Blog #21  Hot News

An Environmental Health News Reporter recently was a finalist writing a report on Asthma in the city of Pittsburgh where 22% of children have asthma as compared to the national average of 8%. Her report is called "breathless" and it describes the sheds light into the uncontrolled  asthma in the city. Big city such as this need to look into ways to protect its citizens. Our children depend on us.

Blog #21

1. Consider your findings on your MSDS about the potential dangers associated with the chemical/product you looked up. 
2. • I recently had a need to look up the MSDS for a personal exposure, I took my car to the shop to be fixed, At the shop they used an aerosol spray to prevent rust between the panel and the door. It gave off a very strong chemical smell when they returned my car to me. I inhaled the fumes just by driving the car. With in 20 minutes, I experienced a headache, dizziness and shortness of breath. I had four different exposures during the day as that is the car I was using. I returned my vehicle so they can remove the odor. I do not know if they will be able to. I have been to my doctor;s office and my asthma was triggered once again. I asked the shop for the MSDS sheet and they provided me with it. the chemical I was exposed to may lead to cancer, neurological deficits and death if ingested and taken into airways. I asked the tech if they wore protection masks and he said no!!!!! I feel awful about their working situation and daily exposure to these fumes.
   •  
   • Was the MSDS an adequate tool for a worker to use to gain an understanding about the potential health risks and how to protect him/herself? No
   • Consider that the general public reads at a reading level at or below 6th grade, and that's if English is their first language. Was the MSDS still adequate? NO, most of the language on package labels is for people above a sixth grade education
3. How did the occupational health organization's health and safety program you chose relate to your health and safety issues? It related to my health and safety issues because it addressed my concerns about chemical exposure.  

Blog #20,








One surprising turn in environmental health news if the refusal of Norway to drill for its precious oil in explorative drilling off the Lofoten islands in the Artic. which are considered a natural wonder according to the author, Harry Cockburn. This is in fact an unexpected move as it involves billions of dollars and a new move toward renewable energy sources.

Blog #20

1. Take a look at your local news or listen to the news on the radio or TV over the next week and see if you can identify policies that will effect environmental quality. Can you see a direct or indirect relationship to human health? There definitely is a direct relationship to human health
2. Do you know the name of your local elected officials - local, state, and national? Yes
3. Are there health policies that you typically track by yourself or through your professional nursing organization or nursing union? No. How might you get more involved in promoting environmental health policies? First, I will become more informed such as by taking this class, then I would write to my elected officials on environmental issues that are more important to me.

Blog #19 Hot News


 Irrigation, drought and rising sea level are beginning to leave a salty, hard cracked soil known as Salination soil as reported by John Vidal and environmental editor. This is especially a problem in countries such as Vietnam. The water is so salty it can not be used for drinking, only cooking. It drastically affects their economy because it does not allow for good growth of rice, one of the major crops grown.

Blog #19

1. Do you know where the sewage treatment facilities are in your community? Yes
   • Consider their locations - is this an environmental justice concern? Yes, it is located on the poor side of town.
2. Many attempts to encourage the people of India to use toilets have failed. You have learned about one. Can you think of another creative solution that might help? Perhaps, providing them with monetary compensation would be an effective incentive. People who are used to their ways, will have a difficult time changing.

Blog #18 Hot News

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/airline-cabin-pesticide-spraying-1.5083591


A most interesting post in the above link discusses the use of pesticides on airplane cabins while passengers ares still on board. Planes are typically sprayed when they are returning from Canada and into other countries such as Mexico or Cuba.  Some passengers with respiratory problems mask have asthma triggers. Some passengers may even travel with their own face mask. The planes are sprayed for the fear of diseases such as Zika or Dengue being spread by mosquitoes. I think I would prefer to tolerate the spray and use my inhaler than to contract a deadly disease.

Blog #18

1. What did you find out about the pesticide residues that may be in or on your food? I was shocked to find out that something as good as a strawberry could be such holding ground for pesticide residue
   
   • What do you think about this? I think that at the very least there should be clear information made to consumers about the products they are buying.
   • What should we be doing about this in terms of public health, not just in terms of our personal choices? Public health is a primary concern. Beginning with our school lunches, what are our children being fed?
2. If you discovered a posting at your children’s playground noting that pesticides have recently been used there, what might you do? I would immediately contact the school principle, question my child if he/she had been on the contaminated playground and if so take him/her home to bathe and remove contaminated clothing. I would further, have the chemicals on my children's clothes tested to see what chemical or pesticide they have been exposed to.
3. How prepared are you to identify the signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning? I feel confident in identifying signs and symptoms although they can mimic regular disease.

