M3.5 Transportation

My Families Commitment to Using Alternative Forms of Transportation

I'm proud to say that my husband and I utilize the following alternative forms of transportation as much as possible:

• Bus: Traveling to and from work on a daily basis.
• Bicycle: Riding around town after work hours and to run errands.
• BART: When traveling to the Bay Area.
• Amtrak: Traveling to connect to BART.

By utilizing these alternative forms of transportation, on a daily basis, we were able to eliminate one of our two cars six years ago. This has saved us both money and increased our levels of physical activity, especially when we use our bicycles. Additionally, the availability of public transportation  has made it very easy for us to change our dependency on automobiles. By reducing our dependency on cars, my husband and I are doing are part to improve the air quality in our community and improving our overall physical health as well. We plan to continue this practice throughout the rest of our lives.  

M3.4 Air Pollution

Zip Code: 95618

• Who and what are the top polluters in your zip code?
• The top polluters in my zip code (95618) include:

• Rank	Facility	City	Pounds
  1	TRUCK ACCESSORIES GROUP (DBA LEER WEST)	WOODLAND	112,864
  2	FARMERS' RICE CO-OP.	WEST SACRAMENTO	13,909
  3	EQUILON WEST SACRAMENTO TERMINAL	WEST SACRAMENTO	10,000
  4	BP WEST SACRAMENTO TERMINAL	WEST SACRAMENTO	7,485
  5	AGRIUM U.S. INC.	WEST SACRAMENTO	2,490
  6	FORSYTH MARBLE	WEST SACRAMENTO	1,960
  7	AFFYMETRIX	WEST SACRAMENTO	1,690
  8	LAMSON & SESSIONS	WOODLAND	0

• What percent of the homes in your zip code have lead-based paint?
• 2% of houses in my zip code (95618) have a high risk of lead hazards.
• Are there Superfund sites in your zip?  
• A Superfund site is any land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment. These sites are placed on the National Priorities List (NPL).
• There are two Superfund Sites in my zip code (95618). They are as follows:
• Frontier Fertilizer
• LEHR/Old Campus Landfill (USDOE)
• What can you tell us about the Superfund sites that are near where you live?
• Below is information pertaining to the contaminants detected at each of the Superfund Sites located in my zip code (95618).
• Frontier Fertilizer

Contaminants Detected
	Ground Water	Surface Water	Air	Soil	Other
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE (DBCP)	X
1,2-DIBROMOETHANE	X
1,2-DICHLOROPROPANE	X
2,4-D					X
CARBARYL					X
DISULFOTON	X
ENDOSULFAN					X
METHOMYL					X
PARATHION					X
PESTICIDES					X
TRIFLURALIN					X

• LEHR/Old Campus Landfill (USDOE)

Contaminants Detected
	Ground Water	Surface Water	Air	Soil	Other
AMERICIUM					X
CESIUM					X
CHLORINE					X
CHLOROFORM	X
COBALT					X
COBALT COMPOUNDS					X
PLUTONIUM	X
RADIUM					X
SODIUM					X
STRONTIUM					X
TRITIUM	X
URANIUM					X

• What did you learn about the air quality in your zip code?
• I learned that overall the air quality in my zip code (95618) falls between "Good" and "Moderate" based on the Pollutant Standards Index (see information regarding zip code 95618 below).

• How Clean is Your Air?

  Pollutant Standards Index: Percentage of days with good air quality: 83 Percentage of days with moderate air quality: 17 Percentage of days with unhealthful air quality: 0 Maximum PSI level in 2003 103 Median PSI level in 2003 36 90th Percentile PSI level in 2003 62 Pollutant Standards Index 0 - 50 Good 50 - 100 Moderate 100 - 200 Unhealthful 200 - 300 Very Unhealthful 300 - 500 Hazardous

• How about the water quality?
• The leading sources of water quality problems in my zip code (95618) include the following:

Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
Number of impaired waterbodies: 9
Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in CALIFORNIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 8%

	Percent Waterbodies Affected
Agriculture	78%
Unknown Sources	44%
Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers	44%
Resource Extraction	33%

• How did your zip code fair on a social justice/environmental justice basis?
• Based on the information I gathered regarding my zip code (95618) I found that over all my zip code (95618) faired well from a social justice/environmental justice standpoint. However, the largest social justice/environmental justice issue surrounded the location of Superfund Sites. The Superfund Sites were predominantly located in areas that contained people of color and low income families.

