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Our food, air, water and land are being contaminated. These environmental hazards are a threat to public health and the advocacy for these issues has been usually seen as the work of environmentalists. These professionals have made good strides in increasing awareness but have not always been able to make a clear connection between environmental hazards and our health. Nurses play an important role in advocating for their patients, their communities and their environment. They use their skills, knowledge and advocacy in their homes, their workplaces and their communities. In their practices they see first hand the outcomes related to chronic illness and are in an important position to advocate for improved environmental health. Nurses are a part of a powerful and trusted profession; nurses have the potential to take the lead and make that connection between the environment and health. Connecticut Nurses' Association's goal is to provide education for nurses and educators. We will provide them with tools to advocate for a healthier environment and to develop curriculum that can be integrated into nursing courses. As a part of the mission of the Connecticut Nurses' Association -- to promote health and well being -- we have compiled the following resources which will be helpful in understanding the issues related to environmental health. Please return to this site as resources will be added frequently. State of CT Department of Environmental Protection - Lists programs, services and publications, among other resources, including updates and advisories. http://dep.state.ct.us/ourenvir.htm *** CT Department of Environmental Protection Updates. It has a link to information on daily air quality and mercury as well as what fish is safe to eat among others. http://dep.state.ct.us/updates/updathme.htm *** Connecticut Fund for the Environment, founded in 1978, is the state's nonprofit legal champion for the environment. CFE utilizes law, science, and education to better air and water quality, control toxic contamination, minimize the adverse impacts of highways and traffic congestion, protect public water supplies, and preserve the open space and wetlands so crucial to both the state's citizens and its wildlife. *** One Thing is a movement to promote energy efficient behavior among all residents and businesses culminating in the One Thing Expo to be held at the Children’s Environmental Health The Institute for Children's Environmental Health http://www.iceh.org/cgi-bin/searchresources.cgi Learn about asbestos in toys http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/341381_asbestos28.html?source=mypi The Institute for Children's Environmental Health recently launched a searchable database of resources on environmental health for various audiences. The database is designed so that users can select not only the medium (books, journals, videos, etc.), the environmental and toxics issues, and the health issues of interest, but also the target audience. Once users make specific selections, links to online resources are provided. http://www.iceh.org/cgi-bin/searchresources.cgi The Consumer Action Guide to toxic chemicals in toys Health Care Related Links This website offers a resource kit for pollution prevention in health care. http://www.noharm.org/goingGreen *** Mercury in health care issue http://www.mercuryfreehealthcare.org *** H2E - Hospitals for a Health Environment. - H2E is based on the vision of a healthy health care system - embracing safer building products, clean air, energy and water efficiency, safe working practices, and a commitment to public health with emphasis on waste volume and toxicity reduction. *** The WHO Mercury in Health Care Policy Paper. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/medicalwaste/mercurypolpaper.pdf *** Learn how to properly dispose of medications Informational Links For a directory of environmentally friendly products and services H2E has this area available for searching. http://www.h2e-online.org/directory/search.cfm *** CleanMed links to information about conferences. The next one is in 2008. *** Compiled by environmental health sciences the following link gives up-to-date environmental news. Provides quick access to breaking news about the environment, with scientific results that help link health to the environment and reports by environmental groups. http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ Great source for safer cleaning products Household Products Database: Health & Safety Information from the National Library of Medicine http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/list?tbl=TblBrands&alpha=A *** Plastic Recycle Codes http://www.ides.com/resources/plastic-recycling-codes.asp Environmentally focused media, event and marketplace company www.allgreen.com Choose which catalogs you no longer want to receive. This is a free service. http://www.catalogchoice.org/ H2E - 10 Step Guide to Green Cleaning Implementation *** The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization that specializes in providing useful resources to consumers while also pushing for policy change. Women's Health and Environmental Network (WHEN) champions the health of women and their families by reducing environmental exposures through education, research and direct action. From Forecast Earth: 10 Things to Recycle That You Never Thought You Could
For Nurses Maryland Nurses Association site Please note the first page on environmental health. http://www.marylandrn.org/html/workplaceEnvironmentHealth.cfm *** Nurses are selfless and do so much for others. This website highlights how nurses are lighting the way to improving environmental health. http://www.theluminaryproject.org/ *** A web-based training module for nurses interested in conducting Pediatric Environmental Health Assessments. http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/Nurse/PEHA_Start.htm ***
National/International Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of over 440 organizations in more than 50 countries, working to transform the health care industry so it is no longer a source of harm to people and the environment. *** The Chemicals Policy Initiative, a project of the http://www.chemicalspolicy.org/ *** A link to Clean Water Action http://www.cleanwateraction.org *** http://www.healthytomorrow.org/ *** Science and environmental health network based around adopting a precautionary principle approach to environmental health. http://www.sehn.org/precaution.html *** National Environmental Education Foundation www.neefusa.org U.S. Environmental Protection Agency This is the http://nursingworld.org/coeh/rnnoharm/ *** The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing which provides links to numerous articles on environmental health. Articles National Geographic article regarding body burden http://green.nationalgeographic.com/environment/going-green/toxic-people.html?nav=FEATURES Click here for article on the dangers of DEHP Web sites for Environmental Health: Our Children, Ourselves and Our Community: Bromated Fire Retardants and Phthalates www.environmentalhealthnews.org
Breast Milk-A Sentinel for Exposure? www.aapolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b108/3/776 Cosmetics-Dying to be Beautiful? Pharmaceutical Disposal http://www.pharmecology.com Best practices for managing pharmaceutical waste Pesticides http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/index.
Plastics www.checnet.org/healthouse/edcuation www.ct.gov - (CT bill information, citizens guide to political action)
Social Change Household Cleaning
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