Network 12-1.pdf - Canadian Women's Health Network

Contaminants in water:
The outbreaks of disease in
Walkerton and North Battleford,
when E.Coli and cryptosporidium
invaded the
water supply,
have thrown the
issue of contaminants
in water
into the spotlight
in recent years.
While Microbiological
contaminants
such as the
ones were found
in those cases remain
the biggest threat; however
there is growing concern over
the issue of chemical contamination
of water. While this form of
contamination may not result in
immediate and dramatic health
effects, the cumulative effects of
long-term exposure are a serious
concern.
These cumulative exposures
were researched and discussed in
two soon-to-be released projects
– in “The Gendered Effects of
Chronic Low Dose Exposures
to Chemicals in Drinking Water,”
by looking at data across the
country, researchers concluded
that although Canada’s drinking
water is “for the most part safe,”
the quality was tied to where you
live. In the second project, “Gendered
Implications of Chronic
Exposures to Pharmaceuticals and
Disinfection By-Products in Typical
Drinking Water” looks at what
is released into our water from
drugs and everyday personal care
products, and by-products used in
water treatment, how they interact,
and what the implications
are.
As primary caretakers, most
oen responsible for the health
of their families, as well as their
personal health, women are
likely to be affected significantly
Privatization of water:
The question of whether water
is a human right or a commodity,
and the implications of those
interpretations, is addressed in the
research theme of Privatization.
This research area addresses the
rise of private sector involvement
in the water supply networks, and
the more business-oriented values
that the sector brings with it. What
do these shifts mean for women?
As primary caretakers, most often
responsible for the health of their
families, as well as their personal
health, women are likely to be affected
significantly by these trends.
The Significance of Privatization
and Commercialization Trends
for Women’s Health, a project
in partnership with the Council
of Canadians, supported by the
Prairie Women’s Health Centre of
Excellence and Women and Health
Care Reform, looks at the push to
privatize water in Canada. It ex-
amines larger philosophical questions
such as whether water should
be privatized at all, and more
practical issues such as water management
models,
privatization experiences
and threats in
Canada. The project
also looks at what
privatization may
mean for women’s
health, particularly
Aboriginal women’s
health.
Signy Gerrard is the Director
of Communications at the Canadian
Women’s Health Network.
Visit the website at:
www.womenandwater.ca
Read the reports:
Privazaon of water:
www.womenandwater.ca/
pdf/NNEWH%20water%20pr
ivazaon.pdf
Contaminants in water:
www.womenandwater.ca/
pdf/NNEWH%20water%20c
ontaminants.pdf
Aboriginal water issues:
www.womenandwater.ca/
pdf/NNEWH%20water%20c
ontaminants.pdf
18 FALL/.WINTER 2009/2010 NETWORK