifiers; also group-level or aggregate data. Personal data: individual's name, address, names of employer, telephone number. Data on geographic location, toxic waste sites). Geolocators: postal codes.

Year Database Established
1995

Coverage Period
1995 to 2002

Data Updates
Weekly

Data Provider
Environmental Protection and Assessment Branch, Government of the Yukon.

Data Availability
Access is limited to Environmental Protection and Assessment Branch staff through the network administrator. No one else has direct access to the data.

Reports
No

Additional Comments
Data are collected under the authority of Interim Regulations on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste.

Water Quality Database (Newfoundland)

Contacts
Martin Goebel, P.Eng.
Director
Water Resources Management Division
Department of the Environment
Government of Newfoundland
Confederation Bldg West, 4^th floor
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6
Tel: (709) 729-5703
E-mail: mgoebel@gov.nf.ca

Paul Neary
Computer Systems Analyst
[Address same as above]
Tel: (709)729-5743
E-mail: P.Neary@gov.nf.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Water Resources Management Division
Newfoundland Department of the Environment

Purpose of Database
Collects and stores data that archives provincial (Newfoundland) laboratory testing results.

Content
Data on drinking water quality parameters and water quality testing results (at tap and at source, both before and after) from sampled communities in Newfoundland. There are approximately 300 quarterly samples.

Data types: primarily chemical data (40 chemical parameters for drinking water). Periodic sampling of water supply sources with a focus on tap water quality monitoring. Geographic information: enumeration area, census division and subdivision. Geolocators: The Water Resources Management Division is in the process of including georeferencing in the database; some entries already have municipal codes.

Data coding/classification standards: Laboratory protocol for, e.g., missing data, and significant digits. Subject to change.

Year Database Established
1983

Coverage Period
1983 to 2002

Data Updates
Quarterly

Data Providers
Water Resources Management Division in the Newfoundland Department of the Environment; other provincial bodies.

Data Availability
Data are fully accessible to government bodies, various agencies, and the general public. Data are accessible via the Internet:
Water Resources Management (http://www.gov.nf.ca/env/Env/water_resources.asp)
Drinking Water Quality Data (http://www.gov.nf.ca/env/env/waterres/Surfacewater/Drinking/DrinkingWater.asp)
Surface Water Section Trihalomethanes (THMs) (http://www.gov.nf.ca/env/Env/waterres/Surfacewater/THM/THM.asp)

Reports
An annual report is sent to each community or municipality sampled, and is available in paper format and on the Web as a PDF file. Data can be exported in formatted text output. The database has the capacity to send information in spreadsheet or data dump format

Additional Comments
This database is the first of its kind in Canada; it is quite elaborate, widely available and fully accessible for the general public. It has generated significant spin-offs.

The database is associated with a monitoring/health Surveillance system (Drinking Water Quality Monitoring).

This database links with information in two other databases: 1) Community Accounts Indicators database; and 2) Council of Canadian Ministers of the Environment (CCME) web page (direct link). There are no specific protocols associated with database linkages; a disclaimer appears with information provided.

The list of communities sampled includes First Nations or Inuit communities.

Keywords for searches: tap water quality, chemical parameters, nutrients.

Documentation on the database is available in electronic format.

Watertrax (British Columbia)

Contact
Richard Lawrence
Regional Manager, Environmental Health Services
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada
540-757 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC
E-mail: Richard_lawrence@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Internet-based service provider is Watertrax Inc.
Tel: (604) 691-1744
E-mail: rong@watertrax.com

Purpose of Database
To monitor drinking water quality in British Columbia.

Content
British Columbia data on drinking water quality parameters. Data types: levels of contaminants in water; chemical; microbiological.

Year Database Established
2001

Coverage Period
June 2001 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Providers
Data are provided in-house; the Watertrax database is shared by Public Works Canada, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Health Canada.

Data Availability
The main users of the database are environmental health officers and technical services and engineering personnel; also authorized personnel in the Dept of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), Health Canada, and Public Works Canada. There is a data-sharing agreement with DIAND.

Access can be provided by authorized DIAND or Health Canada users, as required (with whatever limitations). There are security protocols restricting access to this database, which is password protected/restricted; and also protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data.

The database is accessible to authorized users through the Internet: Watertrax.com (password protected).

