Please review the Discussion Board Grading Rubric in the Course Resources.
For each unit, you are required to post one initial response and two replies to your peers and/or professor. Your initial response should be at least 200 words and contain a reference list for the sources used to support your response; the word count minimum excludes the references. The responses to others should be at least 50 words each. Please be sure to cite all of your sources in APA format in accordance with the Discussion Board Grading Rubric.
Topic: Emerging Environmental Health Issue
Describe a current emerging environmental health issue. This could include concerns caused by a recent natural disaster, man-made disaster, or disease outbreak from food, water, or vectors.
Have we dealt with similar issues in the past? How can environmental health professionals use previous experience to respond to the current problem?
Respond to:
Karla Venegas posted Nov 13, 2024 9:56 PM
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There are different emerging environmental health issues arising all over the world. An emerging environmental health issue is climate change. Climate change affects the environment and the health of others. One of the things that climate change effects are the resources that humans need to survive. This includes the water supple and food supply (Environment, Climate Change, and Health. 2024). Climate change is an environmental health issue that effects the spread of diseases that include communicable, chemical, and unknown etiology (Environment, Climate Change, and Health. 2024). Climate change can cause natural disasters. In most cases, climate change can lead to lack of water, floods, poor sanitation, deceased food quality, and the spread of multiple diseases. The diseases are spread through water, contacts with people to person, and mercury or lead in the water from natural disasters that stem from climate change disasters. (Environment, Climate Change, and Health. 2024). Climate change affecting the environment has been as issue that the environment has dealt with in the past. Just this year we have had multiple hurricanes down in Florida and near that coast. Throughout history the warmer the earth gets the more it effects climate change and environmental health. Environmental health professionals can help with the current climate change issues by identifying trends or patterns when it comes to natural disasters. Another way that environmental professionals can use their previous experience is to surveillance early warning signs and communicate health hazards to the public know. (Fried, L. P. Sorensen C. J. 2024, March 22). Overall, by informing the public about how to address the lack of water, poor hygiene, floods, and diseases that break out could benefit gratefully so that they can be better prepared.
References
Environment, Climate Change, and Health. (2024). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/emergencies/disease-outbreaks
Fried, L. P. Sorensen C. J. (2024, March 22). Defining Roles and Responsibilities of the Health Workforce to Respond to the Climate Crisis. JAMA Network. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2816682
Elizabeth Maywalt posted Nov 14, 2024 12:42 PM
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Hi Everyone,
A pressing emerging environmental health issue where I am, in upstate New York, is PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in water supplies. These “forever chemicals,” that are found in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, and water-resistant fabrics, are persistent in both the environment and the human body. Several areas in New York, particularly near military bases and airports, have detected PFAS in public water systems, private wells, and local soils. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health issues such as cancer, liver damage, immune system dysfunction, and developmental problems in children.
While PFAS contamination is a relatively new public health challenge, similar issues, such as contamination from heavy metals and other industrial chemicals, have been faced in the past. An example of this would be the disaster in the 1970s referenced as the ‘Love Canal’, where chemical waste spilled into the water supply showing the effects of industrial contamination.
Environmental health professionals can utilize established methods for water testing, risk communication, and community engagement, as well as advocate for stronger regulations and cleanup efforts. Additionally, lessons learned from past contamination events can guide remediation strategies, including the use of filtration technologies and ongoing monitoring to reduce exposure risks in affected communities.
References:
NYS DOH. (2023, May). PFAS and Private Wells. New York State Department of Health. https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/pfasinprivatewells.htm#:~:text=PFAS%20in%20Drinking%20Water&text=PFAS%20have%20been%20detected%20in,and%20what%20steps%20are%20recommended.
Beck, E. (1979). The Love Canal Tragedy. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/archive/epa/aboutepa/love-canal-tragedy.html.