Idaho Nurses Association September, 2011, Ingrid Brudenell, PhD, R.N.

Upstream Health Care: Protecting the environment Kenally Creek, Idaho

 Identify environmental health issues relevant to Idaho nurses.  Discuss strategies to address current environmental health issues in Idaho.  Form a committed group in INA for advocacy, service, research and education.

In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” Baba Dioum quote 4 th of July lake, Idaho

 Assessment of Idaho Nurses and their environmental knowledge and concerns.  Online Modules developed on land, air and water.  Formation of the Greener Idaho INA Environmental Task Force  All Objectives not met- Few completed modules, no task force  Grant funds returned.

04/30/2010 Pattillo & Brudenell6

04/30/2010 Pattillo & Brudenell7

04/30/2010 Pattillo & Brudenell8

 Health care without Harm Grant  What happened? What worked and didn’t?  Lessons learned?  What is next?

 Online sign up for Greener Idaho INA Task Force.  Sign up at the 2011 conference- now.  Decide level of involvement and your passion and skills.  Core Issues in this presentation and next steps?

 ANA –COEH  Pennsylvania Nurses Association- Kaktins,N. (2011) Drilling the Marcellus Shale for Natural Gas: Environmental Health Issues for Nursing see web site for conferences and issues  www. healthyfoodaction.org

 Commends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the release of the 12th Report on Carcinogens (ROC). 6/30/11  The report added the chemicals styrene and formaldehyde to the list of possible carcinogens.  A coalition partner in Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families advocates for greater public health protections from exposures to chemicals.  Registered nurses, who comprise the nation’s largest group of health care professionals, have a crucial role in assessing and addressing environmental health issues and their impact on the public’s health.  ANA has been a leader and advocate for public policy that preserves and improves environmental protections vital to a healthy and productive society.

 Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment e-commons.org/ANHE or  Environmental working group- personal care products  Health care without harm and  Government- EPA, CDC, FDA,IDEQ, Bureau of Preventive Health, Medicaid

 Healthy Homes  Healthy Communities  APHA, local IPHA

 Chemical exposures- lead, mercury, arsenic, BPA, Dioxin, etc  And Radiation  Energy Use  Carbon Footprint  Global climate change  Water- pharmaceutical and agriculture pollution  Air Quality and health effects, Auto emissions  Natural Gas and Oil production- “ fracking”

 Cradle to Cradle Stewardship in health care  Reducing Medical and Health care waste.  Reprocessing single use devices  Healthy Housing and Schools, Play areas  Walk able/rideable neighborhoods  Safe and sustainable food supply Year of Idaho Food

 Cradle to Cradle Stewardship in health care  Reducing Medical and Health care waste.  Reprocessing single use devices  Eliminate exposure of nurses and health care workers to chemicals and radiation.

 Energy Use – Calculate your home, work place and community energy uses.  Carbon Footprint- reduce the carbon foot print.  Global climate change is occurring and will effect each of us.

 EPA. Household Emissions Calculator. Available at s/ind_calculator.html s/ind_calculator.html

 Safer Chemicals Act of  Toxic Substance Control Act (1976)  Why Reform is Needed? 80,000 new chemicals introduced  What is expected by reform? Better information and protection of the public and workers  What can you do ? National and state efforts- Stroller brigades, Letters, Op Ed, events

 Nurses and Chemical exposures- lead, mercury, arsenic, BPA, Dioxin, formaldehyde  Associated with increasing rates of cancer, neurological and reproductive problems.  Nurses are advocates for the workforce as well as patients.

 Transportation, petroleum products, air and water pollution  Petroleum Production- “ fracking”  Fracking is a process for releasing natural gas from shale and rock.  EPA is conducting case studies to determine scientific based health effects. More Information will be coming.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October 23-29, 2011 Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future

 Lead Poisoning Prevention  Reportable levels  Recent data from Head Start and Early Head  Start Collaboration Project  BSU Idaho Providers Study

 Children under age 6 are most at risk for lead poisoning.  Prevent lead poisoning. Get your home tested. Get your child tested. Get the facts!  Was your house painted before 1978? Protect your family from lead exposure.  Remodeling the home? Renovate right with lead- safe work practices.  Talk to your health department about testing home paint and dust for lead.  CDC, Tools, Fliers and Posters and messages

 Screening BLL- capillary and venous blood tests available  Reportable levels >10 mcg./dl have decreased.  Sub acute levels remain high (HSCPS) <10mcg/dl  Medicaid & Head Start Programs require testing

Head Start Positive Tests Per Cent Children Screened

 BSU, DON Study in 2010  Few children screened  Why?  11.5 % Response rate (69 surveys)  44% do not perceive lead as a problem but know it is a neurotoxin.  Some Findings_ Educational materials:  Nutrition Information:  Have resources 33.3%  Would use: 66.7%  Flyers/Brochures  Have 34.9%  Would use 69.2%  Need resources!

 Reviewed some of the issues  Discussed ways to get involved- local, state and national  International- another level of concern  Now- What do you want to do?  What are your next steps?  Contact:   or or   Questions?  Thank you!!

 Name  Contact Information:  ,  phone,  address  Issues:  Skills/Events:

People and the Environment-