Arsenic

Arsenic is a heavy metal which can cause death in high exposures and can cause discoloration of the skin and the appearance of warts in low levels. It is one of WHO's 10 chemicals of public health concern. Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment. Inorganic arsenic compounds are formed when arsenic is formed with other elements such as sulfur, chlorine and oxygen. High levels of arsenic mainly occur in the workplace, hazardous works sites, and soil, rocks and water. Through the workplace, exposure occurs from eye contact, inhalation and ingestion.

Prevention can occur through providing safe water supply, safe food preparation, and irrigation of food crops. In order to reduce levels in drinking water certain things can be done: substitute safe water such as rain water and treated surface water, test the water for high levels, blend low and high arsenic water together, and install arsenic removal systems.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/arsenic/index.html

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs372/en/

Virus - Ebola

Ebola hemorrhagic is a virus that is still a dangerous virus for many people and animals. There has been a recent outbreak in Africa. Nonhuman primates are gorillas, monkeys, and chimpanzees. When one becomes infected, symptoms will happen suddenly. Symptoms have occurred sporadically since 1976. There are 5 subspecies of the Ebolavirus in which 4 have caused disease in humans: Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Tai Forest virus, Bundibugyo virus and Reston virus. Bats are expected to be the most likely reservoir.

Unfortunately, the beginning of an outbreak is unknown. Transmission can occur blood from an infected person, or exposure to contaminated objects. The disease spreads quickly and proper cleaning is extremely important.

Treatment is done by supportive therapy, which consists of: balancing fluids and electrolytes, maintaining blood pressure and oxygen, and treating complicating infections. Timely treatment is important if you suspect that you are contaminated with this virus.


http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/

Parasites - Giardia

Water is an essential part of everyone's life is order to live. It is used for many parts of our daily lives and will become detrimental if it becomes contaminated. A global water related disease infected by a parasite is known as Giardia. Giardia is a parasite that will cause a diarrheal illness. This parasite is microscopic and can be found in food, water and soil that is contaminated by feces from humans and animals. Dangerously this parasite can survive outside of the body for a vast majority of time due to its outer shell. Water is the most frequent method to become infected by either drinking water or recreational use and is tolerant to chlorine.

The life cycle of Giardia has two stages: infective and diagnostic. As described below the first part of the cycle is infected by the contamination of cysts. The second part is where excystation releases trophozoites in the small intestine. Next trophozoites multiply by binary fusion. Then the parasites go towards the colon and last they are passed in the stool where they are infectious.

Treatment is effective using drugs. Several different drugs can be used: metronidazole, tinidazole, and nitazoxanide.

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/giardia/index.html

Rachel Carson responsible for the deaths of millions African children

Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring showed the damaging effects on the environment. She ultimately helped with the ban of DDT for agricultural uses. She argues that pesticides have harmful effects and do more than just get rid of pests. However, some decisions have both intended and unintended consequences. Carson's movement was criticized by some declaring that her ban resulted in millions of deaths in African children. Malaria was thought to be the death of many people because DDT was known to kill mosquitoes. Therefore, without the effective pesticide to kill mosquitoes, the fight against malaria would be lost. Chemical poisons are known to work well in short term, but long term they can become resistant. DDT could lost its effect on killing mosquitoes. Carson claims that she did not call for an all out ban of DDT but that this resistance would increase the mosquito population anyways. Her book has improved the environmental movement, however it might take some people longer to learn of its effects.

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

Rachel Carson's contribution to the environmental movement was said to "alter the course of history". Her book helped with the banning of DDT, and made changes to laws that altered our water, air, and land. she describes chemicals as man's war against nature. For a very long time, many chemicals have been used in killing insects, weeds, rodents and other organisms. These chemicals, however, can be dangerous when it stays in the plants and soil. This is known as a chemical war, which is never won. The pesticides will enter the biosphere, kills bugs, and will eventually effect birds, fish, and eventually humans. These environmental concerns finally made its way to the American Public. Her movement, which did not receive positive feedback from chemical companies, finally helped in the creation of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.

http://www.environmentandsociety.org/exhibitions/silent-spring/overview

Blog 2

What are PCB's

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), is a chemical that is nonflammable that were used as heat transfer fluids. 
• They are colorless and odorless chemicals.
• They were banned in the United States in 1979 due to its toxicity to humans and wildlife. 
• Today it is listed in the top 10% of EPA's most toxic chemicals. 
• Proper disposal is necessary in order to not be released in environment. 

How someone is exposed

• Fish consumption is the main exposure, and is still being disposed of improperly.
• They enter into the environment through rivers, lakes and oceans.
• They do not easily break down and are kept in the fatty tissues of fish.
• People can be exposed to these fish if they live near hazardous wastes sites and consume the fish.
• Consuming the fish is dangerous when eaten and can be absorbed in the skin, lungs, and intestinal tract.

How to safely eat a contaminated fish

• Older and fattier fish are more contaminated.
• Filleting, baking or broiling will reduce the amount of PCB's that are consumed.
• First cut off the skin, head, and tail and take out internal organs.
• Along the backbone, cut off the dark fat on top of fish.
• Along the bottom of fish, slice off the fat from the belly.
• On the lateral line of each side, cut away the V-shaped wedge of fat.
• Never eat the fish raw.

This information is important in reducing PCB's in fish. Eating safe food is important for one's health and reduces death.

Blog 1

Choropleth Map




A choropleth map shows areas that are shaded or patterned in percentage to the dimension of the statistical variable being shown on the map and shows measurement and variability across a geographic area. The map uses shading, symbols, and coloring to show average values in that area. This map shows density of organophosphate pesticides in all contiguous United States counties in 2002.

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Isarithmic Map




An isarithmic map shows weather and participation value. It is a type of topographic map or contour map that prepares us for temperature and participation in a region and could prepare people for a flooding or drought. Isolines are used to show constant values. This map show the average of the annual temperatures for the United States. Temperature is shown at every point and does not change suddenly.


Dot Density Map




A dot density map shows a spatial pattern across a map. A dot can be used to represent one symbol for every individual. A target variable can be shown in its location and one can infer density. This map depicts count data and shows the Hispanic population.


Proportional Symbol Map



A proportional symbol map represents symbols varied in size to the value of an attribute in a geographic area. This map depicts the gross domestic production of mining throughout the United States in 2006.

Environmental Sensitivity Map (ESI)

An environmental sensitivity map (ESI) shows sensitive areas along the shoreline that are at risk of an oil spill. Colors and icons are used to mark these areas of risk. Areas and resources that are sensitive to oil include biological resources, human use resources, and sensitive shorelines. Priorities can be made of what needs to be taken first and emergency responders can be sent out to fix the problem.