References:

• United States Environmental Protection Agency's EnviroFACTS. Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/

• Scorecard.org. Retrieved from: scorecard.org

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. TOXMAP FAQs. Retrieved from: https://toxmap.nlm.nih.gov/toxmap/faq/2009/08/what-are-the-superfund-site-npl-statuses.html

M3.3 Environmental Justice

Observations/Thoughts Regarding Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice Defined

I'm embarrassed to admit that prior to taking this course, I was unaware of the term environmental justice and what the definition of that phrase meant. The United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides the following definition: "Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." Sadly, after learning further about environmental justice, I've found that it is easier to find examples of environmental injustices. Glaring examples of this include places like Flint Michigan, that have predominately low income black communities that are being adversely effected by lead in their water. Locations such as Flint, that are made up of poor and minority communities, shoulder the largest share of environmental harm. 

Additionally, I've observed that, like most areas of public health, environmental justice crosses many boundaries and address multiple issues that affect health. Issues include police brutality, inadequate housing, and exposure to toxic chemicals/substances. This is not unlike when looking at the social determinants of health. Both are made up of many factors that affect an individual's overall health and quality of life. 







"8 Horrifying Examples of Corporations Mistreating Black Communities With Environmental Racism"

While reading the above titled article, I thought about the connection that the "Black Lives Matter" movement has with the fight against Environmental Racism. The "Black Lives Matter" movement is working to change the conversation regarding what is considered acceptable treatment of Black communities. Similarly, the fight against environmental racism is working to change, "policies or practices that differentially affects or disadvantages (intentionally or unintentionally) individuals, groups or communities because of their race and/or class." By continuing to have these conversations, we are moving in a positive direction, but we still have a long way to go before true environmental justice is fully realized. 


References:

• Environmental Health News. 2016 and Beyond: Justice jumping genres. Retrieved from: http://www.ehn.org/2016_and_beyond_justice_jumping_genres-2497235332.html

• Atlanta Black Star. 8 Horrifying Examples of Corporations Mistreating Black Communities With Environmental Racism. Retrieved from: http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/02/12/8-horrifying-examples-of-corporations-mistreating-black-communities-with-environmental-racism/4/

• United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Justice. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice

M3.2 Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable Populations

Looking upstream: 

After watching the videos and reading the articles regarding the effects of chemical exposures in our environment to vulnerable populations, I was amazed at how far our  medical community has come in recognizing the need to not only treat symptoms, but to also "look up stream" and identify the root causes to fix the problems. Examples of vulnerable populations include pregnant women, people in poor communities, and farm workers. Root causes include living and working conditions, that adversely effect the health of these vulnerable populations. 

Chemical Exposures in our Environment and Reproductive Health:

Throughout the videos and assigned readings, the effects of chemical exposures in our environment on reproductive health was a crucial talking point. Effects include the interference with hormonal systems, the increase of children being diagnosed with a developmental disability, and the continued prevalence of chronic conditions (cancer, asthma, ADHD, etc.) among children and youth. With this information, it's hard to believe that the United States (U.S.). is so far behind on regulating the use of chemicals, while pharmaceuticals go through a rigorous amount of testing to ensure its safety for public consumption. This means that the U.S. government knows how to regulate and test products for public safety, but has decided to continuously ignore the negative health effects/issues surrounding the use of  chemicals in manufactured products. Immediate change is needed if we're to have any hope for a healthy future. 

Bisphenol-A (BPA) and the Obesity Epidemic:

After reading the article from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) regarding the EWG database, I was shocked to learn that the database contained more than 16,000 food and beverages that may be packaged with the hormone-disrupting chemical BPA. Packaging examples include can linings, bottles, and jars. I was even further interested to learn of the independent scientific studies discussed in the article that links BPA not only to cancer and infertility but also diabetes and obesity. As the obesity epidemic continues rise, not only in the U.S. but across the globe, this new information sheds light on potential causes. 

Presently, when addressing the obesity epidemic, focus is usually placed on increasing physical activity and eating a healthy diet. Perhaps we've been getting this wrong. Maybe part of the problem is exposure to chemicals such as BPA in the environment, and not just over eating and lack of exercise. If this is the case, more studies need to be performed on this link and the results of these studies need to be published and shared on a mass scale.





