Final Blog

Environmental Health 

Overall, I really enjoyed this Environmental Health Course. It is the first time I learned about any sort of environmental health and I was surprised as to how many topics we learned about! Some of my favorite parts of the course were the Bee video we watched and all the information we learned about the harmful chemicals in everyday products. I liked the bee video because I found the topic quite fascinating. I like that I am now aware of things like carcinogens and health harming chemicals in products that I buy and, more importantly, that I now have the knowledge to avoid them.

I think the most beneficial part of the course were all of the resources we have now become aware of. As we learned, we don't have an adequate amount of protection against harmful chemicals or environmental hazards from our governing agencies. As public health professionals it is important that we advocate for proper regulations and policies to improve environmental health. The resources we received in this course have provided a vast amount knowledge we can refer to in the future. 

I was surprised to learn about some topics. For example, I did not think that workplace hazards would fall under the wide umbrella of environmental health, although now it makes sense. 

I liked the interactive blog posts because I was able to gain a new perspective from my classmates. They provided new approaches to the same topic and prove how beneficial multiple perspectives can be in the world of public health. 

I like the course set-up and the short weekly blogs kept me accountable and on track for an online course. The only item I was confused by was the text requirement on Silent Spring. I understand how the text relates to the class, but I think it could have been incorporated more if it is a required component of the course. 
Other than that, I really enjoyed the course! Thank you!

M14.4 Think About It

I chose to look into earthquake Preparedness. I have been hearing about "the big earthquake" California is expecting since I was in 7th grade, and since then earthquakes have been one of my biggest fears. FEMA pit together a list of things to do before, during, and after an earthquake. Most of the information was review, although I did find interesting information on what to do if you are driving during an earthquake. 
Many Public Health concerns may arise after an earthquake, depending on the magnitude of it. If water and sewage lines are damaged, there is an increased risk for bacterial and communicable diseases to spread. What I found most interesting on the site were the emotional and physiological resources for coping with disasters after they occur. Some reactions identified were post traumatic stress (even years after), grief, anxiety (even in children), and depression (associated with PTS). It is important t to address these issues and not forget about them even after much time had passed since the disaster. 

I live in Kern County and we have something similar to the California Disaster Healthcare Volunteer Site. Kern County has the Kern Medical Reserve Corps (KMRC) , managed by the Kern Department of Public Health. The mission of the Kern Medical Reserve Corps is to coordinate the efforts of volunteers with medical and non-medical backgrounds to respond in the event of an emergency incident throughout Kern County.


References:
https://www.healthcarevolunteers.ca.gov
http://kernpublichealth.com/kern-medical-reserve-corps/
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/23054
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/earthquake-resources

M12.9 Climate Change

1. What do you personally find most troubling about climate change?

I find the amount of damage already done and the rapid continuation of damage most troubling. As a human race, we are not as worried about the dangers and consequences of climate change, and we must take responsibility and action quickly. Our current political climate also worries me, and the scientific evidence of climate change is challenged/not acknowledge by our political leaders. 

Natural disasters also concern me. Considering everyone I love lives in California, and mostly along the SanAndreas fault, the earthquake California is expecting also worries me. 

2. As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now?

As a Public Health Professional, the risk of a collapse of food production needs the greatest attention. If food production is limited, and causes sky rocketing prices, everyone is at risk. Although, the most vulnerable populations become more vulnerable first. 

3. If you were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never heard about climate change, how would you describe it and its attendant human health and ecological threats?

I would describe climate change as a result of emissions (carbon dioxide) that has affected our environment, including air, water, food sources, and animals. I would describe the extinction of animals and describe how our sea levels are rising at an alarming rate. Additionally, I would describe its effects on our society and the health effects associated with climate change. 

