Is Blogging an Effective Learning Tool?

Is blogging an effective learning tool? Yes! It is strange how much more valuable information I think I learned by blogging this semester than taking standard exams. Studying for exams turns into procrastination and late night cramming which almost never results in retention of the material. Think of classes that have cumulative finals at the end of the semester. Students dread those exams so much because trying to remember things they barely memorized for a few hours during the original exam is nearly impossible.

Doing any form of research forces students to have an active mind in understand the work they are doing, rather than the simple acts of reading textbooks, power points, and notes over and over again for memorization. When conducting research students must think analytically, and then to take that research and produce a written summary of that research requires students to continue their research until the point of understanding the material.

I think also the blogging technique worked as a natural way to divide the course material into separate sections. Breaking down a course so that it isn't one giant jumble of material also helps in understanding. Being able to put our class discussions into one narrowed area of a single research topic helped me at least get a clearer overall mental picture of what environmental health is.

Instead of wasting our time this semester memorizing terms and models that would be sure to be forgotten as soon as May 2nd rolled around, even me, a photojournalism, anthropology, and Spanish major, will remember the fundamental points we covered, such a waste management, occupational health, water quality and access, glyphosate in food, and safe food temperatures.

I think the active act of writing what knowledge we have gained makes us as students more active participants in our education.

The Ohio EPA II

Once again taking a look at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, this week taking a closer look at the Division of Materials and Waste Management.

I started my search with a Google search yet again for the Ohio EPA, and I selected the first link title Ohio EPA home. I hovered over the Divisions and Offices tab and rolled over to the top right corner and selected the link titled Materials and Waste Management. The Division is responsible for ensuring proper disposal of both hazardous and non hazardous waste following the appropriate regulations as set by the state of Ohio.

Once on the home page for the Division, I scrolled down to see several tabs at the bottom. I selected the Programs tab, third from the left, and from there I chose the non hazardous waste option. From there a display of 19 different specified options are displayed. This list includes topics such as composting, orphaned landfills, recycling, and litter prevention. I selected the link titled Scrap Tires.

The Division of Materials and Waste Management is responsible for the regulation of scrap tires. A scrap tire can be of any size that is no longer in use. All storage and disposal facilities or locations must be exclusively registered with the Ohio EPA, including the transportation of anymore than ten tires. The recovery of scrap tires is always preferred to the disposal of them.

At the bottom of that informational page was a list of resources that the EPA used to collect their information. These tabs are related to each specified subject, for instance the bottom of the Scrap Tires page hosts a link to Beneficial Use of Scrap Tires which is a pdf document.

While there are many ideas for re use of the Scrap Tires the Ohio EPA uses their website as a platform to educate the citizens of Ohio on proper accordance to the regulations, monitoring number and weight of tires used and the approval system for larger projects.

"Beneficial Use of Scap Tires." Ohio Envrionmental Protection Agency. Ohio EPA, n.d. Google. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/34/document/general/scrap_tire_benefit_use.pdf>. 

"Scrap Tires." Ohio Envrionmental Protection Agency. Ohio EPA, n.d. Google. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dmwm/Home/ScrapTires.aspx>.

The Ohio EPA

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is focused on making Ohio a safe environment for us to live in from evaluating the ground water to researching air pollution. After putting in a Google search for the Ohio EPA I selected the first link which led me to a homepage. From there I hovered over the link for Divisions and Offices which opened up a slew of options to look into. The choices include Materials and Waste Management, Legal Services, and all the way to as broad as Environmental Response and Revitalization.

While previewing the links I selected Air Pollution Control which led me to a home page for the Division of Air Pollution Control. I scrolled down the page just a bit to see a box of Featured Topics, which included U.S. EPA Clean Power Plan, 2013 Air Quality Report, and links such as the Best Available Technology Update. I selected the link the Ohio Air Monitoring Network 2014-2015.

The Ohio Air Monitoring Network lists the current requirements of the Ohio EPA for the communities and businesses to follow. An example of one of these requirements would be reporting air quality data to the public in a timely manner, so that the people living in the community are aware of what pollutants they are being exposed to in the area.

Going back to the home page of the Division of Air Pollution Control, many more links are available full of information on how your health can be affected by certain pollutants as well as maps that show the quality of air in each location.

