Browsing by Subject "Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment"
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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.; 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 Spatial Analysis and Correlation of Air Pollution and COPD Mortality in Texas(2002-05-01) Long, Brian E.; Gratton, Terrance; Coggin, Claudia S.; Atkinson, SamuelLong, Brian E., Spatial Analysis and Correlation of Air Pollution and COPD Mortality in Texas. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), May 2002, 20 pp., 1 table, 2 figures, references, 8 titles. The goal of this research is to determine if there is an association between levels of air pollution emissions per square mile and the COPD mortality rates in the 254 Texas counties. Correlations were run comparing emissions densities of each county to its respective COPD mortality. The levels of emissions, when compared at the county level to COPD mortality rates show a positive correlation. A year-by-year analysis produced correlation coefficients as high as 0.331 (p [less than] 0.001). Emissions density is associated with increased COPD mortality. The association between air pollution and COPD mortality is higher among the black population than for the non-black population in Texas, and higher for females than males.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.Item The Population Abundance and Associated Geographic and Demographic Factors of the Dengue Vectors, Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus in Dallas County, TX, USA(2007-05-01) Stahl, Matthew S.; Lurie, Sue; Lee, Joon-HakStahl, Matthew S., The Population Abundance and Associated Geographic and Demographic factors of the Dengue Vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Dallas County, TX. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), May 2007, 40 pp., 7 figures, 2 tables, bibliography, 72 titles. The risk for dengue outbreak was assessed in North Central Texas in 2006 in response to increased case numbers in Texas and Mexican states in 2005. Data were collected from 54 sites in Dallas County, TX using oviposition traps and estimates from U.S. Census and Sourcebook America databases. Higher vegetation and shade displayed more Aedes species; standing water also showed more Aedes albopictus. Lower home values and lower incomes corresponded to more Aedes aegypti; lower household density displayed more Aedes albopictus. Other socio-economic and demographic factors did not have significant association with abundance. The methodology of this study may serve as a model for assessment of dengue vector abundance in other regions.