FINAL BLOG

The Environmental Health class exposed me to the reality of environmental health issues I have never heard before, from chemicals we use daily at home, to food we eat, even on grounds we walk.

One thing I vividly remember is the video of the poor farmers in India who relied on growing their crops and inherited farm lands using pesticides that cost 75% of what they make. They religiously spray chemical pesticides on their crops every day without protective clothing devices. But the pesticides failed them. Rather, pests multiplied on crops, neurotoxins poison their human systems, and suicide claimed many lives.

Although there are individuals, groups, and communities that prompts the call for change, current stakeholders’ efforts and existing policies at national and international levels are not sensitive enough of the environmental issues endangering human lives. I think that environmental health issues should be brought up at every home, classes, and work places. Also, mandates should be in place to require individuals to reasonably contribute to eliminate environmental health risks. Examples of individual contribution could be eradicating use of drinking plastic bottles, use of reusable shopping bags, and composting.

Thank you very much for having me in this class!

M14.4: Think About It - Website Exploration

Health and environmental disasters in Santa Clara County includes bioterrorism, disease outbreaks, natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods. These disasters can cause public health emergencies such power, water, and other services disruptions. Air quality, food and water supplies, road and healthcare access could be affected during a disaster. Severe winter and summer could also be included in emergency disaster. The county’s emergency preparedness plan includes Public Health officials working with local public officials and inform the public of any potential health risks that might result from a natural or environmental disaster. Community links include news releases, 2-1-1 for fire, AlertSCC, Community Alert Response Team (CERT), Emergency Services at (408) 294-4851, and of course the emergency website https://www.sccgov.org. The website ReadySCC helps residents create a plan for emergencies.

In Santa Clara County, the disaster healthcare volunteer sites are:

·       AlertSCC- Santa Clara County’s Emergency Notification System

·       ReadySCC- Santa Clara County’s Disaster Preparedness Application

·       CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)

·       American Red Cross of Silicon Valley

·       72 Hour

·       Ready (FEMA)

·       Emergency Preparedness & Response (Center for Disease Control)

·       Disability Info- Emergency Preparedness

The county also provides hands-on tools, training materials, preparedness and response resources to assist Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to prepare their staff, agencies and clients for disease outbreaks and disasters.

M12.9 Climate Change

Climate change does exist and powerful world leaders are not seemed concern about it. No significant efforts have been done to stop climate change. Climate change causes extreme storms, with droughts in between. Oceans are rising by one foot a decade. This process can induce refugee migration and extinction of living organisms. We are producing extreme amount of carbon dioxides nature cannot handle, causing climate change. It is good to know that we can do something about it by eliminating air pollutions, such as carbon dioxide emission from vehicles.

Studies show respiratory problems such as asthma, influenza, and cardiovascular diseases are significantly associated to air pollution (specifically ozone). As a public health professional, I can advocate for stopping “climate change” by educating friends, families, and my patients about climate change. I could start with myself limiting carbon dioxide by discarding my old car which could be emitting high level of carbon dioxide.  I could share facts of climate change, what cause it, and what we can do to reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide and other pollution (such as indoor mold).

If I were to visit a long-lost relative who never heard about climate change, I would, first, ask him/her about his/her health and living condition. And ask if he/she notice any environmental changes. Then I could describe climate change and relates it with the physical and living condition and environmental changes he or she presents. For example, if he presents with heart and lung issues or cancer, I could tell him/her that air pollution and chemicals could have caused them. Same elements that changes our climate.

M10.1 Video!? Occupational Health and Safety

ERGONOMICS AT WORK

There are ergonomic issues I see at my workplace. Unsystematic and unergonomic supply and equipment settings, heavy patient lifting, and constant pushing of approximately 5ft tall, 2ft wide “workstations on wheels” or WOWs are some of them. The constant pushing of WOWs are hurting some nurses. At least three of my colleagues have developed shoulder pains and needed to be seen by a doctor and were on medical leave.  Most of the WOWs are hard to steer and maneuver, which maybe causing joint and arm pain. Using the hierarchy of controls, I might address this issue by having and providing users with wrist or joint support to prevent joint injuries from repetitive pushing and pulling of WOWs. Daily check-up of all the WOWs (by biomedical engineers or technicians) to assure wheels functions are not obstructed to cause difficult maneuvering. Malfunctioning WOWs may also be removed and replaced with efficient units. Employee health should also initiate looking at how devices we regularly use at work affect us ergonomically. In reality, this problem is not being address by administration. Although, floor staff are being told to report such issues, they are not reported. Nursing staff are just too busy to report a problematic WOW. We just use them (hard maneuvering units) to finish the shift.

