Final Blog!

During my undergraduate career, I was required to take an Environmental Studies class part of my public health degree. That course had a very strict focus on only global warming teachings. I found this course to be much more beneficial for me because I have learned about many things I can improve on to not only help myself, but also my family. My favorite part about this class is how we are taught which personal care items are safe or unsafe for us. I am a very strong believer in having a strong skincare routine and invest in many expensive products. While doing the skincare blogs, I found out that things I was using are actually not as safe as I thought they were. I also enjoyed learning about which household products are hazardous for us. I have a household of siblings and a little baby and always am cautious about which products are safe. This class gave me a better idea on how to check if our furnitures are safe, which products to clean are good for the baby, and which things we should stop to make our home a better place to live in. I really enjoyed the guest speakers I was apart of to watch, and all of the rich class discussions. I have made some strong bonds with classmates which I am very thankful for. This was an amazing experience in my USF school career. I am hopeful that our school can continue to keep this class as part of the graduate program. I feel it is so important for everyone to know how to live a better lifestyle while helping our planet stay healthy.

Blog: Watch M10.1 Video!

For the past year, I have been working at a mid-size start up company in SF. Our company is a computer analytics company that has about 200 employees. Since it is a tech company, we don't have to worry about chemical spills, slipper floors, or fires starting. The only concern we have is ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of how a human fits into their work environment. As you look around our company, you notice many desks are too high from seats, the computer level is much higher then ones wrist, and some have very poor back support with chairs not the correct sizes.
One way we have attempted to help the situation is hire an ergonomist to come by our office for a demonstrative seminar to be held. We have divided into teams of 20 to filter in and out of the sessions everyday for the past 2 days. In this session, we are taught how to properly adjust our desk height according to our chairs, how often we should stand and take a break, and how to get the most out of working away from our desks. Back posture was a huge focus for the class since our back strain can take a hard toll on the body once we go home. A barrier in the way for our employees to receiving proper ergonomics care would be finding enough time for everyone in our company to be free and in full attendance for the classes. The reviews have been positive from our team and hope to have a refresher every 6 months from our instructor!

M14.4 Blog: Think About It - Website Exploration

In the town of Fremont, volunteering a very large concept to us. Fremont is a suburban, family town that heavily relies on the help of others when we notice something is going wrong in our town. A popular health professional, volunteering spot is at the Sikh Temple in Fremont. There had been notifications about a lack of Hindi and Punjabi speaking doctors which drew many health professionals towards it.
The Sikh Gurdwara's Health Organization is a volunteer group that meets twice a month to go over safety plans, donation projects, and upcoming natural disaster seminars they will hold for all those visiting the temple.
My mom is a Registered Nurse who often volunteers during teaching seminars. These are all help free of service and beats the language barrier that may cause some from learning ways to help keep their families safe

M12.9 Blog: Climate Change

1.    What do you personally find most troubling about climate change?

Global warming is affecting our planet every single day. Glaciers are melting at a rapid rate, rivers are shrinking, and fires are starting from such dry temperatures. What I find most troubling about global warming is the future effect it will have. This is upsetting to me because I have to fear how my children and grandchildren will be spending their life on Earth. Should global warming continue, the temperatures will keep rising. It is estimated to increase each year by an average of 2 degrees Celsius. This will result in more heat waves and wild fires that are beyond anyone’s control. When the temperature rises, it means that the oceans floor gets warmer. This will result in hurricanes and heavier winds. It can also result in heavier storm surges and flooding.

2.    As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now?

Something that I feel needs such great attention at the moment are all of the wild fires in California. The campfire in Northern California has now spread to 130,000 acres and only 35 percent of it is contained. 48 bodies have been found dead while 228 are unaccounted. This fire has destroyed 8,817 homes. In addition to this fire, there also is one in Los Angeles. The Woolsey Fire has burned 97,114 acres while being 40 percent contained. This fire has destroyed many mansions, beach homes, track homes, and ranches in the Ventura County. Knowing that a state I have been born and raised in is suffering so brutally is absolutely devastating.  

If you were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never heard about climate change, how would you describe it and its attendant human health and ecological threat?

One way I would describe climate change to my long-lost relative would be when the planets climate is always switching between different temperatures. As years are increasing, our summers keep extending. Since climate change causes extreme cases of the weather, there has been a shocking increase in natural disasters. There has been a 30 percent increase across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans with a combined of 23 different storms. In the last 2 years, Hurricanes West, Irma, Katie, Harvey, and Maria devastated the Caribbean lands and Florida.

M11.5 Blog about a Zero Waste Life

Zero Waste LifeStyle sounds very simple, but is very challenging. Living a zero waste life means you produce no trash or wastes. After watching the video, I realized how much plastic I do use every single day. The foods I eat, the products I use, and my every day needs are all in plastic-in one way or the other. After learning about how the speaker changed her life, I know I would not be able to live this lifestyle. Some ways she helps achieve her zero waste life is making her own lotions, beauty products, and wearing all second hand clothing. She claims to be saving money and any lazy person can do this. I do not agree with her. This lifestyle requires a lot of time set aside to make all products and someone who works and goes to school full time (like me), this seems impossible.

M3.3 Environmental Justice Blog

After reading the progression of environmental justice, I am happy to know that by 2007, the US EPA defined environmental justice by stating it is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to develop. Implement, and enforcement of laws and regulations. This has helped our nation now because the equal treatment has created a fair space for everyone to feel included in. 
As a public health student, it is known that social determinants play a huge part  in peoples everyday health. It can effect the economy, living environment, and even every day necessities. How a person feels they are gettig treated can have an effect on how long their life span may be. 
This connects into the "Black Lives Matter" movement because it is fighting for violence to stop that are targeted only towards African Americans. Black Lives Matter movement is a deep cry for keeping all black males, females, gay, or trans community members safe and protected. 

M10.2 Blog about MSDS and ToxNet

Since I work at a startup technology company, our MSDS did not have any chemical warnings on it. One of the warnings that I found interesting was Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This symptom seemed to be repeated a lot and seemed to be something that has been resulted in the past workers a lot. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Is a numbness and tingling in hands, wrists, and arm caused by a pinch nerve. More than 3 million cases are diagnosed per year. Treatment could be ice, wrist splints, or in severe cases-surgery. It can be caused by constant use of your wrists, such as typing. The MSDS was very easy to understand and follow for all workers.