Oakland Sewage Treatment Facility

In my community of Oakland, the main sewage treatment facility is run by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and it is located in Oakland under the start of the Bay Bridge. Here, the sewage is treated and recycled, and some of it is disposed of into the Bay. Oakland's Public Works Department helps maintain the city sewage pipes so that it makes it to this treatment plant.

Tap Water Campaign Slogan

Some slogan ideas:

Targeting individual behavior: YOU can make a difference. Choose tap. (and provide a couple details on why tap is the better choice).

Clap 4 Tap! (insert picture of clapping hands and include some facts on why we should celebrate tap water).

Tap Water FTW!! (Tap water for the win!!): include a picture of tap water in a wrestling wring with bottled water, tap water wins and there are some facts about why).

Consumer Confidence Report: Water Quality

In doing some research of the water supply in my area, I found out a few things. I already knew that my water is supplied from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), but where does it really come from? And what is in it?

• The water I drink comes from Pardee Reservoir, a reservoir that holds water from the Mokelumne River about 90 miles east of the Bay Area
• Some chemicals that are in this water at surprising levels are:
• flouride: very little! Less than 0.1 mcl
• lead: more than I expected- 3 mcl when the goal is 0.2
• chlorine: 2.4 mcl, when the goal is 4. This is not as high as desired (since chlorine helps disinfect the water)
• trihalomethanes (ppb): this was very high, at 75 when the highest level allowed is 80.
• The report explained that this high level was caused from excessive precipitation and run-off  after the drought which increased organic materials in the water source
• Some unexpected chemicals in the water:
• copper and aluminum. I think this makes sense, maybe this come from the pipes
• Associated health risks with large/long term exposure to these chemicals:
• lead: especially harmful to children and pregnant women, can be a neurotoxicant and cause brain damage, birth defects, reproductive issues, damage to other organs
• trihalomethanes: neurotoxicity and harmful impact on other organs i.e. liver, kidneys, heart

I drink tap water and I do not use a filter. I have drank filtered water before, and I notice a slight difference. I think it filters out some left over sediments. I also do not drink bottled water- I could connect with the video in that I am someone who often thinks "Water is basically free why buy it?". Plus, I find tap water satisfying, it does not bother me. The video was interesting in how it pointed out advertising tactics around persuasion.

Importance of Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act of 1972 prioritized safe drinking water as well as the protection of all life. It not only considered the impact of contaminated water on human health, but ecological health, too. With healthier water, our planet has healthier wildlife like fish and plants. We eat these organisms, and if they are living in contaminated waters then we are also impacted. The Clean Water Act was also considerate of increasing fresh water resources and helped regulate industry standards/actions on water management and pollution. Overall the Clean Water Act has held significant public health importance on the quality and protection of life.

Fragrance Policies

Based on the articles, there exists large amount of indoor and outdoor air pollution from a variety of sources that primarily impacts vulnerable populations, such as children. Pollutants irritate the internal bodily systems/functions (such as the lungs). Personal care products also irritate humans, especially children, since they contain fragrances that are irritants to the eyes and skin. 

Some ideas to develop and implement a fragrance-free policy in the hospital could include hospital workers being not allowed to use fragrance/powerful scented products or wear perfume/cologne. Hospital bathrooms could also only include fragrance free soap. There could be signs around the hospital saying "Scent Free Zones" and asking visitors and patients to be mindful of the impact of fragrances and to refrain from wearing them when in the hospital. 

In schools, I think the administration would need to reach out to parents and ask them to try to use fragrance free products on their children, since scents may disturb other children and teachers. There could be parent workshops or flyers to give out to parents with more information and encourage alternative methods to hygiene. Teachers could also be asked to not wear scents. 

Overall, I do not think we can fully control the personal care products people use on themselves or their children. We can make fragrance free policies in the workplace, however, and do our best to educate others on being respectful of impact. 

Breathe Easy in a Radon Free Home

For my National Awareness Campaign, I would want the campaign to cause the audience to ask themselves about the radon safety of their home. I may take the family appeal approach, where there would be billboards and TV advertisements showing families outside of their home, smiling because they know they are living in a radon safe home. There could be the question, "Are you Radon safe?"

I'd like to use the slogan, "Breathe Easy in a Radon Free Home". If this slogan were on a billboard, there would be a statistic about the prevalence of radon in homes, and then include a statement on the simplicity of doing a home test. Lastly, there would be a website or phone # that readers could use to get more information.

