M10.1: Blog about video

I work at a coffee shop and am constantly exposed to Bisphenol A (receipts) and bleach. When I started we were steaming the milk cartons to fold up to save room in the recycling bin. But I brought up the issue that we are exposing ourselves to the plastic fume when we steam the cartons. Since the plastic is soft enough, we can still fold the carton smaller to save room in the recycling bin. According to the hierarchy of controls, the change happened on the administrative controls level. I wish we can eliminate use of receipts but it's not feasible at a coffee shop. Currently, I can only think of wearing gloves while working to not be exposed to BPA so that's controlling exposure by means of PPE. As the hierarchy shows, it is the least effective measure because not all of my coworkers wear gloves while working (especially while working at the register) and it's not only the person at register who comes in contact with receipts. Instead of bleach, we should substitute it with non-harmful cleaning agents. Currently, most people wear gloves while in contact with bleach but everyone can be exposed to the smell of bleach. I wish we can eliminate/substitute bleach and substitute receipt paper to create a healthier working environment for the workers and patrons at the café.

M9.2: Six chemical classes

The six videos are short and informative. They are great overviews for learning about each of the classes of chemicals.

I explored more in-depth about bisphenol and phthalates. They are found in substantial amounts in marine and freshwater ecosystems which can cause hormone disruption, harming aquatic life.
Many plastic products have been now labeled BPA free but they are often replaced with Bisphenol S and Bisphenol F which are less studied but appear to have similar hormone disrupting effects. Similarly, phased-out phthalates are often replaced with other phthalates with similar harmful properties. Early life exposure to BPA is linked to asthma and neurodevelopmental problems such as hyperactivity, depression, and aggression. It's been found to link with obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, decreased fertility, and prostate cancer in adults. Prenatal and early exposure to phthalates is linked with asthma, allergies, and cognitive as well as behavioral problems. In adult men, it is associated with reduced fertility and reproductive development in boys.

M9.4: Heavy metals

Interesting history of lead poisoning 
I remember learning about the history of lead in undergrad and the wide use it had in not just Rome but other countries such as China (used to make coins), Egypt (glazed pottery, made statues) and other countries used to make weapons.
I'm curious about houses build before the 50s and whether anything has been done to remove the lead paint exposure at home. At this point, there should not be any lead contained products because research has made strong association between lead exposure and the deleterious harm it poses on the health of humans.

Lead poisoning in Nigeria 
I'm extremely saddened to learn about the lead outbreak that killed more than 400 children...That's a serious case of lead exposure death. I imagine village stakeholders are seldom invited to participate in the decision making process that affects villages. It's good to see that the intervention included stakeholders from all levels and created safer mining areas as well as providing chelation treatment that reduced the blood lead levels among children.

M9.3: Green chemistry

I've never heard of green or sustainable chemistry but I love that this exists. The 12 principles are aligned with what sustainable chemicals should be and it's great to see that one of the principles is to reduce waste at production because it takes away all the work related to treating and cleaning up the chemicals that are released. I'm not sure how much, if at all, this topic is being taught in institutions, especially chemistry and environmental science courses. With the emergence of all the green movements, we need to equip those who are going into the field the appropriate education and training to curve climate change.

M7.8: Topic of Interest

My topic of interest is food waste management.

At the federal level, EPA provides information, resources, and leads programs to combat food waste. The website is well done, by providing basic information (+infographic) to understand the issue, resources for what businesses, institutions, and other organizations can do, as well as what individuals can do to curve the huge food waste issue in the U.S.

At the state level, CalRecycle provides information and resources for food waste and management. This site also provides news on passing of state bills relates to waste management.

At the local level, SF Environment provides information and resources for food waste and food waste management. The city is aiming to become zero waste by 2020. Recently, the city expanded more items that can be recycled, such as clean plastic bags/packaging and the sort, as well as textiles and clothing. SFRecycles is another great local resource.

M7.7: Agency's Role

I looked up the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) which is part of the US Department of Energy. 

Vision: A strong and prosperous America powered by clean, affordable, and secure energy

Mission: To create and sustain American leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy

EERE is currently operating based on their 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and Implementing Framework. The plan has seven goals (see picture below) which the office is aiming to accomplish by 2020. 

M7.4: Local environmental services

SF Department of Public Health (SFDPH)
SFDPH has an environmental health section that details a wide range of environmental health services. These include issuing permits for restaurants, caterers, farmers markets, licensed health care facilities, mobile food facilities, pop-ups, temporary food facilities, and massage businesses. Other services include noise regulation; hazardous material and waste regulation; body art facility inspections/regulations; healthy housing; rodents, mosquitoes and other insects; water, air, smoke; agriculture; lead prevention; and agriculture enforcements.

Another service that I found interesting is the Program on Health, Equity and Sustainability (PHES). This program applies innovative approaches to using health data and evidence to inform safe, sustainable and equitable planning and policy, in collaboration with local communities and government agencies. Many cities/counties are establishing equity offices to tackle health care and health disparities. I'm glad to see this program as part of SFDPH.


SF Environment
Services at the SF Environment is divided into energy, transportation, zero waste, toxics & health, buildings & environments, education & equity, and climate change. Again, I was drawn to the education & equity section. In the overview, it describes this service as embracing the concept of environmental justice, the fair and meaningful involvement of all people - regardless of race, ethnicity, income or education level - in environmental decision-making. I appreciate the word choice of meaningful involvement because diversity is not simply about adding people of color but how they can be involved in the process of decision-making. I'm glad to see that this program is providing curriculums to K-12 schools in SF.

