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Protecting Environmental Health in Schools – An Introduction to the Ethics and Toxicology

Protecting Environmental Health in Schools – An Introduction to the Ethics and Toxicology. Keeping Students Safe. Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT “A Small Dose of Toxicology” www.asmalldoseof.org. A Small Dose of Toxicology. See: www.asmalldoseof.org -- smdose. Small Dose of Toxicology.

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Protecting Environmental Health in Schools – An Introduction to the Ethics and Toxicology

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  1. Protecting Environmental Health in Schools – An Introduction to the Ethics and Toxicology Keeping Students Safe Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT “A Small Dose of Toxicology” www.asmalldoseof.org

  2. A Small Dose of Toxicology See: www.asmalldoseof.org -- smdose

  3. Small Dose of Toxicology

  4. Milestones of Toxicology

  5. Child Health

  6. Vision for Child Health “Children can develop and mature in an environment that allows them to reach and maintain their full potential.”

  7. Toxicology Definitions The study of poisons or the adverse effects of chemical and physical agents on living organisms.

  8. Environmental Health “Conditions that ensure that all living things have the best opportunity to reach and maintain their full genetic potential.” Steven G. Gilbert, 1999

  9. What Is This Pesticide? O CH3 CH3 N N 7 1 3 O N N CH3

  10. Risk = Hazard X Exposure Key Words Dose / Response Individual Sensitivity

  11. Paracelsus “All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.” Paracelsus (1493-1541)

  12. An Individual View “The sensitivity of the individual differentiates a poison from a remedy. The fundamental principle of toxicology is the individual’s response to a dose.” S. G. Gilbert (1997)

  13. Effects of Amount on Response

  14. Effects of Size on Response

  15. Susceptibility of Children • Dose Response Issues • Higher metabolic rate • Different nutritional requirements • Rapidly dividing & migrating cells • Immature organs

  16. A Small Dose of Lead

  17. Lead In Homes

  18. Greek 2nd BC Lead History Lead Makes the Mind Give Way

  19. Lead - Absorption Orally Consumed Lead Absorbed In Place of Calcium CHILDREN – 30-50% OF LEAD ADULTS – 5-10% OF LEAD Increased During Pregnancy

  20. Half-life Of Lead • 25 DAYS -- BLOOD • 40 DAYS -- SOFT TISSUE • 20 YEARS -- BONE

  21. Agency Blood Lead Levels

  22. Are we doing enough? CDC Lead level 10 to 2 Mcg/dL? Lead in the drinking water of Seattle schools! SB 5189 Reducing childhood lead exposure

  23. A Small Dose of Mercury

  24. Hg – Like Water

  25. Fetal Effects of MeHg

  26. The Mercury Cycle

  27. WA State Hg Action Plan • Mercury Education and Reduction Act (MERA) – 2003 • Educate - schools, businesses, local governments, and the public about health effects, disposal, and reduction of use • January 1, 2006 - Primary and secondary schools can no longer purchase elemental mercury or mercury compounds, and must remove and properly dispose of bulk elemental mercury. http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHP/mercury/wadoing.htm

  28. Pesticide Application

  29. Insecticides (kill insects) Organochlorines Organophosphates Carbamates Synthetic Pyrethroids Herbicides (kill plants) Rodenticides (kill rodents) Fungicides (kill fungus) Fumigants (kill whatever) Classes Of Pesticides

  30. Dietary exposure Pesticide residues on crops, dust –hand to mouth Community exposure Airborne drift from commercial app Contaminated drinking water Leaching from soils to ground water Other Exposure

  31. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) • Focus – long-term prevention of pest problems • Reduce or eliminate chemical pest control methods • Monitor for the presence of pests before treating • Nonchemical strategies (make habitat less attractive, physical controls) • Learn about your pests

  32. Socially responsible white guys?

  33. Precautionary Principle “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be take even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” Wingspread Conference, 1998.

  34. Central components • Taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty • Shifting the burden of proof/responsibility to the proponents of an activity • Exploring a wide range of alternatives to possibly harmful actions • Increasing public participation in decision making • Wingspread Conference, 1998.

  35. Knowledge - Responsibility • Children have a right to a safe, fair and healthy environment • Ethical Responsibility to share and use of knowledge • Duty to promote health and well being of children • Thoughtful public health advocate

  36. The Potential of Children

  37. Principles of Toxicology

  38. Additional Information • A Small Dose of Toxicology • www.asmalldoseof.org For Additional Information contact Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT E-mail: sgilbert@innd.org Web: www.asmalldoseof.org

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