Final Blog!

please provide a summary of the highlights of your learning for the semester.

I've learned so much during this online learning experience. 

I have begun transitioning things that I have read in our lectures into my everyday lifestyle. My favorite modules began during M.4 when we started learning about the air pollution and the harm in chemicals. I began rehearsing myself with chemicals that I should look out for (especially around children and pets) and became more mindful of buying products w/ certain ingredients. I began incorporating what I was learning in my daily conversation at work at the hospital, who learned why policies in the hospital wanted "fragrance free" areas (because we were never given proper explanation). 

I learned how to use government chemical sites like ToxNet and understand what materials are law regulated and not. I also shared this information to my friends and family, especially during the Napa fires to explain pollutants and particulate matter. 


I also switched up my personal products routine , and so has my immediate family members. I have made a good effort to research what is in my  environment  and how I can switch to less harmful chemicals. 

My husband and I are also building a house so we looked into house materials and making sure our home is compliant with the materials and radon exposure (I really didn't know about this one!)

I learned a lot of environmental knowledge that I have taken with me in my every day life. I am grateful for the information ! 

M14.4

https://hsd.smcsheriff.com/smcalert

Surprisingly, my city that I grew up in has a disaster website ! I was really surprised!
The website provides  public education, events and training sessions by the Fire Department, that focuses on activities that will prepare the community to take care of itself in the period immediately following a local disaster.
there is a sign up e-mail that you can volunteer and learn ways how you can be a part of the community 

M12.9 Blog: Climate Change

1. What do you personally find most troubling about climate change?
    Although scientists and many ecological and environmental activists have proven climate change is real, many doubt and argue it is not happening. Climate change is happening also very drastically fast because for a long time, we as a civilization did not act appropriately, and when we did it was too late. Icecaps, heat waves and many other natural occurrences keep happening, and although many argue it is 'government' driven... they are real facts. For example, warmer climates are truly happening because of the effects around the world due to pollution, fires and smoke trapped in clouds and atmospheres, but there are many people that argue that the government is attempting to change the weather and atmosphere with 'chemical trails' and other conspiracies. 
2. As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now?
   Climate change needs the greatest attention because it affects our resources and future on this planet. Many countries are damaged due to climate changes and are predicted to be gone. Countries such as Micronesia - Maldives, Samoa, Marshall Islands etc. are all anticipated to disappear due to rising water levels, erosion and disappearing nature. Australia's own Great Barrier Reef is dying, and unable to thrive due to the surrounding climate change. What needs to happen is an increase in sustainability- using renewable energy such as solar and wind power. After sustainability, limiting the amount of waste and pollution would assist in slowing down the deterioration of the planet. 
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 something you cannot stop because the damage has already been done, so instead of continuing to contribute to the problem, try to find solutions to solve it. I would put an example as providing alternate ideas for energy, consumption, waste and environmentally analyzing what you can do less and gain more for. 

M11.5 Blog about a Zero Waste Life

Before this module, I actually began researching and watching similar videos about living a "Zero Waste Life."  I have attempted to make some simple easy changes to make my life less wasteful. Firstly, my family and I have started composting (a bit). We need to learn how to correctly compost where the cats and other wild animals cannot get through the rummage, but we are more aware of throwing that into the trash and utilizing it for fertilizer. 

We enjoy going to farmers markets not because we like the idea of carrying our own bags and jars to put our food in - it mentally starts to grow on you that you're shopping as if you did not have plastic options with bags. I  was watching another video that says if your food and presentation looks visually really appealing, you are more likely to enjoy eating and utilizing those choices. 

I am not sure if we are ready to transition out of plastics but we are more aware to utilizing less plastics and are attempting to downgrade our trash size in order to force us into this transition. It's a bit harder when you are the landlord and you rent out the downstairs and share our garbage... you end up with the same amount of trash. 

10.1 Hirarchy of controls

I will highlight my family member who works at a construction site:
My family member has a lot of opportunities to harm himself ergonomically.
using the hierarchy of controls, here is how we might address them:

1. Elimination:
One example of eliminating a hazard is to automate a process so that workers don’t have to lift heavy equipment. recently, the company has gotten machines that help them roll wooden panels and lots of wooden dollies to help them carry their equipment.

2)Substitution:
using other less dangerous tools in place of the higher danger tools. Or another example is getting professional machines that can do the job like hammering the walls with an automatic nail gun.

3) Engineering controls:
instead of getting multiple people involved with dangerous work such as holding up pillars for wooden panels, you could get a T-brace machine or a lift that can help reduce the stress of the body.

4) administrative controls: constantly training new efficient ways to get jobs done. Hiring new staff that can share their experience to teach other methods. Take safety classes. Or, avoid the problem at all cost (i.e: not filing heavier than what you can carry to limit your back pain)

5) personal protective equipment :
using hard hats, wearing gloves, watching out for falling objects


what they're really doing about ?
the company is a rather small company with not a lot of money invested within these procedures. It also isn't a good thing that my family member works in a family owned construction company so a lot of the norms and beliefs on how things should be managed are "old school mentality"

2) What might be the barriers to workers exercising their rights to a healthy and safe workplace?

stakeholders such as employers must be willing to speak up when they feel they are not getting enough support or companies are limited due to their resources (financially/ educationally). Lots of companies are not willing to follow rules and regulations on certain practices and whether auditing or follow up for safety training and other resources to make their job more comfortable and efficient isn't always a priority.

M10.5 - WHO - Workers' health global plan of action

WHO: World Health Organization on global plan of action for occupational health

 

WHO, devised a collaboration with workers, employers and their organizations to implement a plan for workers' health. This helps establish a mechanism for legal frameworks and monitor their evaluation and helps get workers full coverage. This global action plan  helps encourage the incorporation of workers' health on a national level. This  plan also implements the global plan of action on workers' health, including health needs of the migrant workers. This also encourages the development of comprehensive health and non health strategies. The present plan of action deals with all aspects of workers’ health, including primary prevention of occupational hazards, protection and promotion of health at work, employment conditions, and a better response from health systems to workers’ health.

This action relates to our heath and safety because it provides access to policy and healthcare. Fair employment and decent work are important social determinants of health.  There are specific articles in the global plan for action that assists in the way we work - articles such as Article 2 stating its constitution to promote the improvement of working conditions and other aspects of environmental hygiene and developing healthy workplaces. 

Source: http://www.who.int/occupational_health/regions/en/

M10.2 Blog about Hydrochloric Acid

The form attached is from my UCSF op lab about Hydrochloric Acid 

• What are the health risks associated with this chemical?

Inhalation -  May be harmful if inhaled. 

Material-  is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. 

Skin -May be harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin burns. 

Eyes -Causes eye burns. Ingestion May be harmful if swallowed. 

• Is the chemical a carcinogen?

EPA has not classified hydrochloric acid for carcinogenicity

• What personal protective equipment or special precautions should be taken when working with this chemical?

Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances: 

 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).  Regulations require the use of a respirator.  An employer requires the use of a respirator.  There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL) 

As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S.

Type of eye protection used to handle the chemical: Splash goggles. If used in large quantities, please use appropriate face shield. Skin and body protection Lab coat, long pants, closed-toed shoes Hygiene measures Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling Hydrochloric acid. 

• If this is a chemical found in your workplace, what training/education were you given about any risks associated with this chemical?

Burning sensation, cough, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, spasm, inflammation and edema of the larynx, spasm, inflammation and edema of the bronchi, pneumonitis & pulmonary edema

Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Assist contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).

Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at 415-476-1300 immediately

Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention


Compared to ToxNet's findings, the information found was accurate. 

sources: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/hydrochloric-acid.pdf