Environmental and Occupational Health Issues

Hello! I want to start off by say thing thank you! I have learned so much in this class and to be frank it has been one of my favorite classes. I enjoyed learning about personal care products as they are something I use on a daily basis. I reference Safe Cosmetics 101 when looking into purchasing new products. I'm trying to reduce my exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxins. I am also more open to drinking tap water. I have a reusable water bottle but would use a Brita to filter my tap water. After doing some research I learned through this class that tap water may be healthier than purchased water bottles. I enjoyed creating a campaign that would educate the general public on this topic. I especially liked learning about zero waste life. At times it seems that living a zero waste life can be unattainable but watching the TED talk with Lauren had me rethinking if I was simply creating an obstacle for myself. I'm now more aware of items I purchase and do my best to reduce ...

Hello! This week I will be writing about a local organizations that health professional volunteers can seek if a natural disaster were to occur. In my search I found two local organizations that are ready to help during a natural disaster.  The Sacramento County website also featured these organizations. Even though, the second organization is not exclusively for health professionals I think that they are a well-rounded organization with a great cause. Sacramento Medical Reserve Corps engages medical professionals who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies. This organization also trains, deploys, and retains volunteer health professionals. If you are interested in joining the Sacramento Medical Reserve Corps you can do so by going to www.SacMRCfoundation.org and filling out an application. The Regional Center for Volunteerism Hands on Sacramento is an all-inclusive coalition of faith and community based organization. The coalition co...

Hello! This week I will be discussing what I find most troubling about climate change, what I think needs the greatest attention now, and how I would describe climate change and its threats to someone.  I want to start off by mentioning that I find it very disturbing when people say they don't believe in climate change. It's astonishing that with the overwhelming amount of information people still have the audacity to say it's not true. Climate change is very real and happening at a very fast rate. As inhabitants of earth we need to do a better job of addressing this issue and slowing down the progression of it. The most troubling issue I find about climate change is the insane amount of plastic! I see pictures and documentaries of rivers filled with plastic items and it breaks my heart. How is it that we have let this problem get so big? Why didn't we try to prevent it?  Seeing sea animals die due to the ingestion of plastic because they mistake it for food is simpl...

Hello! The thought of Zero Waste Life sounds amazing but then I have my doubts. I start to think about the difficulty of living waste free. Never the less, there are many new habits that I can start working on. I looked over Lauren Singer's blog and she has great tips for beginners. There's plenty of changes I can make that would make living waste free an easy transition. The first change I can make is shopping at a farmers market. I could also support local farmers while making that change. Additionally, I need to be more mindful of packaged items and avoid packaging. The second thing I can do is recycle properly and compost. Trash is for Tossers has an informative post about composting and provides useful resources. Watching the video's in module 11 and seeing all the waste in places like Indonesia created more of an awareness for me. I think that at times people don't think it's a big issue because we are not seeing it first hand. Learning that by 2050 there w...

Hello, In this blog assignment I will be reviewing the MSDS and answering the following questions: Ethanol What are the health risks associated with this chemical? The health risks associated with ethanol are eye irritation, skin irritation, and specific target organ toxicity.  Is the chemical a carcinogen? Ethanol is a chemical What personal protective equipment or special precautions should be taken when working with this chemical? When working with this  chemical eye/face protection like wearing chemical safety googles and face shield should be used. Skin protection like wearing chemical protective clothing (gloves, boots, apron). Respiratory protection like wearing a NIOSH approved air-purifying respirator with an organic vapor cartridge should be used.  If this is a chemical found in your workplace, what training/education were you given about any risks associated with this chemical? I don't work with this chemical now, but I have in the p...

Hello, The prompt for this assignment was : 1) Consider your workplace or a workplace of one of your family members. Are there chemical, biological, radiological or ergonomic issues? Using the industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls, how might you address the issues? How are they being addressed in reality? 2) What might be the barriers to workers exercising their rights to a healthy and safe workplace? After watching the video, I felt more informed with workplace issues. I find that my workplace does a great job of providing training for chemical, biological, radiological, or ergonomic issues. We have mandatory trainings to help reduce the risk of health and safety issues. One issue I can identify is not having a seat. My office space is an unused lab and tall chairs are not available; this is an ergonomic issue. At times I get tired of standing all day and would like to sit but don't have a chair. I know it's typically the other way around and employee...

Hello! In this post I will be writing about the history of Pneumoconiosis that I have found through the American Public Health Association and its history of public health campaigns, current status of the disease, and related occupational policies.  Pneumoconiosis is referred to a group of fibrotic lung diseases caused by the retention of dust in the lungs. The term "black lung" has been coined because coal workers were most exposed to this condition. The first case of black lung was reported in 1831. Black lung is an irreversible interstitial lung disease that results in chronic inhalation of coal dust. As mentioned workers exposed to coal dust are most at risk to a range of chronic lung disease conditions. Blackley, Halldin, and Laney (2018) found that black lung is on the rise since 2000. While there was a decrease in the US from the 1970s to 1990s, 6.5% to 2.1%, prevalence of black lung has increased from 1990's to the 2000s. This increase has been from 2.1% to 3.2%...

