West Nile virus has not yet been detected in Allegheny County this year, but starting today the Health Department begins treating storm water catch basins to combat the breeding of mosquitoes that can carry the virus.
"Every year we treat these catch basins to try to keep mosquitoes from reaching high numbers," said department spokesman Guillermo Cole. "The more the mosquitoes there are, the more likely we'll have mosquitoes with West Nile that could potentially be transmitted to humans."
The virus was detected in a mosquito sample taken early this month in neighboring Greene County, but according to Cole, "it's just a matter of time" before the virus is found in mosquitoes in Pittsburgh.
Department staff use pesticides that are non-toxic to people, pets and aquatic life. Cole says they will treat 10,000 catch basins in certain areas of Pittsburgh including eastern and western wards as well as on the North Side and South Side "because they have a history of West Nile activity."
Cole says although there have been no human cases of West Nile in Allegheny County since 2007, last year saw a surge in mosquito samples that tested positive...58.
He says the worst year for West Nile in the county was 2002 when 22 people contracted the virus; 4 of them died.
He says the catch basins will be treated from 4 to 9 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Treated basins will be marked with bright green chalk.
The department is asking residents to help stop West Nile by eliminating mosquito-breeding sites around their homes by getting getting rid of items that hold water such as old tires, cans, unused flower pots; cleaning out roof gutters and storm drains; changing the water in birdbaths once or twice a week; and, emptying and turning over plastic wading pools when not in use.
Showing posts with label Allegheny county health department. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allegheny county health department. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
WIC Provides Checks to Buy PA Produce
Families enrolled in the state’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program are eligible to receive voucher checks for Pennsylvania farmers markets.
Each WIC-enrolled individual can receive four checks worth a total of $20. The money is valid only at markets registered in the state’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and is meant to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to families with young children.
Allegheny County Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says there are more than 50 registered markets in Allegheny County, but the checks are valid in other counties’ markets as well.
The WIC program runs from June through November of this year. Cole says it helps out both families hoping to eat healthy and farmers who need to sell their crops.
A complete list of authorized farmers markets is available on the Health Department's website.
Each WIC-enrolled individual can receive four checks worth a total of $20. The money is valid only at markets registered in the state’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and is meant to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to families with young children.
Allegheny County Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says there are more than 50 registered markets in Allegheny County, but the checks are valid in other counties’ markets as well.
The WIC program runs from June through November of this year. Cole says it helps out both families hoping to eat healthy and farmers who need to sell their crops.
A complete list of authorized farmers markets is available on the Health Department's website.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Lyme Disease up in PA
Last year nearly 30,000 Americans were diagnosed with Lyme disease and Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of confirmed cases. According to Allegheny County Health Department spokesperson Guillermo Cole, the number of cases among Allegheny County residents has been hovering in the 20-30 a year range for some time but how the disease is being contracted is changing.
“In the past, the infections were mainly acquired on trips outside our region but in recent years more an more infections are being acquired locally,” said Cole. He is not surprised, “The tick that transmits Lyme disease, which is the deer tick, is now the most commonly found tick on people and pets here in Allegheny County.” The Centers for Disease Control confirms that the incidence of the illness continues to spread to the east. In 2009 there were 4,950 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania.
Lyme disease can usually be treated with antibiotics with the patient suffering no long-term effects but if not treated while in its early stages it can have lasting impacts on the central nervous system. Cole says many people with Lyme disease originally believe they have a mild case of the flu until the telltale red “bull’s eye” rash begins to appear.
People usually come in contact with deer ticks while walking through high grasses or through leaf litter. Cole says staying on paths or in clearings will help to avoid contact with the ticks. Applying insect repellant containing 20-30 percent deet will also help as well as tucking long pants into socks and wearing long sleeve shirts when hiking through areas where the tick may live.
Most Lyme cases are reported from late May through August.
“In the past, the infections were mainly acquired on trips outside our region but in recent years more an more infections are being acquired locally,” said Cole. He is not surprised, “The tick that transmits Lyme disease, which is the deer tick, is now the most commonly found tick on people and pets here in Allegheny County.” The Centers for Disease Control confirms that the incidence of the illness continues to spread to the east. In 2009 there were 4,950 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania.
Lyme disease can usually be treated with antibiotics with the patient suffering no long-term effects but if not treated while in its early stages it can have lasting impacts on the central nervous system. Cole says many people with Lyme disease originally believe they have a mild case of the flu until the telltale red “bull’s eye” rash begins to appear.
