The Collaborative on Health and the Environment – Northwest

Sponsor: Multnomah County Health Department

Join Multnomah County in learning how your health is more than health care or personal choice. Each episode of the PBS documentary Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? will sound the alarm about America's glaring socio-economic and racial inequities in health, and search for root causes. The county is asking the community, especially those who have historically been left out of decision-making, to help them understand what actions they should take to address these challenges.

Price: free and open to the public

Website: http://www.mchealth.org:80/healthequity/calendar.shtml

Contact: Health Equity Initiative, 503-988-3030 ext. 22068 or health.equity@co.multnomah.or.us

Sponsor: Occupational Hazards

This teleconference is part of the Occupational Hazards Safety WebExpo & Conference. The field of green chemistry focuses on the design, manufacture and use of chemicals, products and processes to reduce or eliminate adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. This presentation by Michael P. Wilson, PhD, MPH, and Megan R. Schwarzman, MD, MPH, will present the findings of their recent report to California EPA, "Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California". They will address the long-standing weaknesses in federal policy that have produced a flawed chemicals market in the US, new European Union policies and efforts that are opening possibilities for a new approach to chemicals policy in the US, and implications of green chemistry for occupational and environmental health.

Price: free

Website: http://www.occupationalhazards.com/Events/Default.aspx?TYPE=0&Archive=0

Sponsor: National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

Part five of a six-part series, the goal of this course is to enable health assessors to perform a knowledge-based preliminary evaluation of environmental radiation data that have been obtained at hazardous waste sites. Topics include typical environmental concentrations of radioactive materials, common materials that may contain radioactive elements and environmental pathway analyses. NCEH/ATSDR staff and NCEH/ATSDR partner staff who prepare public health products or conduct community involvement/health education/health intervention activities as part of the health assessment process are invited to attend. Continuing education credits are available.

Price: unknown

Website: http://app2.erg.com/registration/course_listing.cgi

Contact: Erin Dopfel, 781-674-7229 or erin.dopfel@erg.com

at the University of Washington Health Sciences Room T 74

Sponsor: Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR) in collaboration with University of Washington Student Chapter of WPSR and Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility; supported by grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 and John Merck Fund

This training explores the links between exposures to environmental contaminants, such as metals and endocrine disruptors, and childhood disorders, including learning disabilities and reproductive effects. Clinical tips for diagnosis and prevention will also be discussed. The program addresses potential trends in rising incidences of disease linked to environmental factors, ramifications of developmental disabilities, health effects of developmental neurotoxins and the latest scientific research. The training includes selected provider and patient materials in English and Spanish from the Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Space is limited; RSVP requested.

Price: free

Website: http://www.wpsr.org/

Contact: 206-354-2170 or nancyd@wpsr.org

at the Langley Middle School, 723 Camano Avenue

Sponsor: Island County Underage Drinking Action Committee (UDAC)

For the past two years, the UDAC has hosted an annual Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking, where we have explored the issue of underage drinking and other youth substance use in Island County. We have offered the UDAC as a vehicle for concerned citizens, youth and adult, to work on this significant problem. The aim of the Youth Fair is to explore a solution -- choosing healthy lifestyles.

Price: free

Contact: Victoria Santos, 360-221-6808 x3402

at the Portland Community College Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth Street, Terrell Hall Room 122

Sponsor: Portland Community College, Oregon Environmental Council, Rachel’s Friends Breast Cancer Coalition, and the Breast Cancer Fund

The event will begin with a film by Megan Siler that explores common chemical exposures in the home and workplace and shows what we can do to reduce toxic exposures. A panel question-and-answer session immediately follows the film. Open to the community.

Price: free

Contact: Shari Rochelle, srochell@pcc.edu

Sponsor: National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

Final part of a six-part series, the goal of this course is to enable health assessors to perform a knowledge-based preliminary evaluation of environmental radiation data that have been obtained at hazardous waste sites. Topics include the importance of chemistry, radiation biology and example evaluations of environmental radiation data. NCEH/ATSDR staff and NCEH/ATSDR partner staff who prepare public health products or conduct community involvement/health education/health intervention activities as part of the health assessment process are invited to attend. Continuing education credits are available.

Price: unknown

Website: http://app2.erg.com/registration/course_listing.cgi

Contact: Erin Dopfel, 781-674-7229 or erin.dopfel@erg.com

at Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital Atrium, 501 North Graham

Sponsor: Josiah Hill III Clinic

The evening will include a social period and silent auction followed by dinner and an evening program with keynote by the honorable Charles Jordan, a passionate visionary who has inspired thousands with his commitment to the environmental conservation community. Funds will support Josiah Hill III Clinic's efforts to provide education, testing and resources to families and communities at risk for environmental health hazards. RSVP by May 2nd.

Price: $50

Website: http://www.jhillclinic.org/legacy2008.html

Contact: Josiah Hill III Clinic, 503-415-9694

Public Broadcasting System (PBS) stations

Sponsor: National Minority Consortia of Public Television

Unnatural Causes is a four-hour documentary series divided into seven program segments. The hour-long opening program lays out main themes: health and longevity are correlated with socioeconomic status; people of color face an additional health burden, and our health and well-being are tied to policies that promote economic and social justice. Each supporting half-hour episode, set in a different ethnic/racial community, provides a deeper exploration of how social conditions affect population health and how some communities are extending their lives by improving them. The website offers video clips and the full DVD for purchase.