In regards to stakeholders, I would like to partner with the EPA or NIH to acquire funding for free home radon testing kits, so this could reduce the barrier to acquiring a home test and increase the use of them. I could then advertise on the billboard "Call this # for a free radon test kit".  I would also like to collaborate with various radon inspection companies, not only to promote their business and advertising, but also in hopes that more frequent, affordable home visits can be done.

Library ToxNet: Bleach

While reading though one of the articles on our EnviRN Evidence lectures, there is further discussion around cleaning products and the chemicals within them that may lead to, or exacerbate, asthma. One of these products is bleach. Bleach contains chlorine which releases sodium hypochlorite, an irritant gas. This is a significant respiratory hazard and explains why recurrent use and exposure to bleach may cause asthma.

Source: https://noharm.org/sites/default/files/lib/downloads/cleaners/Risks_to_Asthma_Guide.pdf

Transportation

I have a car and I definitely drive places when they are walkable distances or can be accessed by bus. I recognize that having a car allows me to (at times) be lazy and not get physical activity that I would otherwise get if I did not have a car. Having a car is also so convenient and I appreciate this privilege. I try to carpool when I know friends and I are going to the same places just to reduce the amount of cars in use at one time. I know this may barely have an impact on the environment but I still think about it. 

I take the bus on occasion because I actually really enjoy it- I like to people watch out the window. But again, I have never had to truly rely on the bus or public transportation so I see how my perspective on the bus is more positive since I ride it on my own time/with leisure. 

After reading the articles I am still left wondering a lot about BART services. How beneficial is it on air quality (both within BART trains and at BART stations). Another thing missing from the articles we read about public transportation is its affordability. BART ticket prices, in my opinion, are not reasonable and can contribute to people feeling discouraged in using it. 

Also I am wondering about how the Uber and Lyft companies are impacting the environment (are more cars being driven because of it?) as well as individual health. These services may discourage use of public transportation or walking to places (yet they also may target an audience who has the privilege of being able to choose between transportation services- i.e. people who have more money, people who have smart phones, etc).

Air Pollution

• Who and what are the top polluters in your zip code?
• These companies and chemicals are ones found in Oakland, where I live within Alameda County. 
• Who: Pacific Galvanizing Inc, Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc, Cleveland Steel Container Corp, B&P Marble Inc.
• What: ammonia, lead, styrene, tripollutants
• Additional chemicals in Alameda County: glycol ethers, xylene, toluene, trimethylbenzene, methanol.

• What percent of the homes in your zipcode have lead-based paint?
• 3% in Alameda County have homes with lead based paint. 

• Are there Superfund sites in your zip?
• There are 2 Superfund Sites in Alameda County. A Superfund Site is a major toxic waste site. 

• What can you tell us about the Superfund sites that are near where you live?
• They are located in Livermore (about a 40 minute drive from where I live in Oakland). They are Lawrence Livermore Lab sites. They are waste sites containing "waste lagoons and wells", waste tanks above and below ground and landfills.

• What did you learn about the air quality in your zipcode?




• Alameda County was ranked "among the dirtiest/worst 10% of all counties in the U.S." (Yikes! This is awful to hear! I am also not very surprised since the city here is so full of cars, people, industries, pollutants, etc).

• How about the water quality?
• One of the dirtiest/worst water qualities in the nation! (within the 80-90th percentile). Pollutants include: mercury, pesticides, metals and PCBs. 

• How did your zipcode fair on a social justice / environmental justice basis?
• Better than I expected. Communities of color and white communities are very close in regards to toxic exposures and risk of cancer. Communities of color are at slightly higher risk. Superfund sites are in a predominantly white community of Livermore. But facilities emitting air pollutants are twice as high in communities of color. 

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice is a concept that I never deeply explored but I find really fascinating, and I enjoyed reading the Principles of Environmental Justice written in 1991 by the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit. This runs closely with environmental racism, especially as I read about the impacts on low income communities of color and how they are further marginalized by corporate indifference and racism through production site pollution. This directly relates to Black Lives Matter. These communities are seen as less worthy or valuable and their health is overlooked. Furthermore, their voice is silenced when trying to advocate for their health and pursue justice. 

This also fits into the concept of social determinants of heath. One determinant is location of where you live, which has an impact on health outcomes. For example, many individuals who live near the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond have increased asthma and hospital related visits since the air quality has been impacted by the refinery (https://atlantablackstar.com/2015/02/12/8-horrifying-examples-of-corporations-mistreating-black-communities-with-environmental-racism/2/).