Hello! This week I will be posting about the Cal/OSHA and provide a short summary of a program in Cal/OSHA of how it might relate to our health and safety.  I've decided to step outside the box and select the Health and Safety in the Adult Film Industry program in Cal/OSHA. I thought this topic would be interesting to learn more about. The Health and Safety in the Adult Film Industry program exist because adult film workers face serious health risk due to potential infection with HIV and other pathogens transmitted through sexual contact. The program focuses on preventing direct exposure. They provide instructions on the proper use of condoms and other control measures that can reduce the risk of infection. The Cal/OSHA website provides an outline of each condition and its method of transmission. It's a very informative site for people in the adult industry to use in order to educate themselves and be aware of the health risk they may face. Additionally, Cal/OSHA requires e...

Hello! In this weeks BLOG we will discussing two articles. An environmental health response to a sever outbreak of childhood lead poisoning in Nigeria by Casey Bartrem I thought this article was very informative. The intervention that took place was necessary as it took 4 years for lead levels to drop. The development of safer mining at ore processing areas is detrimental in prevention of a similar future crisis. I believe that prevention is the most effective practice out in place. Education of heavy metals, signs and symptoms, and implementation of a plan in the event of a crisis are needed. It was a quick read but outlined the importance of organizations working together in during a crisis. The article also highlighted the impact a heavy metal like lead can have in a community. Lead Poisoning by Herbert Needleman I learned a good amount of information from this article. I was please to read that the article would be shifting its view from high doses of exposure to low dose e...

Hello! This weeks assignment is:  BLOG  about your thoughts on green chemistry. Have you heard of or seen any examples of green chemistry in your work or in daily life? What are your thoughts on the 12 principles of green chemistry? This is terrible but I think honesty is appreciated and I want to be honest with you. I had never heard about green chemistry. Being in this class has taught me so many new things. I am much more aware of the environment and my exposure to unsafe toxins. Reflecting on green chemistry I am not sure that I have seen any examples of green chemistry in my work or daily life. I work in a lab, but my position does not require me to use any lab products. I am mainly in a clinical setting so preventing pollution at the molecular level is not something I see on a regular basis. I think that the 12 principles of green chemistry are great! I find it to be amazing that green chemistry reduces pollution at its source! I feel that we really need to focus on p...

Hello! In this weeks module I will be discussing “each of the 6 half-hour webinars in a single blog post, separating the post by inserting each webinar's title before discussing that webinar.” Highly fluorinated chemicals I have learned that highly fluorinated chemicals are found in non-stick pans and water proof items. Unfortunately, many are consumer products that are used on a regular basis. Highly fluorinated chemicals can cause serious health problems and are man made. I find it disheartening to know that  our bodies are exposed by 98% to this chemical. Additionally, that chemicals like C8 or P5 can cause thyroid issues, interference with hormone function, and cancer. Highly fluorinated chemicals don’t ever break down! They are found in clothing, non-stick cookware, care seats. I was most concerned about trade secret information not being available to the public. It is crazy to now know that I am being exposed to toxic chemicals that affect my health but am being kept ...

After watching all the videos and reading from module eight I think there a couple key elements that are essential for an ideal chemical policy. Reason for policy: It is important to establish why a policy needs to be implemented. A brief reason would be placed in this section. Introduction/History: After stating your reason for a policy. The writer needs to introduce the problem and justify the need for a new policy. Part of the introduction would also include the history of the problem. An example of such thing would be reduction of chemical exposure. Definition: Setting clear parameters for the policy and defining terms. The inclusion of definition does away with any confusion and may educate those reading the policy who are not knowledge in the subject. Guidelines: A set list of instructions would be in place to guide the execution of the policy. Setting standards and set levels of measurement. Objectives: The goals of the policy would be clearly defined in th...

Hello! In this post I will be discussing the background subject, require safer substitutes and solutions, from the Louisville chapter for safer chemicals. This background subject is #1 and I find it to be a critical point in chemical policy reform. Part of wanting change is having a solution for the change we are asking for. Its important to provide alternatives and solutions when asking for safer guidelines. Background subject #1: “Seek to eliminate the use and emissions of hazardous chemicals by altering production processes, substituting safer chemicals, redesigning products and systems, rewarding innovation and re-examining product function. Safer substitution includes an obligation on the part of the public and private sectors to invest in research and development of sustainable chemicals, products, and material processes.” As mentioned in the background paper #1, when laws are passed to target chemical control safer substitutes are not the goal and replacement chemi...

