FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2005
Health Unit Calls for a Local Response to OMA Report on Air Quality
The recently released Ontario Medical Association report on Air Pollution has renewed the local Medical Officer of Health's call for a cross-agency committee to review and respond to air quality issues in a more proactive manner.
The OMA report estimates that 45 premature deaths will occur in Thunder Bay District this year due to poor air quality. The associated costs to the health care system, and costs related to lost productivity will total almost $7 million. In 20 years, the numbers of deaths, hospital admissions, and emergency room visits due to poor air quality are expected to increase more than one and half times.
“The air quality in our area, particularly in the south core of the City, has been deteriorating. In the past few years, I have met with the Municipal Engineering and Environmental departments, the Ministry of the Environment, and some of the leading industrial agencies in an attempt to put this committee in place, “ states Dr. David Williams, Medical Officer of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “We have had success using this approach for water quality, and our model was applauded during the Walkerton Inquiry. Yet, we can't seem to motivate the parties to step forward and take on the air quality issue.”
In January 2005, Dr. Williams wrote to the Mayor of Thunder Bay expressing concern that such a committee had not yet been formed in the context of the controversy regarding the Flying J Truck Stop. In his letter, he suggested that the changes coming at the provincial level would prove that Thunder Bay is a city that belongs in the ‘smog' alert grouping.
“We are not immune to the problems of urban growth. We need to address this growing problem in our own backyard,” suggests Dr. Williams. “Putting the committee into place is not a matter of trying to stop economic development. An approach is needed that evaluates benefits against costs, and comes up with realistic, workable solutions for any development that may affect air quality.
In Thunder Bay, the topography has created events of haze during the summer and ‘winter smog' which were not evident in the previous decade due to such things as increased vehicular exhaust and increased jet port activity.
More than 30% of volatile organic compounds like ozone are produced by modes of transportation, and the Ministry of the Environment's Air Quality Monitoring Program indicates that ground level ozone is the main cause of air quality concerns in the Thunder Bay District. The decrease in rail and shipping, and an expanded East-West market, has escalated truck traffic in the range of 400% over the past five years.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2005
Boulevard Beach Swimming Advisory
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is announcing a Swimming Advisory for all three of Boulevard Lake 's beaches because of water samples showing an excessive level of E.coli bacteria.
Warning signs about the hazards of swimming are being posted.
E-Coli levels are monitored. A high e-coli level in swimming water can cause problems with swimmers including a variety of skin eye, nose and throat infections, as well as stomach disorders. A high e-coli level can also be an indicator that other contaminants are in the water.
Public Health Inspectors regularly test beaches at Boulevard Lake and Chippewa Park from mid June to the end of August. Tests from the three Chippewa beaches are showing no cause for concern.
For more information about Recreational Water Illnesses, please visit the health unit website at Beach Testing.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2005
Health Unit Calls for a Local Response to OMA Report on Air Quality
The recently released Ontario Medical Association report on Air Pollution has renewed the local Medical Officer of Health's call for a cross-agency committee to review and respond to air quality issues in a more proactive manner.
The OMA report estimates that 45 premature deaths will occur in Thunder Bay District this year due to poor air quality. The associated costs to the health care system, and costs related to lost productivity will total almost $7 million. In 20 years, the numbers of deaths, hospital admissions, and emergency room visits due to poor air quality are expected to increase more than one and half times.
“The air quality in our area, particularly in the south core of the City, has been deteriorating. In the past few years, I have met with the Municipal Engineering and Environmental departments, the Ministry of the Environment, and some of the leading industrial agencies in an attempt to put this committee in place, “ states Dr. David Williams, Medical Officer of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “We have had success using this approach for water quality, and our model was applauded during the Walkerton Inquiry. Yet, we can't seem to motivate the parties to step forward and take on the air quality issue.”
In January 2005, Dr. Williams wrote to the Mayor of Thunder Bay expressing concern that such a committee had not yet been formed in the context of the controversy regarding the Flying J Truck Stop. In his letter, he suggested that the changes coming at the provincial level would prove that Thunder Bay is a city that belongs in the ‘smog' alert grouping.
“We are not immune to the problems of urban growth. We need to address this growing problem in our own backyard,” suggests Dr. Williams. “Putting the committee into place is not a matter of trying to stop economic development. An approach is needed that evaluates benefits against costs, and comes up with realistic, workable solutions for any development that may affect air quality.
In Thunder Bay, the topography has created events of haze during the summer and ‘winter smog' which were not evident in the previous decade due to such things as increased vehicular exhaust and increased jet port activity.
