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"Black Americans are more than 2X as likely to die from #asthma as White Americans. Addressing asthma inequity means taking a holistic approach to addressing the medical, social, and environmental factors of asthma. #NHHM2020 #HealthyHousing4All "
EPA News Release: U.S. EPA orders Orange County chemical manufacturer to stop selling illegal disinfectants
Is there a pool or hot tub at home? Make sure you have layers of protection. Don’t forget about kiddie pools. Or even buckets
#NHHM2020 June is National Healthy Homes Month
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/child-drowning-parents-keep-kids-safe_l_5ee7b46fc5b69e598c702c51
Drowning is a leading cause of death among children — and it's on the rise. Here's how to minimize risks this summer.
"Lead in a child’s body hurts the developing brain. Studies show that lead poisoned children cannot learn as well as others. Adolescents who were poisoned in early childhood often drop out of school and engage in other risky behavior. For girls, lead poisoning is linked to teen pregnancy; boys who have been lead poisoned are more likely to be drawn into activity that results in an arrest record or other high-risk dangers. Adults who have been lead poisoned are more likely to have high blood pressure and other chronic health problems — meanwhile, lead absorbed by girls stays in the bones and is released years later during pregnancy as a neurotoxin to the fetal brain, and a risk factor for low birth weight."
https://www.syracuse.com/opinion/2020/06/childhood-lead-poisoning-is-an-issue-of-racial-justice-syracuse-must-address-it-commentary.html
Children of color are twice as likely as white children to be poisoned by lead, write researchers from Syracuse University and Cazenovia College.
“This country is denying huge numbers of black and brown children their chance to achieve untold levels of cognitive potential by quietly poisoning them. We then compound this denial by providing deeply unequal educational opportunities. And, finally, we disregard their civil rights as well.
Addressing any one piece of this picture while leaving the others in place guarantees continued injustice.
The call that #blacklivesmatter means that black bodies and minds matter. It means that it matters when black individuals are killed by police, and it also means that it matters when black individuals are slowly and invisibly stripped of their health.”
https://news.yahoo.com/lead-poisoning-more-understand-hidden-093000730.html
As we examine the problems of systemic racism, economic injustice, and state misconduct, we should be careful not to leave out hidden forms of violence, including environmental injustice.
As states/counties reopen stay safe for you and others by staying SMART
Sharing a memory: Larry, Department Director 2015!
May 29, 2020! Today the Healthy Homes Lead Poisoning Prevention staff will be discussing more methods for keeping people safe while sheltering in place. Staff calling Seniors to keep our elders from feeling isolated/alone and coordinating their home repairs. A new law that expands the childcare industry but does not require homes to be tested before accepting children into them. A proposed law to increase child blood lead testing just as clinics have stopped testing all together due to COVID. Unfortunately we will not discuss how Larry can get a haircut and grow his beard back as he shaved to wear a face covering and now has a large Afro Lol 😆
So for Lead Safe Lenny and Larry its pretty standard practice now for both to have face masks - Lenny to prevent from inhaling lead paint dust while doing repairs or remodeling on older homes and Larry to protect himself and others from the spread of COVID! If you are sheltering and conducting home maintenance projects be sure to hire EPA certified contractors or if doing it yourself be sure to take the one day RRP course.
https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program
You can’t maintain healthy housing without code enforcement I bet because the Dallas Mayor took the time in February to walk in their shoes, he mentioned yesterday on Meet the Press/MSNBC that “code compliance and law enforcement has/will monitor business reopenings” as Texas addresses COVID sheltering orders. If we could get more elected officials to at least attend some virtual code trainings they might be not be so quick to think about code officer layoffs to deal with COVID economic harm. L.B. HHD
https://www.wfaa.com/mobile/article/news/local/dallas-mayor-puts-eyes-on-the-problem-of-neglected-properties/287-509695c2-99e6-4331-94af-f3063305dd34
Code Compliance hears from hundreds of Dallas residents every month. It's such a major part of city business, Mayor Eric Johnson wanted to see the process in action.
Sharing a memory from six years ago!
https://youtu.be/AG4HdVZ7GD4
Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Monday!!!! Started off morning with a child whose blood lead reading is in life threatening range! Nurses are on it! Environmental Health Specialist putting on PPE to begin testing of home to find source of lead contamination!
UV lamps can be effective in killing COVID 19 but not on your body where the UV could damage one's skin or eyes. And with regard to surfaces such as counters and floors, clothes, face masks, etc it really depends upon the UV equipment being used. So many products being sold are not effective or may be effective but not practical or even harmful to your health. Be sure to do your homework if looking at UV products.
https://www.who.int/uv/en/
But be careful of materials like household air filters that may contain fiberglass. They could still damage your lungs, even if they filter out virus particles.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-best-material-for-a-homemade-face-mask
Health officials have reversed course and now recommend that people use face masks to prevent transmission of the new coronavirus. A shortage of commercial masks means that improvising face coverings at home is the best way to protect ourselves and ensure a supply of masks for healthcare providers.
