Part 1: US Today News
Health risks stack up for students near industrial plants
This article was updated 12th October, 2008 after being written by Blake Morrison and Brad Heath (2008). It highlights a toxic air phenomenon occurring in schools in an Ohio community. The reporter began by lamenting that the sounds of elementary school children chatter has been replaced by the air monitoring equipment at the Meredith Hitchens Elementary School in this Cincinnati suburb along the Ohio River. Further clarifications alluded to school officials three years ago removing students from the location after sample containing high chemical levels were found close to the school’s vicinity. These levels were so ridiculously high that the Ohio state health department reported that it increased the cancer risk for people including students living in that area to 50% ( Morrison & Heath 2008).
Reporters did not explain the origin of this toxicity except to say that these schools were close to industrial plants. Importantly, no one knows how long people, especially, children were exposed to this dangerous environment and it went unnoticed. Another matter of significance is whether children and persons in the neighborhood have been tested for chemical contamination and treated. No information regarding how the Ohio State Department of health would address this risk in the future apart from removing student from the school temporarily was offered in this news report. However, since this is a public health emergency it is hoped that state authorities public health, school administration and politicians actively design policies to have schools located in safer environments (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2014).
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2014). Toxic Substances. Retrieved on
March 5th from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/
Morrison, B., & Heath, B. (2008). Health risks stack up for students near industrial plants.
Retrieved on March 5th from usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/school-
air1.htm
Part 11: Lakeview Elementary
Identification of top chemical(s) in the air surrounding the school and why they are harmful to public health, the sources of the chemical(s)
Dade County Lakeview Elementary school is located at 1290 North West 115 street Miami Florida. Schools in Miami Dade country are said to have the worse exposure to cancer causing toxins at a rate of 68%. Specifically Goliath Academy in Miami lakes, Florida was reported by US today news to be most affected. Precisely, ratings are evaluated based on toxins other than those causing cancer, but affects the overall health of persons within a specific contamination range. The most toxic chemical present in this vicinity is diisocyanates accounting for 40% of all chemical toxicity. Miami Lakes is in close proximity to where Lakeview Elementary school. Therefore, toxic concentrations in Miami Lakes spread to the neighboring environment (The Smokestack Effect, 2014).
Many industries are located in the school that, create dispersion of chemicals such as diisocyanates. This substance consist of organic compounds of a combination R-N=C=O. Precisely, it is an isocyanate containing two isocyanate groups called di-isocyanate, which are manufactured to react with polyols in the production of polyurethanes, a distinct class of polymers. This chemical shows low human toxicity when concentrations are moderate. However, further studies on rats show numerous effects on the pulmonary system. When children are exposed they could develop asthma and other chronic lung conditions. If they were susceptible to any pulmonary diseases the exposure can cause exacerbations because of its allergenic and sensitizer influences on the respiratory system (Randall & Lee, 2003).
Opinion regarding the economic impact of the
industries/sources within your community.
In my opinion since this chemical is not life threatening currently, measures ought to be taken to limit exposure by reducing concentrations. Apart from schools people live in close proximity to these factories. No one knows whether the areas was first a residential community and manufacturers infiltrate or; it was an industrial community and due to commercialization apartment complexes emerged, then schools and now a chemical hazardous environment has evolved. Questions regarding zoning polices surface when schools happen to be found in chemically contaminated environments. What zoning laws governed the community as factories emerged alongside schools and residential areas? These issues are connected to the economic impact of factories, schools and residents happen to be in close proximity to each other.
Was it a deliberate strategy for reaching the public by placing industries among residential communities to facilitate access to customers? Already fast food restaurants infiltrate school communities and residential areas as a noticeable technique for easy customer access. However, mechanical shops utilizing certain gases for automobile repairs can deliver hazardous chemicals while trying to be closer to customers. Consequently, passing zoning laws distinguishing areas where certain business practices are permitted in an attempt to protect children and adults from hazardous chemicals inevitably has its economic impact. This is a time in the economic culture of America whereby it is survival of the fittest in the presence of unemployment and greater health care deficits.
Importantly, while people must find ways to make a livelihood our communities and children need to be protected from environmental hazards such as toxic chemicals regards of the economic impacts. What is important? Is it making money or killing our children or reducing their life span through toxicity. Social planners ought to think again since we all know that money has a greater voice than the man on the street, but public health advocates must speak for the people, especially, children in our schools.
References
Randall, D., & Lee, S. (2003). The Polyurethanes Book. New York: Wiley.
The Smokestack Effect (2014). Goliath Academy. Retrieved on March 5th, 2014 from.
http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/school/108562
