Browsing by Subject "Environmental Monitoring"
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item A Critical Review of the One Hour and the Eight Hour Standards for Ozone with an Overview of the Proceedings that Led to the Implementation of The New Standard for Ozone(2004-05-01) Palla, Amruth A.Palla, Amruth R., A Critical Review of the One Hour and the Eight Hour Standards for Ozone with an Overview of the Proceedings that Led to the Implementation of The New Standard for Ozone; Master of Public Health (Environmental and Occupational Health), May 2004, 58 pp, 3 tables, 2 illustrations, 35 titles. With the increasing concern for human health and the recognition of the major role played by environment in the multi-factorial disease etiology, the various parameters established for maintaining the environmental constituents in the proportions desired for achieving a normal health status are taking an important position in the present day world. In 1997, during its review process the EPA found the exiting one-hour standards, for ozone to be insufficient to achieve the health friendly concentrations, and therefore proposed a new eight hour standard for this pollutant. The new standards proposed by the EPA were challenged by various other organizations and several proceedings have happened since then. The purpose of my thesis is to do a critical analysis of the advantages and the drawbacks of the two standards and to do an overview of the proceedings that have led to the implementation of the new standards.Item Assessment and Identification of Areas for Improvement of a Local Health Department Food Safety Program(2008-05-01) Harris, Ann MarieHarris, Ann Marie. Assessment and Identification of Areas for Improvement of a Local Health Department Food Safety Program. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), May 2008, 14 pp. 1 table, 1 figure, references, 14 titles. The Fort Worth Public Health Department (FWPHD) established a standardized assessment to compare compliance rates for risk factors contributing to foodborne illness. The FWPHD identified significantly higher compliance rates in four out of six risk factors. Risk factors posing the greatest risk for out of compliance observations included threats from contaminated equipment and chemical/other hazards. Fast food establishments had a significantly greater risk for contaminated equipment (OR=1.81; CI=1.27, 2.58). Chemical/other hazards was the only risk factor with a higher overall out of compliance rate than the FDA. The FWPHD can now accurately track the effectiveness of training and education programs for food handlers, consumer health specialists, and the overall inspection process.Item Fecal Coliforms in the Rio Grande: A Risk to Human Health(2004-12-01) Tompkins, Erin L.; Thomas Vaughan; Claudia S. CogginTompkins, Erin L., Fecal Coliforms in the Rio Grande: A Risk to Human Health. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), December 2004, 45 pages, bibliography, 33 titles. The Rio Grande around Laredo, Texas/Nuevo Laredo, Mexico was designated for primary contact reaction by the EPA. However, monthly sampling over a ten-year period in this section of the river may show otherwise. Fecal contamination of the Rio Grande in this area may be a source of illness to the population. Four sites in Laredo area were tested for fecal coliform density and rate of flow. Rainfall data from the USGS was used for comparisons. The rate of flow of the Rio Grande had an impact on fecal coliform density at one site measured. Rainfall in Laredo had an impact on fecal coliform density at two measured sites, and was a significant predictor of density at these sites as well. A review of the designation for this river segment is recommended. More research is needed to determine the exposed population, and effects of high coliform densities on downstream communities.Item Retrospective data analyses of social and environmental determinants of malaria control for elimination prospects in Eritrea(BioMed Central Ltd., 2020-03-12) Mihreteab, Selam; Lubinda, Jailos; Zhao, Bingxin; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Karamehic-Muratovic, Ajlina; Goitom, Aman; Shad, Mohammad Yousaf; Haque, UbydulBACKGROUND: The present study focuses on both long- and short-term malaria transmission in Eritrea and investigates the risk factors. Annual aggregates of information on malaria cases, deaths, diagnostics and control interventions from 2001 to 2008 and monthly reported data from 2009 to 2017 were obtained from the National Malaria Control Programme. We used a generalized linear regression model to examine the associations among total malaria cases, death, insecticide-treated net coverage, indoor residual spraying and climatic parameters. RESULTS: Reduction in malaria mortality is demonstrated by the milestone margins of over 97% by the end of 2017. Malaria incidence likewise declined during the period (from 33 to 5 per 1000 population), representing a reduction of about 86% (R(2) = 0.3) slightly less than the decline in mortality. The distribution of insecticide treated nets generally declined between 2001 and 2014 (R(2) = 0.16) before increasing from 2015 to 2017, while the number of people protected by indoor residual spraying slightly increased (R(2) = 0.27). Higher rainfall was significantly associated with an increased number of malaria cases. The covariates rainfall and temperature are a better pair than IRS and LLIN to predict incidences. On the other hand, IRS and LLIN is a more significant pair to predict mortality cases. CONCLUSIONS: While Eritrea has made significant progress towards malaria elimination, this progress should be maintained and further improved. Distribution, coverage and utilization of malaria control and elimination tools should be optimized and sustained to safeguard the gains made. Additionally, consistent annual performance evaluation of malaria indicators would ensure a continuous learning process from gains/threats of epidemics and resurgence in regions already earmarked for elimination.Item The Historical Analysis of the Ion Content of Water in the Washita Zone of Lake Texoma, Oklahoma, USA(2004-11-01) Rich-Sawka, Alisa; Trieff, Norman; Galvan, Bob; Singh, KaranRich-Sawka, Alisa. The Historical Analysis of the Ion Content of Water in the Washita Zone of Lake Texoma, Oklahoma, USA. Master of Public Health (Environmental and Occupational Science), November, 2004, pages, 7 tables, 6 figures, 30 references. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the conductivity and ionic content of water in the Washita River Zone of Lake Texoma, for the study period of 1996-1997. The ionic concentrations of calcium, sodium, chloride, sulfate and bromide were determined and then compared with conductivity with analysis of ratio of CI/Br, Na/CI, Na+C1)/TDS to validate the presence of anthropogenic source contamination from oil field brine after review of recommended values in the literature. A geologic review of the watershed was performed to confirm the underlying geologic formation was not a contributing factor. Due to a lack of consistent reliable data during the study period, a historical database was built and statistical analysis was performed confirming through bromide ratios a preexisting anthropogenic source contamination of the Washita River watershed.