1. Chapter 25
Enviromental &Occuptional Health
Everyday I see research linking
chemicals that pollute our
environment with adverse effects on
women’s reproductive health, from
infertility to birth (impairments) to
early puberty in girls…I am
convinced that countries that do not
protect the Earth will not protect
their women, and countries that do
not protect their women will never
protect the Earth. The time has
come for the U.S. to enact policies
that do both.
-Alison Ojanen-Goldsmith
2. Environmental & Occuptional
Health
Environment: where we live, work and play
Occuptional: where we work and how we
work
3. Work Environment
Chemicals Water
Pesticides Air
& Soil
Other toxic chemicals food
Our
Families
4. Chemical and Toxins
Unregulated chemicals in
America are nearly
80,000 on the market
they are in the;
Food we eat
Water we drink
Products we apply to
our skin causing
potential carcinogens
6. Unborn children
more vulnerable to toxins
Immune system affected
Metabolism damage
Can not metabolize to inactivate dangerous
contaminates
Illness in children increases
Leukemia
Brain cancer
7. Breast Milk Contamination
Less likely but still a possibility
Formula feed more likely to develop
Ear infections
Asthma
Diabetes
Lower respiratory infections
SIDS
8.
9. Types of Hazzards
Lead----Neurotoxin, affecting nerve cells found in
the environment
Children and women most susceptible
Lead paint affects more than 1 million children in the United
States
Mercury-----nervous and endocrine system
Dental fillings
Make-up
Tanning beds
Pesticides---
1.2 Billion pesticides in the U.S.
5 Billion world wide causing developmental problems, delayed neuro
problems, premature births and cancer
10. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
EDC is fat soluble, it is present in the air ,
water and synthetic household personal
products. Naming a few:
Pesticides
BPA (Bisphenol A)
Flame retardants
Some cosmetics
Cleaning products
Women being more vulnerable due to body fat
11. Dixons
Cause of cancer and reproductive disorders
This is a process that burns chlorine and is the
most common chemical effecting Americans.
Exposure occurs in foods practically in fish,
meat and dairy
12. BPA - Bisphenol A
7 billion pounds produced in the USA yearly
this product contaminates our food and water
supplies.
Found in can goods, toys and plastic
containers we use for our children.
93% of our children are exposed to BPA
13. PCBS – Polychlorinated Biphenyls
#1 most toxic and hazard in modern
manufacturing
Stays in our bodies & environment for decades
Health problems include
Breast cancer
Low birth weight
Hormonal changes
Miss carriages
Possible early puberty
14. PCB’s “hot spot”
New York’s Hudson River
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
The largest super fund site runs through New York City.
The major cause is General Electric releasing thousands
of pounds of PCB into the Hudson River, running a
course of two hundred miles.
More info can be goggled you will be surprised at what
you read Washington Square in Worcester, Ma. had
three large trailers of PCB removed when the
reconstruction of the square was done several years ago.
15. Take Control
How do we change the way we live and work
Research products both in the work place and the
home
Be more cautious of hazards that will harm you,
co-workers and family and try to change them
Make maintenance in your home and work
regularly
Use Personal Protective Equipment when possible
Work: create committees to educate, and help co-
workers
17. Be a Careful consumer READ what you
purchase, find out about what they put in your
products and food. Investigate the environment
you live in, question the people or companies
that have paid for the studies on products you
are concerned with. These studies should be
put into terms you the consumer understands.
Work with others form coalitions with other
organizations and groups. Learn all you can
for your life and the future of your families.
18. Question ????
How to avoid BPA: what do you need to look
for and do to not expose yourself or loved ones
to BPA.
How do you want to protect yourself in every
aspect of your life think of your environment
around you let us know what you find.