The barriers to exercise our rights to a healthy and safe workplace could include the notions that ergonomical issues brought by these devices should be done by bioengineering daily. Nurses do not have the time to report each WOW for problems. In addition, nurses do not have the signs and symptoms until it is late and it is suspected that working with WOW could have caused it. In fact, administration has never questioned the possible injuries or harm this problem (hard maneuvering WOWs) is bringing to staff. There has been no investigations or studies on them.

M11.5 A Zero Waste Life

As I watch Lauren Singer’s TED talk, I started thinking about my lifestyle and practices at home. I consider myself a minimalist, but as soon as Lauren enumerates things she does to live a ZERO WASTE, I assessed that there are many things I can do personally to contribute to a zero-waste community. I can do the following:

• ·       Look at my trash and assess my waste habit.
• ·       Make and bring my own grocery and product packages
• ·       Buy my produce at closest farmers market 
• ·       Recycle my clothes
• ·       Get a compost unit
• ·       Use stainless container for my water
• ·       Learn to make my own products (this will be exciting)

Occupationally-related disease

Byssinosis

Byssinosis is an occupational disease that primarily affects workers in cotton processing, hemp or flax industries. Other names for byssinosis include “brown lung” disease and mill fever or cotton worker’s lung. Byssinosis causes and asthma-like breathing difficulty, usually at the beginning of the workweek and improves as the workweek progresses or dust exposure stops.

Trade union efforts to combat byssinosis began before the First World War. Byssinosis became an occupational health issue in the early nineteenth and twentieth centuries when exposure to cotton dust in the Lancashire cotton industry caused the chronic respiratory disease. The effort to combat byssinosis sustained for 70 years. Byssinosis became a recognized medical condition and a compensatable disease, due to the tireless effort by the trade unions. The trade union campaigned for better dust control, worker compensation, and medical research.

OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Department of Agriculture, the National Cotton Council, the America Textile Manufacturers Institute, and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees formed the “Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention”. The task force researched the batch kier method of washing cotton that eliminates the risk of byssinosis. In 1999, OSHA attributed the significant reduction in byssinosis cases to the cotton dust standard. Currently, OSHA approved state plans include occupational respiratory disease surveillance NIOSH, a systemic collection, analysis, and dissemination of health hazard data to monitor the extent and severity of occupationally-related lung disease, such as byssinosis.

Reference

Bowden, S., Tweedale, G. (2003). Mondays without Dread: The Trade Union response to byssinosis in the Lancashire Cotton Industry in the twentieth century. Social History of Medicne. Vol 16, Issue 1: 79-95. https://doi.org/10.1093/shm/16.1.79

EHS Today. Retrieved on April 2, 2018 from http://www.ehstoday.com/news/ehs_imp_33930

M10.2 MSDS and ToxNet

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) at my work is being relocated to the intranet system. There are instructions on where to find and interpret labels (ie product identifier and hazard statement) on product containers. I could not pull information for a specific product or chemical at this time. The chemical acetone is being used as example but not much information is given.

Acetone is an organic peroxide. We use acetone to remove nail polishes on patients going to surgery. I use gloves to protect my skin, sensing that it has a very strong chemical odor. I don’t have the health risk information about this chemical and have not been given training or education about acetone at work.

According to ToxNet, acetone at high concentration can cause CNS depression, cardiorespiratory failure and death. It can be toxic in children. More severe transient effects (including vomiting and fainting) were reported for workers exposed to acetone vapor concentration for about four hours. Acute exposures to acetone have been reported to alter neurobehavioral performances in human. It is not classifiable human carcinogen based on lack of data.

M10.5 Occupational safety and health organization

The United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) assures safe and healthful working conditions for laborers. It sets and enforce standards and provides training.

One example of OSHA’s health and safety programs is the Respiratory Program, which is also facilitated where I work. As an in-patient or ward nurse, we are exposed to communicable respiratory illnesses like Tuberculosis. My work place had set standards following OSHA’s. The training includes yearly on line (E-learning) training which reviews how to apply a respirator, how to for a negative-pressure patient room, and review of Tuberculosis. We are also fitted for respirator every year. Just recently added is the Behavioral Training Program. The class teaches staff how to spot dangerous behaviors and how to deal with the situations.

