Reflection: Weeks 5-8

I learned how to create a graphical header for the blog. I think it was really unique to learn and it’s great to use it in my blog.
I think it was fun to find out my ecological footprint and how many planets it would take to support my lifestyle. It was a shock when I saw my result. I couldn’t believe it would take 5 planets to support my lifestyle. I have started to take the bus to school or drive more with my roommates.
I chose 1 cosmetic item that I use and I used the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database to find out about the safety of that product. I found out that my product might cause cancer so I decided to find another face cleaning product that would be safer to use.

I learned about antiques/antiquing, junk/junking, flea market, thrift shop, upcycling, and about resale shops. I found out where you can find all of these in Duluth and what kind of interesting things you can make from junk. I think this was really cool because I realized that you don’t need to buy new things all the time, you can be creative and make new things from your old things.

I think the video we watched about plastic bottles and manufacturers was really interesting and it really opened my eyes. It is really sad how much plastic there is in the ocean, and even sadder how the water manufacturers are taking our water and selling it back to us with bigger prices. It was really good that I saw this video because I used to believe that bottled water is pure and safer to drink than tap water, however, it is just the bottled water companies way to advertise their product.

After learning more about the environment, I have really tried to be more eco-friendly and use the bus more and car-pool. I have never really bought bottled water and after seeing the video I am never going to. It’s actually to the point that if I see my friend having bottled water I am going to tell about the video and what I learned.

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

PART 1:

* antiques/antiquing

An antigue is an old item that is collected because of its age and beauty.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique

* junk/junking

Junk is a number of different materials that are used in a different form than it wass used for before.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk

* flea market

A flea market is a place where old and used goods are sold. It can be outdoors or indoors.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_market

* thrift shop

Thrift stores sell used clothes and another items that somebody else doesn't want anymore. The most known thrift store is probably Goodwill.http://www.wikihow.com/Shop-at-Thrift-Stores

* upcycling

Upcycling is the process of reusing waste materials and making new materials or products.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upcycling

* resale shop

Resale shops sell gently-used goods and they buy their goods from individual owners.http://www.tgtbt.com/consumer.htm#whatresale

PART 2:

1. What do the terms above have to do with environmental health?

They all help to save the environment. Selling old clothes or furniture rather than just throwing them away will help the environment.

2. Identify at least one local resource for each of the terms above...provide name, location, contact info, and link to website or blog.

Antigues/antiguing
Name: Father Time Antiques
Location: 395 S Lake Ave Duluth, MN 55802
Contact info: 218-625-2379
Website: http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Father.Time.Antiques

Junk/junking
Name: Junkologie
Contact info: alvn.mail@gmail.com.
Website: http://www.junkologie.com/

Flea market:
Name: Flea Market at Fair Grounds
Location: Carlton County Fairgrounds - Barnum, MN.
Contact info: 218-273-4096
Website: http://www.visitbarnum.com/SearchResults/Rummagegaragefleamarketandmovingsales/tabid/1787/Default.aspx

Thrift shop:
Name: Goodwill Industries Vocational Enterprises, Inc.
Location: 700 Garfield Avenue Duluth, MN 55802
Contact info: Marge Bray, Executive Director
E-mail: mbray@goodwillduluth.org
Voice: (218) 722-6351
FAX: (218) 722-8108
Website: http://www.goodwillduluth.org/

Upcycling:
I could not find anything specific on upcycling in Duluth, MN or close by.

Resale Shop:
Name: Plato’s Closet
Location: 5115 Burning Tree Rd, Duluth, MN
Contact info: (218) 733-9455
Website: http://www.platosclosetduluth.com/

Identify whether you do any or use any of these things. Why or why not?
I have never been to any of these stores but now that I have learned more about them I really want to go to some resale or thrift shops.

PART 3
JunkMarketStyle.com Projects:

I think this floral display is really cool and very creative. It is made using window frame and a toolbox.
http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/28993/everythings-coming-up-kale

I really like this clock which is made of gear mold.
http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/21319/how-to-make-a-gear-mold-clock

This is a really pretty candle holder, made from an old coffee cup and a plate.
http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/17832/simple-monday-evening

Read 'N' Seed 5: Fourth Quarter & Final Review of "Prevention is Primary, Strategies for Community Well-Being"

I read chapters 14 and 15, pages 313-343. 

The main topics covered in these chapters include the role of public health in violence prevention and HIV prevention. 