M11.5: Zero waste life

I've heard of zero waste lifestyle and watched some videos on it. I'm always trying to take steps toward that but it's way harder than the speaker from the TedTalk makes it sound. Making your own products is one way to do it but there is so much more than that. Living a zero waste lifestyle is extremely time consuming and costly which I think the speaker should have addressed it but I appreciate the brief introduction to the topic.

My mom and I are conscious of the waste we produce at home and try to be sustainable. Some things I want to do as a family is to grow more produce in our back yard (my grandma is staying with us for half a year and she's a great gardener so I'm excited about this!), install solar panels on the roof, and reuse the plastic bags and ziplock bags that we got years ago. 

M10.2: MSDS and ToxNet

Sodium hydroxide MSDS

• What are the health risks associated with this chemical?

Very hazardous when it comes in contact with skin (corrosive, irritant, permeator), eyes (irritant, corrosive), ingestions, or inhalation. Eye contact can result in corneal damage or blindness. Skin contact can result in inflammation and blistering. Severe over-exposure can result in lung damage, choking, unconsciousness or death. 

• Is the chemical a carcinogen?

No, it's not a carcinogen

• What personal protective equipment or special precautions should be taken when working with this chemical?

Precautions include: keeping container dry, never add water to the chemical, and not breath in dust. It's advised to wear respiratory equipment when there is insufficient ventilation. The chemical should be kept away from oxidizing agents, reducing agents, metals, acids, alkalis, moisture. 

• If this is a chemical found in your workplace, what training/education were you given about any risks associated with this chemical?

This is one of the chemicals used at my mom's lab. I believe she was trained/educated during med school and by a coworker when she first started working in labs. 

M10.8: Occupationally related disease

I chose to research on byssinosis because I had never heard of it before.

Byssinosis is an occupational lung disease that mainly affects workers in cotton processing, hemp or flax industries (American Lung Association, n,d). Byssinosis causes asthma-like breathing difficulty, usually at the beginning of the work week and improves as the work week progresses or dust exposure decreases/stops. Prolonged exposure may cause lung damage that is similar to irreversible chronic obstructive lung disease.

OSHA issued the Cotton Dust Standard on June 2, 1978 and amended it on December 12, 1985. The Cotton Dust Standard is to reduce the significant risk of byssinosis (U.S. Department of Labor, 2000). Before the establishment of the Standard, more than 50,000 cotton textile workers suffered from the disease at any one time. The Standard sets maximum permissible exposure limits (PELs) for cotton dust which vary by operation. The Standard contributed to increased industry productivity growth, from 2.5% per year in 1972-79 to 3.5% per year in 1979-1991. States with cotton textile industries have adopted cotton dust standards which are virtually identical to the Federal standard.

To date, the Federal Cotton Dusts Standard is still in effect to protect workers from risk of byssinosis.



References:

American Lung Association. (n,d). Lung health & diseases: Byssinosis. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/byssinosis/

United States Department of Labor. (2000). Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/federalregister/2000-12-07-1

M10.5: Occupational safety & health organization

I looked up Cal/OSHA's Valley Fever safety information program, which is more of an informative guide for employers than an actual program.

I didn't know what Valley Fever was so I was interested to find out. Valley Fever is caused by a microscopic fungus called Coccidiodes immitis and lives in the top 12 inches of soil. When soil is distributed by digging, driving, or high winds, fungal spores can become airborne and be inhaled by workers. Work-related cases of Valley Fever at solar installation plants in the Central Valley have become a health risk for workers.

The page mentions how Valley Fever can be prevented, what activities increase the risk of Valley Fever and what employers need to do when workers report symptoms of Valley Fever symptoms. What is evidently lacking from this information guide is a description of what the symptoms are so employers can look out for and inform their employees. 

M8.5: Ideal Chemical Policy

An ideal chemical policy would ensure all chemicals meet a safe level exposure test. It would require that all chemicals degrade safely within a certain period of time to reduce prolonged risk of exposure. One thing that sticks with me since I learned about it is the persistence of chemicals in the environment. It shocks me that decades later, some of the harmful chemicals that have been banned are still detected in our bodies and in newborns as well. Just like compost is good for the environment, chemicals in the environment should be able to safely degrade too.

M8.4: Chemical Policy Reform

Background paper #3: Give the public and workers the full right-to-know and participate

Since this class, I've learned about so many environmental hazards and issues that I didn't know before. We are all exposed to toxic chemicals in our daily lives that we are not aware of. Our "right-to-know" in this paper refers to the routine, systematic, public reporting of chemicals rather than access to government documents. A few examples listed in the paper include: lead paint right-to-know, in which sellers/landlords must let buyers/renters know about known lead paint hazards. Drinking water right-to-know ensures water utilities provide consumer confidence reports included in water bills to customers.

Right to participate is the opportunities to be involved in decisions that affect people's health, safety, and environment. For example, under OSHA, workers have the right to request a workplace inspection and participate in the inspection process. Right to participate is just as important as right-to-know because it is being engaged and involved in decision making, not only being informed about the hazards.