Reflections: Weeks 13-14 and Overall Course

For the last portion of the semester, I really enjoyed the different things we did outside of class and in class.

WEEK 13
This week, we finished up our last week of our SMART goals. To remind you, mine was to spend at least 50% of my grocery bill on organic items. I finished strong by going over my goal by 3%. Even though this doesn't seem like a lot, it still felt pretty great especially since I felt like it came so naturally this time without much thought.
For the advocacy project, we wrote our letters to the representatives and made a fact sheet for our topic. This was very beneficial since I will likely have to/want to do this in the future about a topic I'm very passionate about changing.
We also went to Goodwill Industries to take a tour and learn about the company. It was awesome to see all of the hard work and effort the company puts out in all aspects from their employees to their products. They go above and beyond other non-profit organizations and they even help the environment in the process. It was really great and I learned a lot. I even found my item for the junking project.

WEEK 14
It's our last week! I can't believe it's over already. We wrapped things up by showing off all of our junking projects. I made a lamp (shown in the pictures) for my bedroom back home that I am currently revamping for when I move back in this month. I got the lamp from Goodwill and only paid about $2.00 for it. I had to buy the lamp shade and jewels but that wasn't very expensive. I loved seeing everyone's projects. Everyone seemed to work really hard and it was great to see how some of the "junk" was turned into "treasure" so creatively without being wasted.

Before I fixed it up....Not too attractive

And after! The purple behind the lamp is the new color of my room. I think it goes pretty well.

We also finished our advocacy projects by creating an online learning activity for our group members to participate in and report on. I learned a lot from everyone's activities. I became astonishingly aware of how man harmful problems there are currently that need to be fixed. I learned a lot about the topics and they will definitely be something I will keep in mind for the future to make my own changes.

OVERALL COURSE REFLECTION
I think this was hands down my favorite course I took during my undergrad (and trust me, human anatomy is a tough one to beat out of first place). I felt like I took so much from this course that I will apply to my every day living. I've learned out to think about where a product comes from, how it was made, what it is made with, and how to determine if something is safe. I've also learned how to live more simply and to teach others to do so as well. The other day, I literally walked into the gas station convinced I was thirsty, walked to the coolers, looked at all of the bottles, decided it wasn't worth my money, and walked away. Talk about a life-changing class. I feel like this class should be a lib ed. Even though we are health ed. majors, I think everyone could benefit from a class like this. I know I'll continue to advocate to my friends and family about helping the environment and I hope everyone else does too!

Share and Voice: Eco-friendly Cell Phones

I don't know about you guys, but I have a bad habit of wanting to keep up with the technology. This means I go through my cell phones pretty quickly. I know this is the case for a lot of people our age. So, I decided to find out a way to "go green" with it. I Googled it of course and this is what I found.

• GreenYour talks about different manufacturers of cell phones and how they are attempting to go green. The link talks about what you should look for in a phone to be the most eco-friendly.
• CNET talks about some of the new products from major companies such as Samsung and Motorola that are coming out soon, if not already out.

These are just some links that I thought would be helpful. These phones may not be the smartphone that everyone loves but it might be something to look into, especially if any of you have a new phone on your Christmas lists!

Share and Voice: The Lived In Room

I have recently been trying to revamp my room by painting and getting some new furniture. Of course, I've been looking online for used furniture and I came across this place in Stillwater, MN. It is called The Lived In Room. They have a bunch of furniture that is brought in by various people to be sold again. It is basically like the Goodwill of furniture which I think is kind of nice. They have a lot of pictures on the internet so if any of you are looking for a new junking project, I suggest checking this place out!

Eye Opener: Online Learning Activities

TACKLING TRANSPORTATION: SARAH
For this activity, we were asked to choose 3 places that we go on a regular basis in Duluth and map out the  route using the Internet.

For the first location, I chose work which is at Essentia Health. When I plugged this in, it gave me commute of 13 minutes if I walk to the bus stop  that is down the hill. This seems like it pretty reasonable. When I reversed the addresses as if I was coming back from work, however, I would have to wait 45 minutes for the bus until about 11:11pm and then ride the bus for about 20 minutes to get home and then still have to walk back up the hill which would probably take a good 10 minutes. So although it is convenient for me to ride the bus to work, it isn't convenient (or generally safe in that area) to ride the bus home at night.

The next location I chose was school. The fastest route for this was to get on the bus at the bus stop down the hill once again and ride the bus for approximately 20 minutes. I would have to leave about an hour before class to arrive to the school on time, however, but that wouldn't be that horrible. When I reversed the route again it posed a slight problem. It would about 23 minutes to get back to the bus stop and then I'd have to walk back up the hill to my house which would add another 10 minutes. If I didn't have to work after school, this would probably be ok, but I almost always have to work after class or intern before class so I would need to be somewhere right before or after and the bus would take too long.

For my final location, I chose to map out my internship that I go to on Thursday since that is the only place I have to be that day. My internship is at St. Luke's Cancer Center. The fastest route was to walk to the bus stop again and get on the bus around 7:13am and arrive at 7:35am.  This would be ok even though I'd have to get up an hour earlier to arrive on time. After my internship to come home, I would have to again get on the bus with the fastest route being 25 minutes. This would also be ok since I wouldn't have anywhere to be afterwards.

