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Environmental Health2018-10-23T14:34:48-07:00

Daily Acts is a dedicated steward of Sonoma County’s environmental health.

We are thrilled to be rolling out a new pilot in partnership with the Jonas Family Fund focused on children and environmental health. We are exploring the interrelationships between children’s health and the environments in which they live, learn, and play. With a focus on education, outreach, and community engagement, we are developing offerings that support children’s (and all of our) health and well-being.

The primary goals of our environmental health programs are to foster healthier, more resilient, and safer communities.

Our programs support healthy, sustainable school environments by:

Educating families, educators, school board members, administrators, and health advocates on evidence-based best practices for toxics reduction and/or elimination in community areas

  • Identifying and evaluating common toxics
  • Understanding health impacts of toxics exposure
  • Educating on exposures reduction and supporting resilient health
  • Supporting schools and organizations in adopting and implementing Least Toxic Practices
  • Instituting sustainable landscaping practices on school campuses that increase opportunities to conserve water, grow food, reduce waste, and build community
  • Cultivating community stewardship of our environmental health

Advocating for policies that protect children’s health

  • Pesticide-free schools and public parks
  • No idling at schools, sporting events
  • Waste Reduction
  • Limited WiFi Exposure

Additionally, we are focusing on collaborating with other leaders in the field to recommend and apply protective interventions that reduce hazards in community areas, providing environmental health education and outreach events and materials to the community, particularly vulnerable communities, engaging community members, policy makers, and philanthropists in stewardship of our collective environmental health.

Routes of Exposure2018-03-01T10:44:07-08:00

Toxics Exposure Cycle2018-03-01T10:42:40-08:00

Credit: Raditz 2017

Toxics Released into Environment from Urban Wildfires2020-04-21T15:11:29-07:00

Toxics Released Source of Contaminant Known Health Outcomes
Asbestos Building materials Asbestosis, lung abnormalities, reduced immune function, increased risk of lung cancer
Arsenic

(Volatile Organic Compound – VOC)

 Electronics, industrial manufacturing, insecticides, herbicides, furniture Children: increased cancer risks as adults, increased infant mortality, neurological impairment, reduced birth weight.

Adults: Impaired intellectual function, impaired motor function, neuropathy, coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart attack, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, skin lesions, skin cancer, diabetes, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, liver cancer Female impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy
Cadmium Electronics, lasers, batteries, paint pigments, cosmetics, cigarette smoke, galvanized steel, building materials, fertilizers, automobiles Kidney damage, impaired Vitamin D metabolism in kidneys, impaired gut absorption, osteomalacia with osteoporosis, renal dysfunction, central nervous system disturbances, learning disabilities, anemia, calcium malabsorption, metabolic syndrome, decreased bone health, cardiovascular hypertensions, diabetes and insulin resistance, sudden cardiac death, oxidative stress, immune system impairment, impaired fetal development, autoimmune disorders, endocrine disruptor, class B1 carcinogen with links to breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Males: reduced sperm count and sub-fertility or infertility
Cobalt Burning of coal, oil, or cobalt alloys used in manufactured items such as magnets, grinding and cutting tools, colored glass, ceramics, paints, porcelain enamel Complex clinical syndrome, skin ulcerations and dermatitis, hearing and visual impairment, cardiovascular deficits, endocrine disruptor, hematological dysfunctions
Formaldehyde (VOC) Combustion process, furniture, carpet, rugs, window dressings, permanent press fabrics, cigarettes, cosmetics, fertilizers, electrical insulation, manufactured wood products, paint and varnish, preserved food Eye, nose, and throat irritation, asthmatic symptoms, asthma, impaired learning, behavior changes, stomach damage, nose cancer, throat cancer.
Lead Electronics, old paint, building materials, automobiles Children: nervous system damage, behavior problems, lower IQ, hearing loss, learning disabilities, anemia, kidney damage, decreased bone and muscle growth.

Adults: memory loss, lack of concentration, headaches, irritability, depression, high blood pressure, kidney abnormalities and damage, constipation, nausea, poor appetite, fatigue, joint and muscle pain in extremities. Female: spontaneous miscarriage. Male: decreased sex drive and sperm count, sperm abnormalities
Perfluorinated Compounds including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAs), Manufactured non-stick, non-staining products. Fetal development disruptions, including possible changes in growth, learning, behavior, decreased fertility, endocrine disruptor, increase cholesterol, compromised immune system, increase cancer risk.
Phthalates Manufactured plastic items, electronics, carpet backings, paint, glue, insect repellants, nail polish, hair spray, personal care products Children: known endocrine disruptor, low body weight, bone damage, cleft palate, testes damage, death, liver damage.

