Blog #1:Module introduction

• Define environmental health

My definition of environmental health encompasses social, physical and mental well-being that can be impacted either positively or negatively from the surrounding environments we live in.  Studies have illustrated that there are many pollutants that can cause disease and disabilities from noise, particulate matter, microorganisms, chemical and vapors produced by industries in close proximity to communities.  Mental stress from increasing urbanization takes away green space from the communities affected.  Particulate matter from automobiles and commerical vehicles release pollutants in form of particulate matter, causing most respiratory diseases we know today; the most common and prevalent disease is asthma.  If communities live near agriculture, they are exposed to pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, chemicals then seep into the soil and ground water affecting the health of populations who consume it's products.  

My DNP project is on Valley Fever, it is caused by a microorganism, a fungal spore that is aeroilzed and inhaled by people who work in soil disturbing activities such as soil tilling, construction, and wild land fire clearing.  The fungus spore is called coccidioides, and the disease is also known as coccidioidomycosis.  This illness affects people who are more vulnerable to this infection by the occupations they engage in or the communities they live in from the surrounding soil-disturbance industries.

• List the environmental health risks in my home

I used the Davis-home-environmental-health-and-safety assessment tool to assess any hazards in or around my home.  I had few products in my home that I regularly use for cleaning.  I also use a pest control service, knowing fully that these chemicals seep into the soil and inhaled by the person spraying.  However, I do have fire and carbon-dioxide sensors in my home, and I do subscribe to a home safety company for theft, fire and emergency services.  I do not live near any industries with construction around my neighborhood around fracking, incinerators or agriculture, and I do not use well-water.  There is some minor residential construction within a 2 mile radius from my home.

Consider the role of nurses and other professionals in environmental health

My goal of an environmental improvement project is to address two issues:  the first, is to implement an educational program on Valley Fever to PCPs in the rural and occupational health clinic in Fresno County.  The project will be designed to teach PCPs on Valley Fever symptoms, etiology of the disease, its process and routes of infection in order to diagnose the disease sooner than later, and to screen vulnerable individuals who might be exposed to the coccidiodes spore.  My second project is through the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) working on land use in the South industrial area of Fresno, where communities around this area will be exposed to air and noise pollution from the development of the land around them for the State's high speed rail system.  My role with ANHE is to assist in the preparation of an environmental impact report through my community based organization called 'Building Healthy Communities' to the city of Fresno on the environmental impact it can have to this population of individuals who live around the high speed rail site.  This project will not prevent the development of the project but with the presentation of evidenced based literature, the city will consider filtering the impact of the pollution anticipated.