M7.8 Blog about your topic of interest

Blog about your topic of interest

Consider your topic of interest for your literature review.

The topic of interest: What are the health risks that may be incurred from pesticide drift to those living, working or attending school near farms which employ elevated spraying equipment or crop duster planes to apply chemicals to crops and fields? 

What agencies at the local, state, federal, and/or international level provide information, regulatory oversight, or are otherwise implicated in addressing that topic?

Local: The Yolo County/General Government Departments/Agriculture & Cooperative Extension/Agriculture Weights & Measures/Pesticide Use Enforcement 

Regulation of pesticide use at the County level is mandated by the California Food and Agriculture Code. In Yolo County this is performed by the Pesticide Use Enforcement program (Program). The objective Program is to protect the public, pesticide applicators, field workers, the environment and agricultural crops from the adverse effects of pesticides resulting from misuse or improper handling. This is accomplished through the regulation of activities of professional pest control operators, advisors, dealers, private applicators (growers) and other pesticide users County-wide. Additionally, the Agricultural Commissioner (Commissioner) of Yolo County is under the direction and supervision of the Director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) for the enforcement of State laws and regulations pertaining to pesticide use within the State. The Commissioner has statutory authority to levy administrative fines for violations of agricultural and structural pesticide use. 

State: CDPR

CDPR monitors the use of pesticides from farm fields to grocery shelves to assure the safety of workers and the public. Regulatory activities are conducted by CDPR’s seven pesticide program division branches: Pesticide Registration, Human Health Assessment, Worker Health and Safety, Enforcement, Environmental Monitoring, Product Compliance, and Pest Management and Licensing. Additionally, CDPR works closely with California’s county agricultural commissioners, who serve as the primary enforcement agents for State pesticide laws and regulations.

Federal: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

In the United States, the EPA regulates pesticides at the national level. Congress gives the EPA this authority through several federal laws, including the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. EPA sets minimum pesticide use standards and delegates pesticide enforcement regulatory authority to the states. 

International: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Technical Working Group

The NAFTA Technical Working Group on Pesticides is a collaboration among the pesticides regulatory government agencies of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Established in 1997 to streamline pesticide shipments between Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the primary objective of the of the NAFTA Technical Working Group is to develop more efficient and less expensive pesticide regulation and trade among the three countries and meet the environmental, ecological and human health objectives of NAFTA. 

References: 

·    Yolo County/General Government Departments/Agriculture & Cooperative Extension/Agriculture Weights & Measures/Pesticide Use Enforcement. Retrieved from: http://www.yolocounty.org/general-government/general-government-departments/agriculture-cooperative-extension/agriculture-and-weights-measures/pesticide-use-enforcement

·    California Environmental Protection Agency/California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Retrieved from: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/

·    Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides

·    International Activities Related to Pesticides. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/international-activities-related-pesticides

M7.7 Blog about the agency's role

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agency

Write a paragraph or two about the nature of the agency’s role in protecting environmental health.

I chose to review the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agency (APHIS). APHIS is an agency of the United States (U.S.) Department of Agriculture that is responsible for safeguarding and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the [1]Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. APHIS protects environmental health by defending the United States’ animal and plant resources from agricultural pests (such as the Spotted Wing Drosophila) and diseases (such Brucellosis). When a harmful pest or disease is detected, APHIS implements emergency protocols and collaborates with affected States to manage or eradicate the outbreak as quickly as possible 

Identify a way in which the agency has an impact on environmental quality.

One way that APHIS has an impact on environmental quality is through their work to prevent, control, and eliminate animal diseases, while also monitoring and promoting animal health and productivity. APHIS works to address zoonotic diseases (such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy) through surveillance and developing response plans. Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases spread between animals and people, and are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. Scientists estimate that more than six out of every ten known infectious diseases in people are spread from animals, and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people are spread from animals. It is imperative to reduce outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in animals to prevent infections in humans and increase public health safety.