The only realistic route for me would be the one I could incorporate on Thursdays. I may actually give this a try since even one day can make a difference. Otherwise, I thought this was a really good activity. I always knew that taking the bus or walking would be pretty inconvenient due to my schedule but it was good to see that I was right and not just assuming so. It was kind of fun.

THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING: KRISTY
For this activity, we were expected to review a couple of websites and then use them to help complete a survey about smoking.

I looked up the information on the fact sheets about smoking and then took the survey. It was nice to have a little exam to go along with the fact sheets so I really had to look for the answers and read through all of the information. It was really interesting to see the information that is specific to Minnesota and to read that all of the advocacy for the change seems to be working.

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING: ALYSSA
Our task for this activity was to review 3 recalled items and also list 3 ways to prevent lead poisoning in the home. We also were expected to reflect on what we learned after completing the previous activities and watching a video.

The 3 Recalled Items:

1. Boys and Girls Belts from Target: Recalled 6/17/2010; Available since December 2008
2. Youth Hockey Gear: Recalled 4/1/2010; Available since February 2005 (!)
3. Disney Tinkerbell Jewelry: Recalled 2/2/2010; Available since November 2008

3 Ways to Prevent Lead Poisoning in the Home:

1. Clean up paint chips immediately.
2. Wash hands often--especially before eating and sleeping.
3. Clean or remove shoes before entering the home.

Reflection:
This was a very nice concise video about the topic...and it was really entertaining. I was really surprised by how many products are still made with lead these days! I couldn't believe it actually since the consequences are so widely known now. It makes me wish there were more strict standards. It seems as if they still get caught in the long run but I think there should be a way to prevent them from being sold in the first place.

WATER VOCABULARY MATCH: CALLIE
After reviewing the information links she provided, we were then directed towards a matching/pairing game to complete.

After completing the game, I feel like I learned a lot about water infrastructure vocabulary. I never realized how many different terms and systems there are. There seems to be a lot that goes into water treatment. I agree that it is definitely important to keep the systems updated so that we continue to have safe water.

BREATH-FREEVILLE MYSTERY: SONNY
Sonny made up a neat game like Clue to review some of the typical toxins that pollute our air. We need to "interview" one suspect and then report. I was assigned Red Haze Harry...otherwise known as Nitrogen oxide

1. Name of Suspect: Red Haze Harry/Nitrogen Oxide
2. Cause of Pollutant: Most emissions are from the burning of goal, oil, and gas from factories and vehicles
3. Crime: Nitrogen oxide can cause respiratory problems.
4. Lock 'em Up: Drive less or carpool and keep vehicles tuned up! Factories should also obey by the standards.
5. Case File: From this activity, I learned about all of the different pollutants in the air. I never realized there were so many!  It really makes me wonder what I am breathing in and what those pollutants will cause in the long run.

Other source used: Tennessee Valley Authority

UNDERSTANDING EMISSIONS: ADAM
For this activity, we were expected to review the fact sheets, watch a video, and calculator our emissions then report on our findings.

1. Taking the emissions calculator, I found that I am better than average which was nice to see! I still produce tons though so I could definitely work on somethings. I might try to set up a carpool for traveling to school next semester when I move home. We'll see how that goes.
2. I also learned about the different types of fuels a vehicle can run on. When I buy a car once I get a job, I'd really like to get one that is more environmentally friendly such as a hybrid or a flex fuel vehicle.
3. I couldn't believe that OVER HALF of the toxic pollutants in Minnesota are from motor vehicle emissions! That is horrible! It can even cause a person that is EXERCISING and trying to be healthy have breathing problems.

Advocacy Project: Occupational Hazard Crossword

Occupational Hazard: Crossword Puzzle

The purpose of this activity is to make others aware of some of the dangers of lead poisoning in the workplace. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Association, lead poisoning is the leading cause of illness at the workplace. After being exposed to lead, it can stay in your body for a very long time and cause complications later in life. It can have many long-term and short-term effects when in the body. Since there are several forms of getting lead into the body and there are several environments in which this can happen, there needs to be more standards and precautions to prevent it.

References:
Safety and Health Assessment & Research for Prevention
Lead Poisoning: Wikipedia
Center for Disease Control and Prevention

For my activity, I made a free crossword puzzle through the website Variety Games. I had to take a screenshot of it because the puzzle was only available for 24 hours (which is why it didn't work the first time)

As for instructions, read the questions and try to figure out the corresponding word in the puzzle like any other crossword puzzle. After doing the crossword, report some of the interesting information you come across about lead poisoning while you were searching for the answers. Also, include your thoughts as to whether you were suprised by some of the information or not.

Thanks and I hope you have fun giving this a try!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Weekly Review and Final Reflection

Sorry, no picture of the receipt this week. I accidentally threw it away...oops!

(Photo is the link to the source of the picture)

My SMART Goal: I will buy organic products to equal at least 50% of my total bill when grocery shopping 1 time per week (Sunday) for the next 10 weeks.