Blog #17 Hot News

Yvonne Wenger reports in the Baltimore Sun reports that after a very wet season, low income families in Baltimore have been affected by mold. There is great concern for the health of children.The rain affected several hundred farmers. Even hundreds of students staying at the dorms in the University of Maryland had to leave due to the mold growth. Air quality testing is the new standard being called for by advocates. The poor disproportionately are developing asthma an other respiratory diseases.

Blog #17

1. Consider what you ate today and where the ingredients came from? How many health standards might have been invoked? Today I ate chicken tacos and I made "Fresh Salsa". I probably ate antibiotic and diseased chicken, pesticide contaminated tomatoes and chiles an onions. I'm sure, I have been exposed to much today in just one meal.
2. What vulnerable populations do you work with that could benefit from education on food safety? I work with farm workers whom are extremely vulnerable to contaminated food. First they work in the middle of the pesticide treated foods, and in addition understand very little of the risks of under cooking or cross contamination with E-coli or salmonella.
3. Given the increase in antibiotic resistance infections, especially those that are hospital acquired, what are some initiatives that nurses can propose to promote safe uses of antibiotics in agriculture (through food purchasing decisions at home and in our institutions) and from other sources that create risks for the development of resistant organisms? It is best to purchase organic if one could afford it or better yet grow your own. At the very least, get in the habit of washing fruits and vegetable before consumption.

Blog #16 Hot News

Please watch this link.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhfvkDRLdFU

After watching this link on the cruelty to animals especially pigs, it really made me think of how cruel and selfish I have been just to satisfy my hunger. I had never thought of a cow, pig or chicken as other than food. However, after seeing a pregnant mother pig, it broke my heart. I understand why people become vegan, because even something as simple as eating an egg or drinking milk is attained with cruelty to the animal.

Blog #16

1. How might you engage those in your health care setting to promote healthier and more sustainable food purchasing choices? I work in a rural health clinic and am surrounded by agricultural fields. I live in the San Joaquin Valley the bread basket of the world. there are plenty of choices for sustainable food choices. We could promote healthier eating by setting up a farmer's market once a week, where people could purchase good healthy food.
2. Consider your food choices in light of factory farming (CAFOs). After viewing videos on factory farming, I regretted eating chicken for dinner. I really do mean this.  I had never really given it much thought when I would buy chicken nuggets for my kids or a chicken sandwich for myself. I will be making some food choice changes.

Blog 15  Hot News




Image by Daniel Boffey in Brussels

The above stream called the Wulfdambeek was found to contain 70 hazardous pesticides – 38 weed killers, 10 insecticides, 21 fungal killers, one protector against herbicides and an aspirin. This reports supports the concerns of many citizens who are worried about the effects of pesticides on our health. The water in this stream is used to grow many fruits and vegetables. Every time I go to t he grocery store I wonder where did my fruit and vegetables come from. Pesticides are used world wide and perhaps the only way to have a safe salad is to grow it yourself without pesticides.

Blog #15

As per your local drinking water provider, what is in your drinking water?  My drinking water almost 100% bottle water. If I am to trust the label then it is purified water with added minerals for improved taste. This is what I read on label of my Kirkland (Costco) water bottle. Ingredients; purified water, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium citrate, sodium chloride and magnesium oxide. On occasion I may drink tap water that runs through a filter in my refrigerator.  Are there potential health risks at the levels of the contaminants found? yes
2) Climate change is predicted to cause droughts and extreme weather conditions that may create overwhelming floods. How might such events impact the quality and quantity of safe drinking water?
It can definitely affect it as extreme weather changes can bring flash floods that sweep everything  tin their path  including chemicals, dead animals etc., into the rivers and ground water supply.
2. If you were to develop a nationwide campaign to get people to drink tap water instead of bottled water, what would be your campaign slogan? "Water Worth Tapping Into".

Blog #14 Hot News


Image by Andrew Jacobs and Matt Ritchtel-New York times



In their article, they describe the abundance of non-prescribed  and unregulated antibiotics in Kenya. Like in many other underdeveloped countries, antibiotics are not regulated. There are many small shops who carry and sell amoxicillin on request. You can bay any amount of pills as long as you pay for them. This practice is not restricted to Kenya and third world countries, it happens in the US everyday. For example, it is easy to find any antibiotics, pain medications, even birth control pills in the local flea market or small town bakery in the poorer communities. While I was working in a rural community, my biggest competitor for treating patients was the local bakery. In addition, even if people obtain antibiotics legally with a doctor visit and prescription, patients still fail to take antibiotics correctly and still contribute to antibiotic resistance. We must continue to educate our patients about the proper use of antibiotics.

