Browsing by Subject "Environmental Public Health"
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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 A Study of Pesticide Safety and Health Perceptions Among Tarrant County Pesticide Applicators(2001-05-01) Martinez, Robert A.; Gratton, Terrance B.; Coggin, Claudia S.; Atkinson, SamPesticides have become an important part of our lives. We rely on them to help protect our crops from pest; they rid our homes of unwanted pests and help us make our lawns and public parks beautiful. Pesticides are also important to public health. They are a major source of vector control and help stop the spread of vector-borne disease. Even though we used them in our everyday lives, it is important to remember that pesticides are poisons, and that great care must be taken to ensure the safety of the public and safety of those who work with pesticides. This study looked at the safety knowledge and health perceptions among Tarrant County, Texas licensed applicators. Much research has been focused on the effects of pesticides on human health. Much of this research has been focus on the farmer applicator (Alavanja, 1999). This study focuses on applicators that work mostly in the urban areas of the County, as well as ranchers live in the County. These licensed urban applicators included those who work for city parks departments, golf courses, commercial applicators, lawn care service, pest control and some private ranchers. The Texas Pesticide Regulations require that a person may not use a restricted-use or state-limited use pesticides or herbicides unless licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture (2000). Therefore the purpose of this study is to see if an association between health beliefs and pesticide safety knowledge exist. The reason it is important is because these people can have either a positive or negative impact on the safety of themselves and their crews. Acute pesticide poisoning is one of the biggest risks that applicators face. The state of Texas conducts an active surveillance of occupational-related pesticide poisonings. The Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Division at the Texas Department of Health (TDH) have had this system in place since 1985. TDH reported that 107 work related cases occurred during 1998, with 55 confirmed as occupational pesticide poisoning (1998). The most frequent symptoms reported were neuromuscular symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, irritability, and twitching muscles. Pyrethroids and pyrethins were the most commonly reported class of pesticides exposure (51%) followed by Organophosphates (25%), which are the most widely used form of insecticides, as well as herbicides and fungicides. Pesticide safety and the TDH surveillance system are two very important ways of informing pesticide applicators about the risk and what can be done to minimize that risk to themselves and their crew.Item Analysis of a Particulate Count Loading in a Water-Damaged Hospital(2007-12-01) Hill, Elizabeth G.; Larranaga, Michael; Gratton, Terry; Bae, Sae-JongHill, Elizabeth G., Analysis of a particulate count loading in a water-damaged hospital. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), December 2007, 44 pp., 8 tables, 12 figures, bibliography, 38 titles. The purpose of this study was to determine whether data from particle counters placed on the ceiling in hospital rooms are comparable to data from particle counters placed on the wall in the same room. A baseline particulate concentration was also determined. An extensive literature review of the subject was performed as well as a statistical analysis of the data. The Spearman’s Rank Correlation showed that particulate concentrations from the ceiling and wall in the 0.3-5 μm size range were significantly correlated, while the particulate concentrations from the ceiling and the wall in the 5+ μm size range were not significantly correlated. The baseline concentrations were then found based on the descriptive statistics of the particulate concentrations taken from the ceiling.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 Between Air Pollution and Daily Mortality in Two Texas Counties(2005-05-01) Espinosa, Isabel Y.; Gratton, Terry; Bae, Sejong; Rene, AntonioEspinosa, Isabel Y., Association of Air Pollution and Daily Mortality in Two Texas Counties. