M1.5: EH Home Assessment

My parent's house was built in the 1940s in the outer Sunset district. We found documents recording safe level of exposure to radon to residents within my district but was not able to find paperwork documenting lead tests. Which makes me concerned. According to the assessment tool, houses built before 1978 should be tested for lead. Currently, there are two people living on the first floor of the house. We learned in class that those who live in the basement have higher exposure to radon radiation from since they're closer to the ground.

Residents and local department of building inspection should be responsible for home-based environmental health risks. Departments need to enforce safe housing codes such as installation of vents for gas appliances and testing for lead and radon. Residents have an equal part for exposures at home. There is a smoker in my family and the best compromise we came to is for him to smoke in the garage. It's not ideal for anyone's health because we all know secondhand smoke travels and lingers. Our home environment risk exposures are very much affected by all who inhibit the house.

M1.4: Environmental Exposures

The environmental exposures activity reminded me of when my undergraduate toxicology professor asked about environmental exposures we can find in our homes. Besides cleaning agents such as bleach, dish washing liquids, and laundry detergents I couldn't think of anything else... She brought up candles and air fresheners as examples and I was a bit surprised because I had never thought about lighting candles in my room as exposing myself to chemicals. I'm sure it's okay to light a scented candle every so often but I much prefer opening windows for fresh air now. 

I'm not surprised that we were able to come up with so many different types of exposures during our activity. There are countless exposures around us no matter where we go, who we are, and what we do. Simultaneously, who we are, what we do, and where we live and frequent (essentially, social determinants of health) do affect the quantity and type of exposure we are exposed to. I'm anxious but look forward to learning more in-depth about the environmental exposures that surround us.