So we are working on some social determinants data and COVID impact on communities of color. The data hits very hard when our Public Health Dept provides these visuals. And really hits hard to see the age of those infected!
Happy Monday Healthy Homes Followers! So our County orders are to protect ourselves and the public at all times with face masks, even in the office, head coverings allowed, Social distance, hand wash required , etc. we are rearranging our office too!... I think this Linkedin connection of mine has gone a bit overboard but only to try to put a smile on peoples faces - though we can't see them under our masks! Have a wonderful first day of the week - Stay Safe!
Photos from Alameda County Healthy Homes Department Lead Poisoning Prevention Program's post
Thanking Nurses Past and Present For Your Service! National Nurses Week begins tomorrow and ends on Florence Nightingale’s birthday! She is the founder of modern Nursing and a legend in the field of Healthy Housing.
Hip Hop Public Health We empower stakeholders, in the U.S. and around the globe, to infuse Hip Hop Public Health resources into youth health and wellness programming through our Hip Hop Public Health MCs Program https://hhph.org/
https://youtu.be/2yu4jSPNtic
20 Seconds or More was created by Hip Hop Public Health to empower youth and families with the right information, tools and resources to help mitigate the sp...
Happy Friday FB Family! Just want you to know that everything you want to know about Alameda County response to COVID is here http://www.acgov.org/
For example:
COVID-19 Food Distribution & Services MAP
The Alameda County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Care & Shelter Branch in close coordination with Alameda County Community Food Bank, 211, and cities developed a countywide interactive map that includes food distribution sites and other essential services which are currently open under the COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place Order. The map will be updated regularly and remain active for the duration of the Shelter-In-Place Order.
My Community Development Agency Director and I representing the County in a COVID world! This is the new look of public service!
Happy Tuesday FB Family! Today its getting the Board to approve our annual fee to support child lead poisoning prevention, another item is a vote on a code enforcement training grant from the EPA and another is a HUD grant that allows us to help some low income seniors with healthy housing! Looking for unanimous approval. Three for three. Will see when meeting starts!
Thanks to the collective effort and sacrifice of the 7 million residents across our jurisdictions, we have made substantial progress in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, ensuring our local hospitals are not overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases, and saving lives. At this stage of the pandemic, however, it is critical that our collective efforts continue so that we do not lose the progress we have achieved together. Hospitalizations have leveled, but more work is needed to safely re-open our communities. Prematurely lifting restrictions could easily lead to a large surge in cases.https://abc7news.com/bay-area-shelter-in-place-orders-extended-stay-at-home-when-does-expire/6132922/
Full details are expected to be released later this week, the health officers said, and "will include limited easing of specific restrictions for a small number of lower-risk activities."
So we have this amazing child lead poisoning prevention board we meet with monthly. Today it was a virtual meeting so I had to dress up (lol). But these elected leaders bios can be found on our web page https://www.achhd.org/board/index.htm
and I urge our FB Friends to go check them out! Without their direction and guidance, especially now during this pandemic,
I just think we would not be managing as well as we have and we still have a long way to go in reaching our goal of having everyone live in a healthy home!
Happy Earth Day FB Friends from all of us! Of course we are now social distancing and wearing face coverings as well as communicating with many of you via text, email, video chat but eventually we our team will be back together but first we must do what is right to save the people of Earth from COVID and then we can focus more on the home and surrounding environment!
We want to make everyone aware of the importance of doing home repair/remodeling of pre 1978 buildings in a Lead Safe way. Contractors, Landlords and Property Owners should be taking the one day EPA RRP course so as not to create lead hazards inside and outside of buildings. Scraping, sanding burning paint off buildings without plastic containment means lead dust/paint chips left on floors/ground that are hazards to children and pets! Blowing chips/dust into storm drains creates water hazards. Lack of PPE means workers not only being exposed but in some cases they bring lead dust home on their clothes and have unintentionally poisoned their children/grandchildren! More info on EPA Lead Safety Rule at
https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program
Sheltering at home and thinking of doing some home renovation/repair work to pass the time? Well if living in a place built prior to 1978, make sure you have taken an EPA Renovation Repair Painting course on-line so as to not create lead hazards that could poison your family. Do not end up like Chip and Joanna! https://youtu.be/BRgXune_jV8
The hosts of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" settled with the EPA over lead-based paint renovations. Learn more about this story at www.newsy.com/80493/ Find more video...