Occupationally-related disease

Byssinosis

Byssinosis is an occupational disease that primarily affects workers in cotton processing, hemp or flax industries. Other names for byssinosis include “brown lung” disease and mill fever or cotton worker’s lung. Byssinosis causes and asthma-like breathing difficulty, usually at the beginning of the workweek and improves as the workweek progresses or dust exposure stops.

Trade union efforts to combat byssinosis began before the First World War. Byssinosis became an occupational health issue in the early nineteenth and twentieth centuries when exposure to cotton dust in the Lancashire cotton industry caused the chronic respiratory disease. The effort to combat byssinosis sustained for 70 years. Byssinosis became a recognized medical condition and a compensatable disease, due to the tireless effort by the trade unions. The trade union campaigned for better dust control, worker compensation, and medical research.

OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Department of Agriculture, the National Cotton Council, the America Textile Manufacturers Institute, and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees formed the “Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention”. The task force researched the batch kier method of washing cotton that eliminates the risk of byssinosis. In 1999, OSHA attributed the significant reduction in byssinosis cases to the cotton dust standard. Currently, OSHA approved state plans include occupational respiratory disease surveillance NIOSH, a systemic collection, analysis, and dissemination of health hazard data to monitor the extent and severity of occupationally-related lung disease, such as byssinosis.

Reference

Bowden, S., Tweedale, G. (2003). Mondays without Dread: The Trade Union response to byssinosis in the Lancashire Cotton Industry in the twentieth century. Social History of Medicne. Vol 16, Issue 1: 79-95. https://doi.org/10.1093/shm/16.1.79

EHS Today. Retrieved on April 2, 2018 from http://www.ehstoday.com/news/ehs_imp_33930

M9.4 Heavy Metals

Lead poisoning

Many do not show signs and symptoms of lead poisoning such as abdominal pain, arthralgia, hypertension, and headaches but we are almost always exposed to chemically unregulated products such as gas, liquor, and cosmetics. Although advance technique has been used to detect and treat measurable levels of lead, according to Herbert Needleman, professor at The University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, there are still levels of lead that are undetectable and are causing harm. The professor recommends systematic program of abatement of lead in older homes. Although expensive, the benefit of abatement in older homes will outweigh the cost such as medical consequences, crimes, and poor education. I also think lead testing should be standard for occupations and schools. Low-income communities should also be granted lead testing campaign and treatment.

Lead poisoning in Nigeria

The death of more than four hundred children in remote Nigerian villages in 2010 was from severe soil lead contamination from artisanal gold ore processing. The finding brought great effort from international, national, and local stakeholders to provide lead safe environment in these areas. Interventions included removal of contaminated materials, safer mining campaign among local miners, imams, and tribal chiefs. Homes were also remediated and children received chelation. The efforts did not only significantly decrease blood lead levels but also made international partners and local leaders to champion in lead management in these Nigerian villages.

M9.3 Green Chemistry

I think that the scientists of green chemistry should be awarded a nobel prize. The invention is life-saving. Green chemistry promises consumers and the global population of harmless production, storage, and disposal of home and occupational materials for agriculture, home-life, and everyday living.

I think that the 12 principles of green chemistry can be summarized as designing products that leaves no waste, using and generating efficient substances with little or no toxicity to humans and the environment, and safer practices of chemical use. Designing products for green chemistry should be done by the scientists or chemist but consumers or the public can be educated on safe practices of chemical, lease, and non-chemical use. I haven’t heard or seen any examples of green chemistry but I truly hope to see or practice them soon.

M9.2 Six Chemical Classes

The six chemical classes are commonly found in consumer products and are highly toxic. The already banned chemicals are replaced by similar chemicals that could also be harmful and could cause similar health problems. They could be DNA disruptors, cancer agents, neurological and reproductive, and hormonal disruptors. We as consumers and in public health can participate in not having this products within homes and communities by identifying these chemicals and in what products are they in.

1.    Highly Fluorinated Chemicals

Found in water repellant and non- stick products. They are used in carpets, cleaners, clothing, cookware, cosmetics, food packaging, furnishings, outdoor apparel, paints, papers, protective coatings and sealants, and firefighting foams.