People usually come in contact with deer ticks while walking through high grasses or through leaf litter. Cole says staying on paths or in clearings will help to avoid contact with the ticks. Applying insect repellant containing 20-30 percent deet will also help as well as tucking long pants into socks and wearing long sleeve shirts when hiking through areas where the tick may live.
Most Lyme cases are reported from late May through August.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
CSO Alert Off for First Time in 2011
The Allegheny County Health Department has taken down the orange combined sewer overflow (CSO) flags for the first time this year. The county issues the warnings anytime raw sewage is flowing into the three rivers in Allegheny thanks to recent rainfall.
ACHD spokesperson Guillermo Cole says the county issues the alerts from May 16th through September. The warning flags went up on the first day and are just now being taken down. The alerts do not mean the river is closed, it just means recreational users should limit their contact with the water, “especially those with weakened immune systems,” says Cole.
Last year the county issued 9 alerts averaging 5 days each. Cole says it is not unusual to see a 15-day alert. In 2004 the average alert lasted 21 days. In 1999 the average alert was just 3 days. “It has to do with the amount of rain and when it comes,” says Cole.
Recreational boaters can look for the orange flags at marinas or they can get the information directly from the health department through its web site. A call to 412-687-ACHD will also get the information.
ACHD spokesperson Guillermo Cole says the county issues the alerts from May 16th through September. The warning flags went up on the first day and are just now being taken down. The alerts do not mean the river is closed, it just means recreational users should limit their contact with the water, “especially those with weakened immune systems,” says Cole.
Last year the county issued 9 alerts averaging 5 days each. Cole says it is not unusual to see a 15-day alert. In 2004 the average alert lasted 21 days. In 1999 the average alert was just 3 days. “It has to do with the amount of rain and when it comes,” says Cole.
Recreational boaters can look for the orange flags at marinas or they can get the information directly from the health department through its web site. A call to 412-687-ACHD will also get the information.
Monday, May 16, 2011
County CSO Alerts Begin Today
The Allegheny County Health Department issued the year's first combined sewer overflow alert today.
The Health Department advises those who have weakened immune systems or open wounds to avoid contact with waterways during these alerts, due to a higher risk of infection.
ACHD spokesman Dave Zazac says the CSO alert doesn't mean people have to cancel their river outings, but they should be aware of the high level of sewage and rainwater that has flowed into the area's rivers and streams.
Zazac says a CSO alert is common during extensively rainy weather, like what the region has experienced over the past week. He says it results from sewage system overflow that spills into waterways.
"If the very largest sewage treatment plant, which is our ALCOSAN plant, is in what we call 'bypass,' or in CSO, then there's a good chance that other, smaller sewage treatment plants along the rivers are also discharging their sewage into rivers and streams," says Zazac.
Marinas, docks, and other riverside sites will fly orange flags with the letters "CSO" on alert days. There are 30 such sites in the county: 16 on the Allegheny River, seven on the Monongahela River, six on the Ohio River, and two on the Youghiogheny River.
Zazac says it's common for the alerts to last several days. There were nine combined sewer overflow alerts in 2010.
The Health Department advises those who have weakened immune systems or open wounds to avoid contact with waterways during these alerts, due to a higher risk of infection.
ACHD spokesman Dave Zazac says the CSO alert doesn't mean people have to cancel their river outings, but they should be aware of the high level of sewage and rainwater that has flowed into the area's rivers and streams.
Zazac says a CSO alert is common during extensively rainy weather, like what the region has experienced over the past week. He says it results from sewage system overflow that spills into waterways.
"If the very largest sewage treatment plant, which is our ALCOSAN plant, is in what we call 'bypass,' or in CSO, then there's a good chance that other, smaller sewage treatment plants along the rivers are also discharging their sewage into rivers and streams," says Zazac.
Marinas, docks, and other riverside sites will fly orange flags with the letters "CSO" on alert days. There are 30 such sites in the county: 16 on the Allegheny River, seven on the Monongahela River, six on the Ohio River, and two on the Youghiogheny River.
Zazac says it's common for the alerts to last several days. There were nine combined sewer overflow alerts in 2010.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Public Input Needed For Air Toxicity Guidelines
The Allegheny Board of Health is seeking public input as it updates its air toxics standards and guidelines.
The guidelines have not been restructured since their creation in 1988 and Guillermo Cole, public information officer for ACHD, says the standards need updating with the advancements in understanding over the last two decades.
“Whether it’s a regulation or a guideline that is used for evaluating the issuance of permits, you have to keep these up to date with the state of knowledge and the science.”
The public meeting with be held Wednesday, May 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Avalon Borough Building, 640 California Ave. The meeting will cover a number of topics and include a question and answer session between the public and the air toxics committee of ACHD.