Resources: 

·     United States Department of Agriculture. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Retrieved from: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home/

·     United States Department of Agriculture. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Animal Health. Retrieved from: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/program-overview

·     The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Zoonotic Diseases. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.html 

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[1] This federal law establishes requirements concerning the transportation, sale, and handling of certain animals and includes restrictions on the importation of live dogs for purposes of resale, prohibitions on animal fighting ventures, and provisions intended to prevent the theft of personal pets

M7.4 Blog about your local environmental services

Local Environmental Services

Yolo County

Review your local (city or county) health department's website and list the services that you would consider “Environmental Health Services.” In your BLOG, note the environmental health services. Discuss, in your own words, the general breadth of services, note any services that you were surprised to find, or other observations about what is provided by your city/county government. 

I live in Davis, California, and I selected to review the environmental services provided by the Yolo County health department which is known as the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). The general breadth of services provided by the HHSA fall under mental health, substance abuse, social services, and public health. Examples of these services include the Behavioral Health Quality Management, Tobacco Cessation Program, Independent Living Skills Program, and Car Seat Safety Program. However, it is important to note that the services provided under HHSA do not focus on environmental health as part of the public health services that are offered. Instead, I was surprised to find that the environmental health services are located under the Yolo County Community Services Department/Environmental Health Division. Nonetheless, there are a couple of services under HHSA that might be considered part of environmental health. One program is the Tobacco Prevention Coalition. Tobacco smoke is a carcinogen, and second hand exposure is dangerous to individuals in a community. The second program is the Hanna and Herbert Bauer Memorial Garden which hosts 32 community plots that are gardened by local residents, and provides garden-based education to both adults and children in the community. This program helps to educate individuals on safe food growing practices. 

If your city/county also has a Department of Environment (or equivalent), look at their site, as well, and note a few of the programs that you found interesting. 

As I stated above, the Yolo County’s “Environmental Health Services” are housed under the Yolo County Community Services Department/Environmental Health Division. Whereas the HHSA focuses on improving community health through mental health, substance abuse, social services, and public health programs, the Community Services Department concentrates on improving public safety through their industrial, agricultural, and environmental practices and programs. At first I was surprised to find that the Environmental Health Division was under the Community Services Department and not the HHSA since environmental health has a large impact on a community’s public health. For example, there is a public health risk when a community is being exposed to toxic chemicals as a result of water pollution. However, after looking through both of the department’s websites it makes sense that the Environmental Health Division is located under the Community Services Department, along with the Integrated Waste Management Division, the Planning Division, and the Public Works Division, due to the fact that all of these divisions focus on the mitigation and prevention of toxic biological, chemical, and radiological exposures. 

A few of the programs under the Environmental Health Division that I found interesting include the following:

·     Waste Tire Program

The Waste Tire Program addresses fire and safety risks surrounding the storing and disposal of waste tires.

·     Land Use Review Program

Through an environmental review process of proposed land use, the Land Use Review Program works to mitigate or prevent any foreseeable health hazards or environmental degradation in the areas of hazardous materials and waste, solid waste, water supply, sewage disposal, vector control, food, housing, and recreational health.

·     Body Art Program

The Body Art Program helps prevent disease through permitting and inspecting of body art facilities for compliance with basic sanitary practices.

References: 

·     Yolo County. Health & Human Services Agency. Retrieved from: http://www.yolocounty.org/health-human-services 

·     Yolo County. Community Services. Environmental Health Services. Retrieved from: http://www.yolocounty.org/community-services/environmental-health-services

·     Yolo County. Community Services. Environmental Health Services. Waste Tire Program. Retrieved from: http://www.yolocounty.org/community-services/environmental-health-services/land-environmental-protection/waste-tire-program 

·     Yolo County. Community Services. Environmental Health Services. Land Use Review Program. Retrieved from: http://www.yolocounty.org/community-services/environmental-health-services/land-environmental-protection/land-use-program 