Adults: known endocrine disruptor, reduced fertility, decreased sperm count, topical skin irritation, liver damage.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Flame retardants found in most consumer goods, especially synthetic and foam products, furniture, carpet, rugs, clothing Flame retardants are persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic, carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxicants. Decreased memory and learning, reduced IQ, hyperactivity, obesity, chemicals that mimic estrogen, alters thyroid hormone, decreased fertility, decreased birth weight, decreased sperm quality, diabetes, cancer.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Product of combustion, including wildfire smoke, cars, burning structures Birth defects, asthma, cataracts, kidney cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer
Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) Manufactured products with plastics and PVC, plasticizers, flame retardants, lubricants, coolants Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentrations, skin and eye irritation, liver damage, kidney damage, thyroid hormone perturbation, reduced fetal body weight
Unknown Chemical Compounds Combustion of unknown chemicals and toxics There were multitudes of chemicals that possibly combined through the combustion process. We do not know what these are or their health impacts.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Manufactured items, solvents used as degreasing agents, acetone, automotive gasoline, furniture, caulks, carpet, vinyl flooring, foam, air fresheners, cleaning products, cosmetics, personal care products, photocopiers/printers,  paint, varnish There are thousands of VOCs in the environment and the EPA only regulates 22. We do not fully know the effects of many VOCs. Many VOCs are known carcinogens and developmental and reproductive toxicants. Difficulty concentrating, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, lethargy, vomiting, headache, impaired speech, cardiovascular and blood toxicant, pulmonary edema, irregular heart rhythms, eye irritation, nose irritation, throat irritation, lung inflammation, asthmatic symptoms, bronchiolitis obliterans, liver damage, gastrointestinal damage, neurological damage
Tech Savvy Suggestions for WiFi Reductions2018-03-01T10:31:09-08:00

Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids, Brighter Futures2020-04-21T15:58:18-07:00

HEALTHY SCHOOLS + HEALTHY KIDS + BRIGHTER FUTURE

BEST PRACTICES FOR A TOXIC-FREE CAMPUS

Children are uniquely vulnerable to toxics exposure. Their size, immature organs, and developing bodies and brains make their exposure proportionately greater and their ability to detoxify or mitigate certain toxics more difficult. Children are at a greater risk because of the way they live in, play with, and experience their environments.

Toxics are linked to asthma, developmental delays, learning disabilities, autism, autoimmune disorders such as lupus and cancer, and increased incidences of behavioral problems. Since children spend up to 65% of their time in school, you can improve their health through simple daily acts in your classroom and on campus.

There are three main routes of toxics exposure: inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion. Breathing in fragrances or exhaust fumes from idling cars, touching or playing on surfaces that have been chemically treated, or ingesting contaminated food and water are common forms of exposure.

GREEN CLEANING

  • Choose natural hand soaps & wash hands frequently
  • No antibacterial hand soaps
  • No alcohol-based sanitizing gels or cleaners
  • Use disinfectants ONLY for body fluid spills
  • Use bio-based & biodegradable cleaning products labeled with GreenSeal® or EcoLogo® 
  • No products with chlorine-based ingredients
  • Wash surfaces with vinegar and water

AIR QUALITY CONTROL

  • Adopt a Fragrance-Free Agreement
  • No air fresheners, odor neutralizers, or scents
  • Ensure good classroom ventilation
  • Change/clean air filters regularly
  • Adopt a school-wide No-Idling Policy

CHEMICAL SAFETY

  • Use non-toxic classroom/art supplies
  • Avoid foods from Environmental Working Group’s Dirty 12
  • Share snacks and treats from Environmental Working Group’s Clean 15
  • Drink filtered water & encourage students to bring BPA-free reusable bottle
  • Don’t spray pesticides, insecticiedes, or herbicides on campus
  • Adopt Organic Pest Management & Turf Maintenance Practices

RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY

  • Hard wire your tech
  • Avoid prolonged, close contact with wireless routers, laptop computers, chrome books, tablets & cellphones
  • Place all wireless devices in airplane mode when not in use
  • De-activite wifi modem connection when not in use
  • Don’t cluster children together with wireless devices

How the Environment Affects Our Health – HOW2020-04-21T14:35:37-07:00

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