M10.1 Occupational Health

I chose to assess my partner's place of work. He is a Strength and Conditioning Coach for athletes in a university. The two most prominent hazards he faces are ergonomic risk and chemical exposures. He spends a lot of time moving heavy weights, olympic bars, and boxes. Considering the weight and amount of movement he does, he is at a much greater risk to endure an injury as opposed to a desk job like mine. I also identifies a chemical workplace exposure because of the cleaning solutions used to clean mats and various objects in the gym that he is continuously exposed to. There is also a risk to biological exposure when coming in contact with athletes who have infectious diseases. Although rare, he may also be exposed to blood if an athlete endures a cut or injury during training. To face some of these issues, coaches need to be assessed to ensure they know how to properly use their bodies to lift heavy items. There are hygiene regulations in place to maintain cleanliness within a training gym, hence chemical exposure to cleaning products may be inevitable. Some risk can be reduced by ensuring there is no skin-chemical contact by using protective gear.

I think risk and exposure in this type of environment is inevitable, but there should be plenty of safety regulations in place. Most injuries and unhealthy exposures are minimal.

M11.5 Zero Waste Life

Zero Waste Life 

A

I am a little embarrassed to say that the amount of waste produced in my home is probably the typical amount of waste a typical American family produces, which is far more than necessary. 

Much of the waste of in my home comes from food packaging and hygiene and cleaning products. In a typical fast-paced American lifestyle, it is easy to buy packaged foods that can easily be taken on the-go or made quickly at home. Many people do not have time to make their own hygiene products, or many feel that it is probably "cleaner" to use the name-brand products we've been using all of our lives.

After learning more about chemicals the the massive amount of damage humans are doing to the environment, I think there are steps almost all families can take to reduce the harm we do. 

Some of the changes I think I can take in my life are the following:

• use only reusable water bottles and stop buying plastic bottles 
• use only reusable bags  (easier to do now with recently passed laws)
• buy all fruits and vegetables at farmer's market 
• this one is tricky depending on where you live. Not all places have access to farmer's markets 
• buy bulk products and use reusable containers
• reduce the amount of packaged food products consumed/bought 
• buy more second-hand items
• fix things, instead of buying new ones
• learn more about making own hygiene products 

M10.5 Occupational Safety and Health Organization

The California Department of Occupational Health and Safety 

• Setting and enforcing standards

• Providing outreach, education, and assistance

• Issuing permits, licenses, certifications,

• registrations, and approvals

Mission Statement: protects and improves the health and safety of working men and women in California and the safety of passengers riding on elevators, amusement rides, and tramways – through the following activities:

Heat Illness Prevention Program 

I chose to read about the heat illness prevention program because I am a first-generation Mexican-American and my parents and grandparents worked in agriculture when they first arrived to the United States.  

Cal/OSHA provides pamphlets and resources so workers know the symptoms and prevention strategies to heat illness. Addtitonally there are resources listed to report a health and safety complaint. 

The heat illness prevention program provides four guidelines for workers exposed to the overwhelming summer heat in California.

The guidelines are as follows:

1. Training
   Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
2. Water
   Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour, or four 8 ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so.
3. Shade
   Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
4. Planning
   Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.
   
   
   
   

M10 Occupational Disease

ASBETOSIS

Asbestos is a natural mineral product that's resistant to heat and corrosion.

Asbetosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Symptoms and repercussions do not appear until may years of prolonged exposure to the harmful mineral. 

 Previously, it was largely found in insulation materials, packing materials, and paint. Workers exposed to asbestos were found to be linked to malignant mesothelioma in the United States in the 1930s and literature continued to be published. It was not until the early 1970's that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration took action to regulate workplace exposure.

Today, asbestos is strictly regulated in the workforce environment, although it has not gone away. About 1.3 million workers in the U.S. are still subjected to asbestos exposure on the job today. New diagnoses for mesothelioma have dropped to between 2,000 and 3,000 per year and appear to have reached a plateau, or close to it. 

Resources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asbestosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354637
https://www.mesotheliomahelp.org/asbestos/history/
http://www.asbestosnews.com/asbestos/statistics/