I selected a link on the right hand side of the page under the header Quick Links, titled Asbestos Removal Information. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was once used to thermally insulate buildings. The fibers left alone don't cause damage to human health however when they are disturbed, damaged, or deteriorating over time the harmful asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Ohio has certain regulations for the notification and conduct of contact with Asbestos to assure proper disposal of Asbestos containing materials.

"Asbestos." Ohio Envrionmental Protection Agency. Ohio EPA, n.d. Google. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/atu/asbestos.aspx>. 

"Air Pollution Control." Ohio Envrionmental Protection Agency. Ohio EPA, n.d. Google. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/AirPollutionControl.aspx>.

What are Safe Food Temperatures?

Leaving food out of refrigeration too long can lead to the growth and development of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, and Escherichia coli. These bacteria can cause harmful illnesses. Bacteria grows and spreads most rapidly in environments ranging in temperatures from 40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking food to a safe temperature helps assure that the food we consume is rid of bacteria and other potential harmful germs. Meat, in particular, needs to be cooked to a certain temperature to assure safe consumption, and the temperature varies from meat to meat, anywhere from 140 degrees to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. All poultry for example, such as turkey, goose, duck, chicken, and so on should be cooked to 165 degrees. Fresh pork and ham should be 145 degrees, as well as fresh veal, lamb, and beef. Egg dishes should be cooked to 160 degrees, and most fin fish should be cooked to 140 degrees.

Food thermometers should be inserted into the meat while it is still cooking over the heat source.

All hot food should remain hot, and all cold food should remain cold. This means keeping hot food in warming trays, steam tables or slow cookers above 140 degrees, and fresh food refrigerated, or on ice below 40 degrees.

You can't see, smell, or taste bacteria, making the preparation that much more important. Even when reheating food it is still important to pay attention to the temperature of the food.

Preparing your food on clean services, separating all raw and uncooked foods from cooked foods is highly important to avoid contamination. Washing hands and all surfaces of the food is important, and so is prompt refrigeration for any left over food.

While the food supply in the United States is very safe it is the most common country for food poisoning, most likely due to the high rate of eating out and restaurant dining that is part of the culture here. Researching into the health and safety of where you buy your food is the easiest thing you can do to prevent illness.

"Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures." Food Safety. US Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Google. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. <http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html>. 

"Danger Zone Food and Safety Inspection Service." US Department of Agriculture. USDA, n.d. Google. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. <http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/danger-zone-40-f-140-f/ct_index>. 

"Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart." US Department of Agriculture. USDA, n.d. Google. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. <http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/safe-minimum-internal-temperature-chart/ct_index>.

Water Quality

After running a Google search on “Ohio Department of Health” I selected the first link to www.odh.ohio.gov. Once on the site I chose “Data and Statistics” which lead be to an alphabetical prompt from A to Z of Data and Statistical Reports. Knowing that my search was headed in the direction of water quality and wells, I clicked on the “W” and sure enough the first link under “W” was “Wells and Private Water Systems.

Once re-directed to the page, the web document title came up “Private Water Systems." The first information provided to users is Ohio Department of Health’s relation to the Private Water Systems, which is that they formally regulate and administer local and private water systems.

Private Water systems include, wells, springs, ponds, cisterns and water tanks under the conditions that they provide potable water for human consumption. However to be classified as a “Private” water system, those systems must provide water to fewer than 25 individuals on a daily basis.  The “Potable” water coming from these sources doesn’t have to exclusively provide drinking water, but also water used for bathing, waste disposal or even uses such as laundry. Private Water systems can support a few family homes, small businesses or even barns.

The Ohio Department of Health inspects water quality for residents to be sure that it isn’t filled with contaminants. A common microorganism that is checked for in the water is E. Coli, which can cause disease in otherwise healthy people.

Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli is a bacterium that exists everywhere in the environment. Some bacteria can be found in our intestines to help us digest food. Because E. coli exists within the human body, it exists within our waste. Testing for E. coli in our water can show us if the water we use to drink, cook, and wash has been contaminated by water used for waste disposal.

Some strains of E. coli can be extremely dangerous for humans. Monitoring E. coli in Private Water Systems is therefore very beneficial to our health.

"E. coli Answers to Frequently asked Health Questions." Bureau of Environmental Health, Oct. 2004. Google. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. <https://www.odh.ohio.gov/~/media/ODH/ASSETS/Files/eh/HAS/ecoli.ashx>.

