The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit
organization that has a website that enables users to look up details about
their local tap water. Users can go to this page and enter their zip code,
select their local tap water distributer, and find information regarding specific
contaminants in the local tap water supply. The list also includes what types
of dangers each contaminant poses, such as cancer risk. It even has a section
regarding household water filters and details about types that can help further
reduce certain contaminants.
EWG Link: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2ubezJGr5QIVg9dkCh3sqgZUEAAYASAAEgI7vfD_BwE
Having groundwater guardians is crucial to public health.
Nurses are in great positions, with their knowledge and experience, to educate
the public about concerns with groundwater contamination. Contaminants including
pesticides, household products, dry cleaning products, gasoline, and countless
other harmful substances have been found in ground water and can have harmful
effects on health. These substances impact not only our drinking water, but
also the food we eat since it is used in agricultural processes as well as
other areas of our lives. This is one of the many reasons it is important for
nurses and other health care providers to become involved in policymaking.
Lending expertise about the contaminants found in our water, and the negative
health effects of these substances, to those that write and pass laws is
crucial to forward progress in making our water safer. Becoming involved in
organizations such as the EWG can empower nurses to bring this information to the
public. Public awareness is one of the most crucial steps in achieving change.
One of the things that I can do as an oncology nurse is to bring awareness to my patients receiving oral chemotherapy about the dangers of secondary exposure to their families, homes, and environment. Studies have shown that after patients receive IV chemotherapy, they will excrete the toxic chemical through urine, sweat, and even tears for up to four days. This problem has now extended longer because of the increasing use of oral chemotherapies where patient may take them in cycles between chemotherapy treatments. As more oral chemotherapies become available, communities will need to consider how to keep these toxins at a minimum in our drinking water. It will be interesting to see how much attention this problem will receive in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree having a public nurse involve in the inspection of the groundwater is very important because public health officials protect and inspect our food establishments, keep our indoor air quality safe, well and beach water safe, sewage and septic systems installed correctly. Also, public health officials protect and inspect our food establishments, keep our indoor air quality safe, well and beach water safe, sewage and septic systems installed correctly
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