Matthew Tarape MPH 632 Environmental & Occupational Health Blog

In this Home Environmental Health & Safety Assessment Tool, there were many questions I did not fully understand or wasn't sure of. For example, I have no idea whether there is a home radon ventilation system in my home, and whether my home has a gas, kerosene, or propane space heater. I also discovered some environmental risks such as using a lot of air fresheners that aren't low VOC or green alternatives, candles, as well as gas stove (but is vented). Also in the home assessment, I believe that the age of home (being built before 1978) is important to know because some house built before then probably used lead based paint which is very hazardous to humans. I hope my future home is clear of all environmental health and safety risks.

In class, we listed various biological, chemical, and radiological exposures in the different environments of our daily lives: home, work, school, and community. I had originally thought that there would be more exposures in the community, school, and work environment than the home, but after creating the list together in class, I realized that there are just as much if not more. Some exposures that stood out and caught me off guard included glyphosate (found in breakfast cereals), VOC/volatile organic compounds (found in markers), and parabens (found in personal hygiene products).