“There will be discussion of why the new guidelines are being developed, how we calculate risk for air toxics pollutants, and ways to address hot spots, areas where toxic air pollutants are emitted from a cluster or groups of sources,” Cole says. Participants from the public may sign up at the meeting to speak during a one-hour public statement period.
The guidelines have not been restructured since their creation in 1988 and Guillermo Cole, public information officer for ACHD, says the standards need updating with the advancements in understanding over the last two decades.
“Whether it’s a regulation or a guideline that is used for evaluating the issuance of permits, you have to keep these up to date with the state of knowledge and the science.”
The public meeting with be held Wednesday, May 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Avalon Borough Building, 640 California Ave. The meeting will cover a number of topics and include a question and answer session between the public and the air toxics committee of ACHD.
“There will be discussion of why the new guidelines are being developed, how we calculate risk for air toxics pollutants, and ways to address hot spots, areas where toxic air pollutants are emitted from a cluster or groups of sources,” Cole says. Participants from the public may sign up at the meeting to speak during a one-hour public statement period.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Pittsburgh Air Quality Ranked Among Worst
The American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2011" has ranked Pittsburgh as the third most polluted for short-term particle pollution. The region also ranked seventh for yearlong average of particle pollution, while Allegheny County was ranked 41st in the nation for worst levels of ozone. The County did have fewer days of dangerous air pollution and lower long-term levels of fine-particle pollution than last year.
Allegheny County Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says the A.L.A report is not getting a fair measurement of the city as a whole. "It uses reading from one air monitoring site, which happens to be the worst here in Allegheny County. And it uses that reading to represent what air quality is like throughout Allegheny County and the metropolitan area."
Cole says that the county as a whole is within healthy standards. He says they have always known that Liberty (where the A.L.A. monitoring site is located) is the most polluted in the county, but other air monitoring sites have shown much lower levels.
The A.L.A. gave the county an "F" for particle and ozone pollution this year. The Association cited in their report that 51,000 children and about 175,000 adults in the county have asthma. While the cleanest cities in the report were Honolulu, Hawaii and Santa Fe-Espanola, New Mexico.
Allegheny County Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says the A.L.A report is not getting a fair measurement of the city as a whole. "It uses reading from one air monitoring site, which happens to be the worst here in Allegheny County. And it uses that reading to represent what air quality is like throughout Allegheny County and the metropolitan area."
Cole says that the county as a whole is within healthy standards. He says they have always known that Liberty (where the A.L.A. monitoring site is located) is the most polluted in the county, but other air monitoring sites have shown much lower levels.
The A.L.A. gave the county an "F" for particle and ozone pollution this year. The Association cited in their report that 51,000 children and about 175,000 adults in the county have asthma. While the cleanest cities in the report were Honolulu, Hawaii and Santa Fe-Espanola, New Mexico.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Recycle CFLs in the Proper Places
Energy-saving light bulbs could be good for reducing energy bills, but not good for the environment if they are not properly disposed. The popular spiral-shaped compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) contain up to five milligrams of mercury, and if not recycled correctly could end up in the land, air, and water. The Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR), based in Napa, California, released a study detailing that only abut 2% of residential consumers recycle their CFLs and other florescent lighting. According to a study in the Air and Waste Management Association's Journal, this could amount to four tons of mercury being dumped in landfills around the world each year. Allegheny County Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole, lists some places where consumers can drop off CFLs for proper disposal. "Every Home Depot and every Lowes store in the county will accept used CFLs. They can also be taken to IKEA, which is in Robinson, and to the Pennsylvania Resources Council on the South Side." Donna Mazza, the Program Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), says that their recycling box is located in their lobby during regular business hours. The PRC cannot take broken CFLs or tubes. Mazza also mentions that if consumers go to the Waste Management website, they can buy and order boxes to recycle the CFLs from home. Mazza says a curb-side pick up for CFLs may only benefit the community if precautions are taken. "That could create a danger if the CFL would break, because then the mercury would get into the air. So, if they were to be recycled curb-side they would have to be put into a tightly sealed container." Details about events where the public can drop off CFLs and other items that are not recyclable at curb-side can be found at http://www.achd.net/
Monday, April 18, 2011
Infant Immunization Week April 23-30
National Immunization Week is April 23rd to the 30th this year, and the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is taking a different approach. Guillermo Cole, spokesman for ACHD says that the target is on adults around newborn infants. "It's especially important for adults to keep their own immunizations up to date and to promote adult immunization during Infant Immunization Week." One way they are spreading awareness is by teaming up with the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition and giving new mothers gift bags in hospitals. "These gift bags will have not only useful items for a newborn but also information reminding parents of the benefits of child immunization and a voucher that's redeemable at our Health Department's Immunization Clinic for an adult family member to receive a free dose of Tdap vaccine," says Cole. Tdap is a vaccine that protects again tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough. Cole says that whooping cough and influenza are the most common diseases that parents pass on to their children.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Determine Your Risk of Having Diabetes
As part of American Diabetes Association Alert Day, Allegheny County’s health department urges residents to take the Diabetes Risk Test on Tuesday, March 22.
