Public Health & Safety

What does protecting the environment mean to you? To me, it means not leaving a large ecological footprint on the earth. Some people spend their whole lives making sure not to pollute and ruin the...

There is plenty you can do to slow down the greenhouse gas effect. Most of these steps will save you money too. Former Vice President Al Gore put it clearly in his 2005 Sierra Club Convention...

The individual "squares" of a tapeworm contain egg sacs. When excreted, the sacs can be ingested by flea larvae, which as adults may infest your pet's fur. If licked by the pet, the flea dies but...

The EPA regulates tap water through standards designed to protect water quality, taste, color and clarity. Public systems treat water with chlorine disinfectants and filters in order to meet...

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes the most food-borne illnesses, mostly diarrhea, in humans. Salmonella is a rod-shaped microscopic living thing that is easily transferred through food and...

Diarrhea is the frequent passing of loose, watery stools. Water plays a large role in the onset of diarrhea. It can be caused by drinking contaminated water or by the body absorbing too much water.

What can you do to keep our planet alive for generations to come? Some think that it would be too hard to go green when really it is quite easy to get started. Here are five quick steps for you...

Lead poisoning continues to be an issue today nearly 40 years after the U.S. government banned it’s use in paints as well as gasoline. Because lead was so commonly used in industry and...

Hurricane season starts in June and plugs away until November. To protect your home and family, prepare for the dangerous season with a disaster supply kit, a home safety plan and an evacuation...

One of the smallest rooms in the house presents many fire and electrical hazards that are easily overlooked. Following a few basic bathroom safety rules could prevent serious injury or death from...

Groundwater, thanks to its protected underground location, is naturally clean and contains no contaminants. However, bacteria and other dangers can leech into groundwater and infiltrate...

Sodium chloride, or salt, has endless uses in our everyday life. Salt helps our bodies function properly. Additionally, salt's ability to prohibit the growth of bacteria makes it a valuable...

Deciding to quit smoking is a hard thing to do. Actually taking the steps to become smoke-free is even harder. Nicotine is a powerful drug that can grab hold of you and not let go. The benefits of...

Whether you're camping, piloting a plane or driving long distances, a personal urine container can help provide the level of comfort you and your bladder need. Yet, if left uncleaned, the...

The most pressing environmental health problems are climate change, specifically, global warming, unsafe drinking water, poor air quality (indoors and out), and contaminated food supplies. ...

Using pool chlorine to disinfect water from a cistern is an easy way to make safe drinking water. This is especially true if the cistern collects rain water because rain water is already fairly...

Staph, or staphylococcus, is a common bacteria that often lives on the skin around the nose, mouth and genitals. Usually, staph doesn't cause illness on the surface of the skin, but if the...

Sulfate in water causes it to have a bitter taste. Drinking it can lead to dehydration, as it also has a laxative effect. Water that has hydrogen sulfide in it smells like a rotten egg and can...

It is a fact that washing your hands the right way is the best way to stop the spread of germs and sickness. Here is the proper and most effective way to wash your hands. Follow these steps and...

With salmonella outbreaks affecting fruits and vegetables, knowing how to properly wash fresh produce at home is especially important. It's critical to ensure that produce is properly prepared,...

Installing a proper storm water treatment system is one of the important measures businesses, individuals and cities can take to improve the quality of public and private water sources. Treatment...

It's frustrating to have water stuck in your inner ear, which might also result in hearing blockage, dizziness and nausea . There are several ways to treat this problem.

Most of the public relies on public water systems for their supply of water. Before water enters public treatment plants, it is typically contaminated with parasites and bacteria. The water is...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors public drinking water systems to check for contaminants and to ensure treatment processes are protecting human health. Drinking water must meet...

Many people rely on private water wells for their drinking water. As there are no regulations for the testing of private drinking water, it is recommended that well water be tested often to make...

