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/>.

Ebola

Ebola Virus Disease is a rare and potentially life threatening disease that is originally caused by an infection. The Ebola Virus can cause disease in humans as well as non-human primates including but not limited to Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Orangutans, and Bonobos. There are five strains of the Ebola virus, but only four have ever affected humans.

The Ebola viruses are most commonly found in Northwestern Africa. In 1976 near the Ebola River the virus was initially found, hence the name.  In order for an outbreak to start in the human population a "spillover" event must first occur, which involves a human making contact with an infected animal, either a primate or the natural host reservoir, which is unknown at the present time but highly suspected to be bats. Once one human is infected, they can then pass the virus to another human. Any broken skin or mucus membranes can be the site of transmission for the virus. The virus can be picked up from any cloth such as bedding, needles, or medical equipment like syringes.

Some common symptoms of Ebola include: fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, and unexplained bruising. These symptoms can present themselves anywhere from 2 to 21 days after being exposed to the virus, but appear most commonly after 8-10 days.

It is important that patients infected with the Ebola virus receive IV fluids, and are monitored for electrolyte levels as well as blood pressure. The quicker an infected patient receives treatment the better. Ebola Virus Disease has a 50% fatality rate, but changes and can be anywhere from 25% to 90% during times of extreme outbreaks. Community response is vital in limiting the outbreak.

Past Ebola outbreak locations include: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Uganda, Ivory Coast, and more. 2014 saw the largest known outbreak of the Ebola Virus in west Africa crossing boarders to a handful of countries, and spreading as far as The United States.

"Ebola Virus Disease." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC, n.d. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/>.

"Ebola Virus Disease." World Health Organization. WHO, n.d. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/>.

Disaster Animal Response

Disaster Animal Response is any professional relief team or effort that works to provide rescue missions or protection for animals at risk of dangerous living conditions. Some of the work includes veterinary consultations, animal relocation, shelter development, and population management. Another large part of the effort is devoted to raising awareness for local animal welfare programs.

Often the animals rescued are either victims of illegal animal cruelty or of natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Less often but still, some animals are hoarded in small homes without up keep, are part of a dog fighting situation, or live in puppy mills. Fires and floods to homes also are instances where a Disaster Animal Response Team may be called. Animal rescue volunteers travel all around the world to look after all variety of animals involved in these dangerous environments.

Disaster Animal Response teams come from a range of backgrounds but all contribute to animal handling, cleaning facilities, and even administrative tasks.

Most Disaster Animal Response Teams are based out of certain county or district, as organized typically through the state government. The idea for DART came to the United States government in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida. The Humane Society of the United States realized that there was no effort being carried out to do anything for the animals left behind. Developing trained teams of professionals to work side-by-side with emergency relief responders became the new mission of the Humane Society.

One of the largest obstacles for teams to complete their missions is the amount of equipment required to carry out a successful rescue. Each mission typically requires cages, blankets, towels, medicine, and either a tent or a trailer to set up at or near the location. With limited funding it is difficult to care for every animal in need.

Becoming a DART volunteer requires skills in animal instincts as well as search and rescue skills. DART volunteers make a world of difference in the lives of these animals everyday thanks to their dedication and hard work.

Boone County Disaster Animal Response Team. N.p., 2010. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://bc-dart.webs.com/>.

"Disaster and Cruelty." ASPCA Professional. ASPCA, n.d. Google. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/disaster-cruelty-disaster-response/disaster-response-training>. 

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice is the fair treatment of and the enforcement of environmental laws. The goal of the US government's Environmental Protection Agency is to provide and support the mandates to maintain a healthy living environment, protecting both the human population as well as nature, to promote the highest quality environment to learn, work, and live in. The Environmental Protection Agency works to set standards and distribute permits to facilities, issues licensees and awards grants. The EPA is also concerned with Public Health issues. These public health issues come from the struggle to create a healthy environment for all people to benefit from including populations that traditionally live and work in or near dangerous sources of pollution including mines, landfills, and factories.

