Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Who’s in Charge of Environmental Health? Barbara Sattler, RN, DrPH, FAAN University of Maryland School of Nursing Environmental Health Education Center
2
The Health of the Environment – Ecological Health The Health of Humans vis a vis Environmental Exposures What gets lost in the schism?
3
Government Structure National –EPA national and regional State –Departments of Environmental Quality Local –Health Dept Environmental Division –City/County Environmental Departments
4
Who’s in charge of chemical policies? Environmental – air, water, toxic chemicals (pesticides) - EPA Food – FDA and Dept of Agriculture Transportation of hazardous materials – DOT Lead-based paint, radon, carbon monoxide in homes – federal, state, and local policies Workplace exposures – OSHA
5
Governmental Chemical Policies Statutes Regulations Standards Permits / Zoning Voluntary programs
6
Non-governmental policy opportunities Hospital examples: Institutional / Company policies (Kaiser Permanente’s new chemical policies / food policies) Collective bargaining / Contract language JCAHO Practice GreenHealth / Green Guidelines for Health Care LEED standards
7
Industrial Hygiene Hierarchy of Controls for Workplace Exposures Substitution Isolation Engineering Controls Administrative Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
8
Critical elements of good chemical policies Substitution (elimination) Full disclosure – “Right to Know” Labeling Access to research information No trade secrets for hazardous chemicals Independent research and/or oversight Restricted-use policies (bans) Fast-track policies when there is new H&S data
9
Recent/Current Events in the Chemical Policy World Europe (REACH – Registration, Evaluation, and Evaluation of Chemicals) Kids Safe Chemical Act The Louisville Charter Recent history: State/local initiatives – Prop 65, mercury elimination, precautionary principle, organic foods in schools, BPA
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.