Compendium ) : Nitrate and Nitrite Levels of Potable Water Supply in Warri , Nigeria : A Public Health Concern

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was once largely a hospitalacquired infection, but increasingly, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is causing outbreaks among otherwise healthy people in athletic settings. Secondary school athletic trainers, student athletes, and the general student population may be at elevated risk of MRSA infection. To identify the prevalence of MRSA on surfaces in high school athletic training settings, 10 rural high school athletic training facilities and locker rooms were sampled for MRSA. Results showed 90% of facilities had two or more positive MRSA surfaces, while one school had no recoverable MRSA colonies. Of all surfaces tested (N = 90), 46.7% produced a positive result. From this limited sample, it is evident that significant exposure opportunities to MRSA exist in athletic training clinics and adjacent facilities for both the patient and the clinician. Furthermore, the findings point to the need for community hygiene education about skin and soft tissue infections like MRSA. Prevalence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in High School Wrestling Environments Bethany Stanforth, LAT, ATC Andrew Krause, PhD, LAT, ATC Chad Starkey, PhD, LAT, ATC Timothy J. Ryan, PhD, CIH, CSP Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) was predominantly a hospital-acquired organism; recently, however, community-associated MRSA (CAMRSA) has been causing outbreaks in otherwise healthy individuals involved in athletics. As such, CA-MRSA is of emerging concern to sanitarians and public health officials. Secondary school athletic trainers and student athletes may be at elevated risk of spreading or contracting MRSA. The absence of proper hygiene protocols or equipment may further increase this risk. In the study discussed in this article, environmental samples were obtained to identify the prevalence of MRSA on surfaces in high school athletic training and wrestling facilities mats in nine rural Ohio high schools. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were prepared. All nine (100%) of the sites tested had at least one positive sample for the presence of MRSA. The need for heightened sanitation, hygiene education of affected persons about skin and soft tissue infections like MRSA, and intervention opportunities for public health professionals are discussed.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) was predominantly a hospital-acquired organism; recently, however, community-associated MRSA (CAMRSA) has been causing outbreaks in otherwise healthy individuals involved in athletics. As such, CA-MRSA is of emerging concern to sanitarians and public health officials. Secondary school athletic trainers and student athletes may be at elevated risk of spreading or contracting MRSA. The absence of proper hygiene protocols or equipment may further increase this risk. In the study discussed in this article, environmental samples were obtained to identify the prevalence of MRSA on surfaces in high school athletic training and wrestling facilities mats in nine rural Ohio high schools. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were prepared. All nine (100%) of the sites tested had at least one positive sample for the presence of MRSA. The need for heightened sanitation, hygiene education of affected persons about skin and soft tissue infections like MRSA, and intervention opportunities for public health professionals are discussed. A Pilot Survey of In-Service Home Arsenic Tracked in from Chromated Copper Arsenate–Treated Decks Cole Sigmon Steve Patch, PhD Abstract Arsenic is a known carcinogen. It is also known to be readily dislodgeable from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)–treated lumber. The floors of in-service homes were tested for inorganic arsenic using a wipe method similar to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) method for lead dust clearance sampling. Additionally, a handsampling method was used that involved direct dermal contact with the indoor floor surface. Amount of dislodgeable arsenic on the decks was highly correlated with arsenic concentrations on the indoor floors. Indoor arsenic concentrations were highest directly adjacent to the door. Concentrations in samples taken from the middle of rooms were less than half the concentrations of door samples, while concentrations in samples taken from untrodden floor space in the corners were mostly below the method detection limit. At a home without a CCA-treated deck, no measurable arsenic was found.Arsenic is a known carcinogen. It is also known to be readily dislodgeable from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)–treated lumber. The floors of in-service homes were tested for inorganic arsenic using a wipe method similar to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) method for lead dust clearance sampling. Additionally, a handsampling method was used that involved direct dermal contact with the indoor floor surface. Amount of dislodgeable arsenic on the decks was highly correlated with arsenic concentrations on the indoor floors. Indoor arsenic concentrations were highest directly adjacent to the door. Concentrations in samples taken from the middle of rooms were less than half the concentrations of door samples, while concentrations in samples taken from untrodden floor space in the corners were mostly below the method detection limit. At a home without a CCA-treated deck, no measurable arsenic was found. The Role of Environmental Health in the Health Care System Monroe T. Morgan, DrPH Abstract What determines the health of the over 6.7 billion people in the world? What determines the health of the over 306 million individuals who currently inhabit the United States of America? The pressure of rising health care costs increases the need to understand the determinants of health and the role of environmental health in the health care system. In his guest commentary, Dr. Morgan discusses the four basic determinants of health: hereditary or biological factors, medical care, lifestyle, and environment.What determines the health of the over 6.7 billion people in the world? What determines the health of the over 306 million individuals who currently inhabit the United States of America? The pressure of rising health care costs increases the need to understand the determinants of health and the role of environmental health in the health care system. In his guest commentary, Dr. Morgan discusses the four basic determinants of health: hereditary or biological factors, medical care, lifestyle, and environment. (Compendium): Nitrate and Nitrite Levels of Potable Water Supply in Warri, Nigeria: A Public Health Concern John Kanayochukwu Nduka Orish Ebere Orisakwe, PhD Linus Obi Ezenweke Abstract In this study, the authors investigated the nitrate and nitrite in different water sources (surface water, shallow well water, and borehole water) in the market and industrialized areas of Warri in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The authors’ goal was to find the comparative levels of nitrates and nitrites from these two parts of the community. They selected five sampling sites from industrialized areas and another five from market areas. Nitrate and nitrites were determined using a DR/4000 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The appreciable quantities of nitrates and nitrites found in these investigations have some public health implications. This study suggests that indiscriminate disposal of waste and poor sanitation may be additional contributing factors in the nitrate pollution of the water supply in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.In this study, the authors investigated the nitrate and nitrite in different water sources (surface water, shallow well water, and borehole water) in the market and industrialized areas of Warri in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The authors’ goal was to find the comparative levels of nitrates and nitrites from these two parts of the community. They selected five sampling sites from industrialized areas and another five from market areas. Nitrate and nitrites were determined using a DR/4000 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The appreciable quantities of nitrates and nitrites found in these investigations have some public health implications. This study suggests that indiscriminate disposal of waste and poor sanitation may be additional contributing factors in the nitrate pollution of the water supply in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. (Compendium): Meeting the Environmental Health Training Challenges of the Local Public Health Workforce in Massachusetts Kathleen MacVarish, MS, RS/REHS Donna Moultrup, RN, CHO Steven J. Ward, MA, MPH, REHS Abstract In Massachusetts, the public health delivery system is mainly decentralized with 351 municipalities providing a large array of environmental and public health services through their local health agencies (boards of health or health departments). In many other states these services are delivered at the county or state agency levels, but in Massachusetts they are provided by each city and town. In addition to issues related to staff size and funding of agencies, a major workforce training gap exists in Massachusetts. In an effort to address this training gap with a comprehensive course that would introduce new and current staff members to their roles and responsibilities when working in an LHA in Massachusetts, volunteers from the Coalition for Local Public Health (Coalition), which includes the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association (MEHA), attempted to create a curriculum that would cover the full scope of these responsibilities.In Massachusetts, the public health delivery system is mainly decentralized with 351 municipalities providing a large array of environmental and public health services through their local health agencies (boards of health or health departments). In many other states these services are delivered at the county or state agency levels, but in Massachusetts they are provided by each city and town. In addition to is