protecting environmental health in schools – an introduction to the ethics and toxicology
DESCRIPTION
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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
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 Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
A Small Dose of Toxicology
See: www.asmalldoseof.org -- smdose
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Small Dose of Toxicology
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Milestones of Toxicology
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Child Health
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
“Children can develop and mature in an
environment that allows them to reach and maintain their full
potential.”
Vision for Child Health
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
The study of poisonsor
the adverse effects of chemical and physical agents on living
organisms.
Toxicology Definitions
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
“Conditions that ensure that all living things have the best opportunity to reach and maintain their full genetic potential.”
Steven G. Gilbert, 1999
Environmental Health
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
What Is This Pesticide?
N
NN
N
CH3
CH3
CH3
O
O
1
3
7
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Key Words
Risk =
Hazard X Exposure
Dose / Response
Individual Sensitivity
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
“All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a
poison. The right dose differentiates
a poison from a remedy.”
Paracelsus (1493-1541)
Paracelsus
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
“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)
An Individual View
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Effects of Amount on Response
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Effects of Size on Response
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
• Dose Response Issues
• Higher metabolic rate
• Different nutritional requirements
• Rapidly dividing & migrating cells
• Immature organs
Susceptibility of Children
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
A Small Dose of Lead
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Lead In Homes
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Lead History
Greek 2nd BC
Lead Makes the Mind Give Way
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Lead - Absorption
Orally Consumed Lead Absorbed In Place of Calcium
CHILDREN – 30-50% OF LEADADULTS – 5-10% OF LEAD
Increased During Pregnancy
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
• 25 DAYS -- BLOOD• 40 DAYS -- SOFT TISSUE • 20 YEARS -- BONE
Half-life Of Lead
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Agency Blood Lead Levels
60
40
3025
2015
10
20
10
20
30
40
50
60
Blo
od
Lea
d (
ug
/dl)
CDC1960
CDC1973
CDC1975
CDC1985
WHO1986
EPA1986
CDC1990
CDC2006?
Agency and Year
Acceptable Childhood Blood Lead Levels
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
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
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
A Small Dose of Mercury
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Hg – Like Water
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Fetal Effects of MeHg
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
The Mercury Cycle
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
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.
WA State Hg Action Plan
http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHP/mercury/wadoing.htm
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Pesticide Application
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Classes Of Pesticides
Insecticides (kill insects)• Organochlorines• Organophosphates• Carbamates• Synthetic Pyrethroids
Herbicides (kill plants) Rodenticides (kill rodents) Fungicides (kill fungus) Fumigants (kill whatever)
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
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
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
• 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
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Socially responsible white guys?
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
“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.
Precautionary Principle
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
• 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.
Central components
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
• 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
Knowledge - Responsibility
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
The Potential of Children
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Principles of Toxicology
A Small Dose of Toxicology Ethics & Toxicology – 4/12/06
Additional Information
A Small Dose of Toxicologywww.asmalldoseof.org
For Additional Information contactSteven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT
E-mail: [email protected]: www.asmalldoseof.org