Monday, May 12, 2014

Quote of the Day

“In the age of technology there is constant access to vast amounts of information. The basket overflows; people get overwhelmed; the eye of the storm is not so much what goes on in the world, it is the confusion of how to think, feel, digest, and react to what goes on.” 
― Criss JamiVenus in Arms

Friday, May 9, 2014

Quote of the Day

"I mean, is ‘fat’ really the worst thing a human being can be? Is ‘fat’ worse than ‘vindictive’, ‘jealous’, ‘shallow’, ‘vain’, ‘boring’ or ‘cruel’? Not to me; but then, you might retort, what do I know about the pressure to be skinny? I’m not in the business of being judged on my looks, what with being a writer and earning my living by using my brain…"
~ J.K. Rowling

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Air Pollution: Hazardous and Toxic Substances

My upper Midwestern home may not be the cleanest city in the world when it comes to environmental health issues, but it certainly could be considered one of the cleanest cities in the upper Midwest.  Researching heavy metal toxicity and hazardous substance health issues for my current environmental health course did not readily turn up anything outstanding.  Turning to the Environmental Protection Agency’s “My Environment” web page helped to narrow down health risks.  Under the My Health section is a list of the most common found hazardous substances and their environmental percentages; while Formaldehyde is number one on the list it was not listed under the CERCLA priority list of hazardous substances (Friis, 2012) that was a requirement of the assignment, so; my choice was to focus on the second most common hazardous substance in my community –Benzene.
            Benzene is both a natural substance and a manmade substance; highly flammable and slightly sweet smelling it is a colorless to light yellow liquid when at room temperature that can evaporate easily into the air.  Naturally occurring Benzene is found around volcanoes and during forest fires.  Production of Benzene is mainly found as a component in industries that make plastics, resins, dyes, synthetic fibers, and pesticides and is ranked among the top twenty chemicals used in production in the United States.  Unfortunately in the event of Benzene exposure there is no antidote for Benzene poisoning.  The severity of Benzene poisoning is dependent upon the quantity and length of exposure.  Benzene exposure is dangerous due to how it reacts in the human body.  Benzene attacks the cells in the body starting at the site of exposure and causes them to stop working correctly.  Blood cells are the most susceptible to Benzene allowing for exposure to become systemic causing issues with bone marrow production, a decrease in the number of red blood cells, and a decrease in immune function.  These affects on the body can lead to anemia, prolonged bleeding time, and cancers like leukemia.  
            Exposure to Benzene most often occurs through inhalation and is found around gas stations, the emissions for motor vehicles, and industrial complexes the biggest culprit of Benzene exposure comes from the inhalation of cigarette smoke.  Benzene levels can often be found at higher levels more so indoors than outside.  Indoor exposure to Benzene comes from the glues and waxes used in furniture manufacturing, detergents, and paints.  Because of its ease of exposure and toxicity level, the Environmental Protection Agency has it listed “as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under the National Emissions Standard Hazardous Air Pollutants section of its Clean Air Act” (OSHA).
            The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict guidelines for industry and workers who handle Benzene on the job.  Because of Benzene’s ability to evaporate easily, job sites need to make precautions available to prevent spills and splashes, provide employees with personal protective equipment and respirators designed to protect against Benzene.  Routine medical examinations of employees who handle Benzene or work in areas with high concentration levels of Benzene are recommended.  For workplace preventative exposure measures, employers are required by OSHA standards to provide personal protective equipment from full body cover to air purifying respirators. The respiratory protection standard for  Benzene  according to OSHA’s standard’s 29 CFR 1910.1028(g)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910-1028(g)(3)(i) state  that “The employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with § 1910.134(b) through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii), (d)(3)(iii)(b)(1) and (2)), and (f) through (m), which covers each employee required by this section to use a respirator” (OSHA).
            The health effects of Benzene exposure are serious with its primary route of transmission occurring through either inhalation or direct skin contact.  Though Benzene is not readily absorbed through the skin, there are instances that can speed up the process, such as; open wounds and when in combination with other chemicals that are readily absorbed.  Health effects to the skin include irritation at the sight and prolonged dermal exposure can cause drying, scaling, and secondary infections.  Inhalation of Benzene when in high concentrations act as a stimulant to the central nervous system and exposure is noted by changes in mood such as nervous excitement, giddiness, periods of depression, drowsiness, and/or fatigue.  The individual may experience sensations of tightness within the chest along with shortness of breath followed by loss of consciousness. If the individual is not removed from the area or if they experience a severe exposure their symptoms will progress to tremors, convulsions, and respiratory paralysis which will ultimately result in death within several hours from exposure.
            Post exposure measures are just as important as preventative measures.  Some measures are as simple as moving out of the exposure area especially in the event of a Benzene leak.  Removing clothing that may have become contaminated with liquid Benzene, cutting off those items of clothing that would require removal over the head so as to avoid contaminating the exposed skin on the face and causing harm to the eyes and nasal passages.  Remove any Benzene contamination to the skin with a thorough washing with lots of soap and water, and rinsing eyes for a minimum of ten minutes if they are burning.  Contaminated clothing and contacts (if worn) need to be disposed of properly in a plastic bag using rubber gloves to avoid further personal contamination.  If an individual is suspected of drinking or ingesting Benzene it is important that they do not vomit and if they are unconscious not to do CPR, rather calling paramedics is of the highest priority. 
            With Benzene such a dangerous chemical, what actions are being taken to reduce exposure and accumulation of Benzene particles in the air?  Through agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and laws like the Clean Air Act, there are steps to reduce air toxicity and pollution directed at some of the sources and causes for the reduction of Benzene levels within the air we breathe.  Benzene is listed on the EPA’s list of mobile source air toxins for both on-road and non-road vehicles/equipment.  As of 2007, the EPA has ruled that Benzene levels within gasoline and diesel need to be reduced in order to reduce the amount of Benzene emitted in the form of exhaust.  Limiting or reducing one source of Benzene from the air will greatly reduce exposure to the general populace.  Minneapolis takes the EPA standard for reduction of Benzene further with their anti-idling vehicle ordinance; limiting the amount of time commercial and private vehicles can sit while simultaneously saving fuel and reducing the Benzene levels in the air.  This is important in that Minneapolis, like most urban areas, can potentially have higher air toxin levels of many different compounds that can be just as destructive to health as Benzene.


Reference:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Emergency Preparedness and Response:
Facts about Benzene.  cdc.gov. Retrieved from: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp
Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). Overview: Pollutants and Programs: Mobile Source
Air Toxins.  Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/toxics.htm
Environmental Protection Agency. (un). My Environment: 55417 zip code. epa.gov. Retrieved
Friis, R.H. (2012). Essentials of Environmental Health (2nd edition). Chapter 6: CERCLA
Priority List of Hazardous Substances; page 130.  Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration.  (un).  Medical Surveillance Guidelines for
Benzene.  Regulations (Standards -29 CFR). US Department of Labor.  Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10045
Occupational Safety & Health Administration.  (un). OSHA Standards. US
Department of Labor.  Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/benzene/standards.html
Occupational Safety & Health Administration.  (un). Safety and Health Topics: Benzene. US
Department of Labor.  Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/benzene/