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

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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
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A Small Dose of Toxicology
See www.asmalldoseof.org -- smdose
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Small Dose of Toxicology
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Milestones of Toxicology
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Child Health
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Vision for Child Health
Children can develop and mature in an
environment that allows them to reach and
maintain their full potential.
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Toxicology Definitions
The study of poisons or the adverse effects of
chemical and physical agents on living organisms.
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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
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What Is This Pesticide?
O
CH3
CH3
N
N
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1
3
N
O
N
CH3
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Key Words
Dose / Response

• Risk
• Hazard X Exposure

Individual Sensitivity
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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)
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An Individual View
The sensitivity of the individual differentiates
a poison from a remedy. The fundamental principle
of toxicology is the individuals response to a
dose. S. G. Gilbert (1997)
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Effects of Amount on Response
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Effects of Size on Response
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Susceptibility of Children

• Dose Response Issues
• Higher metabolic rate
• Different nutritional requirements
• Rapidly dividing migrating cells
• Immature organs

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A Small Dose of Lead
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Lead In Homes
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Lead History
Lead Makes the Mind Give Way

• Greek 2nd BC

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Lead - Absorption
Orally Consumed Lead Absorbed In Place of
Calcium CHILDREN 30-50 OF LEAD ADULTS 5-10
OF LEAD Increased During Pregnancy
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Half-life Of Lead
25 DAYS -- BLOOD 40 DAYS -- SOFT TISSUE 20
YEARS -- BONE
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Agency Blood Lead Levels
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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
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A Small Dose of Mercury
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Hg Like Water
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Fetal Effects of MeHg
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The Mercury Cycle
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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
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Pesticide Application
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Classes Of Pesticides

• Insecticides (kill insects)
• Organochlorines
• Organophosphates
• Carbamates
• Synthetic Pyrethroids
• Herbicides (kill plants)
• Rodenticides (kill rodents)
• Fungicides (kill fungus)
• Fumigants (kill whatever)

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Other Exposure

• 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

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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

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Socially responsible white guys?
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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.
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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.

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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

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The Potential of Children
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Principles of Toxicology
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Additional Information
A Small Dose of Toxicology www.asmalldoseof.org
For Additional Information contact Steven G.
Gilbert, PhD, DABT E-mail sgilbert_at_innd.org Web
www.asmalldoseof.org