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The article focuses on the risk assessment process. Topics discussed include definition of some risk terms, explanation on risk assessment, and factors involved in characterizing the risk or threats to the life, health, and safety of human populations. Also mentioned are basic steps in dealing with any risk to human life, health, or safety.

The article offers insights into the techniques of checking the accuracy of thermometer in the field of environmental health. Topics mentioned include the importance of calibrating the instrument based on specifications, the use of ice bath to calibrate electronic thermometers, and the need to record calibration results to verify due diligence in the performance of environmental health professionals.

The article explains the difference between a disinfectant and a sanitizer. Topics discussed include legal aspect of the actual difference between disinfectant and sanitizer, how an antimicrobial product can qualify as a nonfood contact surface disinfectant, and three types of disinfectants registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on the type of efficacy data submitted by the manufacturer.

The article suggests effective cleaning practices to help operators in the food production industry reach a higher level of sanitation in their facility and reduce the risk of injury or illness. These include discouraging double-dipping of mops and cloths, urging maintenance of all custodial equipment, setting a program that directs handwashing between cleaning tasks, promoting color coding of equipment, and paying attention to the condition of the cleaning hardware and ancillary equipment.

The article provides an overview of the different types of inspections and where and when they are appropriate in the environmental health field. It discusses the basic inspection types including regulatory and multimedia compliance which uses objective and subjective criteria, auditing or on-site verification activity, forensic which relies on time-dependent observations, and evaluation which is performance-based, goal-oriented and data-driven.

The article discusses practical strategies on field sampling by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) in 2023. Topics covered include the sampling types of selecting a representative part for finding parameters of the whole, and of selecting a small part for inspection, a sampling strategy that focuses on probability for easy calculation of errors, and systemic, stratified, and cluster sampling. Also noted are the factors to consider in selecting a sampling scheme.

The article discusses the art and science of environmental health inspection. Topics covered include the non-routine aspect of inspection that involves observation and verification, its purposes of identifying change in circumstances and of failure in practices, equipment, and human error, and its main goal of developing a predictive model to evaluate potential public health risks. Also noted are the closed-ended and open-ended requirements in the inspection process.

In the article, the authors discuss the need for environmental health professionals to focus on ensuring their personal safety to avoid unintentional injuries and illnesses. Also cited are the resources on safety like the hazard datasheet published by the International Labour Organization's International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre, the common on-site injuries like slips and falls, and the recommended preventive measures.

The article shares tips to environmental health practitioners for estimating microbial overloads and assessing microbiological risk. These include surveying the immediate area of concern and assessing the macro- and micro-environments that might influence bacterial growth and movement, estimating the type and number of organisms, adding time into the predictive model, incorporating the concept of natural decay into the estimates, and considering the basic premises of environmental microbiology.

The article discusses the concept of using water activity to control foodborne illness in the retail food industry. Topics include definition of water activity, difference of water activity with moisture content and water content, and the emergence of the first truly portable water activity measuring device in the mid-1990s.

The article reports on the voting process by which the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) elects its leaders. Profiles of individuals, including Stan Hazan of the public health and environmental organization NSF International, Adam London, the Health Officer of the Kent County Health Department in Grand Rapids, Michigan and environmental health professional Gary P. Noonan, who have decided to become candidates for the position of second vice president of the NEHA, are offered.

The pilot study discussed in this article assessed formaldehyde levels in portable classrooms (PCs) and traditional classrooms (TCs) and explored factors influencing indoor air quality (e.g., carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity). In a cross-sectional design, the authors evaluated formaldehyde levels in day and overnight indoor air samples from nine PCs renovated within three years previously and three TCs in a school district in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Formaldehyde levels ranged from 0.0068 to 0.038 parts per million (ppm). In both types of classroom, overnight formaldehyde median levels (PCs = 0.018 ppm; TCs = 0.019 ppm) were higher than day formaldehyde median levels (PCs = 0.011 ppm; TCs = 0.016 ppm). Carbon dioxide levels measured 470-790 ppm at 7:00 a.m. and 470-1800 ppm at 4:00 p.m. Afternoon medians were higher in TCs (1,400 ppm) than in PCs (780 ppm). Consistent with previous studies, formaldehyde levels were similar among PCs and TCs. Reducing carbon dioxide levels by improving ventilation is recommended for classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lead poisoning is a preventable environmental disease. Children and developing fetuses are especially vulnerable; even low blood lead levels (BLLs) are linked with learning and behavioral problems. We assessed children''s and their caregivers’ BLLs and risk factors for lead exposure in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia. Children aged 2–6 years were randomly selected within 20 randomly selected villages. Children and caregivers provided venous blood, and caregivers offered information about possible risk factors for lead exposure. Mean BLLs were 39μg/l for children and 16μg/l for caregivers. Children with BLLs of ⩾100μg/l (elevated) were 22.9 (95% CI: 4.5–116.0) times more likely to have a caregiver with an elevated BLL, 6.2 (95% CI: 1.4–27.3) times more likely to live on an outer island, and 3.4 (95% CI: 1.7–6.9) times more likely to have a family member who made lead fishing weights than did other children even after controlling for age and sex. For children, 61% of elevated BLLs could be attributed to making fishing weights. Caregivers with elevated BLLs were 5.9 (95% CI: 1.5–23.7) times more likely to live in a household that melted batteries than other caregivers even after controlling for age and education. For caregivers, 37% of the elevated BLLs could be attributed to melting batteries. The association of elevated BLLs in children and their caregiver suggests a common environmental exposure. Melting batteries to make fishing sinkers is a preventable source of lead exposure for children and their caregivers in Chuuk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives. We assessed the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (≥ 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood), risk factors, and previous blood lead testing among children in 2 high-risk Chicago, Ill, communities. Methods. Through high-intensity targeted screening, blood lead levels were tested and risks were assessed among a representative sample of children aged 1 to 5 years who were at risk for lead exposure. Results. Of the 539 children who were tested, 27% had elevated blood lead levels, and 61% had never been tested previously. Elevated blood lead levels were associated with chipped exterior house paint. Conclusions. Most of the children who lived in these communities--where the prevalence for elevated blood lead levels among children was 12 times higher than the national prevalence--were not tested for lead poisoning. Our findings highlight the need for targeted community outreach that includes testing blood lead levels in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations. (Am J Public Health. 2004;94:1945-1951). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the use of isotope ratio to identify factors contributing to the pediatric lead poisoning in Peru. Increase in the blood lead level among school children; Identification of leaded gasoline as the suspected potential sources of lead poisoning among children in Callao schools; Blood lead isotope ratio of children living near the depository.