Reports
Reports on drinking water quality, in printed and electronic formats; disseminated to communities, headquarters, and field officers. There is a joint paper on ASP internet-based management of drinking water quality and operating data which was presented at a 2002 federal/provincial drinking water conference.

West Nile Virus Database (Health Canada)

Contacts
Brian Winchester
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Division
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 946-3577
Fax: (613) 946-0798
E-mail: Brian_Winchester@hc-sc.gc.ca

Peter Buck
Enteric, Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Division
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-9729
Fax: (613) 946-0798
E-mail: Peter_Buck@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
To monitor trends in the prevalence and incidence of West Nile virus infections.

Content
Data on West Nile virus and flaviviruses; West Nile virus and flavivirus reporting (US); birds as carriers of disease; West Nile virus sentinel chickens; dead birds. Data types: microbiological; clinical; geographic. Geolocator: metropolitan area.

Year Database Established
Not specified

Coverage Period
2000 to 2001 (start)

Data Updates
Weekly

Data Provider
Data are obtained from the U.S. State Departments of Health by the Winnipeg National Laboratory.

Data Availability
Access to the data is restricted to employees of the Enteric, Food and Waterborne Diseases Division, Health Canada.

Reports
Not specified

Work Injuries and Diseases Database (NWISP) (Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada)

Contact
Brenda Croucher
Executive Director
Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada
6551B Mississauga Road
Mississauga, ON
L5N 1A6
Tel: (905) 542-3633
E-mail: contact@awcbc.org

Database URL

• Workers' Compensation
  http://www.awcbc.org/english/nwisp_rqst.asp
• Workers' Compensation
  http://www.awcbc.org/english/NWISP_Stats.htm

Organization Maintaining the Database
NWISP Coordinator, Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada

Purpose of Database
Given the large number of work-related injuries and diseases occurring in Canada every year, as well as rising costs to employers and employees affected by industrial injuries, there is a continuing need for detailed work injury and disease statistics (national and provincial).

Content
The database uses information derived from accepted claims from injured workers made to the various Canadian workers compensation boards and commissions. Includes national, provincial, and territorial group-level or aggregate data. The database contains summary information on the number of accepted lost-time claims and fatalities, by province.

Occupational data on: fumes, dust, pesticides, solvents, chemicals, dangerous machinery, noise, ionizing radiation, heavy metals, and other sources of injury and occupational disease-related events. Data elements: gender, age, nature of injury, part of the body, source of injury, event, occupation, and industry.

Data coding/classification standards: National Work Injuries Statistics Program Standard (CSA Z795); National Occupational Classification 1991; Standard Industrial Classification 1980.

Year Database Established
1982

Coverage Period
1982 (fatalities: 1993) to 2001

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
The data in this database originate from administrative records used by the twelve Canadian Workers' Compensation Boards and Commissions to process claims from injured workers. The AWCBC collects and coordinates the data provided by these sources.

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are Workers' Compensation Boards and Commissions and occupational health safety partners, libraries, researchers, and academic institutions. Only AWCBC staff has direct access to the data. Regarding the use or disclosure of the data, the data source must be acknowledged; very small numbers may be concealed. The data in the database are not available generally; statistical summaries are made available on request.

Reports
1) Work Injuries and Diseases; annual report in printed format; disseminated to Member Boards and Commissions and customers; 2) Macro statistics (summary of total lost time claims and fatalities only): annual, in electronic format, and disseminated to the public.

Keywords for searches: province, accident event, age, gender, occupation, industry, part of body, source of injury, nature of injury.

Year 2000 Emission Inventory Update (British Columbia)

Contact
Tony Wakelin
Emission Inventory Specialist
Water, Air and Climate Change Branch
British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land
and Air Protection
2975 Jutland Road, 3^rd Floor
P.O. Box 9341, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC
V8T 5J9
CK....V8W 9M1
Tel: (250) 356-0634
E-mail: Tony.Wakelin@gems5.gov.bc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Air Protection Section
Water, Air and Climate Change Branch
British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Purpose of Database
To track releases of air pollutants to the British Columbia environment.

Content
Data on ambient outdoor air quality (air contaminant releases to ambient air). Date types: levels of contaminants in ambient outdoor air; chemical; geographic. There are approximately 5,000 records in the database.