Potassium chloride is effective at removing metal ions dissolved in water, making it an effective water softener. While it is not as widely used as sodium chloride, it does offer some benefits...

If you have eggs in your refrigerator that have passed the expiration date on the package, don't throw them out! Sometimes eggs last for weeks past their expiration date. You'll be wasting your...

Some of the most dangerous workplace or laboratory injuries are those that occur to the eyes. This is why emergency eye wash stations, which can either be stand-alone units or part of a building's...

In a disaster, whether it's an earthquake, a hurricane or a bomb going off, the initial destruction is usually just the beginning of the problems you might face. One concern that few people...

Storing water in reusable plastic containers is an easy way to always have a drink on the go. Whether you are taking water to the gym, to your desk at work or just keeping it handy in your purse,...

Potassium permanganate, otherwise known as KMnO4, is a chemical oxidizing agent that is commonly used to purify and sanitize fish ponds and drinking water. Potassium permanganate can come in...

It's Christmas time again and many people will be making the traditional turkey dinner. Many turkeys that people buy nowadays are frozen and before you can start your meal you will need to thaw...

In any industrial or laboratory setting, first aid equipment is an important part of the setting. Knowing how to use that equipment is usually a requirement of being able to work in the space. For...

Mold is a naturally occurring fungus that requires moisture to grow. Standing water in dishwashers, bathtubs, basements and outdoor areas provides the ideal environment for mold growth. While it...

With today's increased concern with sanitation and staying germ-free, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a growing commodity. Since its discovery in 1966 by Lupe Hernandez of Bakersfield, California,...

Treating a wound is the best way to prevent infection. When an injury occurs, cleaning it and bandaging it are necessary to help the wound heal with little or no scarring. Instead of spending...

In general, a pH value of 7 is neutral. If the pH number is lower than 7, then the substance is acidic. If it is higher than 7, then it is alkaline, or basic. Drinking water should be a certain pH...

Water is a source of recreation for many, but danger lurks. Whether in your backyard swimming pool, out on the open seas or anywhere in between, it's important to use caution to ensure your...

Treating water before long-term storage is a necessary and straight forward process. Water will become tainted (unsafe to drink) within a few weeks if it has not been properly treated before being...

Reverse osmosis (RO) refers to a method of treating contaminated water. It is proven method for creating large volumes of pure, clean water. The treatment process works by applying pressure to the...

The common ions removed in groundwater are calcium and magnesium making up water hardness. This process is called softening and may be used in conjunction with well water systems and pond water....

Antimony is a black mineral. It is widely distributed in nature and is frequently associated with the ores of copper, silver, lead and iron. Antimony contamination in drinking water supplies often...

Perchlorate (ClO4) is a chemical compound made up of chlorine and oxygen. In March 1998, it was listed as a contaminant, even though a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for perchlorate...

Fluoride is a mineral substance that exists naturally in water sources, and is derived from the element fluorine. It has been proven to reduce tooth decay and prevent cavities. As a result, it is...

Dry chlorine, or calcium hypochlorite, may be used to purify water. In an emergency, or when you do not have access to clean water, dry chlorine is a viable way to produce water safe for...

In the 1800s, natural spring water was safe to drink, but in the 21st century, even remote mountain streams must be filtered. The destruction of our environment has become a consequence of...

Drinking water each day is highly recommended for health since water is our body's means of flushing out toxins, and therefore a key to disease prevention. Water is also responsible for our...

Sodium Polyacrylate, otherwise known as the super-slurper, acrylic sodium salt polymer and simply ASAP, is a super-absorbent polymer (i.e. it can absorb water many times its own weight)...

When treating hot water burns, it's important to immediately cool the burn off, leave the area that caused the injury and know whether a trip to an emergency room is warranted. Keep safe with...

Sodium carbonate occurs naturally as dry deposits in the lakes of many arid regions like Egypt, east Africa, and California. It forms transparent crystals and is known as washing soda. In contact...