2.    Antimicrobials

Uses include cleaning and personal care products, clothing and linens, and building materials and furnishings. Beside increasing antimicrobial resistance, Triclosan, triclocarban, quats, and nanosilver components of these antimicrobials are all toxic to aquatic organisms.

3.    Fire retardants

Flame retardants are used in furniture, children’s products, electronics, building materials, wire and cable, etc. It is associated with lowered IQ and hyperactivity in children as well as cancer, hormone disruption, and decreased fertility in adults. The chemical bioaccumulate up food chains.

4.    Bisphenols and Phthalates

Bisphenols are present in water bottles, food storage containers and packaging, aluminum cans, and cash register receipts. Phthalates can be found in some vinyl flooring, shower curtains, toys, plastic wrap, and food packaging and containers, glues, caulks, paints, personal care products, and air fresheners.

When possible, opt for glass, porcelain or stainless-steel containers and tableware, particularly for hot food or liquids, avoid microwaving plastics, and avoid plastic products.

5.    Some Solvents

Products containing solvents include oil-based paints, paint strippers, adhesives, wood finishes, shoe polish, cosmetics, markers, aerosols, nail polish remover, garment dry cleaning, sealants, and household cleaners. Opt for professional wet cleaning instead of conventional dry cleaning and use water-based, instead of oil-based, paints.

6.    Certain metals

Coal burning plants can release mercury into air and water and up the food chain. Led can be found in paints, plumbing, fixtures, and dust in and around homes built before 1978 Exposure to mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead in the womb or in early childhood can harm brain development, leading to learning and behavioral problems. In adults, each metal is associated with increased cancer risk.

M8.5 An ideal chemical policy

After watching all of the provided videos and reading materials, I think it is essential for a toxin-free agriculture, food production, and processing chemical policy. This is an essential element to protect farm workers and their families, and the consumers from toxic chemicals from now and decades to come.

This will require environmental and health agencies, and agricultural product companies and suppliers to collaborate and use studies to innovate for use of non-toxic or non-chemical products to grow crops. This may include going back to traditional methods of tilting and avoiding monoculture. The government and stakeholders must also help farmer cultivate or regenerate for healthy agricultural lands through subsidies and incentives. Regular monitoring of products used on crops must be established to assure non-chemical contents. The government could also establish health agencies and facilities solely for farmers for health assessment, evaluation and treatment of chemical or toxin exposure.

M8.4 Chemical Policy Reform

For me, the elements that need to be in the ideal chemical policies are:

1.   Removing products off the market until proven safe.

2.   Proper handling of chemicals through the agricultural process and food chain- protecting farmers, suppliers, and consumers. This may include protective clothing.

3.   Company and suppliers must be given accountability to educate, must present non-pesticide processes to grow crops, and must be taxed for health issues caused by pesticides.

  The Louisville Charter presents reforms to current chemical laws. The elements in the Louisville Charter reform and in my policies are similar. The elements include safer substitutes, phasing out toxic chemicals, and public education and involvement. In addition, health agencies, stakeholders, and pesticide companies must be held accountable to protect public health from hazardous chemicals.

M8.3 Pesticides

My last night’s meal comprised beef over broken rice with mushrooms, bell peppers, and green onions. The salad had lettuce and tomatoes. According to the web site http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/, the non-organic beef has six pesticide residues- one known carcinogen, two suspected hormone disruptors, two developmental or reproductive toxins, and two honeybee toxins. The toxin DDE is often found 6.8% in beef. The non-organic onion has four known or probable carcinogens, 13 suspected hormone disruptors, four neurotoxins, five developmental or reproductive toxins, and ten honeybee toxins. Malathion is also found 6.3% often in green onions. The non-organic lettuce has three known or probable carcinogen, 17 suspected hormone disruptors, ten neurotoxins, eight developmental or reproductive toxins, and 14 honeybee toxins.

I think I consume the amount of pesticides found in the food as much I eat them. For example, if I would eat (which I do) two times a week of this meal then I get two times of the toxins every week. Human could reach level of toxicity through the pesticide residue in food eaten repeatedly. The toxic level of pesticides can cause neurotoxicity or confusions in insects, and so does in humans.