Hello! In this blog I will be talking about my meal last night and how it rates using the "what's on my food website." Hope you enjoy the post! I try to buy as many organic products as possible. Even though organic produce is not inexpensive it’s worth the investment. However, I am aware that some “organic” foods may still contain some chemical residue. I read an article, “Is ‘organic’ really organic?,” not too long ago that shines some light on organic farms and the rules they need to abide in order to be considered organic. Last night I had a very sad dinner. I was at the library until 9pm and by the time I got home and I simply wanted to make myself the quickest “warm” meal possible. I had scrambled eggs with jalapeno sausage. Unfortunately, for this BLOG it would have been better if I did not have organic items. Both the eggs and jalapeno sausage were organic. Majority of my food is organic. I try to follow a Paleo diet and shop fresh organic products for the m...

A topic of interest for me is food safety. At the local level, Sacramento County’s Environmental Management Department has a Food protection Program. This program focuses on Food Facility Complaints and Foodborne Illness. At the state level, California Department of Public Health has a Food and Drug Branch. Under the Food and Drug branch there’s a Food Safety Program. This program has regulations and statues, certificates and licenses, guidelines, and specific food programs. At the Federal level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the Environmental Health Services program that oversees food safety. The FDA has regulatory oversight through the creation of laws to ensure food is safe before reaching the public. -Iliana

In this BLOG I will discuss the   Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) . This agency is a federal public health agency. It protects communities from harmful health effects related to exposure to natural and man-made hazardous substances. ATSDR operates in various forms for the public. Some of the services offered by ATSDR are by responding to environmental health agencies, investigating emergency environmental health threats, and conducting research on the health impacts of hazardous waste sites. Additionally, ASDR provides education and training concerning hazardous substance. It’s evident that ATSDR has an impact on environmental quality because of it protects communities through state-of-the-art science. Through prevention ATSDR has listed priorities. As mentioned on their website they focus on four areas: asthma, children’s health, safe drinking water, and innovative laboratory methods. The impact ATSDR strives for is to reduce morbidity and mortality rela...

Hi! In this post I will be reviewing my county's  health department's website and list the services that you would consider Environmental Health Services.  The Sacramento County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) has a wide range of services available to its community. The programs include black infant health, child health and disability prevention, California children’s services, dental health, comprehensive perinatal services, tobacco education, Ryan White, and many other resources. I thought it was great to see a variety of programs available covering the lifespan of a person. There were some featured topics on the landing page that are perfect for the time of year.   SCDHS highlighted the flu season, mosquito season, traveler’s health, and childhood lead poisoning prevention. Many of the programs available also offer education classes on the topic. I thought that was extremely beneficial because with educations habits can be changed. As for environmental health...

Hi everyone! This week I will be talking about four articles and the use of antibiotics. Nearby livestock may raise ‘superbug’ risk It’s frightening to think that livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA) is being found with increasing frequency in individuals with no known contact with livestock. As mentioned in the article people working closely with livestock have a greater exposure than those that are not. Although, there has been an increase in people who do not work closely with livestock. It’s a problem that MRSA is an antibiotic resistant disease. This means that treatment can be limited due to it being a “superbug.” I think it was a good article that brings forward an issue that could become a larger problem if it is not studied. Scientist discovers that antimicrobial wipes and soaps may be making you (and society sick) I found this article to be really interesting because of their findings. Hand sanitizers are commonly ...

Hello! This week I will be writing about locally grown food and obesogens. I hope you enjoy this post! Living in California is a blessing. There is so much produce that is grown in California and the list is quiet long. In Sacramento, there are several items that are grown locally. It appears that most of these items are in season. Here is a list of items in season (early October): ·          Almonds ·          Rice ·          Tomato ·          Grapes (for wine too) ·          Mandarins ·          Sunflower seeds I think that it is essential that hospitals incorporate locally grown food to their menu. The food that is being provided to patients should be fresh and free of preservatives. In order to maintain a healthy patient hospit...

A few years ago, I had heard about the vanishing of bee’s but never paid much attention to the issue. I wondered where they had gone. Why didn’t people find a large amount of bees dead in a location? I’m from the Central Valley (Madera, CA) and know that bees are important for pollination. Even though bees are a key aspect to agriculture I didn’t pursue this issue and never revisited it. Looking back I feel a little guilty for not being well informed of the problem we are facing. Watching the movie was very informative. I deducted that it was probably due to pesticides but it was just a guess and long behold by the end of the movie that seemed to be the best answer. As for Dirt!: The Movie, I found it to be equally as informational. One of my best friends is completing her masters in horticulture so she always talks about the soil. I’ve learned through her and the movie that soil is the skin of the earth. Watching the movie allowed me to understand the love for soil and its importa...

In this BLOG I will be listing the Sacramento sewage facilities. Sacramento has one sewage facility which is Sacramento Area Sewer District (SASD). Per SASD website, it provides service to 1.2 million people in the Sacramento region. This also includes the unincorperated areas of Sacramento like Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove and portions of Elk Grove. They work 24/7 to protect public and the environment by efficiently and effectively collecting sewage for the community.