M14.4 Think About It-Website Exploration

M14.4 Think About It-Website Exploration

(a)

I decided to look learn more about the psychosocial issues that would arise from a flu outbreak. In the article, Mental Health & Behavioral Guidelines for Response to a Pandemic Flu Outbreak, the limitations of public health services ability to cope with a flu disaster, and in particular, the mental health issues that would arise from such a disaster, are emphasized. For instance, in terms of mental health issues arising as a result of disease outbreaks, there is almost no data (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress CSTS, 2017, p. 1). Primarily, this is because there have been fewer pandemic health threats than in previous centuries (CSTC, 2017, p. 1). However, it is clear that mental health issues rise in response to disease outbreaks, as it did with the SARS. During the SARS outbreak, data revealed that 40% of those affected experienced increased stress levels and 16% experienced traumatic stress levels, both at home and within the family (CSTS, 2017., p. 1). Moreover, this stress, which can subsequently lead to mental health issues, also affected health care workers, with 11% of nurses who worked in SARS prevention experiencing traumatic stress levels (CSTS, 2017, p. 1). 

Overall, the article reveals that within public health, there is a gap in services when it comes to mitigating the mental health impacts of a disease. I believe that mental health is a public health issue which has historically been neglected. Moreover, the United States itself is far behind many other countries in providing effective mental health services. More research should be conducted in this area, and more efforts should be made to ensure that mental health services are a part of disease outbreak mitigation.

(b)

Within my county, The Snohomish County Emergency Response Volunteers (SERV), acts as the primary volunteer organization for disaster preparedness. Anyone is eligible to join SERV, and to function in several capacities. There are quarterly training sessions that each volunteer must attend. Overall, this agency will act to any disaster that impacts Snohomish County.  

References

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, (2017). Mental Health & Behavioral Guidelines for Response to a Pandemic Flu Outbreak: Background on the Mental Health Impact of Natural Disasters, including Epidemics. Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_mental_health_behavioral_guidelines_response_to_pandemic_flu_outbreak_dcoe.pdf

Snohomish County. (n.d.). Snohomish County Emergency Response Volunteers. Snohomish County. Retrieved from https://snohomishcountywa.gov/2754/Snohomish-County-Emergency-Response-Volu

M10.1 Video

M10.1 Video

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?

I currently work as a community health associate working on Hepatitis-C and HIV prevention. Consequently, I come into contact with various chemical, biological, and even ergonomic issues which can negatively impact my health. In terms of chemical exposures that can adversely impact my health, is cavicide. This is a very-strong disinfectant that is commonly used in hospital settings. It is carcinogenic, and can be inhaled through the lungs, or absorbed through the skin. I use cavicide very often, because I test several individuals for Hepatitis-C and HIV. Moreover, I come into contact with the biological hazards of blood and other bodily fluids, which can act as a vector for various diseases. Considering that I actively seek out those individuals I believe to be most at risk for Hep-C and HIV, I am at increased risk for contracting those diseases. Lastly, my work includes ergonomic risk related to the office work which I conduct. For instance, I have to spend several hours at a time, sitting at a desk staring at a computer, in order to input data. This often leads to back pain for me, as I have a tendency to lean forward in my desk chair. 

There are some hierarchy of controls that are utilized to reduce the risk of workers like me, from the various detriments to health we face as community health associates. Elimination and substitution are not utilized as controls, because our job entails seeking out those who are at risk for HIV and Hep-C, as well as testing them for such disease. There is no way to eliminate the risk, and currently there is no substitution to how we test and approach individuals. I believe there is a certain level of engineering controls, such as isolating our testing areas. For instance, we will typically use a confined, private space for testing. This not only ensures confidentiality, but can also act as a natural barrier to prevent the spread of any possible infection. However, this does not reduce the actual risk posed to the worker. There are definitely administrative controls, such as trainings, which are done regularly to reduce the health hazards imposed on staff and clients.  Primarily, we utilize the weakest approach, which is to use PPE. I ensure that I use gloves, masks, goggles, and any other PPE that will help ensure that my risk for some infection is reduced. 