Year Database Established
2002 to 2003

Coverage Period
Year 2000 (the Year 2000 Inventory is an update from 1995)

Data Updates
Every 5 years

Data Provider
British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Data Availability
The main users of the information in the database are the provincial government, federal government, industry, consultants, and the public. There is open access to the data.

Reports
The 1995 emission inventory update can be found at:
http//wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/air/airquality/inventory/subindex.html

Additional Comments
The data have been spatially allocated to 1 km²; see: ftp://ftp.env.gov.bc.ca/pub/outgoing/Air_Resources_Branch/Emission%20Inventory/

Report entitled: Air Contaminant Emissions (ACE) Data Model.pdf

Permit fee data are collected under the authority of Permit Fees Regulation under the Waste Management Act.

Keywords for searches: air pollution, emissions, industrial releases.

Documentation on the database is available on the website cited above.

Health and Environment Initiatives and Activities

1) Air Quality

1.1 Environmental Monitoring

Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN) (EC): Rural network of 23 air monitoring stations in Canada and 1 in the U.S., in operation for over 20 years. Purpose is to collect data to assess transboundary transport of pollutants. Locations are chosen to ensure measurements are regionally representative and not affected by local sources of air pollution. Initial focus was on acid rain but now includes some smog pollutants (nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, ozone) at some sites.

Canadian Atmospheric Mercury Measurement Network (CAMNet) (EC): Consists of 11 monitoring sites. Purpose is to improve the understanding of the atmospheric transport, transformation and removal processes of elemental mercury and its compounds released into the environment. One objective is to provide data for health-based studies and risk assessments involving atmospheric mercury. Ambient mercury vapour concentrations are determined on a continuous basis and are converted to 1-hour or 6-hour means for data analysis and interpretation.

Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) (EC, U.S. EPA): A system of monitoring stations created under the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Purpose is to identify and track airborne toxic substances and their sources, and to define trends in atmospheric deposition to the Lakes. Data on: wet deposition, dry deposition, and gas exchange of pesticides, metals, combustion products and industrial chemicals.

National Air Pollutant Surveillance (NAPS) Network (EC): A joint federal, provincial, territorial and municipal network, primarily urban, to monitor and assess air quality across Canada. There are 239 air monitoring stations in 136 municipalities. It provides data on ozone, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen and others to help pinpoint pollution sources, make links to health impacts, evaluate air pollution control strategies, identify urban air quality trends, and forewarn of emerging air pollution issues.

National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) (EC): A national, legislated, and publicly accessible inventory of pollutant release data for facilities across Canada. It provides information which is used to track progress in reducing releases, identify priorities for action, encourage industry to take voluntary measures to reduce releases, and support regulatory initiatives.

1.2 Environmental Health Surveillance

Chronic Respiratory Surveillance System (HC): (1995/97-present) Information (gathered on a one-time basis) facilitates the monitoring, analysis and interpretation of chronic respiratory mortality and hospitalization trends in Canada, the provinces, territories, and health regions. Data are linked to both patient information and physician treatment practice information on asthma prevention and control. Analyses enable strategies to reduce asthma morbidity and mortality, and for physician education on asthma management. Data include CIHI morbidity and mortality data; Statistics Canada's National Public Health Survey and other population-based prevalence data; and a physician asthma management survey conducted biennially.

1.3 Environment and Public Health Indicators

Air Quality Index (EC): Provides a common scale for integrating individual pollutant concentrations by relating each pollutant measured to its corresponding National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (NAAQO). A sub-index is generated for each pollutant measured, and the pollutant with the highest sub-index value determines the index for that time period. The methodology is currently under review.

Proposed Air Health Indicator (HC/EC): Proposal under the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Joint Health and Environment Deputy Ministers Meeting to make a direct link between air quality and health by measuring improvements in population health based on reductions in ambient fine particulate matter over time. Based on methodology used in a number of epidemiological studies.

NRTEE Air Quality Indicators: As part of their Environment and Sustainable Development Indicators (ESDI) initiative (see below), the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) is developing a range of air quality indicators -- e.g., population exposure to air pollutants, emissions of oxides of sulphur and of nitrogen, and total greenhouse gas emissions.

National Environmental Indicator Series (EC): These environmental indicators are selected key statistics which summarize a significant aspect of the state of the environment, natural resource sustainability, and related human activities. They include indicators on urban air pollution (e.g., average levels of specific air pollutants in Canadian cities); acid rain (e.g., emissions of sulphur dioxide and wet sulphate deposition); and stratospheric ozone depletion.

Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (CCAEC) (Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation): Under the CCAEC, Canada and Chile have agreed to enhance environmental cooperation and to enforce environmental laws governing water, air, toxic substances, and wildlife. The goal of the CCAEC is to ensure that environmental laws and regulations in both countries provide for high levels of environmental protection. Officials from both countries met in November 2002 to discuss environmental issues of mutual interest, including air quality/health indicators and indices.

Ozone Annex to the Canada-US Clean Air Agreement (HC, EC): The Agreement and the Ozone Annex are core commitments by Canada, EC, and HC to reduce transboundary air pollution. The Annex includes a commitment to report on health effects tracking. HC and EC are proposing to hold a workshop to explore how and what health effects tracking could be done by Canadian and US investigators (e.g., by using hospital data). The health tracking could also include health indicators and use various forms of environmental health surveillance for reporting on the benefits of actions taken to reduce air pollution along the Canada-US border.

2) Water Quality

2.1 Environmental Monitoring

Drinking Water Monitoring ("Intake to Tap"): Typically done by municipalities, but some provincial monitoring is conducted. Purpose is to ensure safe drinking water. Parameters monitored typically include microbiological and chemical parameters for which there are Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines. Some municipalities and/or provinces (e.g., Ontario) include monitoring at the "intake" to treatment plants, as a surrogate for source water quality. Existing F/P/T mechanisms (e.g., CEOH Drinking Water Committee, CCME Water Quality Task Group) facilitate access to and reporting of results nationally.

Ambient Water Monitoring (CCME Water Quality Task Group, CCME Water Quality Monitoring Sub-group): Purpose of source water monitoring is to evaluate quality of water prior to intake to treatment plants. Formal F/P/T mechanism and initiative are underway to address this area. The CCME Action Plan on Water includes national, geo-referenced water quality monitoring inventories; a Data Referencing Network (see CISE entry); network development; and development of a National Framework for water quality monitoring networks. This monitoring includes surface waters and groundwaters used for drinking water sources, recreation and other water uses (e.g. aquatic life, agriculture).

Federal Water Quality Monitoring (EC): Main purpose is to consolidate current federal capacities on water quality monitoring in Canada. Includes inventories of federal water quality monitoring programs, EC monitoring activities (Environmental Monitoring Inventory), and source waters on federal lands. Also a plan for monitoring source waters on federal lands for microbial pathogens.

Community Water Quality Monitoring (EC): This inventory of source and ambient water monitoring activities conducted by community groups, NGOs and volunteer networks across Canada, is currently under development.

Canada-Wide Water Quality Data Referencing System (EC): A CISE demonstration project (see CISE entry) whose purpose is to develop a nationally coherent and consistent approach to accessing federal/provincial/territorial data on water quality monitoring programs. Phase 1 of this meta-data system will include data verification in the F/P/T inventory of activities, on-line mapping of programs, and searchability by parameter, region, or keyword.

2.2 Environmental Health Surveillance

Surveillance of Waterborne Infectious Diseases (HC): HC's F/P/T Enteric Disease Surveillance Steering Committee provides a national advisory mechanism resulting from a 1995 national consensus conference on waterborne/foodborne enteric disease surveillance. Its objective is to advise on needs, priorities, goals and strategies for waterborne, foodborne, and enteric disease surveillance and related special studies. This mechanism is well placed to nationally coordinate the integration of water quality (source and finished drinking water) monitoring with related health surveillance information.

(Proposed) Safe Water Information System (SWIS) (EC, HC): Supported by EC, SWIS is a CISE demonstration project (see entry on CISE) whose aim is to explore the feasibility of integrating water quality and health outcome data into a single information system. This could facilitate access to a wide range of water, health and associated land-use information by data owners/providers (e.g., professionals in the drinking water, environmental, and health care sectors). The intent is to link distributed information systems through a web-based tool (i.e., act as a 'portal' with 'one-window' access to a repository of data from distributed networks).

2.3 Environment and Public Health Indicators

NRTEE Water Quality Indicators: Under the ESDI initiative, the NRTEE has proposed a series of indicators on: incidence of water-borne disease, surface water quality, municipal population served by wastewater treatment, mercury in fish tissue.

