Radon Campaign
Using local media, advertisements in popular magazines and in health clinics are the main targets for the awareness and education of radon. I would use my organization the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) to make the public aware, just as health care providers promote the influenza vaccine for the prevention of the flu. The stakeholders accountable for the health of the community will be the local public health department and the PCPs who must educate their patients and the public on radon exposure, testing, prevention and resolution. If radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, then it is only prudent to supply every home with a radon detector, along with smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. This policy will ensure a preventable environmental catastrophe and health of the community.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Following the recommendations of the CDC video on carbon monoxide (CO2) poisoning, during the patient's health visit, it is important to ask about the home and work environment. What are the sources of potential CO2 exposures that could negatively affect the health of my patient. Like annual exam screening questions, CO2, radon and VOCs exposure can be asked on the patient assessment paperwork. The PCP will review the health questionnaire and manage the patient from the information provided.
VOCs
I have at least three if not more VOCs in my home because I am a clean freak and germaphobe. I like to clean with bleach and other chemicals that are contained in my cleaning products. When I do use them I vent the rooms but sometimes, the ventilation is not adequate enough for the stronger VOCs I use, as a result, I have a sore irritated throat for about 2 days. Learning more about toxic environmental exposures in this course, I have become more selective on the cleaning products I use. My workplace has many VOCs as well from disinfectants to the cleaning supplies used in the office.
Formaldehyde
I would have them watch the video on the Brazilian blowout, then educate then that formaldehdye use and the risk of crossing over into the baby via the placenta. Formaldehyde is not only toxic to the mother but it can also cause birth defects while the baby is in uterus because it is carcinogenic.
Hey Michelle, radon monitoring should be incorporated as we both say into smoke and CO monitoring. I'm sure somewhere on Amazon, there is a category somewhere for units combining all three.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the ROS questions.
I'm still a bit of a germophobe, part of being a good nurse I guess...so I use strong(ish) chemicals to clean and I've been threatened with bath size bottles of Purell...I can only use bleach in the laundry. I can't use any aerosolized or 'wipe' type bleach product, like you said, for 2 days or so I have an awful taste in my mouth, HA, so on.
Formaldehyde - Funny story, sorry, when I hear this word, being an anthropologist, I automatically see in my mind the bottle containing formaldehyde and my professor's (perfectly well) child's external coccyx removed at birth. He asked the obstetrician for it and this was before the days of Universal Precautions, etc. He was my Evolutionary Anthro prof., that 'tail' was one of his many proofs of evolutionary science. He always said if it had been prehensile he would have let the kid keep it...
Anyhoo, formaldehyde is indeed a known teratogen, it's bad news for adults, and critical news for expectant Moms, embryos/fetuses, and neonate/pediatric populations.
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, very detail, I agreed with you that public measure may reduce CO exposure. Whatever work settings we found ourselves, we must promote CO awareness and safety practice among colleagues and patients. Those in nursing leadership position should partner with community leaders and legislators to advocate for residential CO alarm requirement in city and county laws and building codes.We can all join hands to make a difference in our communities.