Price: free

Website: http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/about_the_series.php

Contact: Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 800-272-2190

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency

Learn how to download, install, customize and use EPA's free Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT) to plan for and conduct environmental and safety assessments of school facilities. For more information on HealthySEAT, visit http://www.epa.gov/schools

Price: unknown

Website: http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/webconferences.html

at the Doubletree Hotel-Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah

Sponsor: Oregon Environmental Council

Girls have their first periods today, on average, a few months earlier than girls did 40 years ago, but their breasts begin to develop one to two years earlier. Over the course of a few decades, the childhoods of United States girls have been significantly shortened. What does this mean for girls today and their health in the future?

Price: $35, $25 for members and nonprofit or governmental agency employees

Website: http://www.oeconline.org/events

Contact: Oregon Environmental Council, 503-222-1963 or info@oeconline.org

at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center's Main Building, 5200 35th Avenue SW

Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Education Council and Antioch University

Watch 2007 Bioneers Plenary Speakers, Evon Peter, chairman of Native Movement and former chief of Neetsaii Gwich'in from Arctic Village in northeastern Alaska; and Wallace Nichols, a senior scientist at the Ocean Conservancy, in their addresses to attendees of the 2007 Bioneers conference.

Price: free

Website: http://www.nweec.org/ea.htm

Contact: Shannon Luoma, 206-923-1980 or sluoma@nweec.org

at the Northwest Environmental Training Center Headquarters, 650 South Orcas Street Suite 220

Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)

This course provides an overview of the vapor intrusion exposure pathway including its scientific foundation, regulatory framework and the technical aspects of investigating and remediating contaminated vapor sites. The class will cover topics such as screening sites for potential vapor intrusion concerns, conducting field investigations, sampling techniques, data analyses, exposure point calculations, the Johnson and Ettinger predictive model, vapor intrusion risk assessment, vapor intrusion mitigation and remediation. Continuing educational credits are available.

Price: $495, $395 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify

Website: http://www.nwetc.org/vaqm-401_05-08_seattle.htm

Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976

at the Seattle Public Library

Sponsor: Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group

The purpose of the conference will be to provide a strong foundation for tribal leadership on the most current science as applied to climate change in the Northwest. Subject matter experts will provide an overview of climate change in the Northwest and its potential effects on tribes. Specific breakouts will include, but not be limited to the following: implications for tribal conservation and policy, understanding climate drivers in the Northwest, the changing hydrology of the Northwest, effects on tribal wildlife and forests, and potential effects to Indian health. There is a tentative session on environmental health related to climate change on the second day

Price: $200.00 per tribe (includes elected tribal officials and Tribal natural resources senior staff) or $150.00 per individual

Contact: Patrick Gonzales-Rogers, 503-231-6123, or Lyn D. Dennis, 503-249-5770

at REI Downtown, 222 Yale Avenue North, Second Floor, South Room, Room B

Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)

The course identifies potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and methods for preventing exposure. Chemicals we encounter in everyday life are used as examples to evaluate the hazards and risk of exposure and put them into perspective. Learn the basic principles of toxicology, tools for assessing the toxicology of chemicals, effects of chemicals on the body and why some people are more sensitive to chemicals than others. Continuing education credits are available.

Price: $150 early bird special until May 5, $245 thereafter, $175 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify

Website: http://nwetc.org/etox-510_05-08_seattle.htm

Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976

at the University of British Columbia

Sponsor: Environmental Studies Association of Canada

The conference is being held as part of the as part of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The theme of the congress is "Thinking beyond Borders -- Global Ideas: Global Values."

Price: unknown

Website: http://www.esac.ca/events/

Contact: Chris Ling, chris.ling@royalroads.ca

at McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 Southwest Halsey Street

Sponsor: Northwest Chapter of the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association

Learn about the latest developments in product stewardship, chemical policy and safer products. The conference will provide training, such as the hazwoper eight-hour refresher, technical sessions and facility tours. Topics include toxic chemicals in products and people; case studies on implementing chemical policy and much more.

Price: members $145, nonmembers $195

Website: http://www.nahmma.org/cde.cfm?event=210842

Contact: North American Hazardous Materials Management Association, 877-292-1403 or nahmma@imigroup.org

Sponsor: Clinical Directors Network (CDN)

More details will be available for this webinar event through the website listed below.

Price: unknown

Website: http://web.memberclicks.com/mc/community/eventdetails.do?eventId=145140&orgId=cne

Contact: eLearning, 212-382-0699 x231 or eLearning@cdnetwork.org

at the Audubon Society of Portland, 5151 Northwest Cornell Road, Heron Hall

Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)

This course provides participants with an overview of key chemistry concepts associated with environmental contamination and provides a foundation for understanding contaminant transport and fate. This material is intended for environmental professionals who are not chemists but who require a fundamental understanding of chemistry principles for their work. This course is recommended for all environmental professionals working with contaminated soil and water with minimal formal training in the subject. It is also recommended for project managers seeking a review of the subject. Continuing education credits are available.

Price: $250, $195 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify.

Website: http://www.nwetc.org/chem-403a_10-08_portland.htm

Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976

at the Lacey Community Center, Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Avenue Southeast

Sponsor: Northwest Environmental Training Center (NWETC)

This course provides participants with an overview of key chemistry concepts associated with environmental contamination and provides a foundation for understanding contaminant transport and fate. This material is intended for environmental professionals who are not chemists but who require a fundamental understanding of chemistry principles for their work. This course is recommended for all environmental professionals working with contaminated soil and water with minimal formal training in the subject. It is also recommended for project managers seeking a review of the subject. Continuing education credits are available.

Price: $250, $195 reduced tuition is available to those who qualify.

Website: http://www.nwetc.org/chem-403a_11-08_lacey.htm

Contact: Northwest Environmental Training Center, 206-762-1976