An Environmental Health Activity Booklet for Inuit Teens - Live, play and learn!

Introduction

When most people think of the environment, they think of nature, but really the environment is anywhere you are.  It's where you live, where you play, and where you learn.  Your environment is indoors, outdoors and even under your bed!

Sometimes contaminants such as mould, pesticides and other chemicals can get in the environment and make people sick. This activity website will show you lots of ways to make your home and community a clean and safe place for you and your friends.

You can check your answers to the activities here.

Mould

Keep mould away!

Mould is a fungus that can grow on just about any surface when there is too much humidity from water leaks, cooking or showering. Mould can be black, white or almost any colour. It often looks like a stain or smudge and it may smell musty. Exposure to mould can make you feel sick, especially if you have allergies.

The good news is there are things you can do! So, make sure you do what you can to help keep your home dry. This will help prevent mould.

Indoor Air

Breathe easy!

We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air in your home could also be polluted. Indoor air pollution could come from tobacco smoke, mould and gases like carbon monoxide.

Keeping the air clean at home is important.

Drinking Water

Water works

The water you get from your faucet can come from the water in lakes or melted ice. Typically in the North, water is naturally clean. But sometimes our water gets bacteria and chemicals in it. There are small things you can do to protect your drinking water in a big way!

• If your community receives a Boil Water Advisory/Order, you must boil any water you use for drinking, cooking, washing food, and brushing your teeth.  This should be a rolling boil for at least one minute.
• Use only cold tap water for drinking and cooking, since hot water may contain more lead or other contaminants.
• If you plan on drinking water from the land or ice, follow common safety practices such as:
  • Choose a clean area to collect ice for drinking water, away from snowmobile exhaust or other sources of pollution.
  • Shave off the outer layer of ice and collect the fresh inner core.
  • Note that it is best to boil this water as well.

Food Safety

Keep food safe!

You can get sick from eating food that has been contaminated with an unwanted micro-organism, such as a bacteria, virus or parasite. We all have an important role to play in practicing safe food handling techniques in the home.

Remember to wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after you touch food. Fruits and vegetables should be washed in cold water before you eat them. You should cook, refrigerate or freeze foods that can spoil within two hours.

Chemical Products

Read the label!

Product labels often use signal words to show how toxic or hazardous a product can be. The words are:  Caution, Danger, and Extreme Danger. Products can also use warning symbols.

Make sure you know what the warning symbols mean so there are no accidents. You and your family need to be careful not to come in contact with the chemicals!

Noise

What did you say?

Sound is what you hear; noise can be unwanted sounds that are unpleasant to the listener. What is a pleasing sound to one person may be a very annoying noise to another. Either way, loud noise or sound can seriously damage your hearing if you are exposed to it long enough.

Test Your Knowledge!

Congratulations! You are now well on your way to making your home and community a clean and safe place for you and your friends to live, play and learn.

Now it's time to show off all the good stuff you know. Select the best answer from the choices for each question.

1. On the label of a product, what does a skull and cross bones mean?

1. Warning, pirates ahead!
2. The product is poisonous.
3. Not sure or don't know.

2. How can I damage my hearing?

1. If I listen to bad music.
2. If I sing in the shower.
3. If I expose myself to loud sound and noise for long periods.
4. Not sure or don't know.

3. What can I do to make sure I handle food safely?

1. Wash my hands with soap and warm water before and after I touch food.
2. Put on gloves and a helmet when I eat.
3. Wash fresh fruits and vegetables under cool running water.v D. A & C
4. Not sure or don't know.

4. How long should I boil water when there is a Boil Water Advisory/Order?

1. At least 1 minute of rolling boil.
2. 1 hour.
3. Until the water has completed evaporated.
4. Not sure or don't know.

5. What harmful gas can come from a gas furnace that is not working well?

1. Helium.
2. Carbon Monoxide.
3. Swamp Gas.
4. Unleaded Gas.
5. Not sure or don't know.

6. What should I do to prevent mould from getting in the house?

1. Tell an adult if you find any water damage.
2. When showering, make sure you turn on a fan or open a window.
3. Never take a shower or a bath again.
4. A&B.
5. Not sure or don't know.

What I can do?

• I can always read the label first before using any household product.
• I can hang up my clothes instead of leaving them on the floor.
• I can wash my hands before eating.
• I can take my shoes off before I enter the house.
• I can let the water run until it is cold.
• I can make sure I recognize all warning symbols.
• I can wash fruits and vegetables before I eat them.
• During a boil water advisory, I can bring all drinking water to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
• I can lower the volume on my headphones and ear buds.
• I can keep my indoor air clean by vacuuming or dusting with a wet rag.

Download the list!

You can check your answers to the activities here.

ISBN: 978-1-100-17882-0
Catalogue No.: H34-218/7-2011E
HC Publication No.: 11032