We in the public health arena must pursue for consumer health education about the harmful chemicals in food from the pesticides used on crops. Pesticide companies must be brought liable or accountable for health harm this pesticides cause. Crop pesticides must be monitored by USDA and environmental agencies for harmful toxins at a regular basis. If found unsafe, these products must be banned or taken off market. In addition, consumers must be warned of such harms through eye catching food labels. We can start public health awareness within our families, friends, schools, and social groups.

          

M7.8 Topic of interest

For my literature review, I am considering to explore the association of influenza virus to outdoor air pollution. There are few data-driven ecologic studies in different countries available in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Environmental Health Perspectives peer reviewed literature. Studies are still needed from scientific institutions and environmental agencies to further analyze the effects of outdoor air pollution to humans’ respiratory functions and their impact to burdening respiratory illnesses.

Outdoor pollution includes particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Ecologic humidity and temperature could affect amount of these pollutants in the air. Studies have shown that temperatures, humidity, and air pollutants are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Data from meteorological agencies and local disease surveillance agencies is used in studies from different cities in the world. I will be reviewing few of these studies and hopefully be able to present impacts of air pollution in human respiratory health.

M7.7 The agency's role

Some of the major federal environmental government agencies include the Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and Agriculture. Services under the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Forest Service (FS), and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The mission of the APHIS is to protect the health and value of American Agriculture and natural resources. The APHIS protects and promotes US agricultural health, regulates genetically engineered organism, administer Animal Welfare Act, and carry out wildlife damage management activities. These support the USDA to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. State animal health officials report confirmed reportable disease and other diseases of interest occurring in the US to the National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS).

M7.4 Local environmental services

The Consumer Protection Division in Santa Clara County environmental health services covers food, water, indoor air quality, noise, septic system, animal complains, tobacco and smoking, and even nail salons. The major environmental services are the Hazardous Material Compliance Division, Solid Waste Program, and Vector Control District.

I am surprised that noise pollution is in the county’s environmental agenda. To be honest I don’t know they are protecting its residence from noise pollutions. They could be very subtle such as quiet times after 10pm in apartment complexes and sound blocking walls along roads and highways. It is assuring that the Santa Clara County has Medical Waste Management. This includes incinerating infectious waste and sharp products.

M6.7: OBESOGENS

Article 1: Seasonal Foods: A New Menu for Public Health

The table below shows the seasonal fruits and vegetable in the Bay Area, Northern California. February and March vegetables such as asparagus, winter squash, and cabbage should be served in hospitals and sold in farmers markets at a cheaper price. They are healthy and locally grown. Dietitians and nutritionist of the local hospitals should be creative with seasonal fruit and vegetable and serve them to in-patients and in the cafeterias. I am sure patients will love to consume seasonal vegetables! By patronizing our local grown food, we are also supporting our local farmers.

I worked in a county hospital in Santa Clara. For many years now, I go to our cafeteria to get my dinner. They used to serve frozen and canned meals, but now, they serve cheaper meals with chicken, fish, and fresh vegetables. Seasonal fruits are nicely put in a basket at the cashier, so people in line can grab them easily.

Article 2: Obesogens: An Environmental Link to Obesity

I have not heard of obesogens before. I remember overhearing a conversation about medicine contents that cause obesity. The article is an eye opener because we, healthcare workers, always give emphasis on food and exercise for health. We have never known and discussed of chemicals in food and drugs compounds, such as obesogens, that may predispose anyone to obesity. Even the drug Avandia, which is now becomingly common for diabetes treatment, has a compound that can cause weight gain.

Monosodium Glutamate or MSG is a dietary obesogens. It is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups, and processed meats. It makes food tasty, increases your appetite, and leaving you feeling “not full” and craving more food. It is also an excitotoxin. Excitotoxins are a class of chemicals that overstimulate neuron receptors. Neuron receptors allow brain cells to communicate with each other, but when they’re exposed to excitotoxins, they fire impulses at such rapid rate that they become exhausted. (https://experiencelife.com/article/excitotoxins/). This is probably why I get headaches every time I eat Chinese food.