Next steps:
Although the medical community has come a long way in recognizing the correlation between the effects chemical exposures have on vulnerable populations, this knowledge needs to be transferred into chemical policy reform and better regulations pertaining to the use of chemicals in manufactured products. Without out this reform, we'll only continue to treat the symptoms without addressing the issues that are making people sick in the first place.

References:

• Rishi Manchanda. What makes us get sick? Look upstream. Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talks/rishi_manchanda_what_makes_us_get_sick_look_upstream
• Environmental Working Group (EWG). New EWG Database Reveals 16,000 Foods That May Be Packaged with BPA. Retrieved from: https://www.ewg.org/release/new-ewg-database-reveals-16000-foods-may-be-packaged-bpa#.WoOxwkxFy1M
• Reproductive Health and the Environment. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1BBCLlKsjQ

M3.1 Biomonitoring - Lab Results

I just received the lab results from my primary care practitioner, and the following chemicals were found in my body:

Chemical(s)	Potential Health Effects
Dioxins	Carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, cognitive dysfunction
DDT	Reproductive toxicant
Organophosphate	(pesticide) neurotoxicant, Parkinson’s
Lead	Neurotoxicant, kidney toxicant, insomnia, impotence
Solvent	Liver toxicant, neurotoxicant
PCBs	Carcinogen, toxic to immune, neuro, and repro systems
Phthalates	Repro toxicant (infertility), testicular damage, endometriosis, endocrine disruptor

My first thoughts and feelings after receiving the results included:

1.) Shock, regarding the many chemicals that were found in my body." It seems incredible that such a large number of chemicals, that I wasn't even aware of being exposed to, were found in my body. 

2.) Asking the question, "How did these chemicals get into my body?" Now that I'm aware of the of chemicals in my body, I want to know how they got there in the first place. Especially chemicals such as DDT (which has been banned in the United States (U.S.) since the 1970s) and Lead (which may be found in paints located in homes built before 1978, water pipes, and candies imported from other countries). 

3.) Frustration and anger, at not being made aware by growers/manufacturers/sellers of the chemicals in their products. Currently there are very limited regulations requiring companies to disclose the chemicals in their products and the harm that these chemicals can do to the human body. This upsets me because had I known about the harmful chemicals I was being exposed to, and their long-term side effects, I would have made more informed decisions about the products I was using. Instead I was denied the ability to make educated choices regarding my own body. Additionally, I'm disturbed by the fact that many chemicals, which are known to cause harm to the human body, are allowed to be placed in products that are sold in the U.S. These same chemicals are banned in places such as the European Union (E.U.). The following is a list of examples of ingredients sold in foods that are banned from the E.U., but not the U.S.:

• Synthetic growth hormones rBGH and rBST. (rBGH and rBST were approved for use in cows by the FDA in 1993. Dairy cows injected with these hormones suffer from significant health problems (some of which are treated by administering antibiotics to the cows) and birth defects due to the hormones. However, products for human consumption from rBGH and rBST cows do not need to be labeled as such.) 
• Food dyes Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40. (These dyes are used to make unappealing food look more edible and enticing, and have been found to cause hyperactivity in children. They also carry allergy and cancer risks.) 
• Azodicarbonamide (ADA). (You'll find ADA in commercially baked bread, and yoga mats. This chemical additive is a whitening agent and dough conditioner that the FDA considers safe for food uses including cereal flour and bread dough.)

4.) Asking the question, "What can I do going forward to prevent these chemical levels from increasing in my body?" While it is impossible to protect yourself 100% from harmful chemicals entering your body, it is possible to limit your exposure as much as possible. The following are a just a very few examples of the ways that people can help protect themselves from exposures to harmful chemicals.

• Filter your water.
• Stop using plastic bottles.
• Get a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Take shoes off in the home.

References:

• World Health Organization. Dioxins and their effects on human health. Retrieved from:

  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/

• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DDT - A Brief History and Status. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ddt-brief-history-and-status

• EPA. Organophosphate Insecticides. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/rmpp_6thed_ch5_organophosphates.pdf

• EPA. Lead. Learn about lead. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead

• ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. Solvents. Retrived from: https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/solvents/

• EPA. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/pcbs

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Biomonitoring Program. Phthalates Factsheet. https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Phthalates_FactSheet.html

• Business Insider. 6 Foods that are Legal in the US but Banned in Other Countries. Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/foods-illegal-outside-us-2017-3