Environmental Health Lessons for Your Classroom

Nancy SedlacekJay Young

Marilyn HairCenter for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health

University of WashingtonOctober 19, 2015

Presentation Overview:

Artifact Exercise The Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health What Is Environmental Health? History of ATHENA Venn Diagram and One Example of Its Use Classroom Lessons from ATHENA (and Web Site) Environmental Health in FACSE Resources Contacts

Artifact Exercise

Directions:In your group of two to four participants, look over your “artifact” thoroughly and record as many questions about it as possible in three minutes. Be ready to quickly share two of these questions with the whole group.

The Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health

Founded in 1995 and located at the University of Washington, the CEEH strives to understand and communicate how genetic factors influence human susceptibility to environmental health risks.

Researchers affiliated with the Center focus on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying human variability in response to environmental exposures.

The Center fosters collaborations between a large network of investigators working in toxicology, molecular biology, genetics, and environmental epidemiology.

It includes a well established Community Outreach and Ethics Core (COEC) that has been serving K-12 educators, community groups, and the general public for over seventeen years.

The CEEH is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Environmental health is the study of how the environment affects human health.

It differs from the study of how humans affect the environment, because it focuses on people’s health. An environmental scientist might study how water pollution is hurting fish. An environmental health scientist would study what happens to the health of people when they catch and eat those fish.

What is Environmental Health?

History of ATHENA• Begun in the 2010-11 school year. • Participating teachers attend workshops to gain the necessary

knowledge and skills for helping their students better understand the health risks posed by environmental hazards, including those found in the workplace.

• We also gave teachers the skills and resources to empower students to make individual and collective behavior changes to protect themselves and their communities from environmental hazards.

• By the start of the 2014-15 school year the Academy had worked with three distinct cohorts of educators on environmental health science.

Venn Diagram and One Example of Its UseBy Bellevue Health Teachers

Classroom Lessons from ATHENA (and Web Site)

Electronic Cigarettes & Vaping Genetic Testing & Ethics: Your Money Your Life Genetically Modified Organisms: GMO Salmon Introduction to Health: Family Tree Sugars & Artificial Sweeteners Sunscreen & UV Radiation What Is Environmental Health PowerPoint

http://deohs.washington.edu/ceeh/educator-resources

Environmental Health in FACSE

Why Focus on Environmental Health in FACSE?

It is relevant to students’ lives right now and will continue to be relevant throughout their lives It is in the news and students need to know how to evaluate what they read and hear Emerging careers are in this field of study It brings science to almost every field in FACSE

Environmental Health In Child Development:

Sample topics might include:

• Safety of reclaimed water use on playground lawns• Hazard mapping at home and at a daycare• Dose and susceptibility as related to toxicology and children• Exposure to toxics such as tobacco smoke, lead, phthalates, bisphenol A, pollution, pesticides, mold…

Environmental Health in Foods & Nutrition:

Some examples include:• Food Safety & Food Borne Illnesses• Food Deserts•Water, How Much Do You Know (Remind students that much of what they eat includes water!)• Genetically Modified Foods, Organics• Eating Locally (Carbon Footprint), Sustainability•Cancer & Food (both as cause & prevention)• Gardening & Cooking/Preserving Fresh from Gardens• Ethnic Diets & Results of Changes

Environmental Health in Interior Design:

Examples in this area might include: Off-gassing from carpets, textiles & building materials Paints – toxicity, lead, alternatives “Green” buildings Radon Hazard mapping in buildings Design for handicapped/safety of elderly & children Molds in buildingsToxic cleaners & safe, effective alternatives Indoor air quality

Environmental Health in Textiles & Apparel

Issues abound in this area, too, including: Worker health/safety in textile factories Nano particles & other additives in clothing Textile production methods – natural v. chemical Toxicity in dyes & fabric treatments Formaldehyde in fabric “Green” textiles Safety & health effects of high heels Clothing as sun block Toxic T-shirt Unit…

Questions?

Resources

http://deohs.washington.edu/ceeh/ Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (includes ATHENA)

http://deohs.washington.edu/ceeh/educator-resources Specific page for teacher resources at the Center’s site

http://whs.wsd.wednet.edu/Faculty/Young/YNHC/teacherresourcepage.htm Youth Network for Healthy Communities (YNHC) resource page with Environmental Health topic ideas and research project guidelines

Contacts

Nancy Sedlacek: nesedlacek@yahoo.com

Jay Young:

Marilyn Hair: marhair@uw.edu