M6.6 Blog: Use of Antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance in human occurs when antibiotic is used unnecessarily or inappropriately, losing the antibiotic’s effectiveness. A study found poultry workers infected with e coli resistant to gentamicin, an antibiotic commonly used in chicken. E coli infection is 32 times higher is poultry or farm industry workers. The US vastly use antibiotics on livestock, not to treat sick animals but for disease prevention and growth promotion.  The FDA and the Congress should pass the act that would prevent antibiotic resistance, which would ban non-therapeutic uses of antibiotic in livestock. This should be enforced by the USDA by providing training and technical assistance to livestock producers. I also think livestock antibiotics should be given by certified personnel to assure right amount is given as necessary. Livestock should be grouped into smaller numbers so diseases do not spread to the whole farm organization. Furthermore, antibiotic should only be given in groups of livestock infected with bacteria.

Like in a hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, the county hospital I am currently working started using “sanicloth” disinfectant for inanimate objects, and hand alcohol gels for hands. Housekeeping does terminal cleaning of rooms and furniture just unoccupied by an MRSA, c-diff, or vancomycin resistant enterococcus infected patient. Often, these patients come back with the same infection, even worst. And now we have what we call Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Even MRSA is common in the community and, who knows, all health workers in hospital are positive for MRSA, not only through hospital transmission but also in communities with pig and calf farms. According to study done by John Hopkins postdoctoral fellow Beth Feingold, “the density of veal calves, pigs or cattle doubles in a specific area, the odds of carrying livestock-associated MRSA increases between 24 percent and 77 percent, depending on the animal.” I think that sometimes “overdoing” it in the hospital setting to kill germs and infection exposes individuals to increased risks of antibiotic resistance. Overdoing could include unnecessary antibiotics in living organism and unnecessary antimicrobials to hospital furnishing.

M6.4 Industrial Farming

Vanishing of bees

When I think about vanishing bees, I think about vanishing honey. Organic honey is vanishing from grocery shelves. Honey was basic food in the old times, and always partnered with milk (Bible). Vanishing bees also means decline in pollination, thus, reduced fruits and vegetable produce. Since the bee colony collapse disorder in the US in 2006, we have been importing fruits and vegetable from other countries. In Europe, Bayer systemic pesticide product was banned. A European beekeepers’ union protested on Bayer’s systemic pesticide use on crops when bee colony collapse occurred. Now, more and more small beekeeper communities are using native pollinators without use of systemic pesticide.

Dirt! The Movie

I am amazed by the statements made by the experts in the short movie Dirt. I learned that our soil is mostly organized and structured than in any planet’s in the universe. Soil live with us; its composition is our compositions. “dust to dust, ashes to ashes”. The only difference between human and soil is God’s breath on human. Soil is alive and has many diverse living organisms. Mono-culture, industrial farming, and pesticides are killing our soil, but small communities of environmentalists have been monitoring the destruction industrialization is causing to our soil. These small community environmentalists are bringing back soil and greeneries. I will be excited to see pavers, parking spaces, and asphalt being dismantle to rediscover our SOIL again!

Factory farm near me

The Olivera Egg Ranch and chicken farm is located off Sierra Road in San Jose’s north valley. I learned about this farm from my neighbor many years ago and visited it once. They are an organic chicken farm. I think it is good to have one like this close to where I live. I can get organic egg products from uncaged chickens!

Composting

I am having a landscaper design my backyard. The first she asked me was “do you want a garden where you can plant vegetables”? I did not have an answer for her at that time. When I watch the movie about composting, I am now thinking of having a garden and composting area. I love the color of the compost produced at homes. With time, it will be exciting to see and use our own organic waste to grow fruits and vegetables.

M5.7 My Community's Sewage Facilities

I live and work in San Jose California, Santa Clara County. The sewage facility in this community is the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. It is the largest advanced wastewater treatment facility in the western United States. It works “24/7 to clean Silicon Valley’s wastewater to very high national standards, protecting public health and environment and supporting the economy.”

The facility serves residents and businesses in eight cities and four sanitation districts including:

• Cities of San Jose, Santa Clara, Milipitas
• Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga Sanitary District
• County Sanitation Districts 2-3 and Burbank Sanitary District

M5.5 Campaign for Tap Water

If I were to develop a nationwide campaign to get people to drink tap water instead of bottled water, my campaign slogan would be:

M5.4 Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and water quality

The water I use through my apartment complex in San Jose comes from surface water. It is cleaned, filtered, and disinfected at a water company in San Jose. The Consumer Confidence Report currently does not have information available on the quality of water I use.