According to Lorraine Starsky, a public health nurse with the Allegheny County Health Department, the risk test is a fairly simple questionnaire. She said in addition to identifying your age and ethnicity, the survey asks questions about “your weight, family history, [or] if you’re a female if you had a baby that weighed more than nine pounds at birth.”
According to the Center for Disease Control the number of people diagnosed with diabetes yearly continues to escalate. The center estimates 26 million people to be afflicted by diabetes, and a disturbing 27 percent don’t know they have it, contributing to the disease’s moniker “America’s Silent Killer.”
“The symptoms can be so easily overlooked and so we’re asking people look at your risk factors and if you see that you have two or more, if you’re scoring high on this test, then it’s important, it’s a wakeup call,” Starsky says.
Even more important, recently, is the increase of obesity leading to Type II diabetes in youth. Type II diabetes formerly affected mostly adults over the age of 45 but youth have continued to be diagnosed at younger ages.
Starsky says that untreated and unrecognized diabetes can be very detrimental to a person’s health.
“It’s doing a lot of damage to major body systems. It’s affecting your eyes, it’s affecting your kidneys, it’s affecting your cardiovascular system, your heart, and so a lot of times this damage goes on silently,” Starsky says.
To access the risk test, you can call 1-800-342-2383 to request a copy of the questionnaire or you can fill out the survey online.
According to Lorraine Starsky, a public health nurse with the Allegheny County Health Department, the risk test is a fairly simple questionnaire. She said in addition to identifying your age and ethnicity, the survey asks questions about “your weight, family history, [or] if you’re a female if you had a baby that weighed more than nine pounds at birth.”
According to the Center for Disease Control the number of people diagnosed with diabetes yearly continues to escalate. The center estimates 26 million people to be afflicted by diabetes, and a disturbing 27 percent don’t know they have it, contributing to the disease’s moniker “America’s Silent Killer.”
“The symptoms can be so easily overlooked and so we’re asking people look at your risk factors and if you see that you have two or more, if you’re scoring high on this test, then it’s important, it’s a wakeup call,” Starsky says.
Even more important, recently, is the increase of obesity leading to Type II diabetes in youth. Type II diabetes formerly affected mostly adults over the age of 45 but youth have continued to be diagnosed at younger ages.
Starsky says that untreated and unrecognized diabetes can be very detrimental to a person’s health.
“It’s doing a lot of damage to major body systems. It’s affecting your eyes, it’s affecting your kidneys, it’s affecting your cardiovascular system, your heart, and so a lot of times this damage goes on silently,” Starsky says.
To access the risk test, you can call 1-800-342-2383 to request a copy of the questionnaire or you can fill out the survey online.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Free Nicotine Patches Offered
A local nonprofit is offering a free, one-month supply of nicotine patches to help people quit using tobacco.
Tobacco Free Allegheny and the Allegheny County Health Department are offering the patches along with a series of free counseling sessions to help users quit smoking.
ACHD spokesman Dave Zazac says the tandem of counseling and nicotine patches increases a person’s chance of successfully quitting.
Zazac says there’s no special occasion behind this free offer.
“This is just an opportunity for those folks that may have fallen from their New Year’s resolution to get a second chance, perhaps a better chance to finally stop their tobacco habits,” says Zazac.
Interested people should call the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Free Quitline at (800)-784-8669 to receive patches and counseling while supplies last. Quit coaches will help callers set quit dates and ask them if they have any medical conditions that would prevent them from using nicotine patches.
Zazac says more info about the program can be found at www.DeterminedToQuit.com, where you can find quit plans, video blogs of successful quitters, and information for friends and family supporting someone’s attempt to stop smoking.
Tobacco Free Allegheny and the Allegheny County Health Department are offering the patches along with a series of free counseling sessions to help users quit smoking.
ACHD spokesman Dave Zazac says the tandem of counseling and nicotine patches increases a person’s chance of successfully quitting.
Zazac says there’s no special occasion behind this free offer.
“This is just an opportunity for those folks that may have fallen from their New Year’s resolution to get a second chance, perhaps a better chance to finally stop their tobacco habits,” says Zazac.