While reviewing Environmental Justice extensive emphasis is placed on the demographic that is affected by the various environmental health conditions involving polluted natural environments and dangerous work environments. America's most polluted neighborhoods are predominately neighborhoods of color or living in a state of poverty. Common polluters include landfills, dirty industrial plants, or trucking depots. There is even statistical research conducted by environmental health professionals that has resulted in the development of the term "environmental racism."

An example of this "environmental racism" as explored by the Natural Resource Defense Council is the growing mold and moisture problems exposing themselves in low-income housing in New York City's public housing. Wet and rotting walls pose many health risks for the New Yorkers inhabiting these homes, including allergies and asthma complications. The NRDC already has reported that the prevalence of asthma among children living in New York City public housing is nearly two times higher than kids living in the rest of the city. 

Environmental Justice professionals work to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to maintain clean drinking water and clean air and reviewing what makes a healthy environment and statistics to gauge the existing problems are all the areas that make up the study of Environmental Justice.

"Environmental Justice." Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Google. Web. 13 Feb. 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/>.

"Environmental Justice." Natural Resources Defense Council. Natural Resources Defense Council, n.d. Google. Web. 13 Feb. 2015. <http://www.nrdc.org/ej/>. 

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Everyday we put ourselves at risk for a variety of preventable illnesses, noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common of those illnesses. The second leading cause of hearing loss, noise induced hearing loss, is virtually, completely preventable. This hearing loss can result from long time and continuous exposure to the volume on a TV, iPod, concerts, or activities such as playing in a band or the use of fire arms. Hearing loss can also result from short extreme exposure such as an explosion.

The ear is comprised of very sensitive structures called stereocilia that can be temporarily paralyzed by loud noises, but after continual exposure to those loud volumes eventually the stereocilia will die completely, causing hearing loss. A simple solution to this hearing loss is to monitor the volume on any device, and to wear protective ear gear when working or spending time in an environment that produces continually loud noises.

Work environments are one of the most common places to risk hearing loss, especially construction work sites, or mines. While this is generally a larger problem for adults in the working community, audiologists have seen a rise in children facing noise induced hearing loss. Researchers suspect the rise in personal electronic devices with the use of ear buds has caused this increase, emphasizing the importance of reminding youths to monitor their volume.

Perhaps one of the most frightening aspects of noise induced hearing loss is that it typically occurs slowly over time, and people don't always know how much hearing loss they are experiencing by exposing themselves to loud noises until it is too late. Noise induced hearing loss is permanent, once it is gone, it is gone. Signs that someone may be experiencing noise induced hearing loss could be hearing sounds as muffled or distorted, always asking others to speak up, or constantly feeling the need to increase the volume on the television.

"Noise-Induced Hearing Loss." National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. US Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Google. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx>. 

Rabinowitz, Peter M. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Google. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <http://hannaziegler.tripod.com/ent/varia/rabinowi.pdf>.

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network

The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network is a government website that seeks to provide health data and information to the American public. The website exists to educate what chemicals are found in the environment, and what chronic diseases and conditions can result for the public based on our regional environmental health.

Everyone is effected by their environment, and sometimes, one's environment can effect the state of their health and well being. A wide variety of illnesses can present themselves as a result of environmental conditions including, birth defects, cancer, carbon monoxide poisoning, developmental disabilities, and asthma.

Asthma is a chronic disease that can result in irritated and sometimes even swollen airways. Symptoms of Asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness of the chest. Asthma is often associated with environmental triggers such as allergens, tobacco smoke, and air pollution. Exercise is also a significant trigger for asthma attacks; however some cases cause the person to constantly struggle with their breathing despite exposure to any of the previously mentioned triggers. A CDC study revealed in 2007 that 34 million Americans have been diagnosed with Asthma.

For the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network collecting data can provide valuable information regarding the different challenges of having an Asthma diagnosis. The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network keeps track of emergency room visits, hospital stays, and deaths. Keeping track of these extreme events helps public health professionals and environmental health professionals better understand poor asthma management, lack of access to health care, and assess what might be a trigger in the environment. The data collected from these statistics can also help map regions with a high prevalence of asthma. For example this data may reveal a higher rate of asthma in a specific demographic of the regional population. Once public health professionals have collected this information they can better create a solution or plan to combat environmental triggers for asthma attacks.