National Environmental Indicator Series (EC): Includes urban water indicators relating to municipal water use and wastewater treatment (e.g., daily municipal water use, metered residential water use, municipal population served by wastewater treatment).

3) Radiation

3.1 Environmental Monitoring

National Dose Registry (NDR) (HC): Occupational radiation exposure data on virtually all monitored radiation workers (500,000) in Canada since its creation in 1951; includes about 80 different job categories. Exposure data include: external exposures to gamma rays, beta rays, X-rays, and neutrons, as well as internal exposures to tritium and radon progeny. Individual exposure data can be linked to the Canadian Mortality Database (Statistics Canada) and the Canadian Cancer Data Base. Data are provided by provincial dosimetry services.

Ozone and UV Monitoring Program (EC): Consists of 12 monitoring sites that routinely collect and process data on a daily basis. Total ozone and spectral UV irradiation are measured every 10-20 minutes. Information is used for ozone and UV index forecasting, trend analysis and ongoing scientific research. The real-time and archived data are accessible through EC's website.

3.2 Environmental Health Surveillance

NDR Linkage to Statistics Canada's Canadian Mortality Database and the Canadian Cancer Database (HC): The objective is to apply surveillance data to determine the impact of occupational exposure to radiation on mortality and on cancer incidence.

3.3 Environment and Public Health Indicators

UV Index (EC in cooperation with HC and others): Developed to raise awareness of the risks due to exposure to the sun's ultra-violet B (UVB) radiation and to provide information so that Canadians can take individual action to protect their health from the UVB rays. The UV Index uses a simple numerical scale - 0 to 10 in Canada - to inform people about the strength of the sun's UVB rays, where high values indicate stronger UVB radiation. Currently in wide use in 26 countries around the world.

4) Tobacco Use

4.1 Environmental Health Surveillance

Canadian Tobacco Use & Monitoring Survey (CTUMS) (1999-present) (HC): CTUMS is the latest of a series of surveys which began in 1965 and are directed at regularly monitoring the smoking behaviours of adult Canadians. Previous surveys included the National Population Health Surveys, the Surveys on Smoking in Canada & the Surveys on Smoking Habits. CTUMS is continuously in the field and has about 20,000 respondents annually.

Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) (2002) (HC): The YSS monitors the smoking behaviours of young Canadians. First conducted in 1994, it is planned to replicate the YSS on a biennial basis beginning in 2002 with about 20,000 respondents per survey.

Canadian Tobacco Sales Database (1988 to present) (HC): This database consolidates tobacco industry reports to Health Canada on tobacco sales. Tobacco companies report in terms of number of units and dollar value of sales by month, product type, brand, market type and province.

5) Children's Health and the Environment

5.1 Environment and Public Health Indicators

Environmental Health Indicators (EHIs) article in Health Policy Research Bulletin (HC, EC): A general overview, including definitions of EHIs, how they are developed, criteria for selection, uses, benefits, and examples (e.g., air quality-health link). Published in October 2002.

North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Children's Environmental Health Indicators (CEC Cooperative Agenda for Children's Health and the Environment in North America): Developed by the three parties to the CEC -- Canada, Mexico and the United States -- the CEC Cooperative Agenda for Children's Health and the Environment in North America calls upon the parties to select and publish a core set of children's environmental health indicators in coordination with the Pan American Health Organization, the International Joint Commission Health Professionals Task Force, and others, and in coordination with parallel commitments made by the G8 Environment Ministers, and the Health and Environment Ministers of the Americas.

G8 Children's Environmental Health Indicators Initiative (G8 Environment Ministers): At their meeting in Banff in April 2002, G8 Environment Ministers agreed to collectively advance work on the development of children's environmental health indicators (EHIs) as a means for monitoring progress, in consultation with relevant multilateral organizations.

6) Northern Contaminants

6.1 Environmental Monitoring

Canadian Arctic Contaminants Database (HC, with support from DIAND): Purpose is to monitor tissue concentrations of environmental contaminants in Canadian Arctic populations. Exposure data include levels of POPs and heavy metals in blood and breast milk. Data are collected by Arctic region (5 regions) and ethnicity (e.g., Inuit, Metis/Dene, Caucasian), and are part of HC's contribution to the Northern Contaminants Program and the international Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP).

