Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates: uc.edu/publichealth
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Scientific manuscripts can be difficult for the general public to read and understand. Writing a lay abstract helps to get your research message out to all stakeholders!The CEC asked recipients of CEG funding to write lay abstracts describing some of their recent research findings. Lay abstracts are research summaries written in simple, non-technical language meant to convey the essence of a research project for members of the general public. Check out our featured lay abstracts below!
Traffic is a major source of airborne particles in urban environments. Traffic-related particles can efficiently penetrate from outdoors to indoors and negatively affect indoor air quality in homes close to highways. Exposure to these particles has been associated with increased asthma among children. This study aimed to assess if a portable air purifier equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can reduce the indoor concentrations of traffic-related particles. continue Reading
The man-made chemical called PFOA, short for perfluorooctanoic acid, is used in many consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant outerwear, stain-resistant coatings, cleaners, and even fire-fighting foams. PFOA can be found everywhere in the environment, including drinking water, and because it is a very stable chemical, it does not break down in the environment easily. This means that nearly all Americans have been exposed to PFOA and have small amounts of PFOA in their blood. This is a concern because PFOA has been found to suppress the immune system, which means that exposed people may become sick more often. continue Reading
Air pollution has different components in it that can be harmful to humans, including particles and gases. The smallest particles in air also called PM2.5, can cross into our blood after we breathe them into our lungs and cause inflammation in our bodies. When pregnant women breathe in these particles, it can lead to inflammation in the placenta and may reduce the nutrient supplies from the mother to the baby. Some scientists have wondered whether women who live in places with higher air pollution would give birth to babies that are smaller than they should be. Continue Reading
The CEC asked CEG/CEC Stakeholder Advisory Board Member, Kimberly Yolton, PhD, for information regarding the 2021 Cicada Brood X Emergence and the use of pesticides. The following video was created featuring input the CEC received. Become a Citizen Scientist! We also support downloading the Cicada Safari App, developed by Dr. Gene Kritsky at Mount St. Joseph University, to help scientists track Brood X.
What are the things I can do to protect my children from lead paint in my older home? We all know that lead is bad for young kids. Many parents and doctors are concerned about children staying home in houses with lead paint. Since it can take a while to get the lead fixed in these homes, it's for families to know 5 Steps they can take to protect their kids.
When coming home, remove your shoes and leave them at the door. In an old city like Cincinnati with construction and demolition going on all the time, we don't want to track lead dusts from outside into the home.
Washing with soap and water especially after coming in from outside or before eating can remove lead dust from hands and is also recommended to stop spreading coronavirus. Wash your hands or your child's hands for 20 seconds Sing the "Happy Birthday" song while you do it to pass the time.
Eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy, grains, protein (meat, fish, beans) helps to support your body when dealing with either illness or lead exposure.
Clean floors and windowsills with a damp mop, rag or paper towel. This traps the little paint chips or paint dust and doesn't spread it around like a broom does. Rinse off your mop or rog or dispose of the paper towel properly when you are done.
If you see an area of chipping or peeling paint, don't mess with it. One easy way to protect your children from lead is to cover this paint over with tape or contact paper. This buys time to get this properly fixed later.
*The information provided is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions or as home repair advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
Acknowledgements:
Produced by University of Cincinnati, Center for Environmental Genetics 10/15/20, grant P30 ES006096 from the National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The contents are solely the responsibility 0 the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views o the NIEHS or the NIH. To contact us, please visit The Community Engagement Core or call (513) 558-2221.
This document was supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and junded (in part) by the cooperative agreement award number 1 NU61000296-01-OO 5 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Its contents are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the ATSDR
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) by Neither EPA nor ATSÜR endorse the purchase of any commercial products or services mentioned in PEHSU publications.
5 Ways to Protect Your Family from Lead (Pb) at Home
We all know that lead is bad for young kids. Many parents and doctors are concerned about children staying home in houses with lead paint. Since it can take a while to get the lead fixed in these homes, it's important for families to know 5 steps they can take to protect their kids. Check out this new video by CEC co-leader, Dr. Nick Newman and family. Dr. Newman is the Medical Director of the Pediatric Environmental Health and Lead Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
COVID-19 Safe and Healthy Home Lead (Pb)(PDF)
Tips & Facts to Help Families with Life in the Time of COVID-19
Living in a time of pandemic has brought many changes to our lives and daily routines. As families, we worry about the health and safety of our children. Our changes in routine due to COVID-19 open the path for other health risks. The CEC has created a collection of Parent Guides with tips and facts to inform families on these increased environmental exposures. Full-size printable versions can be accessed by clicking on the PDF link or the image.
COVID-19 Safe & Healthy - Toy Disinfection Parents(PDF)
COVID-19 Safe & Healthy - Air Quality(PDF)
COVID-19 Safe & Healthy - Hand Sanitizer(PDF)