National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. N.p., n.d. Google. Web. 30 Jan. 2015. <http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showHome.action>.

What is the Poison Control Center?

Poison Control Centers exist to offer the public confidential medical information and to reduce the frequency of expensive emergency medical treatment. Some Centers are able to offer their communities: prevention, assessment and treatment facilities, as well as immediate medical information.

By calling the national poison control hotline, the caller will be connected to their local poison control center, or the nearest one to them. In the state of Ohio callers will be directed to one of three state facilities, located in either Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus. There are a total of 55 Poison Control Centers in the United States. In 2013, 3.1 million calls were made to the national hotline.

Answering the phone will be a medical professional including either a pharmacist, nurse, or physician, from the Poison Control Center with which the caller has been connected. Most staff at Poison Control Centers have specified certification training on poison information, are considered "experts" and are trusted staff by local medical health care professionals, including paramedics. Even doctors and nurses call these Poison Control Centers for treatment advice on patients who show signs of poisoning.

Poison Control Centers act as a free public service, offering 24 hour medical advice. When faced with an emergency situation and still unsure whether or not to call 911 calling a Poison Control Center can help you assess a situation and decide whether or not emergency medical services are needed. This free services helps the public reduce costs spent in ambulances and emergency rooms every year, by offering advice on in-home treatment.

In their efforts to prevent future poison related emergencies, Poison Control Centers work together to update a national data base to document and track poisonings and the source of the poison. Potential substances to be tracked include: household products, specific foods and their origins, as well as workplaces that could be exposing staff to harmful chemicals, or a regional increase in insect bites or stings. The American Association of Poison Control Centers website includes informational pages that urge the public to get educated on poison control. These pages include ways to reduce the risk of a poisoning, to understand what household items are particularly dangerous, and what to do in case of an emergency. Overall the site exists to promote the calling of their national hotline in case of any poison related questions or emergencies.

For a Poison Emergency, please call 1-800-222-1222.

American Association of Poison Control Centers. AAPCC, n.d. Google. Web. 23 Jan. 2015. <http://www.aapcc.org/>.

"Central Ohio Poison Center." Nationwide Children's. Nationwide Children's, n.d. Google. Web. 23 Jan. 2015. <http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/poison-center>.

What is Environmental Health?

Environmental Health is a branch of the larger study of Public Health. Environmental Health specifically looks to study how factors in the environment can effect human health and development. Environmental scientists look to identify problems that could be occurring, to prevent any dangerous occurrences as well as to control the effects of the environment on human health as well as the effects of humans on the environment.

According to the World Health Organization, environmental health looks at physical, chemical as well as biological factors that could affect a person and all other variables that could impact behaviors.

Environmental health looks to prevent and control any potential hazards, and to improve human health. This study has opened up many career options since the first environmental concern regulation was announced in 1971. Environmental Health Professionals work for consulting companies, the state, county, and city health and environmental agencies, and even the federal government. With recent legislation changes over the last 50 years, and a growing interest in environmental health, the Peace Corps has taken a recent interest in recruiting environmental health professionals. Environmental Health Professionals strive to prevent, disease, injury, and disability from inhibiting the functions of the humans of any environment in which they live their daily lives.

According to HealthyPeople.gov, there are six primary elements of environmental health including: outdoor air quality, surface and ground water quality, toxic substances and hazardous waste, homes and communities, infrastructure and surveillance, and global environmental health. These six categories reveal the variety of studies and professions that environmental health presents the modern world. There are a great range of sub categories of Environmental Health which helps emphasize the point that there are a variety of environmental concerns to be discussed in regards to maintaining a safe and healthy environments for humans to live in. From the water that we drink to proper disposal of waste, from the agricultural development projects to the kitchen where our food is prepared Environmental Health Professionals take a look at how to maintain an external equilibrium for what goes in and surrounds our bodies.

"Environmental Health." World Health Organization. WHO, n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2015. <http://www.who.int/topics/environmental_health/en/>.

"Environmental Health." Healthy People. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2015. <https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/environmental-health>.