"Please be aware that our M1, M2, and M2.5 masks only filter the air being breathed in and not the air being breathed out. Because of this, they will only provide filtration for those wearing the mask. If you believe you have been infected, our masks will not protect those around you from the spread of infection. There are multiple ways the COVID-19 virus can be contracted, and we recommend following all prevention measures provided by the CDC and WHO. "
https://rzmask.com/blogs/news-1/should-a-mask-be-worn-to-prevent-illness
In the wake of recent global health news, you may be wondering how you can protect yourself from viral illnesses, and if you can and/or should do so by using a mask. Our filters block 99.9% of particulates down to .1 micron – a rate that is known to be effective toward most airborne pathogens like...
Note that any mask that incorporates a one-way valve (typically a raised plastic cylinder about the size of a quarter on the front or side of the mask) that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling is not a Face Covering under this Order and is not to be used to comply with this Order’s requirements. Valves of that type permit droplet release from the mask, putting others nearby at risk.
Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan issued an Order for all members of the public to wear face coverings when around people outside of their household. The Order becomes effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2020. Enforcement will begin at 8:00 a.m. on April 22, 2020 to allow the public time to comply by making or purchasing a face covering.
“A face covering may reduce the risk of transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19 when maintaining at least 6 feet of distance isn’t possible.” said Dr. Pan. “Everyone should wear a face covering when engaged in essential activities and work, but there is no substitute for physical distancing and staying at home.”
http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov/press-releases.aspx
Healthy Homes Department is putting out information on keeping our elderly and child clients as healthy as possible while sheltering – really challenging if you live in a substandard unit and have preexisting health conditions!
Some examples:
• Adults and children with asthma should be acutely aware of mold which can trigger a need to go to the Emergency Room
• Dust can be an asthma trigger as well but also one should pay attention to if your house or rental unit was built prior to 1978 the dust might be lead paint dust
• With all of the attention on disinfecting one has to remember that doing things like cleaning with bleach can trigger an asthma attack.
• Keeping all the doors and windows closed, not ventilating bathrooms and kitchens can lead to air quality and mold problems too.
Most of what I am saying can be summed up in what our profession refers to as the 8 Principles of Healthy Homes that we often teach classes on to landlords, code enforcement officers, building inspectors and contractors.
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/healthyhomes
https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/HH8TIPS.PDF
“So Healthy Homes Director Larry Brooks noted that his department’s mission is research into social determinants of health based on the premise that one’s zip code should not determine life expectancy. But that is long term, right now we are told that day 10 of COVID infection is pivotal. So my thoughts are what aggressive actions can be taken leading up to that tenth day when you get better or suddenly make a turn for the worst? Getting Black folks tested at the earliest signs, treating symptoms with antibiotics freely given to White patients like Z-Pak for the Pneumonia, Sinusitis, Bronchitis triggered by COVID. Protecting service workers better like in grocery stores and bus drivers. Then we look at how to address the community environment leading up to the risk factors in Blacks that make us more vulnerable to COVID.”
https://www.axios.com/african-americans-higher-risk-coronavirus-eb1e29e6-189b-4351-b64a-b4777cd01374.html
"I and many black Americans are at higher risk for COVID," Surgeon General Jerome Adams said.
2000 Embarcadero, Ste 300
Oakland, CA
94606-5300
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If you missed us on PBS RetroReport last night discussing Oakland’s child lead poisoning problem and solution here is an excerpt and there will be repeat broadcasts as well as some local cable companies like xfinity have it available through their on demand feature. Check your local TV guides for details.
So inspiring to see these celebrities speaking about how serious a problem lead poisoning is in Black communities throughout the nation!..recorded a few minutes here and there but complete episode can be seen at https://www.bet.com/video/finding-justice/season-1/full-episodes/episode-106-the-lead-paint-crisis.html
Please share this exciting news about Child Lead Poisoning Prevention! Ten California Counties & Cities Announce Settlement Agreement with NL Industries, Inc. aka National Lead Co. will provide $60.18 Million in Funding to Address Lead Paint Hazards in nine places + city of #Oaklandleadpoisoned. Two other paint companies (1) ConAgra Grocery Products Company; and (2) The Sherwin-Williams Company are still fighting court ruling Twitter @LawrenceWBrooks https://t.co/oz2Qp2TDcR
ACHHD DEPUTY DIRECTOR ENCOURAGES OAKLAND COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ADOPT A RENTAL INSPECTION PROGRAM THAT PRESERVES AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IMPROVES THE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS. Larry Brooks comments on Council President's Proactive Rental Inspection Program (PRI) proposal.
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