I connect with the EPA's definition of Environmental Justice. I think it is inclusive and thoughtful, but there is a gap in regards to accountability. I am not seeing the true consideration and implementation of EJ in communities of color and I wonder what more the EPA can do in order to uphold the true definition of EJ. 

Vulnerable Populations

The focus of this module was on vulnerable populations including low income individuals, minority populations, pregnant women and children.

The TED talk was inspiring me to be an "upstreamist."  I am learning to focus on root causes of health issues and how to collaborate with communities in order to find solutions. I also feel inspired by my MPH cohort because I think we are learning how to become upstreamists together!

The video on "Little Things Matter" shocked me in showing how chemical exposures and toxins such as lead significantly influence IQ. Ultimately, low exposure matters because there are measurable, harmful cumulative impacts (and not just on IQ!). The narrator mentions how some things are in our control, such as the food we buy (i.e. canned foods vs fresh foods) but this was a controversial statement to me- thinking about food justice and affordability- sometimes people have to purchase less healthier options bc that is less expensive. I did agree with the need for much more increased regulation in production!

Biomonitoring- Hypothetical Lab Results

If those were my hypothetical lab results, I would feel VERY disturbed.  I would think that I would have neuro and reproductive issues, since the majority of those chemicals impact those functions. I would not doubt that I would end up with a disease, maybe cancer, and infertility. I would feel incredibly sad and helpless over this news, and confused on where/how all those chemicals got into my body.

Personal Care Products: Response to Ken Cook Video

There are so many chemical unknowns it is almost scary to think about our silent daily exposures! But I like this challenge to be more aware and think about possible cumulative effects- on both self and the environment.

What stuck with me from the video was Cook's slogan around "harmful until proven safe." This is so true and it is unbelievable to me how industries get away with the use and exposure of chemicals without either knowing the effects or, knowing the effects but claiming that low doses will not be harmful. It makes me wonder what the people working for these industries feel is ethically and morally right. Are these workers fully aware of the circumstances? Also, I can see how Cook's descriptions may also be controversial to these chemical industries, corporations, or even the FDA, since it can be taken as criticism to their work or as opinion rather than fact. But this is fact! As Cook says, there needs to be some serious reconsideration and action on how to protect the people, not the polluters. The people can only do so much- chemical industries have a lot of power over our livelihood and therefore physical wellbeing.

Household Products

Product #1: Seventh Generation Lemon Dish Soap

The label on this dish soap advertises being non-toxic, so my expectation was that this product would not be too harmful, which is the case. It is a minimal eye and skin irritant, and has no known health hazards or carcinogens. I'm glad to know this since dish soap is something I use everyday- it comes in contact with not only my hands but the utensils/dishes that I eat with.

Product #2: Swiffer Wet Floor Wipes w/ Mop

I was more nervous to find out what was in these, especially since they have such a strong fragrance and are a powerful cleaner. However, it is non-toxic and a non carcinogen, yet may have acute health effects especially in regards to ingestion and skin irritation of dry skin. The ingredient is almost all water, which was surprising but makes sense, with the addition of some preservatives and ethers.

Personal Care Products

Product #1: Secret Deodorant "Spring Breeze"

I was very anxious waiting for the results to load on this product since I use it everyday (and love the scent!). I almost did not want to know how bad it is. But, it was not as bad as I expected. The overall hazard is "low to moderate", with no reproductive health hazard and and very low cancer risk. The main concern is its fragrance causing allergies and irritation. I also feel bad about its ecotoxicology. I am unsure if that is a result from production, use, or disposal. I feel confident in continuing to use this product, although my friend recently made her own eco-friendly deodorant and I am interested in trying that out!

Product #2: Pantene Smooth and Sleek Conditioner w/ Argan Oil

For some reason I expected this one to be higher in toxicity (and it is) at a moderate level of overall hazard. It also did not have reproductive or high cancer risk. A main concern being its fragrance ingredients that can lead to irritations and allergies, and the fragrance can also lead to moderate organ system toxicity which I did not expect. There is an ingredient "methylisothiazolinone" that contributes to low neurotoxicity (yikes!). I'm left wanting to know more about its high occupational hazard and what that entails. Overall, still planning to use this product (at least until the bottle runs out!)

This assignment has me relating to the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change- I am in the pre-contemplation stage (honestly just not ready to reduce use or change personal care products, but I will move forward with taking this into consideration!)