·     Yolo County. Community Services. Environmental Health Services. Body Art Program. Retrieved from: http://www.yolocounty.org/community-services/environmental-health-services/consumer-protection-programs/body-art-program

M6.7 Blog: Obesogens

M6.7 Blog: Obesogens

Articles:
Seasonal Foods: A New Menu for Public Health 

Obesogens: An Environmental Link to Obesity

Utilizing the first article, discuss what is locally grown and what is currently in season in your area.
It is great to have this type of information at our finger tips. This helps to ensure that what we are eating is local and fresh. I utilized http://www.simplesteps.org/eat-local/state/california to find what is currently in season in my area of Davis, CA. Through this location, I was able to determine that the following is currently in season:

• Apples
• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Pistachios
• Celery
• Grapefruit
• Broccoli
• Bok Choy
• Beets
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Chard
• Brussel sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Peas
• Fava beans
  

Discuss your thoughts on seasonal/local foods and hospital menus.
I think that utilizing seasonal/local foods as part of hospital menus is a fantastic idea. Hospitals play a vital role in improving community health, and serving fresh locally grown foods is a great way to promote healthy eating, and to ensure those staying in the hospital are receiving nutritious meals while they recover. As a result of receiving better tasting meals patient satisfaction would likely increase as well. Additionally, if hospitals buy seasonal/locally grown foods it helps to support the independent farmers in the community. Having a consistent money stream coming in, will assist in ensuring independent farmers are able to thrive in a culture that is increasingly turning to industrial farming. Also, by purchasing locally, the hospitals would likely save money. This is due to the fact that contracts from local farmers tend to cost less since local farms are located closer to the hospitals versus the large industrial farms. Being closer to the source of food, results in lower shipping and packing costs. In the end both the hospitals and the local farmers win by this arrangement.

Find a Harvest Calendar for your state (or a state you are interested in) utilizing the link in the first article (found underneath the example Harvest Calendar for New York State).
Below is a Harvest Calendar for the state of Arkansas:

What are your thoughts on the second article? Have you heard of obesogens before?
I found the article on obesogens very informative. Prior to reading this piece, I had not heard of obesogens before. Like most people I have attributed the increasing rates of obesity to diet and physical activity alone. It had not occurred to me that the toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis could be connected to this global epidemic. Even our animals are becoming obese.  The fact of the matter is, we do not know/understand the full extent of what side effects these combined toxins have on the human body.  I will be interested to read about future studies that are conducted on this topic. It is one that needs to be explored, and data is needed to reveal if obesogens are a theory, or if they are in fact a reality. 

Pick one of the potential obesogens discussed in the article and using your resources from earlier modules (such as toxnet), do some research on this potential obesogen. Share what you found! 
I chose the potential obesogen dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE).  After researching this item, I found the following information:

• DDE is a major breakdown product of DDT
• DDE is a probable human carcinogen.
• Exposure to DDE can cause liver and kidney damage.
• Exposure to DDE increases the risk of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs).
• Populations at special risk of DDE include: individuals with diseases of the nervous system, liver, or blood. 
• Oral ingestions of food is the primary sources of exposure for the general population.
• Ingestion of contaminated drinking water, inhalation of contaminated air and dermal contact with contaminated soil surfaces are also possible routes of human exposure.
• Tissue storages of DDE in the general population originate almost entirely from dietary DDE rather than DDT conversion

References:

• Retrieved from: http://www.simplesteps.org/eat-local/state/california
• U.S National Library of Medicine. Toxnet. Retrieved from:https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~3yiYc2:1

M6.6 Blog: Use of Antibiotics

M6.6 Blog: Use of Antibiotics

Blog on your thoughts on each of these four articles in a single blog post.