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), May 2005, 36 pp., 11 tables, 2 illustrations, references, 36 titles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between ozone and specific daily mortality in two United States counties, Bexar and Tarrant County, Texas. Daily specific mortality, one hour ozone levels, average temperatures, and Air Quality Index values were obtained for both counties. The results from this study suggest that no association is present between air pollution and specific daily mortality in Bexar County. Further statistical analysis is needed to determine if an association is present in Tarrant County as factors inherent in the collected data could be affecting the results. Investigating the association between ozone levels and hospitalization rates may provide a better description of the relationship and should be considered as a future study.Item Asthma Mortality and Toxic Release in Texas - An Ecological Study 1980-2001(2004-05-01) Maddipatla, Sreeram; Bayona, ManuelMaddipatla, S., Asthma Mortality and Toxic Release in Texas - An Ecological Study 1980-2001. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health) April 2004, 97 pp., 4 tables, bibliography, 94 titles. There is a lack of literature examining how the spatiotemporal trend of asthma may have impacted different ethnic/racial compositions of Texans. The present study sought to evaluate the geographic-temporal variations in asthma mortality in Texans over a 22-year period, retrospectively, and examine whether the trend of environmental Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) concentrations and their spatiotemporal persistence might place an uneven burden on particular racial groups. The study concentrates on the time period between 1980-2001 and first evaluates geographic excess of asthma mortality in different racial groups at the county level and characterizes the excess burden by spatiotemporal variations. After this assessment, the impact of TRI on asthma mortality over this period of time is analyzed. Based on these two analyses, this would identify which racial/ethnic groups in which Texas regions might have been affected the most by regarding mortality over time, and suggested priority geographic areas for policy intervention. At the end of this study, it could be said that there might be an association between the TRI release and increased asthma mortality in the Black male population.Item Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Children: Compliance with a Home Smoking Ban Among Texas Households(2007-12-01) Rodriguez, Lori A.; Cardarelli, Kathryn; Ramisetty-Mikler, Suhasini; Lin, Yu-ShengRodriguez, Lori A., Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Children: Compliance With a Home Smoking Ban Among Texas Households. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), December, 2007, 72 pp., 10 tables, bibliography, 75 titles. This general population study explores characteristics influencing non-compliance with a home smoking ban among Texas households with children, particularly those with asthmatic children. Over 17% of adults reported non-compliance, with the highest rate in African Americans. Adults who currently smoke (25%) had higher reports of having an asthmatic child in the household and were more likely to not comply. Child asthma status was not a significant predictor of non-compliance; however, African Americans with no asthmatic children were more likely than African Americans with an asthmatic child to not comply. The role of race/ethnicity should be further investigated to improve interventions and home smoking bans should continue to be promoted in an effort to reduce environmental tobacco smoke exposure.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 Evaluation of a Hospital Decontamination Protocol for Mass Casualty Patient Surge(2007-05-01) Hood, Joyce L.; Gratton, Terry; Ramphal, Lilly; Larranaga, MichaelHood, Joyce L., Evaluation of a Hospital Decontamination Protocol for Mass Casualty Patient Surge. Master of Public Health (Occupational Health Practice), May 2007, 43 pp., 3 tables, 10 illustrations, references, 25 titles. Recent studies have expressed concern about hospitals’ ability to decontaminate casualties who have been contaminated with chemical, biological or radioactive agents. Since September 11, 2001, more attention has focused on hospital preparedness, but prior to 9/11, most of the focus was on decontamination in the field rather than pre-hospital. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two urban hospitals’ decontamination teams using quantitative methods. Subjects were contaminated with equal amounts of visible and invisible simulants in six locations. Residual contamination was measured and the team was debriefed regarding opportunities for improvement. Considerable improvements were noted after de-briefing, but initially the surface area of contamination was not appreciably affected before briefing was done. The effect of shower time and residual contamination was also examined. Hospital decontamination preparedness is minimal at best, even in large urban hospitals, increasing the risk of secondary contamination within the emergency departments.Item