Impact of Sandstorms on Health amp Safety of the Public Understand why Public Health is concerned with sandstorms Know who is at risk Know why a group is considered high risk Know what you can do to protect yourself and others ID: 611935
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Slide1
Keeping the dust down
Impact of Sandstorms on
Health & Safety of the PublicSlide2
Understand why Public Health is concerned with sandstorms.
Know who is at risk.
Know why a group is considered high risk.Know what you can do to protect yourself and others. Share information resources.
ObjectivesSlide3Slide4
Our Fundamental Mission and Duty:
Why is Public Health worried about Sandstorms?Slide5
Legislative Reasons
T
he Clean Air Act of 1970.Natural Events Policy.Clean Air Act Amendments 1990.
Why is Public Health worried about Sandstorms?Slide6
Health Concerns
Inhaled
deeply into lungs, dust can: Increase breathing problems,Damage lung
tissue,
Trigger allergic
reactions.
Why is Public Health worried about Dust and Sandstorms?Slide7
Health
Concerns
Inhaled deeply into lungs, dust can: Aggravate existing health problems:
Asthma,
Bronchitis,
Cardiovascular
disease.
Why is Public Health worried about Dust and Sandstorms?Slide8
Health
Concerns
Prolonged and unprotected exposure of the respiratory system in a dust storm can also cause
silicosis
, which, if left untreated, will lead to
asphyxiation
.
S
ilicosis
is an
incurable condition
that may also lead to lung cancer.
Why is Public Health worried about Dust and Sandstorms?Slide9Slide10
Health
Concerns
There is also the danger of keratoconjunctivitis sicca ("dry eyes") which, in severe cases without immediate and proper treatment, can lead to
blindness.
Why is Public Health worried about Dust and Sandstorms?Slide11Slide12Slide13Slide14
Health
Concerns
The dry air and dust causes chapped and cracked fingers and hands, reducing manual dexterity. The areas of the body that collect sand and dust, such as the ears, armpits, groin, knees and feet, are likely to experience chafing, abrasion and, possibly,
fungal, viral or bacterial infections
, such as
Valley Fever, Ringworm or MRSA.
Why is Public Health worried about Dust and Sandstorms?Slide15Slide16Slide17
Safety
Reduced visibility,
Disorientation / Loss of Direction,Risk of injury.Why is Public Health worried about Dust and Sandstorms?Slide18
Two People Killed, Two Critical After 17 Vehicle Pileup on Interstate 20 in Midland County.mp4
Close to homeSlide19
Economic Impact
Impaired
health of animals and vegetation,Reduced crop production,
Reduced
quality of
life.
Why is Public Health worried about Dust and Sandstorms?Slide20Slide21
Groups at risk due to health reasons include
:
Infants, children, & teens,Elderly,People with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other respiratory
aliments.
Who is at risk?Slide22
Groups at risk due to health reasons include:
People
with heart disease, Healthy adults working or exercising vigorously outdoors.
Who is at risk?Slide23
Groups at risk due to
safety and / or economic
reasons include: Everyone.
Who is at risk?Slide24
Avoid
going outside during severe dust
storms,Wear some type of covering over your nose and mouth,Wash your face and eyelids several times per day to reduce the dust buildup.
What can I do to protect
the health of myself
and others
?Slide25
Breathe through a wet cloth or coat the nostrils with a small amount of petroleum jelly to keep the membranes from drying
out,
Protect your lips with lip balm. What can I do to protect the health of myself and others?Slide26
Wear
goggles to protect your eyes whenever
possible during sandstorms, Wear long sleeve shirts,Button top button and turn collar up on shirt,Use a moisturizing lotion to protect the hands and skin.
What can I do to protect the health of myself and others?Slide27
If you are
working outside
during a sandstorm: Take cover inside a solid structure if possible,Watch for flying debris.
What can I do to
maintain the safety of myself
and others
?Slide28
If you
are driving:
Pull over and get off of the road as far as possible,Do NOT turn on hazard lights if stopped as this increases the likelihood of a rear-end collision.
What can I do to maintain the safety of myself and others?Slide29
If you
driving during a sandstorm and MUST continue driving:
Keep both hands on the steering wheel,Slow down,Turn hazard lights on.
What can I do to maintain the safety of myself and others?Slide30
If
you
are driving during a sandstorm and MUST continue driving: Use the center divider line as a guide,Honk horn periodically,
Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
What can I do to maintain the safety of myself and others?Slide31
If you
are driving during a sandstorm and MUST continue driving:
Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel,Take
extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
What can I do to maintain the safety of myself and others?Slide32
Driving Through Arizona Dust Storm (Haboob)- July 21, 2012.mp4
Haboob don’t playSlide33
Ready.gov
National Weather Service
CDC
Texas Department of Transportation
Arizona Department of Transportation
ResourcesSlide34
Adventure
Magazine: How to survive a sandstorm
How to prepare for a dust stormHow to Survive a Dust Storm or Sandstorm
Scouting Emergency Preparedness
ResourcesSlide35
Desert
Survival Skills Survival Kit for Desert Travel
Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
ResourcesSlide36
Discussed why Public
Health is concerned with sandstorms.
Identified who is at risk.Discussed why a group is considered at risk.Discussed protective measures.
Shared resources
RecapSlide37Slide38
John Floyd
jfloyd@midlandtexas.gov
432-681-7648Thank you