Antibiotic Resistance 101: How Antibiotic Misuse on Factory Farms Can Make You Sick

Throughout reading this article, I was continuously surprised at the amount of antibiotics factory farms utilize for nontherapeutic use. I always think of antibiotics as being used in hospitals or veterinary clinics, but according to the article 80 percent of antibiotics in the United States are sold for agricultural purposes of disease prevention and growth promotion. This then creates antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria that can spread from the livestock to humans via food, via animal-to-human transfer on farms and in rural areas, and through contaminated waste entering the environment. Sadly, this misuse of antibiotics is affecting more and more of the general population, and causing otherwise healthy people to carry AR bacteria. This is dangerous because when individuals who carry AR bacteria become ill, the antibiotics that normally would work are no longer effective, potentially leaving few or no treatment options. 

I was not surprised that the livestock industry (Industry) minimizes its role in antibiotic resistance. Why would the Industry admit to it? Admitting to it would mean that they are aware of the issue and that they are knowingly not doing anything to change it, thereby damaging their reputation with the public. Or, it would mean that the Industry would have to change their current practices. Either of these situations have the potential to cost the Industry profits that they do not want to lose.  

Nearby Livestock May Raise 'Superbug' Risk
Prior to this article, I had very limited knowledge pertaining to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and was unaware that this hard-to-treat type of staph bacteria had become resistant to common antibiotics. Similar to the previous article, this superbug is associated with the livestock industry. In the past MRSA was mostly linked to hospitals and other health care facilities, but currently most MRSA infections are obtained outside of these areas. Instead results from studies show that, "regional density of livestock is a key risk factor for nasal carriage of livestock-associated MRSA both for people who had direct contact with livestock and those who did not." Going forward, it will be imperative that further research take place to better understand the connection between livestock and MRSA.

Scientists Discover that Antimicrobial Wipes and Soaps May be Making You (and Society) Sick
My heart sank as I read through this article, because I too am guilty of using antibacterial wipes and hand soaps on a daily basis, just like 75 percent of American households. Without having any prior knowledge, I listened to all of the commercials and thought that in order to protect myself and my family I needed to use antibacterial chemicals to ensure that we do not get sick. Especially, during the cold and flu season. Now that I am aware of the fact that antibacterial products kill both the tourist (harmful), and native (beneficial) bacteria on our bodies, I have removed the antibacterial soaps in my house and have replaced them with regular soap. Additionally, I have removed any antibacterial wipes that I previously had. Also, by removing these products from our lives my family and I will no longer be placing antibacterial soaps and wipes down the drains that then travel to sewage treatment plants and into our water supplies.

A Report About the New Practice of Incorporating Antimicrobials into the Manufacture of Hospital Furnishings
On the surface, it makes sense to try to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Unfortunately, one of the ways that this is being done is by manufacturing healthcare furnishings that contain antimicrobial properties. According to the article, the idea behind this is that "these furnishings will reduce microbial burdens on product surfaces, and thereby lower HAIs." Similar to the previous article regarding antimicrobial wipes and soaps, the increase use of these furnishings have the potential to increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, as well as release antimicrobials into the environment that can have irreversible consequences. Much like the previous articles, additional research is needed to determine the exact risks and benefits that are associated with using antimicrobials in hospital furnishings. My fear is that too much damage will take place before studies are able to prove what we already suspect, which is that antimicrobial products are more harmful than they are helpful. 

M6.4 Blog: Industrial Farming

M6.4 Blog: Industrial Farming

Blog about: 

Your thoughts about the Vanishing of Bees (what else have you heard/seen about this issue?)