Examining the Relationship Between Relative Wellbeing & Health Disparities in the City of Dallas(2006-08-01) Byerly, Jerah J.; Urrutia-Rojas, XimenaByerly, Jerah J., Examining the Relationship between Relative Wellbeing & Health Disparities in the City of Dallas. Master of Public Health (Community Health), August 2006,43 pp., 8 tables, 6 illustration (figures), bibliography , 29 titles. Health disparities are studies across many diseases and demographic characteristics. This study examined health disparities in relation to geographic assets … a social determinant of health. The purpose of this project was to replicate the Relative Wellbeing Index model in Albrecht & Ramasubramanian’s 2004 study, “The Moving Target: A Geographic Index of Relative Wellbeing”. This study sought to measure well-being at the neighborhood level in Dallas. Data was collected from 2000 U.S. Census. Results indicated the presences of pockets of extreme concentration and social isolation. South Dallas and Fair Park, two of the lowest socioeconomic neighborhoods, had the lowest level of wellbeing. In conclusion, the study indicated Well being scores were not equally distributed across neighborhoods in the City of Dallas.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 Perceptions Regarding Tarrant County's Preparedness for a Bioterrorism Attack Involving Smallpox(2003-05-01) Michael, Donald T.; Blakley, Sally; Atkinson, SamuelMichael III, Donald T., Perceptions Regarding Tarrant County’s Preparedness for a Bioterrorism Attack Involving Smallpox. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), May 2003, 51 pp., 10 tables, bibliography, 26 titles. Perception and knowledge of risk of a bioterrorist attack are important factors in determining public response and anxiety level. A telephone survey of residents of Tarrant County, Texas was conducted to determine public perception regarding Tarrant County’s preparedness to respond to an intentional release of the smallpox virus as an act of terrorism. Although a low response rate limits the ability to generalize the findings of this survey, frequency and chi-squared analysis of survey responses revealed a public desire for more information about the county’s preparedness, access to smallpox vaccine, and identified a potential gap between objectively measured and public self-assessment of knowledge about bioterrorism and smallpox concepts. Increased efforts toward information dissemination and education of the Tarrant County community are needed to address these concerns.Item Recreational Justice and City Planning(2006-08-01) Romero, Ana; Lurie, SueRomero, Ana. Recreational Justice and City Planning. Master of Public Health (Environmental), August 2006, 70 pp., 14 tables, 3 illustrations, 4 maps, bibliography, 42 titles. Environmental justice has been defined by the unfairly exposure of minorities to hazardous materials, in this study we consider another aspect of environmental justice by analysis de exposure of population to beneficial sources for the environment. Population living around 1 mile from the parks of the cities of Dallas, Plano, Midlothian and McKinney were analyzed base on descriptive statistics, compare of means among and within the city by an analysis of variance, and a distance prediction on demographics characteristic of race/ethnicity, age, economics, and education obtained from the U.S. census of 2000. Plano and Dallas have 98% and 97% population coverage; this resulted in statistical significant differences in all demographics McKinney and Midlothian reported less than 78% of coverage with only education as significant predictor of distance. Recreational justice does not substitute environmental justice; however it should be considered to evaluate this condition.Item Risk of Hematopoietic Cancer Associated Mortality among Workers in the Poultry Slaughtering and Processing Industries(2015-05-01) Bangara, Saritha; Felini, Martha J.Objectives: Previous occupational cohort studies among poultry workers have revealed an excess risk of cancer-related mortality, including deaths due to hematopoietic malignancies. However, specific occupational and non-occupational exposures contributing to this excess risk have yet to be identified. Poultry workers are particularly at high risk since an average of 175,000 chickens are killed daily in poultry plants in the United States. This brings poultry workers into intimate contact with their blood, organs, and secretions, which may harbor transmissible oncogenic viruses. Moreover, they are exposed to potentially carcinogenic chemicals that are emitted during packaging and preparation. Hence, our study was conducted to provide preliminary evidence of which specific poultry related and non-poultry related occupational tasks increase the risk of mortality from