Tag - Toxins

In November 2021, EPA and the Army Corps announced a proposed rule that would put back into place the pre-2015 definition of “waters of the US,” updated to reflect Supreme Court decisions. This would replace the Dirty Water Rule, the previous administration’s definition of “waters of the US,” which was invalidated by two federal courts, until the Biden Administration creates a new, durable rule. We encourage nurses to consider weighing in on the importance of EPA moving swiftly to this second step to create strong, long-lasting protections for our water resources across the country. Our speakers in this seminar provide an overview on the state of clean water in the United States and the most pressing health-related concerns. They also discuss upcoming advocacy opportunities that will be critical for nurses to engage in, including submitting comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency to call for strong clean water protections.

Including local environmental knowledge within historically marginalized communities is central to achieving environmental justice, yet prevailing data collection and analysis methods often fail to recognize discourses rejecting mainstream environmental knowledge. In this presentation, Dr. Evans-Agnew describes the methods and outcomes of a pop-up booth and balloting project in the Puget Sound region of the Pacific Northwest, USA.

Fragranced personal care and consumer products are an important and modifiable source of chemical exposure associated with poor air quality and health outcomes. Emissions from fragranced products, such as perfumes, cleansers, and air fresheners, contribute to indoor air pollution and are among the primary ingredients of ground-level ozone. Many fragranced products emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing inflammation and exacerbation of respiratory and allergic conditions, with those who are economically disadvantaged and historically marginalized at the greatest risk of exposure. The choice to use fragranced products impacts all within the shared space, with implications for the social, occupational, and family context. More research is needed to better understand the factors impacting health outcomes and disparities related to fragranced personal care and consumer product use and to develop effective behavioral interventions to limit risk. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of a planned research trajectory centered on mitigating the adverse effects of fragranced products on indoor air quality and health outcomes as mapped to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) Translational Research Framework. Discussion supports the continued refinement of approaches beneficial to study in this important area of environmental health research.

Content supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R25ES033452 (PI: Castner). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

This 1 hour webinar presentation raises awareness of and educates nurses on the negative health impacts of occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gases (WAGs). We provide recommendations to reduce exposure for providers, patients and the environment as well as resources for nurses to take action.

This webinar is part 6 of the series Nursing on the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis: Education for Action, developed through a collaboration between the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Nursing - Climate Resources for Health Education, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment, and Climate Action Nurses. This presentation discusses the health effects of environmental pollution, including soil, water, and plastic waste. Participants will learn about the pathways through which pollutants enter ecosystems and their impact on human health.

This session examines the critical intersection between health, nursing practice, and disaster preparedness in an era of increasing extreme weather events. Learners will explore how social determinants of health influence the vulnerability and resilience of patients, families, and communities to disasters locally and globally. Emphasis will be placed on identifying health outcomes associated with natural and climate-related disasters, understanding the essential roles and responsibilities of nurses in emergency preparedness and response, and developing core leadership competencies necessary for effective disaster management. Through a focus on prevention, preparedness, and action, nurses will learn to implement evidence-based strategies that reduce disaster risk and promote equitable, community-centered responses to emergency situations.

Understanding the toxic effects of pesticides and the regulatory review process is important in the context of pesticide use and response to adverse effects. This workshop provides an overview of the hazards of pesticides and the risk assessment process used by regulators, and the impact on vulnerable population groups, such as children.

This webinar will present the latest evidence on environmental exposures to pesticides during early childhood and the child health impacts on growth and development. Also, the effects of oil and gas extraction will be reviewed and the maternal child health risks during vulnerable periods of growth. The important role of nurses in advocating for healthy environments for children and families will be included.

This webinar will present the latest evidence on chemical hazards and exposures during pregnancy. The impact of chemical hazards on the growth and development of the fetus will be reviewed, and the importance of the integration of environmental screening tools into prenatal assessments in the clinical setting.