Prior to taking this course and watching Vanishing of Bees, I was not aware of colony collapse disorder (CCD), and the issues surrounding it. I found the documentary both eye-opening and troubling. It was incredibly distressing to learn how the use of systemic pesticides is negatively impacting honey bees, and their ability to pollinate crops. Additionally, I was saddened to learn that traditional knowledge provided from beekeepers, experiencing the CCD issue firsthand, has been largely ignored in the United States (U.S.). It is only when scientists are able to prove that systemic pesticides are driving the bees away that the government will take notice and truly listen. I also found it interesting that Europe has a more precautionary mindset when it comes to approving the use of pesticides. The European society and government places safety as the main priority when regulating toxic chemicals. Whereas, the U.S. places pesticides on the market first, and then looks to see what happens. As David Hackenberg (a beekeeper that was featured in the documentary) says, "The Environmental Protection Agency should remove the word 'protection' from their name."

Dirt!: The Movie
Although humans are dependent upon the earth and its dirt for survival, we seem to be doing everything within our power to destroy it through industrial monoculture farming. This type of farming is robbing the soil of its nutrients, destroying the root structure of plants, and contributing to the loss of topsoil. We have previously witnessed the damage that this kind of farming can do to the earth and its in habitants. The "Great Dust Bowl" of the 1930s took place in the Southern Plains region of the U.S. as a result of monoculture farming. This event drove many families to search for work and better living conditions elsewhere. Sadly, we still refuse to learn from our past mistakes, and to our detriment, humans continue to drain the earth of its natural resources without replenishing it with the vital nutrients that it needs. It makes complete sense that earth could reject humans as a virus, because we are attacking the earth just like a virus.

Luckily, there are individuals who are working to reverse the damage that humans have done to the earth. One example of this is where people are creating green roof projects in urban areas. This is a great way to utilize the buildings located in their community, and reduce the negative impact of development while providing numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. Green roofs can improve stormwater management by reducing runoff and improving water quality, conserve energy, mitigate urban heat, reduce noise and air pollution, sequester carbon, increase urban biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife, provide space for urban agriculture, provide a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy environment to work and live, and improve return on investment compared to traditional roofs.

Were you able to discover if there is a factory farm near you? Were you already aware of farms near you? What do you think about this?:
I was able to find out that there is a dairy factory farm in Yolo County. I knew that there were dairy farms near me, but I was not aware of any factory farms. After, having learned more about concentrated animal feed operations (CAFO) I'm conflicted on my feelings about having one located near me. On one hand these organizations help to feed the country and provide work for those in the community. However, after learning more about CAFOs I now know that they can create health hazards for our food. This is due to over-crowded conditions that are stressful to animals, which make it easier for disease to spread. My other concerns surrounding CAFOs include the overproduction of manure, animal welfare, and the replacement of independent farmers. Sadly, factory farms are only going to continue to grow until policy changes are made at all levels of government.  

Composting: Do you currently compost? Have you composted in the past? Do you know anyone who composts? Would you consider composting, after learning about its benefits from the movie?

Currently, I do not compost and have not composted in the past. However, I do have several friends who compost in their backyard, and use this to fertilize their gardens. They take advantage of the benefits of composting which include: Enhancing water retention in soils; Reducing the need for chemical fertilizers; and promotion of higher yields of agricultural crops. After learning about its benefits, I would absolutely consider composting. In fact, my goal for this is year is to begin an organic garden in my backyard that will include a compost bin. 

References:

•  Henein, M., Langworthy, G., & Mosher, H. (Producers), Henein, M., & Langworthy, G. (Directors).(2009).Vanishing of Bees. United Kingdom: Hive Mentality & Hipful Films
• Benenson, B., Rosow, G., & Dailly, E.(Producers), Benenson, B., & Rosow, G. (2009). Dirt!: The Movie. United States: Common Ground Media
• Michigan State University. Benefits of Green Roof. Retrieved from: http://www.greenroof.hrt.msu.edu/benefits/index.html
• Food & Water Watch. Factory Farm Map. Retrieved from: https://www.factoryfarmmap.org/
• United States Environmental Protection Agency. Sustainable Management of Food. Reducing the Impact of Wasted Food by Feeding the Soil and Composting. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feeding-soil-and-composting.