Blog #14

How can you ensure that the surface and ground water in your area is safe?

The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) is responsible for the safety of the drinking water in California.

There is no sure way to know if the water is 100% safe. Even so, in California, residents who have private wells are not protected.The owner of the well is responsible for the safety of its water. The  state of California does not regulate water wells. Other water sources are treated but frequently drinking water supplies are found to have high levels of lead and other contaminants. It is difficult to believe that all water, even bottled water is allowed to have a certain level of contaminants such as lead, arsenic and other substances.

Blog #13



Given that there are an estimated 21,000 excess deaths from lung cancer associated with exposure to radon in the US alone, how would you develop a national radon awareness campaign? Consider your potential collaborators (stakeholders).

I believed a national radon campaign is imperative to addressing the issue It has taken a long time for people to be aware of carbon monoxide due to increased information and the tragic deaths on the news. We should not wait until several thousands of deaths in order to address the problem. I would begin my campaign in the school systems where such information can get to the parents. I would involve any public governmental institution  such as the department of social services, WIC offices and public libraries. Much movement can be done from college campuses, having students writing to their senators and state representatives. Stakeholders would include health care providers in hospitals and clinics to prepares patient information packets and definitely the consumers who are at risk of death due to radon exposure.

Blog#13-Hot News

Image from Denver Post- Bruce Finley



The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set national ambient air quality standards for some pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, according to a report by Bruce Finley from the Denver Post. However, he reports in his report that Colorado is actually permitting a 90 window where oil and gas companies are allowed to pollute without a federally required permit. This allowance, should not be permitted because the the pollutant to the air. What rights do citizens have? Why is it that million dollar companies can get away with what would seem a purely a compliance and legal issue. Until these regulatory companies are stopped, nothing will be changed.

Blog #12

1. Do the schools in your area have an environmental health team or some equivalent? There is a and environmental health response team for the county but will respond to the school.Are the school or community health nurses involved? There are no nurses that are directly involved.
2. How would you assess indoor air quality in your local schools? I believe the indoor quality in our local school are pretty bad. After seeing the video of the fans sitting on the ground next to lawns that have been fertilized, I know they are not safe. In our community there are several "temporary" builings that have been there for over twenty years.
3. From a community health standpoint, how can you advocate for air quality standards in local schools? I could contact the city council and the school board by attending the monthly meetings and bringing in concerns.

Blog #12 Hot News
South Korea has a great idea of recycling waste food into compost. In fact residents are not fined if they don't according to an article written by Max S. Kim. South Korea had a huge problem with food wast that was being sent to the landfills. Its cities also reeked with a foul smell from the waste. South Korea implemented regulations which made it against the law to send food waste to the land fill. Citizens were mandated to buy biodegradable bags and send in food to be recycled into compost. Since 2013 they have manged to reduce their food waste form 2% to 95%. It looks like the US could learn a lesson from South Korea. We could certainly learn to manage our waste better and improve the environment.

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Hot News Blog #11


President Trump is said to soon allow for a more speedy processing of the killing of pigs. The article written by Tom Philpot and posted on  April 19, 2019 states that some policies and regulation are being considered in the Trump administration to increase the number of pig carcasses that need to be processed by the minute. Currently it is about 16 per minute. This number already places workers that work in the "kill" at risk of injury as they could easily be injured by moving carcasses weighing more than 270 pounds. We as consumers, should be concerned for the safety of the workers. I feel like, I will not be able to eat pork again.

blog #11

 How can public transportation planning affect illness and injury in a community?  Public transportation definitely can affect illness and injury by not planning for safe walkways in safe neighborhoods with good lighting away from heavy traffic.

• What is the mix of modes of public transportation in your community? Is public transportation subsidized for students, poor people, the elderly in you community? In my community there are only a few taxis, small van type transportation vehicles, no train, no big buses.

2. Are there urban planning initiatives in your area that consider environmental concerns? NO

• How can you, as a nursing professional, advocate for this in your area? As a nurse, I can contact the city council and talk to them about walking pathways with good lighting. Providing padded walking tracks for family walking activities.
• Are there cities near you that could benefit from "green" urban planning? Yes
• How might you modify this for rural areas? I would begin with forming a committee of parents, perhaps through the PTA and get them involved in safety issues for our children.

3.  How might the Health Impact Assessment process be translated to a population-based nursing action or policy?A population-based nursing policy might include interventions to assess childhood obesity in the community with evaluation of school lunch programs.