SUCCESSES

This week, I am very happy to report that I met my goal at spending 54% of my grocery bill on organic products! This is the highest amount yet so I was pretty excited. Like I reported last week, buying organic is my main goal when shopping now and it actually feels abnormal to buy the typical products I used to. It has become very natural and I don't even have to strive to do so anymore.Also, the store I went to had a GREAT variety (Whole Foods Co-op) so it was easy to find a lot of items that I liked.

CHALLENGES

Like the other weeks, organic foods can be really expensive. This has made me think really hard about what I am buying and what I absolutely need to be eating. Sometimes, I must admit, it's really hard to walk away from candy aisle with nothing in hand.

FEELINGS

I feel really good about myself now that I only buy organic products (some, I should say). I feel that if I keep this up, I will be able to have the same affect on my family and also when I create my own family. I feel like I'm feeding my body the right kind of nutrition it needs.

WHAT I LEARNED

I learned that the longer you uphold your goal, the easier it'll become. It isn't easy at first and you may not always reach the goal but when you stick with it, you'll eventually do a lot better.

NEXT WEEK (AND FROM NOW ON)

I will continue to uphold this goal even after the class has finished. It will be a challenge since I will be moving back in with my parents and eating organically isn't exactly of their main concern. Also, availability may be an issue but I intend on doing the best of my ability to keep it going.

ECO-CHIC LIFESTYLE FINAL REFLECTION

My SMART Goal was "I will buy organic products to equal at least 50% of my total bill when grocery shopping 1 time per week (Sunday) for the next 10 weeks."

This goal did not change throughout the process as it wasn't always easy to reach as it was but was still attainable if I tried.

What helped me be successful was that I knew I was doing the right thing for myself and the environment and it was a good incentive as I like to take care of my body (most of the time...). Some of the things that got in the way was the availability of the products I like and the cost of them. Not all stores had a great variety and when they did, the cost added up quite quickly. To solve this problem, I stuck with certain items that I decided I MUST buy organically so that seemed to help with my goal.

I benefited a lot from this project. It was kind of fun trying to challenge myself in a new way that was better for me and the environment. I became very aware of my feelings while I was shopping (happy when there was a sale; frustrated when things cost a lot; etc.). I also learned that behavior change can take a lot of effort but it is best to stick with it for a while as no change is easy to do at first.

I think when I move home I will try to get my family to make the same goal in buying organic. I will try to show them why it is much more beneficial to them and the environment. This has helped the environment by supporting organic farmers and not support the corporate ones with GMO products and horrible animal conditions.

I plan to continue this behavior to the best of my ability. It is important to keep my body healthy when I'm younger for the future and it is also important for the environment's health.

My recommendations for those considering a lifestyle change is to stick with it and keep trying even if you don't always meet your goal. It may not be easy at first but sooner or later it will become natural and you'll feel better about yourself in the end.

http://amyintherain.blogspot.com/2010/12/eco-chic-lifestyle-change-week-5-weekly.html

Advocacy Project: Letter and Fact Sheet

Mary Hubler
House of Representatives
Room 119 North
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708-8952

VOTE YES ON H.R. 375: SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY IN ORDER TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED IN THE WORKPLACE.

The proposed bill for a National Workers’ Memorial Day will have a great positive impact in our community to honor those who have been compromised due to their work conditions. As a health educator pursuing a career in occupational health and safety as well as being a part of the work force, I find that this day would be a great way to spread the word about the importance of safety on the job as well as address current issues that need to be changed in the workplace.

One condition that needs to be addressed is the amount of workers affected by lead exposure in the United States. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), lead exposure is currently the leading cause of illnesses in the workplace. Although the state of Wisconsin has made great strides in reaching the Healthy People 2010 goal of having no adult blood levels above 25 microg/dL, there is still a major risk of overexposure as long as lead is used in the industry. As you may know, overexposure in lead can have some very traumatic results so it is important to protect those who must work around it.

Opponents of this bill may say that this will not effectively bring about awareness about the importance of workplace safety. This is wrong as it is not only the company’s responsibility to provide a safe work environment; it is also the employee’s personal responsibility to uphold to the standards of the company to protect themselves. By having a day to honor those who lost their lives when it could have been prevented, it would make others aware of the true cost of negligence at the workplace and may remind them to take all necessary precaution when needed.

You support in the prohibition of automotive oil filters in landfills is appreciated in keeping our planet a healthy place. In the same concern, I think it is important to keep safe those who are working hard every day on this planet, too. Therefore, voting “yes” to H.R. 375 would be the best option. If I can provide you with additional information or assistance please contact me at (555)-555-5555 or email@gmail.com


Samantha

Facts About Occupational Lead Exposure

How are adults exposed to lead?
• Majority of all of lead exposure are from the workplace
• Approximately 95% of the cases reported in a study conducted in the United States were from occupational hazards.

What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?
• Pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
• Muscular weakness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Memory loss
• Mood disorders
• Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm
• Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
• Fatigue

What are the potential long-term effects of lead exposure?
• Anemia
• Cataracts
• Damage to reproductive organs in men
• Digestive problems
• High blood pressure
• Memory and concentration problems
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nerve disorders
• Pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, preterm delivery and stillbirth

How prevalent is it in the United States?
• In the year 2000, about 430,000 nonfatal occupational illnesses were reported annually in the United States
• For every 10,000 full-time workers in the United States, there are 50 reported cases occupational illnesses.