6.2 Environmental Health Surveillance

Arctic Council's Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) (see section 7.2 below).

Northern Contaminants Program (see section 7.2 below).

7) Integrated Monitoring or Surveillance Activities (General / Multiple Sources)

7.1 Environmental Monitoring

Canadian Information System for the Environment (CISE) (EC): Aimed at providing a platform for an integrated system for access to environmental data and information. Initial priorities are projects that provide data to support NRTEE's sustainable development indicators, and those relating to water quality. EC funds pilot projects under CISE (e.g., Safe Water Information System, Canada-wide Water Quality Data Referencing System). Plans are to establish priorities for the next phase of implementation. The CISE Secretariat is also working on water issues to meet needs identified by the provinces; and is leading a study to determine the "demand side" for water information.

Waterborne Disease and Climate Change (HC, EC, Guelph University): A 3-year study funded by HC and conducted by a multi-disciplinary team. The objective is to describe the complex inter-relationships between weather, water quantity, and water quality, and impacts on waterborne disease in Canada. A retrospective analysis will be conducted to identify areas which may be vulnerable to increased risk of waterborne illness due to climate change.

7.2 Environmental Health Surveillance

North American Regional Action Plan on Monitoring and Assessment (HC): Currently under development as part of the tri-lateral initiative under a NAFTA side-agreement (North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation) and is part of the Sound Management of Chemicals Initiative (SMOC). Purpose is to monitor and assess the long-range atmospheric transport and environmental levels of contaminants such as POPs and metals at core sites, building on existing data. The human component would include trend data on tissue levels of these contaminants.

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) (Arctic Council: 8 Arctic countries including Canada): Monitors levels of anthropogenic pollutants (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead; PCBs, organochlorine pesticides) in the circumpolar Arctic environment (air, water, wildlife, traditional foods, and human blood and breast milk); and assessing related health effects (e.g., reproductive, neurological, and immunological effects).

Northern Contaminants Program (DIAND in partnership with HC, EC, DFO, territorial governments, and northern Aboriginal organizations): The NCP determines temporal and spatial trends of contaminants in the Arctic ecosystem and its peoples. Purpose is to develop a sound scientific basis for international action to reduce the input of pollutants (e.g., POPs, heavy metals) from distant sources. The results of NCP research and monitoring activities are the main Canadian contribution to the Arctic Council's AMAP, and also support the North American Regional Action Plan on Monitoring and Assessment.

Quebec City Consensus Conference on Environmental Health Surveillance (International Joint Commission): Discussed challenges in environmental health monitoring and surveillance and the possibility for reaching consensus. Topics included: a strategy for developing environmental health indicators for rural Canada; sentinel human health indicators to evaluate the health status of vulnerable communities; and information technologies in environmental health surveillance. Selected papers published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, v. 93 s. 1, Sept/Oct 2002.

7.3 Environment and Public Health Indicators

Environmental Indicators (EC): EC has been reporting on environmental indicators since 1990 in the National Environmental Indicator Series, State of the Environment Reports, issue-based publications, and on-line indicator bulletins. These indicators include those on urban air quality, urban water quality, acid rain, and climate change (e.g., carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use, global atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, global and Canadian temperature variations). Two reports were due to be released in Fall 2002 "Green Signals: The Environment Minister's Headline Indicators," and "Ten Years of Reporting: Canada's Environmental Indicator Series."

Environmental Public Health Indicators (EPHI) (HC, EC, CIHI): At an October 2001 workshop, discussions focused on a framework for developing EPHIs and recommendations for a practical set of EPHIs, e.g., for outdoor air quality. Goal is to develop a long-term strategy for identifying indicators for multiple sources and at various levels. Draft indicator sets since Oct 2001 include: air and the atmosphere (outdoor and indoor air quality, UV radiation, climate change): water and aquatic systems (drinking water, recreational water); land (contamination, waste disposal); and food (contamination of food sources).

Sustainable Development Indicators (NRTEE): The NRTEE has undertaken a 3-year project to develop a set of Canadian environment and sustainable development indicators (ESDI). These indicators will assist in integrating environmental and social considerations into economic decision-making by governments, business, and society, as well as track overall progress towards sustainability. A preliminary set has been developed with further refinement expected over the next year. Final report is anticipated in March 2003.