Interested people should call the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Free Quitline at (800)-784-8669 to receive patches and counseling while supplies last. Quit coaches will help callers set quit dates and ask them if they have any medical conditions that would prevent them from using nicotine patches.
Zazac says more info about the program can be found at www.DeterminedToQuit.com, where you can find quit plans, video blogs of successful quitters, and information for friends and family supporting someone’s attempt to stop smoking.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Allegheny County Health Department Meeting
On Thursday, the Allegheny County Health Department Board members approved an air quality plan for bringing the Liberty-Clairton area into compliance for national standards in terms of the federal clean air act.
The vote was unanimous. The area has been one of the region's worst offenders for poor air quality - because of the Clairton Coke Works factory owned by US Steel. It emits ultra-microscopic particles that are harmful to human health because they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. There isn't an air quality standard for that pollutant.
The plan will go into agreement in 2013. By then the company will have made a number of improvements to the plant, mostly replacing old coke oven batteries with new ones.
The vote was unanimous. The area has been one of the region's worst offenders for poor air quality - because of the Clairton Coke Works factory owned by US Steel. It emits ultra-microscopic particles that are harmful to human health because they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. There isn't an air quality standard for that pollutant.
The plan will go into agreement in 2013. By then the company will have made a number of improvements to the plant, mostly replacing old coke oven batteries with new ones.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
PennFuture to Dixon: Reform or Resign
The environmental watchdog group Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (Penn
Future) says Allegheny County Health Department Director Bruce Dixon should implement all of the recommendations in the December 2009 Environmental Air Quality Task Force report by March 1st or resign. “It’s not O.K. to look away, it’s not O.K. to pretend just because we can’t always see how bad our air pollution is, it’s still unhealthy and in fact it’s deadly,” says PennFuture Vice President Heather Sage.
County Executive Dan Onorato convened the Task Force in 2009 to “make recommendations to improve regional air quality, increase services to stakeholders, and identify operating efficiencies.” In its report, the Task Force called for county air regulations to be brought up to, and in some cases to exceed, state standards, develop timely standards for reviewing permit applications and appeals, and redesign the Health Department’s organizational chart to give the Air Bureau more autonomy. Sage says the backlog of permits has been reduced in the last year but many of the other recommendations have gone unheeded. “The professionals in the air quality division are doing their best but they are hampered by Dr. Dixon’s passive aggressive brand of micro management,” says Sage. She says the system has very little transparency, has no timetables and no “real” way to appeal pollution permits. “A timeline and a system to appeal permits must be developed. That does not mean simple going back to Dr. Dixon for review,” says Sage. Sage contends Dixon will at times sit on the appeals for years. It has been recommended by Sage that the appeals process be turned over to the State Environmental Hearing Board.
“The ball is clearly in Bruce Dixon’s court,” says Sage, “he can fix these problems by March 1st and regain his reputation as a guardian of public health, or we will ask him to resign.” PennFuture is calling for the Air Bureau to have more say over how it spends its money and how it handles its personnel. The group would also like to see the Task Force reconvened by the County Executive as had been proposed in the group’s 2009 report. Sage says if the Task Force were to be allowed to continue to do its job there may be some room for compromise in PennFuture’s demands.
ACHD Director Bruce Dixon has not responded to requests for comment.
Future) says Allegheny County Health Department Director Bruce Dixon should implement all of the recommendations in the December 2009 Environmental Air Quality Task Force report by March 1st or resign. “It’s not O.K. to look away, it’s not O.K. to pretend just because we can’t always see how bad our air pollution is, it’s still unhealthy and in fact it’s deadly,” says PennFuture Vice President Heather Sage.
County Executive Dan Onorato convened the Task Force in 2009 to “make recommendations to improve regional air quality, increase services to stakeholders, and identify operating efficiencies.” In its report, the Task Force called for county air regulations to be brought up to, and in some cases to exceed, state standards, develop timely standards for reviewing permit applications and appeals, and redesign the Health Department’s organizational chart to give the Air Bureau more autonomy. Sage says the backlog of permits has been reduced in the last year but many of the other recommendations have gone unheeded. “The professionals in the air quality division are doing their best but they are hampered by Dr. Dixon’s passive aggressive brand of micro management,” says Sage. She says the system has very little transparency, has no timetables and no “real” way to appeal pollution permits. “A timeline and a system to appeal permits must be developed. That does not mean simple going back to Dr. Dixon for review,” says Sage. Sage contends Dixon will at times sit on the appeals for years. It has been recommended by Sage that the appeals process be turned over to the State Environmental Hearing Board.