How can the risk be reduced?
• Proper techniques of removing/handling lead should be applied at all times.
• Awareness of the consequences of exposure.
• Stricter standards/more surveillance of the amount of allowed blood levels in the working adult.

For more information about

Occupational Lead Exposure

Please contact

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Encyclopedia of Public Health

Reflections: Weeks 9-12

This quarter, like the ones before, has opened my eyes to a lot of issues that are currently detrimental to our world.

WEEK 9
This week, we started our Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change SMART goals. My goal was to spend at least 50% of my total bill on organic products at the grocery store.  We also started our advocacy project and looked up who the representatives are in our area. This was really interesting to see how many people are involved in legislature.

WEEK 10
This week in class we watched a documentary called Unnatural Causes. This showcased the issue of social class and it's effects. This also taught us how to find the root of a problem which will benefit and the advocacy project. For my Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change, I was successful with reaching just above 50% which I was very happy with although it was no easy task.

WEEK 11
The documentary "Story of Stuff" was shown which taught us about the actual cost of making products. It was actually quite shocking and sad. We also did a junking activity in class which taught us how to think outside of the box. I'll use this concept for my junking project in the future to come up with something original. I fell a bit short of my SMART goal for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change but was still pleased with myself for trying. Failing isn't always a complete failure is what it taught me.

WEEK 12
In class, we had a lot of fun reading a story together about junking/reusing items. Then, we came up with our own alternate ending which was pretty comical. We also went over the photo essays we posted to our blogs in class. For mine, I went through the good, the bad, and the ugly environmental aspects of my house. It really showed me what things I need to start changing within my own house before I tackle the rest of the world. It neat to see what everyone else found, too. For my 3rd week of trying out my SMART goal, I did better with spending about 50% of my grocery bill on organic products. I have found that this is becoming easier for me to do which shows me that I have really changed the way I think and look at products. I think I'll continue to buy organic products in the future as well.

CONCLUSION
These last 4 weeks has made me realize what a real difference I can make on my own through advocacy and my own personal goals. Right now, I'm more comfortable acting as an advocate through my family and friends as well as coaching myself to do better. In the future, however, I'd really like to fight for our planet and try to change somethings that really need it. For instance, my small town doesn't have very good means or incentives to recycle and this is something I would be interested in changing. I've really loved this class so far and I'm anxious to see what Dr. V has in store for us for the rest of the semester. I'm also excited to see everyone's junking projects!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4: Weekly Update

SMART Goal: I will buy organic products to equal at least 50% of my total bill when grocery shopping 1 time per week (Sunday) for the next 10 weeks.

SUCCESSES

This week I met my goal by spending 51% of my bill on organic products. This was an improvement of about 10% from last week so I was really happy about that. I made sure a lot more of my products were organic.

CHALLENGES

Since I wanted to improve from last week, I tired to buy a few more things to reach my goal. I bought a couple of things that I wouldn't normally buy. This caused me to spend a little more but it also made me try a few things that I wouldn't normally buy so it was OK in the end.

FEELINGS

I felt better this week having reached my goal and spending a little extra money to try a few more products. Overall, I feel better not contributing to the mass productions of other products and knowing that I am putting good products into my body.

WHAT I LEARNED

This week I learned that spending a little extra money (if you can) on organic and new products is kind of fun and a good way to explore what else you like and don't like. I also noticed that I am able to through the store faster as I am getting more used to the organic products and what to look for.

NEXT WEEK

Since I wasn't able to make it to a new store this week, I might save the last week for the best and go to... drum roll please.... WHOLE FOODS CO-OP!!

Blogged for Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4 Hosted by Amy @ Amy in the Rain

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

The American Home

I took pictures of my family's home documenting the good, the bad, and the ugly environmental habits that my family has.

My family used to buy a lot of bottled water but now we drink the free filtered water from our fridge.

 Since I'm moving home next month, I'm going to start making my family recycle. We do, however, recycle our cans and have for years!

 Sometimes, I can regretfully say that I forget to dust my room which can be very unhealthy. I have started to do it more often now though since we have this new Norwex mitt that makes dusting really easy and is chemical free.

Instead of using dryer sheets, we use these anti-cling dryer balls that roll around in your clothes. They are environmentally safe and much better for you with no chemicals.

I read in my Read 'n' Seed book that it is unsafe to store your chemicals (not that they should be used at all) under the sink. This is something that I am going to get my family to change once I move back home.

My family also uses a lot of plastic bags. We are really good about reusing them but we still have too many. I plan to get my family some canvas bags for Christmas that they can use instead.

This was a really fun project to do as it really made me think about some of the things I can change in my own home. I assume that most people's houses are much like this and I thought this would be a good way to point out some things that can be changed rather easily. If these changes were made, it could lead to a big impact if everyone were to make them. It could lead to a much healthier planet.