Understanding this hierarchy of controls, it appears that there are instances in which the risk to health can only be minimized to a certain degree. Often times, the risk for exposure cannot be reduced substantially, such as in my case or in the case of a nurse. For instance, it is impossible for a nurse to eliminate the risk of being exposed to disease, because the very essence of their duties entails patient care and contact. However, I believe that substitutes to the exposures workers come into contact with can be utilized effectively to reduce risk to exposures. There should always be alternative methods to achieving work-related goals, because, even if there is currently no substitute, a substitute can be created through research and ingenuity. For instance, many common surgeries, such as gallstone removal, can be achieved through the use of surgical scopes, which minimize the opening required on the patient's body for the surgeon to perform their duties. Such a practice acts as a substitute to older, more invasive practices, and reduces the risk of biological exposure to both the patient and hospital staff present during surgery. 

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

In many instances, businesses seek to maximize their savings through neglecting the health of their workers. Many times this does not work in  favor of these businesses, because it opens them up to lawsuits, and high turnover rates. Especially if the workers of such companies are from country's such as the United States, the businesses will be held to higher levels of scrutiny by various interests, such as worker's unions and policymakers, demanding better working conditions, higher pay, etc.. Consequently, many businesses will attempt to navigate around these barriers by illegally employing migrant workers that are taken advantage of. For instance, many slaughter houses, and farms will essentially use slave-labor, by employing several migrants who are underpaid, and cannot demand better working conditions, for fear of being arrested and deported.  Although there have been some recent efforts to attack this issue, this is one extreme example of a barrier to health, which many workers are left to face alone. 

Climate Change

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

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer, because pretty much all aspects of climate change are troubling. Of the most pertinent, I believe the seemingly deliberate attempts by some in government and in business to undermine the seriousness of climate change is the most troubling.  Also, many of these people in the government and business, such as Donald Trump and his appointed director for the EPA Scott Pruitt, are able to convince many who support them that climate change is some sort of conspiracy theory. Consequently, because such people who are adamantly opposed to climate change science are in positions of great power and authority, the prospects for the health of our environment, and ultimately all life itself, are very bleak. 

From all of this I would say that the election of Donald Trump and the appointment of Scott Pruitt as the head of the EPA are the most troubling aspects of climate change to me. As stated earlier, because of these men's negative stance on climate change science, and their positions of authority, the future of the planet is surely in grave jeopardy. At least prior to the election we had a government that appeared to be attempting positive changes for the environment and openly supporting climate science efforts, but now we have much the opposite. 

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

I would say that activism and marching in protest would be important for an increase in public awareness, but I am unsure of the effectiveness of such measures. Increasingly, I feel that protest have become ineffective at producing any change, as they become more of a social event to get your picture posted on Instagram, or even an outright riot, rather than a sincere effort to produce positive changes. The change that is needed is from within. More specifically, those of us who have the privilege and ability to produce change from within, such as environmentally friendly policies or innovation of environmentally friendly mechanisms, should be doing all that we can to bring such efforts to fruition. 

Also, we need to collaborate with those who disagree with climate science, particularly lay-people. One of the disturbing trends I have seen which I believe has led to the election of people like Donald Trump, is an increasing inability to collaborate or willingness to listen to those who hold an alternative viewpoint. We cannot isolate and discredit those who disagree with climate science, because people like Donald Trump will take advantage of their anger, manipulate them into believing he is their champion, and take power.  Instead, there are protest, riots, violence, and upheaval in response to an opposing viewpoint. Such actions will not, in my opinion, create an environment where any change can occur. This should not be a climate believer vs climate denier war, but rather, we should seek to understand the viewpoints of those who disagree with climate science no matter how hard that may be, and attempt to appeal to them on some level, so as to produce collaboration towards the goal of stymieing climate change.

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 simply state that as a consequence of human technological advancement and growth, we have neglected to consider our impact on the environment. We have come to understand that how we transport ourselves, how we produce our food, how we manufacture, use and dispose of products, can have a negative impact on the environment. Now that we understand the implications of our actions on the environment, we must change. Moreover, that change must come soon, because our climate cannot sustain itself for much longer, if we neglect to produce changes.  

Zero Waste

Zero Waste

Throughout this class I have been amazed at the information provided. It is astonishing to me that we are so dependent upon things that are not only bad for the environment, but our own health. Moreover, most of us may never come to know that we are purchasing toxins, and distributing them throughout the world. Therefore, I have been both challenged to consider any changes that can be implemented within my life which could improve my own health and the environment's health. 

The zero waste video was one such video that compelled me to consider taking actions to affect positive changes in my lifestyle habits, which could also benefit the environment. It was incredible that Lauren Singer, in the TED Talk for Zero Waste, was able to reduce her waste output by 90%, through the changes she had made in her life. Primarily, she had eliminated the use of plastics and output of waste by creating her own products, buying second-hand clothing, and composting. Not only has she been able to reduce her waste output, but she has certainly reduced her personal BPA exposure, saved money, and substantially reduced her negative impact on the environment. 