“The ball is clearly in Bruce Dixon’s court,” says Sage, “he can fix these problems by March 1st and regain his reputation as a guardian of public health, or we will ask him to resign.” PennFuture is calling for the Air Bureau to have more say over how it spends its money and how it handles its personnel. The group would also like to see the Task Force reconvened by the County Executive as had been proposed in the group’s 2009 report. Sage says if the Task Force were to be allowed to continue to do its job there may be some room for compromise in PennFuture’s demands.
ACHD Director Bruce Dixon has not responded to requests for comment.
Friday, January 7, 2011
15 Years of Ozone Warnings and Still Going
The Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership is marking its 15th anniversary today and Allegheny County Health Department Spokesperson Guillermo Cole says the group has had a positive impact on the region. The partnership began as a joint effort of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the County Health Department and a hand full of other organizations and business as the “Southwest Pennsylvania Ozone Partnership.” Its goal was to work to lower the levels of ground level ozone in the region and increase public awareness of the health risks of ozone and what people can do to help keep ozone levels in check. Cole says a few years later the group changed its name as it expanded its scope to include fine particulate matter. Like ground level ozone, fine particulate matter can cause eye and lung irritation.
The partnership has grown in size as well as in scope. It now includes nearly 140 individuals, businesses and organizations. Cole says he thinks the partnership has made a difference. “If nothing else the partnership has created a much greater awareness about air pollution in the region and the activities that individuals can take to reduce air pollution,” says Cole. He says those efforts need to be combined with limitations backed up by regulations for businesses and industries. Perhaps the most visible work of the partnership is the issuance of “ozone action day” and particulate mater warnings.
The seven-county region covered by the partnership is still out of compliance for ground level ozone levels and in some places there are regular violations of federal particulate matter standards. Cole says that should not be seen as failure. “The region has actually had some success in meeting air quality standards for ozone and fine particulates,” says Cole, “what has happened is the EPA has tightened the standards over the years and we now have more stringent standards for both of the those pollutants.”
The partnership has grown in size as well as in scope. It now includes nearly 140 individuals, businesses and organizations. Cole says he thinks the partnership has made a difference. “If nothing else the partnership has created a much greater awareness about air pollution in the region and the activities that individuals can take to reduce air pollution,” says Cole. He says those efforts need to be combined with limitations backed up by regulations for businesses and industries. Perhaps the most visible work of the partnership is the issuance of “ozone action day” and particulate mater warnings.
The seven-county region covered by the partnership is still out of compliance for ground level ozone levels and in some places there are regular violations of federal particulate matter standards. Cole says that should not be seen as failure. “The region has actually had some success in meeting air quality standards for ozone and fine particulates,” says Cole, “what has happened is the EPA has tightened the standards over the years and we now have more stringent standards for both of the those pollutants.”
Monday, November 29, 2010
ACHD Warns Hunters to Stay Safe This Season
Accidental shootings, improper field dressing or processing, and carbon monoxide in cabins are some of the main safety hazards of hunting, says Allegheny County Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole.
Cole says during the 2009 deer hunting season, 12 accidental shootings were recorded by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. None were fatal, but Cole says most years there are a few hunting deaths. He says hunters should wear orange and stay with a buddy to avoid such accidents.
After field dressing a kill, Cole says hunters should wash their hands thoroughly, including their fingernails. Afterward, the deer should be taken to a licensed and inspected deer processor as soon as possible. Cole says if the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the risk of spoilage increases greatly; hunters should ice their kill while they take it to a reputable processor.
Hunters can call the Health Department at (412) 687-2243 for a list of licensed deer processors.
Cole says carbon monoxide poisoning can also occur when a cabin isn’t properly ventilated for a heating unit, such as a wood burner or kerosene heater.
In addition, Cole says to always carry a cell phone, high-energy food and water when hunting.
Friday, November 26, 2010
More Providers Added to County Health Services Guide
The Allegheny County Health Department has updated and expanded its directory of local health centers and clinics that serve people who have minimal or no health insurance. Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says the guide was first published in 2007 and this is the second update this year...
"In addition to health centers and clinics, there are a number of other organizations listed that can with other needs such as prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, even transportation."
It also features a listing of health insurance options for the unemployed and low-income families.
Cole says some of the organizations that are included for the first time are the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Ways to Work, and Gilda's Club which offers free support groups and programs for those living with cancer and their loved ones.
The directory is intended primarily for social service agencies and other community organizations dealing with the uninsured, but Cole says individuals might also find it useful as a handy guide to care providers and social service agencies.
