Science of Health blog posts - 2020

Accurate and timely testing is an essential part of Canada’s response to control the spread of COVID-19. When someone tests positive for COVID-19, they self-isolate to limit further spread and the contact tracing process begins to identify other individuals who may have been exposed. This process helps to protect not only the individual but also their family and their community so that everyone can follow public health recommendations. In the absence of an authorized vaccine, testing and contact tracing are some of our most powerful public health tools to limit the spread of the virus.

Radon is a radioactive gas released by the decay of uranium deposits in the soil. It’s odourless and colourless, and when it’s released outdoors the low concentration poses absolutely no health risk. However, inside our homes, radon can become trapped, reaching levels that become dangerous over time. All homes have some radon, but levels vary depending on local soil deposits, type of construction, and ventilation.

Studies show that exposure to extreme heat can exacerbate or lead to a range of serious health issues, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or even death. Climate change is leading to more extremely hot days all across the world, including in Canada. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified climate change as the biggest threat to human health in the 21st century.

Have you ever wondered how long people are contagious with COVID-19 and are still able to spread the virus to others? Scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) tried to find the answer to this sticky question.

Radiation is all around us in our natural environment. From rocks in the ground, to cosmic radiation, it is typically harmless, despite our daily exposure to this emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or moving subatomic particles. So how do we know that tiny radioactive particles floating around us aren’t causing us harm? Health Canada’s Radiation Protection Bureau is constantly monitoring radiation in Canada and around the world.

Wildfires are a growing international concern, happening from California to Australia and anywhere in between. Climate change is increasing the length of the fire season and the frequency of fires. In Canada, an average of 6,000 wildfires occur each year, burning a total area of 2.8 million hectares of land. Most of these fires happen in British Columbia, as well as in the boreal forests of the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, but they can have a far-reaching impact throughout the country.

Marilyn Tremblay, head of the National Calibration Reference Centre for Bioassay and In Vivo Monitoring at Health Canada’s Human Monitoring Laboratory, became interested in science in CEGEP when she enrolled in the Physical Technology Technician program, specializing in photonics. “I’ve always loved the manual part of science, but I also wanted to understand the theory,” explained Marilyn. “I immediately got the hang of it.”

Adelene Gaw decided to study science because she enjoyed math and wanted to explore career options that matched her interests. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to be after high school, so I decided to study science because there were lots of variety and streams that I could choose from,” she explains. “There are so many interesting careers available to people who study science.”

When Lauren Bergman recalls the path that led to her dream job, she admits there was a time when she didn’t know the job even existed.

Dr. Jane Rylett is Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Aging. She is also a Distinguished University Professor at Western University in London, Ontario, and a Scientist in the Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories at Western’s Robarts Research Institute.