Overall, violent crimes have decreased in the United States. With that being said, rates among girls and younger children of smaller towns appear to be on the rise. Even though violent crimes have decreased, there are far too many injuries that occur daily that are preventable. By the end of 2004, more than 944,000 people had been diagnosed with AIDS in the United States, of whom 529,000 (56 percent) had died (Center for Disease Control and prevention, 2005). Reducing HIV infections requires more than relying on individual behavior change. Chapter 15 talked about two new directions for HIV prevention that practitioners can use. The first one is to take cues from other fields of public health, most notably injury prevention and tobacco control, which have used policy as an integral part of the strategy to achieve desired outcomes. The second method involves developing interventions that will directly affect the sexual networks that facilitate viral transmission. 

I think it is horrible how many violent crimes there are and I think it is really important that we learn about how to prevent violence. We should really reduce the level of violence that is shown on television or maybe even establish a ban on guns.
There are many different interventions to prevent HIV; however, there is a lack of understanding with which of these interventions may have greater or lesser effectiveness in different populations. We also need to consider different areas and phases of the epidemic. 

All together this book had a lot of good information about primary prevention and there was a lot of new information for me. 

Three most significant things I learned are:

1. How important primary prevention is and how it helps the health care system not to be overbooked because less people would need medical attention.
2. How effective policies are to improve people’s health.
3. The role of public health in violence prevention.  

It is really important that people learn how to prevent illnesses and injuries. It will help people save some  money because they are less likely to use health care. Policies are a very effective way to improve people’s health. For example, I think it is really good that you are not allowed to smoke in the restaurants anymore because people who don’t smoke were still exposed to second-hand smoke.
I recommend this book to everybody who wants to learn about primary prevention of unnecessary illness and injury. I think everyone who is interested about health topics and how to help people would really enjoy this book.

Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

I use Clearasil Stayclear Oil-free daily face wash. The website gave this product a rating of six out of ten so it is a moderate hazard. Ingredients in this product are linked to: Cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies/immunotoxicity, and use restrictions. Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards.

I didn’t know that this product has so many hazardous ingredients in it. I really like this website and I will try to find another product that wouldn’t be as bad for me.
You can check out my result here: Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database

Share & Voice: Help Protect The Ocean

I found this National Geographic website that talks about making the right seafood choices and it gives tips on how you can help save the ocean. I think it is a really good website for people who likes to eat seafood because it teaches about the impact your seafood choices make on your health and the ocean in this interactive guide.
Visit the website here: http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/missionblue/take-action/

Read ‘N’ Seed 4: Prevention is Primary: Strategies for Community Well-Being

1. I read chapters 11-13.

2. I had three main topics that I read about:

1. Environment exposures affect on peoples health.
2. How our environment is built will affect people’s health.
3. Another thing that affects people’s health is the choices we make referring to what we eat. This is made in the context of our social, physical, and cultural environment.

3. I learned that the same environmental problems that contribute to poor air and water quality, as well as neighborhood deterioration also contribute to negative mental and physical health outcomes. Cancer, asthma, birth defects, developmental disabilities, infertility and Parkinson’s disease are on the rise, and they are linked to chemical exposures from air, water, food, and products and practices used in our schools, homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces. These health problems are widespread, affecting nearly one of every two Americans (Pew Environmental Health Commission, 2001).

I learned about the physical environment in which we live, work, and play has a fundamental impact on both health itself and behaviours that affect it. For example, the sitting of a truck depot increases diesel emissions in a neighborhood, resulting in higher asthma rates. Another example is, a community without sidewalks results in people walking less and therefore being at risk for increased rates of chronic disease.

Where foods are available, the price of foods, and the advertising and promotion of foods have an influence on the choices we make. Ideally, the food environment would support biological needs, meaning that healthy, nutritious food would be readily available, affordable, and appealing to our community. Unfortunately, the food environment in the United States today is characterized by increasing of heavily marketed snacks and sodas, doughnut shops and fast-food chains, and foods that are highly processed and supersized.

4. Government and local leaders should be doing something to rehabilitating our communities and planning for a healthier and safer environment. We should be building environments that prevent injury and illness and promote health. Ergonomists help design safe, comfortable furniture, industrial hygienists help assess and control indoor air problems, and sanitarians help control rodent infestations in buildings. The environment must be changed to facilitate healthier eating and activity patterns. Many school districts, work sites, government agencies, and health care institutions are making environmental changes to improve access to healthier, sustainable produced food and to decrease the promotion and presence of junk food, but there is still a long way to go with reaching a healthier environment.

New terminology presented:

The precautionary principle borrows from the medical oath to “do no harm” in placing the burden of demonstrating safety prior to public exposure on those who produce chemicals and other substances. (p.231)

You can read more from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principle

Community-based participatory research is a vital primary prevention strategy that addresses the need for community capacity building and involvement of key stakeholders in decisions that affect community health.

Read more from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-based_participatory_research

New Header Linky

I designed this header with Picnik.com. It is a really cool website.