In many cases, the providers use a sliding fee schedule based on household income and family size for patients with no insurance. Cole says the fees might be as little as $25 or less and possibly waived in cases of extreme financial hardship.
Cole says he thinks this guide will remain a valuable tool..."Nationally, our hope is that one day we'll have a health care system that provides access to health care for all and that health care becomes truly affordable for all and available to all. But until then, there will be a need, sadly for this kind of guide."
The directory is available on line under "Timely Topics" or by calling 412-687-ACHD.
"In addition to health centers and clinics, there are a number of other organizations listed that can with other needs such as prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, even transportation."
It also features a listing of health insurance options for the unemployed and low-income families.
Cole says some of the organizations that are included for the first time are the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Ways to Work, and Gilda's Club which offers free support groups and programs for those living with cancer and their loved ones.
The directory is intended primarily for social service agencies and other community organizations dealing with the uninsured, but Cole says individuals might also find it useful as a handy guide to care providers and social service agencies.
In many cases, the providers use a sliding fee schedule based on household income and family size for patients with no insurance. Cole says the fees might be as little as $25 or less and possibly waived in cases of extreme financial hardship.
Cole says he thinks this guide will remain a valuable tool..."Nationally, our hope is that one day we'll have a health care system that provides access to health care for all and that health care becomes truly affordable for all and available to all. But until then, there will be a need, sadly for this kind of guide."
The directory is available on line under "Timely Topics" or by calling 412-687-ACHD.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Time for Flu Shots
The Allegheny County Health Department will open its influenza vaccination clinic on Forbes Avenue in Oakland on Monday, October 18th.
For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending flu shots for everyone over six months of age, but the Health Department's Guillermo Cole says there are still high priority groups: children six months through 18, people 50 and over, pregnant women, anyone 19 through 49 with a chronic medical condition, health care workers, residents of nursing homes, and those who live with or care for people in these groups.
People with fevers should wait until their temperature returns to normal, and those with egg allergies should not get a shot, according to Cole.
Children from six months to 18 pay nothing, nor do those with Medicare Part B who are not in an HMO. For others, the charge is $25. Nasal spray is also available free to children and for $10 to those from 19 through 49.
Clinic hours are 9 to 3 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 to 7 on Wednesdays. Cole expects to have enough vaccine to last through November and beyond. He says this is a good time to get a flu shot--before cold weather and before the flu peaks in late January or early February.
For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending flu shots for everyone over six months of age, but the Health Department's Guillermo Cole says there are still high priority groups: children six months through 18, people 50 and over, pregnant women, anyone 19 through 49 with a chronic medical condition, health care workers, residents of nursing homes, and those who live with or care for people in these groups.
People with fevers should wait until their temperature returns to normal, and those with egg allergies should not get a shot, according to Cole.
Children from six months to 18 pay nothing, nor do those with Medicare Part B who are not in an HMO. For others, the charge is $25. Nasal spray is also available free to children and for $10 to those from 19 through 49.
Clinic hours are 9 to 3 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 to 7 on Wednesdays. Cole expects to have enough vaccine to last through November and beyond. He says this is a good time to get a flu shot--before cold weather and before the flu peaks in late January or early February.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Immunization Conference in Pittsburgh
The Allegheny County Health Department hosted an immunization conference for health professionals on the South Side on Thursday. Over 230 people attended.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
She said with all of the vaccines there are great opportunities for prevention and for less disease but also more complexity for doctors and patients. She says there is also the challenge of overcoming complacency. Because so many diseases, such as polio, are nearly non-existent, people tend to think vaccines are not very important.
She said people of all ages should be aware of vaccine requirements and recommended a whopping cough booster for all adults. There has been a whopping cough epidemic in California.
Under the affordable care act, also known as health reform, there are provisions for vaccines that are routinely recommended by CDC’s Advisory committee to be covered without a co-payment by the insurance companies.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
She said with all of the vaccines there are great opportunities for prevention and for less disease but also more complexity for doctors and patients. She says there is also the challenge of overcoming complacency. Because so many diseases, such as polio, are nearly non-existent, people tend to think vaccines are not very important.
She said people of all ages should be aware of vaccine requirements and recommended a whopping cough booster for all adults. There has been a whopping cough epidemic in California.
Under the affordable care act, also known as health reform, there are provisions for vaccines that are routinely recommended by CDC’s Advisory committee to be covered without a co-payment by the insurance companies.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Fox Alert in Allegheny County
The Allegheny County Health Department is warning residents to be wary of foxes and other potentially rabid animals around your homes.
