Introduction:
The issue is elevated lead blood levels in children. The bill S.RES.650.ATS Designating the week of October 24 through October 30, 2010 as "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week" has addressed this issue by making one week a national lead poisoning awareness week.
Who is affected by the issue?
Children who are exposed to lead through the environment in which they live and parents who don't want to harm their child. Nobody gains from this issue. Children lose this issue because their health is affected by how much they have been exposed to lead.
What are the consequences of the issue?
Individuals are affected and can suffer from damage to the brain or nervous system,learning problems, and headaches. Families of those affected will have to deal with the heath issues that it brings to their children.
What is the economic impact of the issue?
IQ scores are lower for those exposed to lead, this is valued in forgone earnings. Lower IQ scores affect earnings and therefore the economy loses money. Not eliminating lead exposure has a big cost to foregone earnings.
What is the social impact of the issue?
Those living in older homes might still have lead based paint. Also, immigrant children may be at an increased risk.
What are the barriers?
Education, foreign made toys and money.
What are the resources?
Education on lead poisoning. Will need companies who buy imported products on our side.
What is the history of this issue?
The number of children with lead poisoning has decreased 4.7 million since 1978. Lead based paint has also been reduced which decreased the number of homes with it from 64 mil in 1990 to 38 mil in 2000. Many imported products have also been recalled.
Allies and Opponents:
Parents of children would support this issue. Those who would oppose the issue would be companies that still use lead as a base. To involve both in advocacy efforts I would point out that if children are getting sick from their products then people are going to stop buying them.
Your Recommendation:
I want policy makers to vote yes on this issue.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Share'n'Voice: Festival of the Seasons
I know I just did a share'n'voice about an event coming up, but I just found out about another one today that I think people might be interested in.
On Saturday November 20th, the Duluth Farmer's Market is having "Festival of the Seasons." It is from 10 a.m. til 3 p.m. There will be wreaths, Garland, Ornaments, Crafts and more. All items are made by local artists and craft people! It is located on 14th Ave. East and 3rd St. Go check it out!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Share'n'Voice: Sustainability: The New Buisness As Usual
I don't know if you all saw this or not, but there is an event coming up on campus called "Sustainability: The New Business As Usual." Chris Paine, a filmmaker, will be presenting a talk on electric cars on Tuesday November 30th. There will be presentations throughout the afternoon on the 30th about sustainability in businesses and on our own campus. Paine's first documentary "Who Killed the electric car?" will be shown at 3.
For more information you can read about it here.
For more information you can read about it here.
Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2: Weekly Update
My SMART goal for this Lifestyle change is: "I will shower every day for 7 minutes." I think I have done a good job achieving this goal so far.
Successes:
Overall, I think I was successful in my goal. I even showered in less than 7 minutes one time. I set an alarm on my phone for 7 min from the time that I turn on the water in the shower. This helps me shower faster since I know that I am being timed. I also do not want the alarm to wake up my roommates in the morning, so I get out of the shower right when it goes off so I can turn it off.
Challenges:
This goal is challenging for me because I like to take my time in the shower; especially now that it's cold out! I get up early in the morning to shower, so it is hard to make myself move fast in the morning. If I do not put the volume on my phone on high then I do not hear it and accidentally shower a couple minutes longer. To deal with this I just put the volume on high, which makes me move faster because I don't want to wake up my roommate with my loud alarm.
Feelings I experienced:
I usually feel good about myself when I managed to get done in the 7 minutes. It feels like I accomplished a lot! I only really get frustrated if I hear the alarm go off and I'm not done showering.
What I learned:
This week I learned that it is possible to shower under 20 minutes.
Plans for next week:
For next week I will keep my goal the same because I did go over the time limit by a minute or so a couple times. If next week goes well then I will modify my goal to make it more challenging.
Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2 hosted by Amy@Amy in the Rain
Successes:
Overall, I think I was successful in my goal. I even showered in less than 7 minutes one time. I set an alarm on my phone for 7 min from the time that I turn on the water in the shower. This helps me shower faster since I know that I am being timed. I also do not want the alarm to wake up my roommates in the morning, so I get out of the shower right when it goes off so I can turn it off.
Challenges:
This goal is challenging for me because I like to take my time in the shower; especially now that it's cold out! I get up early in the morning to shower, so it is hard to make myself move fast in the morning. If I do not put the volume on my phone on high then I do not hear it and accidentally shower a couple minutes longer. To deal with this I just put the volume on high, which makes me move faster because I don't want to wake up my roommate with my loud alarm.
Feelings I experienced:
I usually feel good about myself when I managed to get done in the 7 minutes. It feels like I accomplished a lot! I only really get frustrated if I hear the alarm go off and I'm not done showering.
What I learned:
This week I learned that it is possible to shower under 20 minutes.
Plans for next week:
For next week I will keep my goal the same because I did go over the time limit by a minute or so a couple times. If next week goes well then I will modify my goal to make it more challenging.
Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2 hosted by Amy@Amy in the Rain
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS
The Environmental issue that I chose from Healthy People 2010 are Toxics and Waste.
Objectives:Eliminating Elevated lead blood levels in children
The Progress Quotient chart shows that over half the targeted change is achieved with it continuing to move in that direction.
Progress towards Healthy People:The targets for reducing exposure of populations to lead were reduced.
Opportunities and Challenges: Eliminating lead blood levels is a challenging environmental issue. There needs to be no use of leads in children's toys, eating utensils and medicines. Some challenges for elimination are that some state budgets have been reduced which affects performing medical and environmental case management. Environmental health agencies can educate physicians on and about child lead poisoning and prevention.
Emerging Issues: Health issues with toxic substances are not always resolved after initial intervention. Some people may have ongoing issues that need to be addressed by case management.
Bill:
S.RES.650.ATS Designating the week of October 24 through October 30, 2010 as "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week." (Agreed to Senate)
Title: Same as above.
Sponsor: Sen Reed,Jack(RI)(introduced 09/27/2010) and Co-sponsored by Sen. Collins, Sen. Cardin, Sen. Whitehouse,Sen. Dodd,Sen.Menendez, Sen. Boxer and Sen. Johanns.
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2010 passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Submitted in Senate, considered and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble in unanimous consent.
Recommendation: Vote yes for expanding S.RES.650 "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Weeek" Act for the next ten years.
My Political Representative: Sen. Barb Goodwin
Objectives:Eliminating Elevated lead blood levels in children
The Progress Quotient chart shows that over half the targeted change is achieved with it continuing to move in that direction.
Progress towards Healthy People:The targets for reducing exposure of populations to lead were reduced.
Opportunities and Challenges: Eliminating lead blood levels is a challenging environmental issue. There needs to be no use of leads in children's toys, eating utensils and medicines. Some challenges for elimination are that some state budgets have been reduced which affects performing medical and environmental case management. Environmental health agencies can educate physicians on and about child lead poisoning and prevention.
Emerging Issues: Health issues with toxic substances are not always resolved after initial intervention. Some people may have ongoing issues that need to be addressed by case management.
Bill:
S.RES.650.ATS Designating the week of October 24 through October 30, 2010 as "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week." (Agreed to Senate)
Title: Same as above.
Sponsor: Sen Reed,Jack(RI)(introduced 09/27/2010) and Co-sponsored by Sen. Collins, Sen. Cardin, Sen. Whitehouse,Sen. Dodd,Sen.Menendez, Sen. Boxer and Sen. Johanns.
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2010 passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Submitted in Senate, considered and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble in unanimous consent.
Recommendation: Vote yes for expanding S.RES.650 "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Weeek" Act for the next ten years.
My Political Representative: Sen. Barb Goodwin
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