"Private Water Systems." Ohio Department of Health. Bureau of Environmental Health, 21 Oct. 2014. Google. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. <https://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/eh/water/PrivateWaterSystems/main.aspx>.

Fukushima Today

After a nuclear power plant exploded in March of 2011, the Japanese government has worked hard to rebuild the land that was destroyed. Unprecedented, if the land becomes occupied again it will have been the most successful clean up and restoration of land after a nuclear explosion. There are 105 cities that need cleaning as a result of the 2011 incident.

Today, even four years later, workers head out in protective gear everyday to wipe down rain gutters and roofs. One major over haul that has to take place is the landscape. Leaves and soil need to be cleaned up. Large black trash bags are filled with contaminated soil and leaves to be disposed of elsewhere, while new fresh healthy soil and wood chips are laid in place.

Around 120,000 people still remain displaced from their homes, due to the dangerous health risks in the area and radioactive contamination. It is estimated that the removal of nuclear fuel debris will take until 2022. Both private sector and governmental agencies are working on the clean up, including The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Tokyo Electric Power Company. TEPCo is working to decommission all six reactors released at the site. So far TEPCo has treated approximately half of the water on the site, and a 770 meter wall to help protect the site from the ocean.

TEPCo's original plans expected to use approximately 150 billion dollars. Many of the local citizens however are upset with the recovery plan that TEPCo is managing. The locals think that the money to restore the land and the properties could be put to better use helping take care of the people who's health has been compromised as a result of the incident. Many citizens have an increased risk for diagnosis of cancer, tumors, or other genetic disorders, on top of being evacuated from their homes.

The number of reported deaths related to this disaster continue to rise, as the numbers pour in from various surrounding cities in the hundreds.

"After 4 Years, Fukushima Nuclear Cleanup Remains Daunting and Vast." Fukushima Update. Las Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2015. Google. Web. 18 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/after-4-years-fukushima-nuclear-cleanup-remains-daunting-and-vast/>.

"What is Happening at the Fukushima Daiichi Site Now?." Fukushima Update. NEI, 11 Mar. 2015. Google. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/what-is-happening-at-the-fukushima-daiichi-site-now/>. 

"Deaths Tied to Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Up 18%." Fukushima Update. Press TV, 10 Mar. 2014. Google. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. <http://fukushimaupdate.com/deaths-tied-to-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-up-18/>.

Glyphosate in Food

Many herbicides come in contact with the food we put in our body every day. From the corn we put on the grill to the bacon we fry on Sunday mornings, evidence of the use of herbicide is left behind, and consequently put on our plates.

Over generations the popularity of genetically modified or engineered food has become more common and wide spread across Western tables. Herbicides help produce more food, resulting in more money for the farmers. The conversation that comes to the table is quality over quantity, what do we value more in these modern days where we have the liberty to choose. When herbicides were first introduced they seemed like a miracle drug, the perfect solution, but has since unraveled and transformed into the problem itself.

While the use of herbicides such as Roundup hit the market in the 1970's. Designed to kill weeds and other surrounding plants known to compete with commercial crops, was quickly transformed into a staple product for all farmers. Monsanto, the original company marketing Roundup worked to develop crops that were resistant to the killing agent, glyphosate, in the Roundup, therefore killing the weeds around the crops while leaving the crops growing healthy. The introduction of crops resistant to glyphosate entered the Western world into a modern era of concerns surrounding genetically modified and engineered foods. As soon as farmers began planting the glyphosate resistant crops they could apply the Roundup herbicide to their farms in much higher volumes.

The heavy application of Roundup, kills all competing plants, and allows the farmers to yield the maximum crop production from their fields. But the crops still come to our grocery stores, our farmers markets, our tables, and most importantly our mouths with glyphosate inside. It is even reported that over 80% of the U.S. food supply is contaminated with glyphosate.

"Roundup in Food: Are You Eating this Toxic Contaminant?." Mercola. Ed. Mercola. N.p., May 2014. Google. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/20/glyphosate-roundup-levels.aspx>. 

"Alert: Certified Organic Food Grown in U.S. Found Contaminated with Glyphosate Herbicide." Health Impact News. Ed. Brian Shilhavy. HIN, n.d. Google. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. <http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/alert-certified-organic-food-grown-in-u-s-found-contaminated-with-glyphosate-herbicide/>.