More than 30% of volatile organic compounds like ozone are produced by modes of transportation, and the Ministry of the Environment's Air Quality Monitoring Program indicates that ground level ozone is the main cause of air quality concerns in the Thunder Bay District. The decrease in rail and shipping, and an expanded East-West market, has escalated truck traffic in the range of 400% over the past five years.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2005
Crow Tests Positive for West Nile Virus
Officials at Thunder Bay District Health Unit have received notice that a dead crow submitted to provincial labs on June 17 th of this year has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNv).
Two other Health Units in Ontario have reported positive results so far this year.
"While crows are flying into the area carrying West Nile virus, it is mosquitoes that pass the virus to humans. We have a very low proportion of mosquitoes in the area that bite birds and could pass on the disease to humans," states Tony Pacifico , Manager of Environmental Health at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “We will continue to test both birds and mosquito pools in order to gauge the risk to humans. It is currently considered low….however avoiding mosquito bites is always a good idea.”
West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds. Most people who are infected have no symptoms at all or have a mild illness such as fever, headache, muscle weakness or body aches. Those who are older than 60 have been identified with the more severe symptoms that involve encephalitis and even death.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit participates in the provincial Dead Bird Collection Program and conducts mosquito trapping and species identification so we can identify the kinds of mosquito that live here.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2005
Private Well Water Samples Now To Go Directly to Public Health Labs
As of June 20th, the Health Unit will no longer be accepting water samples from the general public. In order to assure the integrity & freshness of samples, filled test bottles from within the city should now be dropped off at the Ministry of Health Laboratory on 336 S Syndicate Ave.
Empty water sample bottles will continue to be available at the health unit and inspectors will continue to be available to answer questions and help interpret results.
This process is now consistent with sampling across the district.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2005
Thunder Bay Board of Health Cites ‘Glaring Omission’
A provincial decision has prompted the Board of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to take action to have the local Health Unit reinstated as a Lead Health Unit for the Ontario Tobacco Strategy.
In January, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit was designated as Lead for a Tobacco Control Area Network that represented Northwestern Ontario . Yet, when the province announced the Ontario Tobacco Strategy, it was revealed that it had reduced the Tobacco Control Area Networks for the North from two to one. The announced region extends from the borders of Quebec to Manitoba .
The move results in substantial loss of financial support for program delivery across the north of the province.
“This is a glaring omission. Our communities have already demonstrated their support of tobacco use reduction strategies by their endorsement of smoke-free by-laws across the district, “ points out Connie Bryson , Chair of the Board of Health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “How will we make ourselves well when we have one hand tied behind our back?”
The Board resolved last night to call upon the government of Ontario to re-establish the Thunder Bay District Health Unit as a Lead Health Unit in the delivery of the Ontario Tobacco Strategy.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit had been working with Northwestern Health Unit to establish a unique alliance to reflect the northern, rural and remote characteristics of the region and address program development with First Nations who comprise 27% of the population. Recent data indicates tobacco use rates in some First Nations communities to be in excess of 50%.
Overall, the Districts of Thunder Bay, Kenora and Rainy River have some of the highest rates of tobacco use in Ontario and subsequently higher rates of both morbidity and mortality for tobacco-related illness.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2005
Local Grocery Stores Are Helping To Prevent Foodborne Illness in Homes
Local grocery stores are helping to prevent foodborne illness in customers' homes this summer by distributing the Health Unit's BBQ Food Safety Tips card. The card provides consumers with information on how to prepare and cook food to keep it safe from food poisoning.
A&P stores in Thunder Bay are among the retailers which have agreed to give out the BBQ Food Safety Tips card. They welcome the opportunity to promote food safety at home.
“Giving out this information allows us to take food safety beyond our doors and into our customers' homes,” said Susan MacInnes, Vice President, Quality Assurance and Loss Prevention, A&P Canada. “We're always looking for ways to educate our customers on the safe handling of food for a fresh and safe eating experience.”
During the summer season, the Health Unit receives more reports of food borne illness than at any other time during the year. The combination of warm weather with preparing, storing and cooking food outdoors provides ample opportunity for E.coli bacteria to grow and cause food poisoning.
“The reports of food poisoning that we get are usually connected to people eating undercooked hamburger meat and chicken,” said Tony Pacifico, Environmental Health Manager. “We highly recommend using a meat thermometer when you grill. It is the only ay to be sure the meat is safe to eat,”
“Food poisoning is a serious illness which can be life threatening,” adds Pacifico. “We hope that, with the help of local grocery stores, more people will realize that they can virtually prevent food poisoning by following a few simple steps.”
Last July (2004), undercooked hamburger served at a summer hockey camp in Sudbury was the likely cause of an E. coli outbreak from which 27 camp participants became ill. E.coli outbreaks can cause diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, stomach cramps, fever, and in serious cases, can cause kidney failure and even death.
The Health Unit encourages residents to pick up the BBQ Food Safety Tips card at participating grocers in the city and district or get food safety tips from www.tbdhu.com