Tuesday, November 13, 2018
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
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.
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