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Final Blog

I am a little sad to see this course come to an end. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the different topics throughout the semester. I feel like I have learned a lot and made many changes in my life because of this course and I think I have even encouraged friends and family to make changes in their lives. Starting out the course by looking up what it in the products we use every day was a great way to introduce the course and really get us interested in the products we are using on our bodies and around our home. Then from there I couldn't wait to learn about all the other topics. I personally have switched most of my personal care and home products to safer alternatives. And I am doing what I can to reduce my use of plastics and create less waste overall. The group blogging experience was ok for me. I did enjoy reading the other blog posts, but the commenting was sometimes difficult depending on the topic. Overall, I think this may have been my favorite course in the program so ...
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Website Exploration

The topics on the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health website that are most relevant to California are Wildfires and Earthquakes. There are a lot of health and environmental impacts caused by wildfires. As many of us recently experienced, the air quality can be severely impacted by wildfires and cause many health problems. In addition, the psychosocial impact of wildfires is distress for people who were displaced or lost their homes. In California right now we have hundreds of people who need housing and the state was already in a housing crisis. Earthquakes have a similar psychosocial impact, however in the most recent earthquakes we've had in California, most homes have only suffered some damage and people were not completely displaced. I had no idea about the Disaster Healthcare Volunteers site. I think this is a great resource and I hope that all healthcare professionals know about this site. I also hope there is something similar in each state. 
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Climate Change

I think what I find most troubling about climate change is that some people do not believe it is happening and then that most people who do believe it is happening are doing little to change their behaviors/change policies for industry to slow/stop it. Because of the current state of California, it is hard not to think that the devastating wildfires that have been occurring the last couple of years need the most attention - but I don't know that there really is anything we can do about it (other than hope for rain!). I think the number one thing that needs to be done globally is to reduce our use of coal and other fossil fuels - this includes making all vehicles electric and/or more fuel efficient as well as limiting industrial use of fossil fuels. If I were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never heard about climate change, I would describe climate change as an increase in the earth's temperature caused by too much carbon dioxide in the air. The release of too muc...
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Zero Waste

This module on waste really got me thinking about what additional changes I can make in my life to produce less waste. I have already made some changes since starting this class - some were for reasons other than making less waste (like not exposing myself and family to harmful chemicals), but it turns out I was doing something better for myself and the earth at the same time :) Some of these changes include:    - using washable towels instead of paper towels    - using washable swiffer pads instead of disposable ones    - composting    - using reusable produce bags instead of plastic produce bags    - asking not to print a receipt (if possible)    - choosing to buy products in glass, aluminium or stainless steel instead of plastic    - not drinking from plastic water bottles at all    - purchasing reusable silicone ziplock bags Some additional changes I think I can make are    - keeping...
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Pneumoconiosis (Black Lung)

Pneumoconiosis  (Black Lung)  Black lung is caused by long-term exposure to coal dust from work-place exposure. It is common in coal miners and others who work with coal. These workers inhale coal dust while they are working, and this dust builds up in their lungs leading to inflammation and scarring of the lungs. Black lung is incurable and often gets worse over time.  In 1969, congress passed The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and created the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration (MESA) [later renamed the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)] . This act  required underground coal mines to undergo annual inspections, created and strengthen safety standards for coal mine workers, enacted fines for violations and provided benefits to miners disabled by the disease. This safety act decreased black lung disease in coal minors by 90%. In 2012, a joint investigation by National Public Radio (NPR) and the Center for Public...
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occupational safety and health organization

CAL/OSHA OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is an agency of the federal government. CAL/OSHA is an agency of the the government of California. It is also called the Division of Occupational Safety and Health of California. CAL/OSHA 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: Setting and enforcing standards Providing outreach, education, and assistance Issuing permits, licenses, certifications, registrations, and approvals This relates to my health and safety because Cal/OSHA is the agency in my state that is responsible for ensuring the safety of my workplace and other workplaces. References: State of California, Department of Industrial Relations (n.d.) Cal/OSHA. Retrieved from: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/
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MSDS and ToxNet

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The chemical in this safety data sheet is Battery Acid Neutralizer and Cleaner. The health risks associated with it are skin irritation and serious eye irritation. From the information I can find on the sheet, the chemical is not a carcinogen. Protective gloves and eye protection should be warn when working with this chemical. This chemical is not found in my workplace so I am not certain about the training received. ToxNet stated an additional potential health effect not noted on this safety data sheet - this chemical May cause respiratory tract irritation. I think overall, the MSDS has too much information in it and not all of it is easy to read. The "Precautionary statements" should be highlighted or bolded more because the entire document is 10 pages and I think that is some of the most relevant information. Hopefully the training on this chemical covers all of the important information about the chemical in an easy to understand way.
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