I do use Brita water filter in my bathroom sink faucet. I thought using filter such as this will further remove lead, chlorine, industrial pollutants, and pesticides that could be harmful on my skin. And to be honest, I have been drinking bottled water for years, thinking bottled water is cleaner and safer. After watching videos about tap and bottled water…Oh boy I was wrong! The tap water is clean and much safer than the “plastiqued” water I drink. The tap water is professionally (with strict standards) processed, cleaned, filtered, and disinfected for safe oral consumption. It is everywhere, does not cost me anything, and does not need to be in containers harmful to our environments.

M5.2 Public health importance of safe drinking-water

The water we see on the surface of the earth is surface water. Groundwater is water stored between rocks, soil, and sediments under the ground. It slowly flows through aquifers and connects with rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. It feeds trees and vegetation.

The Clean Water Act of 1972 is the federal law created to better control water pollution, meet safety standard for recreation, maintain integrity of water, for industrial and surface water in the United States. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards.

Thousands die every day in countries that do not have clean water law. They consume bacteria and parasites by drinking and using unfiltered and undisinfected water from ground and surfaces. The Clean Water Act is important in public health because it controls for safe and healthy water we use by enforcing policies that we as individuals and industries need to comply for water waste discharges. Although this is a very expensive federal law that costs businesses and citizens, I truly believe that it is our basic human responsibility to uphold this act. Regulating pollutants in the water the we drink and clean ourselves with needs to be free of harm and diseases so we can function and enjoy life fully.

M4.6 Blog Assignment: Radon

National radon awareness campaign

National yearly radon household elimination campaign would be ideal during the spring, when home and property owners are planning for property projects, renovations, buy and sell, or rentals. This will be facilitated by the local health agencies. Potential stake holders will be the county health department, health insurance companies, research institutes, radon expert companies, and of course the county residents. High tech companies can also partake in this disease preventions campaign by creating tools which can test for radon which results can be digitally or electronically transmitted to an environmental health agency. This will be a quick fix for those who are computer illiterate or those who can’t find time processing the testing steps.

Although expensive, test toolkits should be distributed to all property owners. A health cost subsidized amount may be included in the yearly owner property tax. A letter from the county should be given stating its campaign purpose. The letter will also include the subsidized tool test kit with the contact information of radon removal expert companies.

Blog about the elements of your awareness campaign.

Sample campaign:

Campaign letters to households from the local health agency. (The letter includes a radon electronic testing device like one pictured below)

RADON is in your home! You cannot smell it or see it, but we can detect it. Just place this device as instructed, and we’ll read it.

Why test for radon? It is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

How to test for radon? Just place the device in your home as instructed.

What’s next? Your local health agency will notify you of your home’s radon level.

What if the radon level is high in my home? Radon can be contained 99%. Call a radon expert. A list of radon experts is included with this letter.

M4.2 Blog Assignment: National Library ToxNet

According to the National Library’s ToxNet resource, formaldehyde and bleach are irritants. Exposures to both of these chemicals have concerning effects to humans.

Formaldehyde is naturally produce in small amount in humans. It is also commonly used in building materials (insulation, glues, particle and fiber board), coatings in papers and fabrics, preservatives in mortuaries, and in disinfectants. Indoors may contain formaldehyde from wood products. Hospital workers and households are highly exposed to formaldehyde from disinfectants and laboratory products by inhalation and skin contact. Exposure to this chemical causes eye, upper respiratory tract irritation, and respiratory inflammatory responses including wheezing. It is also carcinogenic in human causing cancer of the nasopharynx and leukemia. Women who are exposed to formaldehyde in the garment industry have higher incidence of reproductive problems such as sterility and menstrual problem.

Bleach or sodium hypochlorite is an acid that are commonly mixed with chlorine. Using this product, the general population may be exposed to chlorine gas via oral, inhalation, dermal, and eye contact. The gas can lead to ocular irritation and burns. Dermal contact with this chemical can cause erythema, blister, and burn. Inhalation of the gas can cause irritation of the throat, followed by coughing and wheezing, dyspnea, and chest pain. Exposure to larger amount of this chemical may cause pneumonitis, asthma, hyperchloremic acidosis, anoxia (lack of oxygen), and cardiac arrest. In human experiments, drinking water containing higher than normal chlorine induced chromatid and chromosome breaks, translocation, and gaps. These can cause abnormal changes in the human genes.