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Smoking + Radon = Dangerous combination
Statistically, 1 in 20 people who have a high concentration of radon gas in their homes will develop lung cancer. However, if you smoke on top of this, your chances of developing lung cancer are 1 in 3. Don’t let the two leading causes of lung cancer stand…
Like public beaches, pools and other artificial recreational waters are great places to have fun and cool off in the summer. However, they can also be a breeding ground for recreational waterborne illnesses (RWIs), including a wide variety of infections such as gastrointestinal, skin, ear,…
The effects of pesticides (including herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) on human health are complex and not completely understood. However, there are clear links between pesticide use and illness. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to provide recommendations and information about…
West Nile Virus is transmitted, or spread, to humans through a bite from an infected mosquito.
TBDHU has been monitoring the local mosquito population for many years to identify any risk. This is done by trapping mosquitos and testing them. To date, West Nile Virus is not endemic in our area and…
Mould in the corner of a room.
Mould is a health hazard. It is a type of fungus – or more accurately, a group of different kinds of fungi – that can grow in damp areas in public places and in your home. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to:
Inspect public areas as necessary and…
Bed bugs are insects with oval-shaped bodies and no wings. Unlike most public health pests, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread disease. However, they are certainly a pest - feeding on blood, causing itchy bites and generally irritating their human hosts and they can cause other…
Rodents and insects can be a big problem for both homeowners and business owners. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit provides information about prevention and control, and public health inspectors inspect businesses in the District – particularly restaurants and food vendors – for signs of pests…
Beach Notifications
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit will notify the public of any issues concerning beaches tested by the Health Unit.
Beach advisories will be issued in beaches outside of Thunder Bay (with the exception of private beaches and provincial parks) when recreational water…
The environment affects our children more than it does adults for various reasons (read on below). The Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s role is to inform the public about these risks and provide information on how to reduce them. We want to help you ensure your children – and all children living…
Ammonia is a colourless gas with a very distinct odour. People may readily recognize this smell because it is used in many household cleaners and window cleaning products. High levels of airborne ammonia gas can dissolve in water to cause corrosive ammonium hydroxide. Most people smell ammonia…
Our lakes are great places to relax, cool down, and have some family time during the summer. But bacterial infections such as E. coli can put a damper on the fun. Our role is to monitor public beaches within the city and district (with the exception of beaches within provincial parks) and alert…
Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas that can be found in homes across Canada. It is produced naturally in the ground as uranium breaks down. The resulting gas can seep through cracks in the foundation, pipe openings, sump pits, and other openings into your home. Although it is present…
Ticks are Present in Thunder Bay and District
The percentage of blacklegged ticks In the City of Thunder Bay area infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of lyme Disease) is greater than 40% as of 2023.
The City of Thunder Bay and immediately surrounding area are…
Water – it’s not just for drinking! Kids and adults alike love to splash around in it, water ski on it, and dive down into it, especially on a hot day. But water is also an excellent place for germs to live. Whether it is outdoors at our local beaches and lakes or indoors in our pools and spas, we…
Air quality has a direct impact on our health. Certain medical conditions including asthma, COPD and bronchitis can be triggered or worsened by poor air quality, resulting in lost activity days, hospitalization and in extreme cases death. There is also a growing awareness of radon, a naturally…