Government | The Pump Handle

Environmental Health Study engages residents in collecting air samples around fracking sites, finds high levels of dangerous chemicals

October 31, 2014 Kim Krisberg 2Comment

A recent study of air quality around unconventional oil and gas extraction sites — more commonly referred to as fracking — found high levels of benzene, hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde, all of which pose risks to human health. But what makes this study particularly interesting is that the air samples were collected by the very people who live near the extraction sites, and the collection times were specifically triggered by the onset of health symptoms.

Food Safety & Nutrition Wayne Farms slammed by OSHA for gaming system on poultry worker injuries

October 30, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 4Comment

After more than a decade, OSHA used its “general duty clause” to issue citations to a poultry processing firm for ergonomic hazards.

Government Analysis: Raising the minimum wage could save billions in public assistance

October 29, 2014 Kim Krisberg 2Comment

Raising the federal minimum wage isn’t only good for workers — it’s good for the federal budget as well, according to a new issue brief from the Economic Policy Institute.

Agriculture Lawsuits challenge EPA’s approval of new herbicide

October 28, 2014 Elizabeth Grossman 1Comment

Despite significant unanswered questions about human and environmental health impacts – and no exposure monitoring requirements – the EPA has approved a new herbicide called Enlist Duo for use on genetically engineered corn and soybeans in six Midwestern states. Environmental groups and farmers are suing to block approval, saying EPA failed to adequately assess health risks.

Drug Safety A Q&A with public health leaders on the opioid epidemic: ‘Prescription opioid abuse is still raging out of control’

October 24, 2014 Kim Krisberg 3Comment

While pharmaceutical companies are making billions in painkiller profits, it’s the public sector that ends up bearing the burden and cost of the fallout that accompanies skyrocketing sales of highly addictive prescription opioids. After the jump is a Pump Handle Q&A with two public health officials at the forefront of the opioid abuse epidemic within America’s big cities.

Government Occupational Health News Roundup

October 21, 2014 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

Article series investigates lead poisoning at the nation’s gun ranges; autopsy shows coal miner was wrongly denied black lung benefits; health care workers take part in mass protective gear training; and a Wells Fargo employee sends a big email about income inequality.

Food Safety & Nutrition Murray cares about the chickens, the workers? Not so much

October 15, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

Too bad Murray’s Chicken doesn’t care as much about working conditions for its employees, as it does about the living conditions for its birds.

Education Study: Public views of drug addiction much more negative than views of mental illness

October 14, 2014 Kim Krisberg 7Comment

When it comes to substance abuse disorders, public health and the public at-large are hardly on the same page — in fact, they’re not even reading the same book. And that’s a serious problem for sustaining and strengthening efforts to treat addiction and advancing effective public health policy.

California Expanding the right to know: California workers gain additional access to workplace toxics information as new hazards emerge

October 13, 2014 Elizabeth Grossman

“If the California Public Health Department had been able to find out that my company was using a chemical that was killing people, I might never have gotten so sick that I had to have a lung transplant,” Ricardo Corona told a California Judiciary Committee last April, testifying in favor of California Senate Bill (SB) 193 that Governor Jerry Brown signed into law on September 29th.

Agriculture New York dairy farm workers organize for justice: ‘Law or no law, we are going to organize’

October 10, 2014 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

“Yes, you can use my name because it doesn’t matter. They have already done everything they can do to me.” Those are words from Eliceo, a former dairy farm worker in upstate New York. Earlier this year, Eliceo, 36, decided to speak up and share his story with local advocates who are tirelessly working to improve conditions on New York dairy farms and end persistent reports of workplace safety violations, preventable work-related injuries, wage theft, exploitation and in some cases, worker deaths.