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Final Blog!

IN THIS WEEK'S BLOG, please provide a summary of the highlights of your learning for the semester. I'd also especially like to know how the small group blogging experience was for you? If there are any other comments, including critiques, about the course, PLEASE share them with me and Erin. I have learned so much about environmental health, more than I thought I wanted to know. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to explore such an interesting and far-reaching topic. It definitely helped me see how every aspect of my life is affected by the toxins, we consume.  The biggest critique I have for the class is the use of blogger. I do not like the site and I feel that all of the blogs could have been done through canvas. Blogger was confusing from the beginning and the idea that we are supposed to have an in-depth conversation with our blog mates about these topics was a bit unrealistic. I think it was also very hard to do all of this because of the number of blogs we neede...
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M14.4 Blog: Think About It - Website Exploration

As we begin to think about being active and prepared, explore  the website for The National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.  and the links that are specific to your region or area of interest to learn more about health (physical and psychosocial) and environmental impacts or preparedness needs for these disaster precipitators. In California we have the  Disaster Healthcare Volunteers Site  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. , where healthcare professionals and those with healthcare experience can express a desire to be a volunteer should a disaster happen. Is there something similar where you live? Yes, there is something similar where I live, because I also live in CA. While I have known that this type of agency was functioning at some level, I did not understand how they recruited individuals and ensured that they have enough resources to be helpful in a time...
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M12.9 Blog: Climate Change

You've learned a lot about climate change this week. BLOG about the following: 1. What do you personally find most troubling about climate change? To me the most troubling thing about climate change is the idea that people in our society do not believe that it is happening and that it is a real thing. It is really crazy, currently that people in power do not want to recognize the huge changes happening to our environments. I also find it sad that future generations will not know many of the amazing natural beauties that are around today.  2.  As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now? I think the biggest thing we need to pay attention to right now are our water systems and the way we treat our water. This issue affects every aspect of life and if a better solution is found then I believe we will see improved health outcomes moving forward. 3. If you were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never hea...
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M11.5 Blog about a Zero Waste Life

Why I live a zero waste life Are there changes that you might be able to make in your life to live a zero waste life and enter your thoughts/ideas into your blog. I would be interested in changing over to a zero waste life. In order to do that I    would need to begin to compost and begin to make my own products. I really identified with the end of her talk, when she mentions that you can start small. I    personally make small strides toward the zero waste life by using reusable bags, etc.  I need to evaluate what kinds of waste I    have in my home and then create a plan to reduce my waste. 
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10.1 Video

Blog:  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? There aren't any challenges that I can identify at this time. I do think that my organization does a pretty good job at controlling and correcting issues that arise. I am proud of the institution I work for and the standards they have created in order to protect and care for their community.  2) What might be the barriers to workers exercising their rights to a healthy and safe workplace? I think a barrier would be employees not knowing their rights or not knowing how environmental factors affect their overall health. It is imperative that these individuals are better educated so they can contribute effectively to our communities. 
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M10.5 Blog about an occupational safety and health organization

CHOOSE ONE of the following organizations/agencies: OSHA, CAL/OSHA, NIOSH, ILO, WHO, AFL-CIO Go to their website. Each of these occupational safety and health or labor organizations support a range of occupational health and safety programs. Select a health and safety program sponsored by one of these organizations, read about it. Provide a short summary on your BLOG and how it might relate to your health and safety. I chose to examine NIOSH and the occupational health and safety programs they offer. Looking at the  website  the programs organized by the NIOSH primarily focus on making a difference through research. An offshoot of NIOSH is NORA, established in 1996, NORA is a partnership program to stimulate innovative research and improved workplace practices. I believe the creation of NORA has drastically helped the ways in which occupational health and safety programs function. I think our occupational sectors are better for it since the founding of the organizatio...
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M10.2 Blog about MSDS and ToxNet

Obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from your workplace or from the workplace of a family member or friend.   Material Safety Data Sheets are chemical information sheets created by chemical manufacturers that all employers are required to obtain and keep for any potentially hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Look up  the chemical using the ToxNet databases you mastered while viewing the enviRN-EVIDENCE program. Were there any discrepancies regarding the potential health effects  noted in the MSDS? In your  BLOG , write about your findings - about the potential dangers associated with the chemical/product you looked up. Was the MSDS an adequate tool for a worker to use to gain an understanding of the potential health risks and how to protect him/herself? My friend works for Texas Gateway and I looked at the MSDS for their organization. You can find it  here.   Review  the MSDS and answer the following questions: What are...
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