Browsing by Subject "Environmental Health and Protection"
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
- 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 Association of Leukemia and Other Selected Diseases with Occupational Exposure to Welding(2003-05-01) Mendoza, Hilda OraliaMENDOZA, HILDA ORALIA. ASSOCIATION OF LEUKEMIA AND OTHER SELECTED DISEASES WITH OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO WELDING. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology). May, 2003. Exposure to carcinogens is an established risk factor for cancer development. Welders are chronically exposed to cardinogens. In this study, the relationship between occupational exposure to welding and mortality from leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, melanoma, lung cancer, or myocardial infarcation was examined. Files from ORISEWDS, Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource, U.S. Department of Energy were utilized to develop a working file including 416,686 records from employees of one or more Oak Ridge, nuclear plant facilities. Neither welding exposure length, radiation exposure, nor smoking were included in this study. Results show higher adjusted ratios (OR) for leukemia, lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s disease for employees occupationally exposed to welding as compared to employees on-occupationally exposed to welding. OR’s for lung cancer and myocardial infarction were also higher for welders than non-welders.Item Epidemiological Modeling of a Bioterrorism Event in a Noncombat Environment(1999-07-01) Perkins, Christopher J.; Rene, Antonio; Mains, Doug A.; Ramirez, GilbertPerkins, Christopher J., Epidemiological Modeling of a Bioterrorism Event in a Noncombat Environment. Master of Public Health (Biomedical Sciences), July, 1999, 60 pp., 8 tables, 4 illustrations, references, 31 titles. The challenge to government, medical and public health officials is to advocate for American citizens the safest environment possible to live and work. A threat to the safety of all Americans has initiated preparations from national, state, and local jurisdictions in an attempt to counter the probability of biological terrorism. Bioterrorism is not only a threat to humans but also a threat to the nation’s water and food supplies. Epidemiological Modeling of a Bioterrorism Event demonstrates the importance in preparations to reduce the number of casualties and fatalities. Using Epidemiological Modeling of bioterrorism events will aid public health and medical personnel in the planning and initiation of appropriate public health actions and medical therapies should such events occur.Item Fecal Coliforms in the Rio Grande: A Risk to Human Health(2004-12-01) Tompkins, Erin L.; Vaughan, Thomas; Coggin, Claudia S.Tompkins, 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 Is an Enviormental Health Educational Intervention Sufficient to Change Behavior?: Perceptions from an Indigenous Lake Community in Guatemala(2006-12-01) Pezzia, Carla; Gratton, Terrance; Lurie, Sue; Trieff, NormanPezzia, Carla. Is an environmental health educational intervention sufficient to change behavior?: Perceptions from an indigenous lake community in Guatemala. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), December 2006, 46 pp., 6 tables, 1 illustration, references, 18 titles. Traditional environmental health practices focus on education and exposure prevention, but the division between the biophysico-chemical and social environment keeps them from always being sufficient; human ecology seeks to bridge this division. The second leading cause of mortality in Guatemala is gastrointestinal infections, and San Pedro, Guatemala, provides an opportunity to study these infections utilizing a human ecological approach. Morbidity data were collected from the local health center, observations noted systematically, and both residents and tourists were interviewed regarding their perceptions of the community’s environmental health. Results found that residents who had no contact with tourists stated that, for gastrointestinal infections due to refuse in the streets, education alone would not be sufficient to reduce this problem; most felt some type of government intervention would be necessary. It is recommended that public health specialists enjoy a human ecological approach and refer to the community when designing an appropriate intervention.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.