Share and Voice: Great Lakes Science Center Wind Turbine

I was in Ohio this week for Thanksgiving break and spent one of the days in Cleveland. This is the wind turbine that is set in front of the Great Lakes Science Center. It is also by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Brown's Stadium. According to the website, the wind turbine provides about 7% of the science centers annual energy usage. Although it doesn't provide a substantial amount of energy for the facility, it does help. It is also useful in promoting renewable energy in the city and even acts as a sun dial. As well as using the wind turbine, the facility also has several solar panels. I thought this was really interesting and neat to see a facility so proactive on the topic. It definitely stands out and is easily noticed!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3: Weekly Update

SMART Goal: I will buy organic products to equal at least 50% of my total bill when grocery shopping 1 time per week (Sunday) for the next 10 weeks.

The second with of the lifestyle change didn't turn out quite as successfully as the first week. I spent $7.53 on organic products out of the $18.93 total spent. This accounted for 41% of the spending.

SUCCESSES

This week, even though I didn't meet my goal of spending 50% of my total grocery bill on organic products, I still feel that I was somewhat successful. This is because a) I was relatively close to reaching my goal and b) the organic products I bought were produce items, which I feel, are the best items to buy organically. Like week one, I spent a lot of time looking at different items and ingredients and thinking about how I would spend my money without going over a budget.

CHALLENGES

Some of the same challenges I faced were the price of organic products. There were somethings I was not prepared to budge on in changing to buy organic products because of this. I focused on buying what I felt like were the most important items to buy organically like produce. These seem to be most reasonably priced compared to other products like cereal, milk, and soup.

FEELINGS

For the first two weeks of this process, I have noticed some changes in my emotions when I'm eating. When I'm eating organic foods, I feel a sense of pride that I am fueling my body with the best foods possible. It has also inspired me to take action in other areas such as recycling and getting my family involved in environmental acts as well.

WHAT I LEARNED

This week, I learned that just because you don't make your intended goal doesn't mean that you failed. I still feel accomplished and have confidence that I will be able to achieve my goal in the future.  I've also learned what foods are a priority to buy organically than others.

 NEXT WEEK

Next week, I will try to buy other unique and new organic items that I haven't tried before. I will also try another store to continue to compare prices of other facilities to find a place that has the best deal.

http://amyintherain.blogspot.com/2010/11/keep-that-eco-chicness-going-over.html

Share and Voice: How to Go Green



I was searching the Internet looking for ways to "go green" and I came across this website. Treehugger gives examples for several situations in which you can go green such as: funerals, spring break, wedding, and even drinking beer! I thought this was a very informational and humorous site because I never thought of these situations as ones you can make more green. I think you should all check the website out and let me know what you think! Hopefully you'll get some good ideas from it.

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Introduction

·         What is the issue/problem? The problem is that too many people in the workplace are showing higher blood levels of lead than is thought to be healthy. This is due to a lack of precautions taken by both the employee and the workplace stemming from a potential need for knowledge on the subject.

·         What current legislation has been proposed to address this? (Identify bill # and name) H.RES.375 Supporting the goals and ideals of Workers' Memorial Day in order to honor and remember the workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace. This bill was written to not only honor those workers killed or injured in the workplace but to use the day for promotion and awareness of workplace hazards.

Who is affected by the issue?

·         Who is affected the most? Those most affected would be the employees of the workplaces that use lead on a regular basis. The employer/companies are also affected when the employees are unable to work due to health complications caused by the lead blood levels.

·         Who loses, and what do they lose? The employee and company both lose in this situation ultimately.

·         Who gains, and what do they gain?  In this situation, it doesn’t seem as if anyone gains from this issue. The only thing I can think of is that the companies may gain from using lead in their production of products as opposed to alternate materials for various reasons.

What are the consequences of the issue?

·         For the individuals mostly affected? Those who have higher levels of lead in their blood are more likely to develop certain diseases and disorders. Because of this, it is also more likely that their ability work remain in the workforce will be diminished.

·         For their families? If the working employee is unable to work due to a condition that has developed from lead exposure, this could place much strain on the family. This includes various aspects: economic, social status, ability to interact in the public and within the household, etc.

What is the economic impact of the issue?

·         What are the economic costs of the issue, and who bears these costs? The economic costs of this would affect the companies. This is through the loss of employees which means less production and also includes more payouts for health insurance. The employees would also suffer because they would not be able to work as much which would cause them to bring in less money to their families.

·         What are the economic benefits of the issue, and who benefits? I don’t see any economic benefits of the issue. The only possible benefit is the company income from using lead to produce their products.

What is the social impact of the issue?

·         What are the social costs of the issue, and who bears these costs? Those who are working in places with high potential exposure to lead are likely more towards the lower social status end of the spectrum.

·         What are the social benefits of the issue, and who benefits? I do not believe there are any social benefits of the issue except for that those who are not directly affected by this may not notice the problem. This is likely those who are the people that run the companies.

What are the barriers?

·         What are the barriers to addressing this issue? The amount of these incidents may not be because of the lack of knowledge but could simply be the lack of compliance. Also, it is hard to ensure that each employee takes personal responsibility to protect himself/herself when working with a potentially dangerous material.

·         How can they be overcome? This can be overcome by essentially attacking this from every direction: education, mandating regulations within the workplace, etc.

What are the resources?