The alert comes after two men were bitten and another scratched by foxes in 3 separate incidents this month. Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says one man was bitten by a fox as he was cutting brush in a wooded area near his home. Another man was bitten while he was washing his car in his driveway, and a third man was scratched while trying to break up a fight between a fox and his dog.
Cole says the foxes escaped and were unavailable for testing to confirm whether they had rabies, so the men are being treated with anti-rabies vaccine as a precaution and not expected to develop rabies. A fourth fox found dead on a road and not involved in these incidents has tested positive for rabies.
Cole warns residents to be aware of creatures in the environment whenever outdoors and to frequently look around for wild animals, particularly foxes and raccoons, which may be infected with the rabies virus.
When you see a wild animal, don’t go near it and chances are it will go away. If the animal looks threatening, slowly back away and go indoors or to a protected area. If it stays around, call your local animal control service, the police or the Game Commission. Cole says if you are ever bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed to saliva from a fox, raccoon or any other animal, wash the contact area with soap and water, seek emergency medical treatment and call the Allegheny County Health Department to report the incident.
Rabies is almost always fatal when exposures go untreated. The anti-rabies vaccine is highly effective when given promptly after an exposure.
Cole advises if your pet is ever involved in a fight with another animal, never get into the middle of it and don't use your bare hands to separate them. If your pet gets another animal’s saliva on its body or in its mouth, handle your pet with gloves, bathe it carefully with soap and water, and call your vet for advice.
The alert comes after two men were bitten and another scratched by foxes in 3 separate incidents this month. Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says one man was bitten by a fox as he was cutting brush in a wooded area near his home. Another man was bitten while he was washing his car in his driveway, and a third man was scratched while trying to break up a fight between a fox and his dog.
Cole says the foxes escaped and were unavailable for testing to confirm whether they had rabies, so the men are being treated with anti-rabies vaccine as a precaution and not expected to develop rabies. A fourth fox found dead on a road and not involved in these incidents has tested positive for rabies.
Cole warns residents to be aware of creatures in the environment whenever outdoors and to frequently look around for wild animals, particularly foxes and raccoons, which may be infected with the rabies virus.
When you see a wild animal, don’t go near it and chances are it will go away. If the animal looks threatening, slowly back away and go indoors or to a protected area. If it stays around, call your local animal control service, the police or the Game Commission. Cole says if you are ever bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed to saliva from a fox, raccoon or any other animal, wash the contact area with soap and water, seek emergency medical treatment and call the Allegheny County Health Department to report the incident.
Rabies is almost always fatal when exposures go untreated. The anti-rabies vaccine is highly effective when given promptly after an exposure.
Cole advises if your pet is ever involved in a fight with another animal, never get into the middle of it and don't use your bare hands to separate them. If your pet gets another animal’s saliva on its body or in its mouth, handle your pet with gloves, bathe it carefully with soap and water, and call your vet for advice.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Clairton Coke Works to Reduce Pollution
Residents of Liberty and Clairton can expect cleaner air in the years to come, thanks to emissions reductions slated for the Clairton Coke Works.
Owner U.S. Steel and the Allegheny County Health Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reduce the plant’s fine particulate pollution by 320 tons each year.
ACHD spokesman Guillermo Cole says the air quality improvements will come from the replacement of two quench towers that cool the coke, and from bringing three coke oven batteries into emissions compliance.
Cole says this agreement comes in addition to a 2008 document already requiring the plant to reduce particulate pollution.
“We’ve already seen the permanent shutdown of three older coke oven batteries. That has reduced particulate emissions already by 383 tons. The rebuild of Battery B has also dramatically reduced emissions, so these further improvements come on top of some major emission reductions that have already been achieved.”
Cole says the new emissions reductions are not tied to an explosion at the plant’s B Battery earlier this summer.
The Liberty/Clairton area is now expected to attain the national air quality standard by December of 2013, the same time this project is slated to be completed.
Owner U.S. Steel and the Allegheny County Health Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reduce the plant’s fine particulate pollution by 320 tons each year.
ACHD spokesman Guillermo Cole says the air quality improvements will come from the replacement of two quench towers that cool the coke, and from bringing three coke oven batteries into emissions compliance.
Cole says this agreement comes in addition to a 2008 document already requiring the plant to reduce particulate pollution.
“We’ve already seen the permanent shutdown of three older coke oven batteries. That has reduced particulate emissions already by 383 tons. The rebuild of Battery B has also dramatically reduced emissions, so these further improvements come on top of some major emission reductions that have already been achieved.”
Cole says the new emissions reductions are not tied to an explosion at the plant’s B Battery earlier this summer.
The Liberty/Clairton area is now expected to attain the national air quality standard by December of 2013, the same time this project is slated to be completed.
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