However, it should be noted that such changes as as a zero waste life takes a strong commitment. As Lauren Singer mentioned in the Ted Talk, we are heavily dependent and programmed to indulge in a consumerist culture, which has us constantly purchasing products to sustain our lifestyles. To cease continuing in this consumerist culture could almost be akin to a drug addict halting there use of an addictive substance. Therefore, a thorough knowledge and dedication to a zero waste life would be necessary prior to implementing such an action in one's life. As for myself, I'm certainly compelled to continue researching how to live a zero wast life. 

Overall, I have come to believe our whole culture needs a complete overhaul, in order to truly have a significantly positive impact on our environment. We are too heavily reliant on plastics, and the corporations that supply these plastics. Consequently, there is a cyclical process from consumer to manufactured products which feeds into the overall waste distributed over the entire world. Positive changes in such a system require effective policies based in science, and possibly generations of gradual changes within our own culture.

  

MSDS: Isopropyl Alcohol

MSDS: Isopropyl Alcohol

What are the health risks associated with this chemical?

Hazardous when in contact with the eyes, ingested, or inhaled. Also slightly hazardous with skin-contact
It is a classified reproductive system and developmental system toxin. Isopropyl alcohol can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, skin, and CNS.

Is the chemical a carcinogen?

Currently, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that Isopropyl alcohol is a carcinogen. 

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

Because Isopropyl is a flammable substance, it should be kept away from heat sources. Is should also be stored in a segregated area that is cool and well-ventilated. 

Those handling the substance should wear splash goggles, lab coats, respirators, and gloves.

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

This substance is found within our heavy cleaners, such as Cavicide. This is used to wash away bodily fluids, such as blood. I have been instructed to use gloves, whenever I need use this substance. Also, a face mask has been advised, but not strictly enforced. I have not heard of any protocols in which I should wear a lab coat as PPE, however it makes senses, given that Isopropyl can be a skin-irritant. 

Toxnet Findings:

• Isopropyl alcohol is twice as toxic as ethanol
• Lab workers, cleaners, and hospital workers are at the greatest risk for toxic exposure
• There have been cases of suicide with the use of products containing large concentrations of isopropyl alcohol

There were no discernible discrepancies noted between toxnet and the MSDS. However, toxnet provided much more additional, and in-depth information. 

I would consider the MSDS sufficient as a tool for workers who need to know about Isopropyl alcohol. Nonetheless, the language would probably be too complex for most, especially when it comes to the chemical breakdown of things such as Isopropyl alcohol. Overall, workers should be able to understand that the substance is harmful, how to protect themselves, and what to do in cases of exposure, using the MSDS. If I were to augment the MSDS, I would be specific as to how I can be exposed to the substance, by providing a list of items which contain the chemical. 

NIOSH Program: Construction Sector

NIOSH Program: Construction Sector

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) runs several prevention programs aimed at reducing the harm that can befall those in the workforce. Of the several programs that are run by NIOSH is their construction program. The NIOSH's construction program works to reduce disease, injuries and fatalities among construction workers, in the United States (NIOSH, 2016). To complete these latter task, the NIOSH conducts research on prevention strategies which can help to promote health among construction workers (NIOSH, 2016).

One such example of a prevention strategy that has been implemented through the NIOSH's construction program is their campaign to prevent falls (NIOSH). As falls are the number one leasding cause of death, and account for 1/3 of all construction n related injuries in the United States (NIOSH, 2016), this is an important issue to tackle. Primarily, this campaign attempts to raise fall awareness for both the workers and their employers. In order to reduce fall risk, employers are tasked with implementing specific policies regarding fall safety. For instance, employers must ensure that their staff are properly trained, equipped with appropriate gear, and implement plans with their staff regarding fall risk safety. 

Reflections:

Considering how many occupational health and safety issues that exist within the workforce, construction would definitely be considered one of the top most hazardous occupations. Therefore, the development of programs aimed at reducing the health risk imposed on construction workers would hopefully have a wide-reaching affect. In particular, I would be interested in any programs developed by NIOSH or other entities regarding the health and safety of migrant workers. I have often heard that migrant workers are exploited and placed into dangerous circumstances by their employers, because their employers can get away with it. If I were to work in occupational health, I would want to work on projects concerning migrant worker's health and safety.