·         What resources will we need to address this issue? Such safety organizations as NIOSH and OSHA can be used to educate companies about how to reduce the risk of getting high blood levels of lead. They can also enforce regulations and teach companies how to enforce them on their own in order to benefit everyone in the scenario. The legislation can also be used to encourage the backing of bills that promote work safety.

·         Where and how can they be tapped?  I can find much of this information for the organizations and my local representatives online. I can contact them by phone, email, or writing a letter. I actually found a webpage by CDC about who to contact in my state about this issue which I thought was pretty neat and will prove to be beneficial in the future.

What is the history of this issue?

In the 1990’s, surveillance was conducted in Minnesota to monitor the amount of cases that were filed. With the implementation of a program, the prevalence went down.

Allies & Opponents

·         Who would support this issue? Employees, companies, and others involved would likely support this issue.

·         Who would oppose this issue? The companies may oppose since they may not want to put the effort, time, and money into preventing lead poisoning in the workplace. This may also imply that the companies would have to monitor the amount of exposure an individual gets to lead.

·         How can you involve allies and opponents in advocacy efforts? (What common ground can you share? How can you create a win-win for your allies and your opponents?) Making companies aware of the overall benefits that it would have, including its employees, would help get them motivated to support this issue. They would have better production, pay less in health insurance, and have fewer turnovers with employees. The employees would also benefit by staying healthy and staying in the workforce to support their family. They should know that they deserve to be protected when working with dangerous materials.

Your Recommendation

·         How do you want policy-makers to vote on this proposed policy? I think policy-makers should vote yes to making a change to decrease the prevalence of lead poisoning from the workplace.

Share and Voice: Reusable Cups

I found these reusable cups at Target yesterday and I thought they were really neat. I've seen ones that you can use for coffee but never ones that you can use for other drinks such as soda. I thought it would be a good idea for students to get since I always see people walking around with the disposable cups from the food court. This would be a great way to cut down on waste on campus! They aren't too expensive either!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2: Weekly Update

This is an update about how my first week working with my SMART goal went. To remind you, my SMART goal is:

I will buy organic products to equal at least 50% of my total bill when grocery shopping 1 time per week (Sunday) for the next 10 weeks. 

For the first week, I almost exactly met my goal. Out of the $34.91 I spent, $17.54 was spent on organic foods. When calculated, it came out to be 50.24% of my spending.

Successes

Overall, I was pretty successful this week. I did this by making sure I had a lot of time to shop. By doing this, I was able to think about what I wanted to buy organically. I was also able to examine the food I was buying and look into the ingredients. I compared several foods in prices in regards to non-organic and organic. This helped me decide what was more important: my bank account or my health.

Challenges

Sometimes it was really hard to want to buy organic as it is typically considerably more expensive. This wasn't an easy thing to do on a tight budget. To battle this, I cut things out from my list that I didn't necessarily need so that I would be able to spend a little more on food that was better for my body. I put the priority items that are the most nutritious at the top of my list so that when I get to the bottom and can see how full my cart already is and how much money I have already racked up, I am less likely to splurge on junk food.

Feelings

I had different emotions between when I was shopping and when I got home. While I was shopping, I can honestly say that I felt a little frustrated with the prices of organic food. I don't understand we should have to pay more for something that is better for our bodies. To deal with this, I thought positively and thought about how much I am helping the earth all together as well as myself.

What I Learned

This week, I learned that this may be more of a challenge than I had previously thought. I don't have a lot of money to spend on groceries and I try to make a dollar stretch as much as possible. Eating organically isn't exactly the best way to do this. Even though this is true, I still plan to stick to the plan for at least another week because I know it is much healthier for me and everyone else in the long run.

Next Week

I think I am going to try a different grocery store in hopes that some of the prices will be a little lower. I also plan to look in the weekly adds to see if there are any deals.

http://amyintherain.blogspot.com/2010/11/eco-chic-lifestyle-change-week-2-weekly.html

Share and Voice: The Green Mercantile

Since I am currently on an organic eating kick, I wanted to see what other organic products I could buy in Duluth. So, like anyone else would do, I googled it and this is what I found.

The Green Mercantile offers a bunch of different products such as toys for kids, organic undergarments, cleaners, body care, and baby care products. I thought this was a great place to check out and you can even buy some of the stuff online if you can't make it to the store. If you can get to the store, it is located at the following address:

209 E Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802

You can also contact them by email or phone at info@greenmercantile.com or 218-722-1771

Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

1. OBJECTIVE
For my advocacy project, I have decided to focus on Occupational Health and Safety from Health People 2010.

Objective: Reduce the proportion of adults who have elevated blood lead concentrations.
Target Goal: Zero per 100,000 employed adults.
Baseline Goal: 12.1 per 100,000 employed adults aged 16 years and older had blood lead concentrations of 25 µg/dL or greater in 1998 (24 States).

2. PROGRESS, DISPARITIES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, EMERGING ISSUES
The Progress Quotient Chart shows that so far, 24% of the target goal has been reached with it continuing to move forward.

The progress updated showed that 24% of the target goal was met. This was through the monitoring and teaching of proper procedures by several occupational health organizations. I think this is a pretty solid step towards the goal as it is not going to happen right away and working with lead can be very risky.

