web sites with free useful information

web sites with free useful information:

apic org web site
http://www.apic.org//


http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=6804508&page=1


Aging Initiative
http://www.epa.gov/aging/index.htm

Welcome to EPA’s Aging Initiative Website.
Due to the normal aging process, even older persons in good health may experience increased health risks from exposures to environmental pollutants.
As we age, our bodies are more susceptible to hazards from the environment which may worsen chronic or life threatening conditions. Older persons also have
accumulated a lifetime of environmental and occupational contaminants which are capable of remaining in their bodies.

A major goal of the Aging Initiative is the development of a National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging. The National Agenda will prioritize
environmental health hazards that affect older persons, examine the environmental impact of an aging population in a smart growth context, and encourage
civic involvement among older persons in their communities to reduce hazards. The National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging, developed through a
public participatory process, will help guide the Agency’s work to protect the health of older persons now and in the future.

Information on this website can help you learn more about our ongoing work and how you can contribute to – and benefit from – the National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging. We encourage you to join our efforts to shape an environmentally healthy future for our aging population.

Last updated on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009.
http://www.epa.gov/aging/basicinformation.htm

Frequently Asked Questions


* Why is EPA focusing effort on older Americans?

* What are common environmental hazards that may affect the health of older Americans?

* What is the Aging Initiative?

* How can individuals get involved in their communities to help reduce environmental hazards?

As we age, our bodies may become more susceptible to environmental hazards because of the diminished capacity of various organ systems that occur in the natural aging process. For example, our bodies are less able to detoxify and eliminate toxins.

In addition, as we age, we are exposed to a lifetime of environmental contaminants capable of persisting and accumulating in our bodies.

Common environmental hazards that may especially harm the health of older persons include:

* Lead
* Mercury
* Ozone
* Particle Pollution (Particulate matter)
* Pesticides
* Temperature Extremes
* Water Contaminants

* Fact sheets on Environmental Health
o Asthma and COPD
o Carbon Monoxide
o Diabetes
o Extreme Heat
o Heart Disease and Stroke
o Pesticides
o Water
o Women
* Posters, Brochures and Other
* Special Topics
o After the Flood
o Tips To Save the Environment
o Forest Fires
* Power Point: Presentations


Effective Control of Household Pests
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/echp/index.htm

How to Reduce Exposure to Pesticide Hazards
Water Works

Effective Control of Household Pests
(2 pp, 143K, About PDF)

Eight out of ten U.S. households have been reported to use pesticides both indoors and outside their homes. Moreover, while older adults account for only 2.8% of reported poisoning incidents, they account for 5.9% of all cases with a moderate to major outcome and 28% of deaths. This page offers information on steps you can take to reduce your exposure to these environmental hazards. For more detailed information, please see our series of easy-to-read facts sheets and brochures.

* Environmental hazards of pesticides: Exposure to high levels of pesticides may lead to acute effects such as headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, and nausea. Long-term and/or excessive exposure to some pesticides has been linked to cancer, reproductive effects, and effects on the central nervous system.

* Read the label: The pesticide label is your best guide for safe and effective use of pesticides. Never use outdoor-pesticides indoors.

* Storage: Store pesticides only in their original containers. Never use an empty pesticide container for another purpose.

* Disposal: Use a community disposal program and carefully follow the disposal instructions on the label.

* Avoid contaminating others: Keep people and pets away from areas where pesticide sprays are applied. Avoid spraying where you prepare or store food, and avoid treating entire floors, walls or ceilings. Before spraying close the doors and windows of your home. Avoid applying pesticides outdoors on a windy day. Limit pesticide applications to infested areas and use only the amount recommended on the product label. After applying a pesticide, wash any parts of your body or clothes that might have come into contact with the pesticide.

* Avoid unnecessary pesticide use: When possible try to use non-chemical control strategies and the least toxic pesticides possible. This will minimize the risk to human health and the environment. Examples include the use of traps, baits, and gels instead of sprays to control pests.

* Opt for Using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htm#whatIntegrated Pest Management or IPM is a pest management system that combines non-chemical control strategies with less toxic pesticide use minimizing risk to human health and the environment.



honoreform web site
http://www.honoreform.org/

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/pcmp/index.htm

Do you know that carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common cause of poisoning death in the United States? Approximately 500 deaths and 15,000 visits to the emergency room occur annually due to unintentional CO poisoning. Older adults over 65 years of age are especially vulnerable to unintentional CO poisoning due to their high frequency of pre-existing medical conditions. While CO alarms can save lives, less than one third of American homes have them installed.
What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause illness and death. CO is produced whenever any fuel such as natural gas, propane, gasoline, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Devices that produce CO include cars, boats, gasoline engines, stoves and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces.
What are the Symptoms of CO Poisoning?

For most people, the first signs of exposure to low concentrations of CO include mild headache and breathlessness upon moderate exercise. Continued or acute exposure can lead to flu-like symptoms including more severe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, confusion, irritability, and impaired judgment, memory and coordination. CO is called the “silent killer” because if these early signs are ignored, a person may lose consciousness and be unable to escape the danger.
How to Tell the Difference between CO Poisoning and the Flu

Since many of the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. Symptoms could be the result of CO poisoning when:

* You feel better when you are away from your home.
* More than one person in the home gets sick at the same time (it usually takes several days for the flu to pass from person to person).
* Family members who are most affected spend the most time in the home.
* Symptoms occur or get worse shortly after turning on a fuel-burning device or running a vehicle in an attached garage.
* Indoor pets also appear ill, exhibiting symptoms such as drowsiness and lethargy (human flu viruses are not transmitted to pets).
* You don’t have generalized aching, low-grade fever, or swollen lymph nodes (these are typical of a cold or flu).

Carbon Monoxide Alarms
To Prevent CO Poisoning I Can: [Remember ICANB]

* Install CO alarms near sleeping areas.
* Check heating systems and fuel-burning appliances annually.
* Avoid the use of non-vented combustion appliances
* Never burn fuels indoors except in devices such as stoves or furnaces that are made for safe use.
* Be Attentive to possible symptoms of CO poisoning.

Resources


Additional Resources:

* EPA Air Quality Index
* Arsenic
* Indoor Air Quality

Fact sheets:

* English (PDF) (4pp, 371K)
Publication Number EPA-100-F-09-001
* Large Print: English (PDF) (7pp, 763K)
Publication Number
* Portuguese (PDF) (4pp, 305K)
Publication Number EPA-100-F-09-004
* New!Spanish | Español (PDF) (4pp, 302K)
Publication Number EPA-100-F-09-005

Aging Initiative Home | Customer Satisfaction Survey
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Last updated on Friday, January 16th, 2009.

http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/pcmp/index.htm