hematopoietic cancer among poultry workers. Methods: A pilot case-cohort study was conducted using a combined cohort of 30,411 highly exposed poultry workers and 16,408 control subjects. Exposures pertaining to poultry and non-poultry related tasks were self-reported through telephone interviews from controls and next-of-kin for cases. Hematopoietic cancer mortality risk was assessed using logistic regression odds ratios (OR) and proportional hazard ratios (HR). Results: To assess possible differential recall between responses obtained directly from live study subjects and those from the next-of kin of deceased study subjects, the questionnaire was administered to a small subset of seven pairs of live control study subjects and their next-of-kin. Of the 245 direct responses obtained for dichotomous questions, there was an agreement of 80 % to 100% between the pairs for nearly 75% of the responses, with less than 60% agreement for only 8% of the responses. The highest risks for hematopoietic cancer mortality were among poultry workers in stockyards (OR=4.50, 95%CI=0.34-59.88), work as a poultry farmer (OR=2.67, 95%CI=0.78-9.23), working in non-commercial poultry farms (OR=2.53, 95%CI=0.85-7.52), handling of raw eggs in grocery stores (OR= 2.24, 95%CI=0.05-9.78), working in commercial poultry farms (OR=2.41, 95%CI=0.79-7.33), and spreading of chicken wastes (OR=2.00, 95%CI=0.58-6.89). Direct contact with poultry blood (OR=1.40, 95%CI=0.66-2.95) and killing chickens at work or outside of work (OR=1.35, 95%CI=0.26-7.14 and 1.63 (95%CI=0.72-3.65, respectively) were exposures that were also associated with an increased risk. Among non-poultry associated occupational exposures, working in a chemical plant (OR=6.92, 95%CI=0.56-85.23) and spraying insecticides (OR=3.03, 95%CI=0.78-11.83) incurred an increased risk. Work-related exposure to coal tar, naphthalene, or paraffin was associated with a significantly increased risk (OR=5.63, 95%CI=1.72-18.43). An elevated risk was also observed among subjects that worked at a gasoline station (OR=1.89, 95%CI=0.52-6.96). These exposures are known to be associated with increased exposures to PAHs and benzene. There was a statistically significant increased risk among those who sold seafood at work (OR=4.31, 95%CI=1.08-17.16) and among participants who worked on a commercial mixed farm (OR=3.15, 95%CI=1.20-9.92). Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that exposure to poultry may be associated with increased mortality from hematopoietic cancer. A plausible explanation is that stockyard workers are regularly exposed to the bodily fluids of poultry, including blood and fecal matter, which may harbor oncogenic viruses that are transmissible to humans. The elevated risk estimates among workers exposed to gasoline as well as chemicals such as coal tar corroborate findings from previous studies that have established benzene and PAHs as risk factors for hematopoietic malignancies, respectively. While our findings support evidence from previous studies linking pesticide use and working on farms with mortality due to hematopoietic cancer, selling seafood was a unique risk factor that was discovered in our study, worthy of further investigation. Case-control studies nested within occupational cohorts of highly exposed subjects of sufficient statistical power may provide an efficient and valid method of investigating and confirming these findings.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.Item The Relationship Between Atrazine Exposure and Breast and Ovarian Cancer Incidence Rates in Texas Agricultural Statistical Districts(2006-05-01) Hull, Kimberly M.; Gratton, Terrance; Johnson, Eric; Bae, SejongHull, Kimberly M., The Relationship Between Atrazine Exposure and Breast and Ovarian Cancer Incidence Rates in Texas Agricultural Statistical Districts. Masters of Public Health (Environmental Health), May 2006, 95pp., 16 tables, 7 illustrations, reference, 74 titles. The herbicide, atrazine, is suspected to cause cancer primarily through drinking water. This ecological study analyzed relationships between potential atrazine exposures and female breast and ovarian cancer incidence rates in Texas Agricultural Statistical Districts. Atrazine exposures are: atrazine usage, rural population, and public water systems. Study results indicate an inverse relationship between four atrazine exposures and breast and ovarian cancer incidence rates (county level). There is a positive relationship between surface water systems and ovarian cancer incidences rates (county level). There also is an inverse relationship between one atrazine usage index and ovarian cancer incidence rates (district level). Study results are similar to other atrazine and cancer studies; correlations prevent statements of causal inference.