*No disparities were listed for lead blood levels on the website

Some of the challenges in meeting this target are as follows:

• Insufficient knowledge of science
• Determining the true cause of some of the medical conditions
• Uneducated public of prevention standards
• Acceptance the presence of a preventable risk

Though these challenges can be frustrating, organizations such as NIOSH/HHS is currently working to meet them through several different efforts such as research, training, and other programs.

With the changing status of the economy brings new emerging issues into the workplace. This means that there is a generally older population remaining in the workplace as well as longer work shifts due to company downsizing. It has shown that extended work shifts can reduce mental awareness which can create a risk in the work environment. This also means that longer a single person is around lead, for instance, the more likely that person is to have higher blood levels of lead.

3. RELATED BILL: Taken from THOMAS
H.RES.375 Supporting the goals and ideals of Workers' Memorial Day in order to honor and remember the workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace.
Title: Supporting the goals and ideals of Workers' Memorial Day in order to honor and remember the workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace.
Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] (introduced 4/28/2009)
Cosponsors:

Rep Arcuri, Michael A. [NY-24] - 4/22/2010	Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 4/13/2010
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 5/6/2009	Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] - 4/28/2009
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] - 4/13/2010	Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 4/28/2009
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 4/13/2010	Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] - 4/28/2009
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] - 4/13/2010	Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 4/13/2010
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 4/13/2010	Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 4/13/2010
Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] - 4/13/2010	Rep Grayson, Alan [FL-8] - 1/26/2010
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] - 4/28/2009	Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 4/28/2009
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 4/28/2009	Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 4/28/2009
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 4/22/2010	Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 4/28/2009
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] - 4/28/2009	Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] - 4/28/2009
Rep Massa, Eric J. J. [NY-29] - 1/26/2010	Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 4/28/2009
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] - 4/28/2009	Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 4/13/2010
Rep Rahall, Nick J., II [WV-3] - 4/26/2010	Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 4/13/2010
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 4/28/2009	Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] - 5/6/2009
Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 4/22/2010	Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-12] - 4/13/2010
Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] - 4/28/2009	Rep Titus, Dina [NV-3] - 4/22/2010
Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] - 4/13/2010	Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 4/13/2010

Latest Major Action: 4/29/2010 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Recommendation: Vote YES for H.RES.375 Supporting the goals and ideals of Workers' Memorial Day in order to honor and remember the workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace.

My Political Representative:
Representative Mary Hubler
(608) 266-2519

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change: My SMART Goal

Over the next 10 weeks, I will be working to achieve a goal that will benefit both myself and the environment.

My SMART goal is:

I will buy organic products to equal at least 50% of my total bill when grocery shopping 1 time per week (Sunday) for the next 10 weeks. 

This lifestyle will benefit the environment and myself by reducing the amount of harmful chemicals that are entering my body, decreasing the demand from companies that provide harmful products by not purchasing the products which will decrease the production in the long run, and possibly keeping the money I spend local.

Ever since I read the book Hormone Deception and watched the documentaries in class, I have become very aware of the harmful effects these chemicals can cause on the human body as they are not natural. Since I am 23-years-old and my friends are all recently pregnant, I've been thinking about ways that I can start to prepare my own body for when I'm ready to have a child someday (not in the near future). I think now is a good time to start slowly ridding my body of the toxins that are lurking around. As well as the effects that the foods are having on me directly, I am not happy with how the large corporations are treating the environment. They are not considerate and are killing it at a very fast rate. Therefore, they do not deserve people to purchase their product as it is unhealthy in so many ways.

I'm very interested to see how my body and energy will be after the next 10 weeks from eating more organic and natural foods. Hopefully, I'll see some good results!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 1 hosted by Amy@Amy in the Rain

Share and Voice: Murphy Oil USA Company

I was sent an update email from the director, Brian Finder, of the Risk Control graduate program at UW-Stout since I will likely be attending the program in the Spring. In the email, he sent an update about an oil company that is local to our area in Superior, WI that will be paying a penalty fine for violating the Clean Air Act. This was also a problem at their petroleum plant in Meraux, LA like we saw in one of our videos. According to the EPA website, the company will be paying the violation penalty as well as paying millions more to update their equipment to better suit the environment.

I was pleased to see this even though I know it will not end all of the problems that these plants cause. It is still good see that the EPA is taking some action. I encourage you all to check out the website and read up on it a little bit. It relates to a lot of issues we are talking about in class.

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

President:
Barrack Obama (D)
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
202-456-1111

Congress:
Senate:
Russ Feingold (D)
La Crosse Office
425 State St., Room 225
La Crosse, WI 54601-3341
(608) 782-5585
Fax (608) 782-5802
Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Herbert H.Kohl (D)
Eau Claire Office
402 Graham Ave., Suite 206
Eau Claire WI 54701
(715) 832-8424
Fax: (715) 832-8492

House:
Ron J. Kind (D)
Eau Claire Office
131 S. Barstow St.
Suite 301
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm
(715) 831-9214
Fax: (715) 831-9272

Governor:
Jim Doyle (D)
Madison Office
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707
608-266-1212

State Legislator:
State Senate:
Kathleen Vinehout (D)
Madison Office
Room 104 South
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707

State Assembly:
Chris Danou (D)
Madison Office
Room 303 West
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708

County:
Donna Cordes (No affiliation)
Barron County Government Center
330 E LaSalle Ave, RM 2510
Barron, WI  54812

City:
Laurie Tarman
Village President of Turtle Lake, WI
114 Martin Ave East  PO Box 11
Turtle Lake WI  54889

Reflections: Weeks 5-8

This quarter of the class has opened my eyes to a lot of new issues. This was done through many of the activities we engaged in and the videos we have watched

Week 5
I participated in the Score Your Diet eye opener which showed me how much of an environmental impact my eating habits have. I learned that I eat more processed foods than I had thought. Since then, I have tried to buy as organic as possible within my budget.
We also watched the movie "Future of Food" which showed me how much of an impact our GMO products are having in our country as well as other countries. I thought it was really sad and scary that I have probably eaten mostly GMO products most of my life. It has turned natural farming to fit in with the rest of corporate America.

Week 6
This week, we had a lot of fun using a free web program, Picnik, to create a fun and interesting header for all of our blogs. This made our blogs look much more formal and professional.
The movie "Fresh" documented some very influential farmers and other activists that are taking steps forward in making a change back to natural and organic production; one was even from Milwaukee. I thought this was really important to see since many of us hear all of the problems going on and feel overwhelmed and helpless in regards to a solution. Seeing these people making that change gave me hope that I can make a difference by not buying GMO products.

Week 7
This week's eye opener had us look up our everyday beauty products to find out what kind of hazards they pose to our health on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database website. I thought this was a great website. I was surprised to see how potentially harmful the make-up I was using on my face every day was. It really made me think how make-up may not be worth wearing just to feel pretty.
We also watched another documentary called "Green". This movie opened our eyes about the impact of all of the dangerous chemical factories are having on communities that are near by and the environment. It was pretty sad to see especially knowing that it is unlikely for us to have a dramatic change backed by the government since the politicians are so dependent on the funding by these companies. It made me want to drive less and use less oil and gasoline after we discussed how the price of gasoline is like putting a price on someone's life.
We also started talking about junking and what it actually is and means to the environment.
Week 8
This week we watched the movie "Tapped". It gave us the low-down on bottle water and how it is actually much less healthier than government regulated tap water from our faucets than we had thought. Every human is entitled water for free for survival yet industry is taking it without consent, bottling it with harmful plastics, and selling it to us for a sky high price. I intend to drink as much tap water instead of bottled water as possible from now on.
We also talked about junking after our eye opener assignment which utilized the JunkMarketStyle website. I'm excited to start my junking assignment. It really made me realize that so many things can be used as other things if you think creatively. This will reduce waste by reusing and recycling. Some of the projects look pretty neat and vintage too.

Conclusion
Overall, I have learned a lot in the last 4 weeks. My mind set has been completely changed and I am much more aware of what I am buying, what I throw away, what I recycle, how much plastic I use, etc. I already feel like a better person and I feel like I can make a difference by opening the eyes of others. I'm excited to see what the next 2 quarters of the class has in store.

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Part 1:
Antiquing: an item from a previous period of time
Junk: an item that is thought to be trash but may be able to be reused in another form.
Flea Market: a market where various items are sold for a typically low price; usually outdoors.
Thrift Shop: "A shop that sells used articles, especially clothing, as to benefit a charitable organization."
Upcycling: "the use of waste materials to provide useful products. Ideally, it is a reinvestment in the environment and embodiment of the notion that while using resources one is also contributing to them and their value. This is antithesis of the consume and waste concept in society."
Resale Shop: a place that sells things that were previously bought.

Part 2:

1. The terms above in regards to environmental health means the reuse of materials that are already made to prevent the waste of resources in making new materials. This cuts down on costs of all sorts (money, environmental, etc.)
1. Antiques: Antique Centre Duluth--335 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-1994
2. Junk: http://junkcamp.blogspot.com/2009/04/calling-all-junkers.html
3. Flea Market: http://local.minyanville.com/Dumpster_Diving_for_Fun_and_Profit_Duluth_MN-r1199386-Duluth_MN.html
4. Thrift Shop: Savers--1740 Mall Dr, Duluth, MN 55811 (218) 722-1894 http://www.savers.com/
5. Upcycling: http://www.etsy.com/
6. Resale Shop: Pawn America--339 E Central Entrance Duluth, MN (218) 727-2274 http://www.pawnamerica.com/

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/6955/fan-cy-jewelry-organizer

I thought this was such a cute idea. I love how simple it was and how useful it could be. I've been looking for a jewelry organizer so maybe I'll use this as some sort of idea. I'd make it bigger and put it on my wall, though.

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/21216/painted-recycled-wine-bottles

I love these cute wine bottles! I think I'm going to start saving mine and paint them to decorate my room or to decorate for different holidays. It is such an easy idea. Maybe they'd even make cute vases. I think I'd probably decorate with jewels or ribbon since I'm not a very good painter, though.

http://feeds.junkmarketstyle.com/item/1061/window-pane-photos

I love how simple this is and how classic it looks. I think black and white photos are so elegant looking and I think the old window pane makes it look really vintage. It's kind of like looking into the window of little moments in that families lives. I'd really like to try this idea someday.