Environmental Public Health Journal 2015 | BCIT Institutional Repository

Environmental Public Health Journal 2015

Consumers knowledge regarding pesticides on apples and effective washing to remove the pesticides
Objectives: With the increased health awareness, there is a growing demand of fresh produce in food. Not only is there a possibility of the fresh produce to be contaminated with harmful micro-organisms, but also chemicals such as pesticides that have harmful adverse effects. The effective method of washing the fruit can reduce the level of pesticide residue to a significant amount. The objective of the study is to determine if the general public is aware of washing the produce properly and if knowledge, age, gender, education or concerns have any association with the effectiveness of washing. Methods: The study was done using a survey that was designed using Google Forms. An online survey which was self-administered was sent out using snowball sampling. The survey was publicized through both email and social media Facebook. The survey had 19 questions in total 11 of which were general and 8 were knowledge based. The results were analysed by Chi-square test using NCSS Software Package. Results: It was found that there is a statistically significant association between knowledge level and effective method of washing the apples with a p-value of 0.00082. This means H0 is rejected; hence it means there is an associative between knowledge level and effectively washing the apples. No other demographic factors (age, gender, education, concerns, or having children) were found to be associated with the method of washing the produce effectively. Conclusion: It was found through the study that the people who were aware and had good knowledge about the presence of chemicals (pesticides) on apples would wash their fruit (apples) effectively enough that will reduce the pesticide residue on fruits more than people who aren’t aware of the pesticides on fruits. Other factors such as age, gender, preference for the type of food were not found to have any association with washing of the fruit effectively or higher level of knowledge., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Apples, Washing, Pesticides, Knowledge
Determining a relationship between licensing status and semi-quantitative risk score for BC dairy processing plants
Background: Following the 2014 Gort’s Gouda Cheese Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak which resulted in one death and 28 illnesses, an examination of dairy processing plants (DPP) within British Columbia (BC) was undertaken. The intent of this examination was to efficiently allocate resources to ensure a lower likelihood of future outbreaks occurring in a BC DPP and to improve current knowledge regarding DPP practices. A risk-based approach to assessing inspection activities for DPPs was undertaken. As such, the purpose of the project was to create a semi-quantitative tool to assess inherent risk factors of DPPs, after which it would be used to determine appropriate inspection frequencies for these plants based on their risk scores. Finally, a comparison between provincially licensed and federally registered dairies was conducted in order to examine if there was a difference in risk between the two licensing statuses. Methods: A semi-quantitative approach was used to characterize responses to a survey (Shi, 2014) conducted by the BCCDC between August and December 2014. This survey was sent to all DPPs (n=54) operating in BC. Each survey question related to increasing information on conditions found in DPPs, after which a semi-quantitative assessment approach was used to assign a total risk inherent to each DPP due to the conditions found in the facility. The DPPs were then ranked against each other with respect to their risk scores in order to assess which facility was considered of higher risk. Facilities were grouped by their licensing status, provincially licensed or federally registered, and then compared against one another using a two variable t-test in NCSS 10. Semi-quantitative risk assessment was done using an Excel tool designed specifically for the present study. Results: Complete data was obtained for 85%(n=46) of DPPs, with an equal number of provincial and federal DPPs used in the evaluation. Dairies were ranked against one another with respect to their total risk score. A statistically significant difference (p=0.036) was found when comparing the inherent risk of provincial and federal DPPs, with federally registered dairies showing a lower total inherent risk score. Conclusion: The information obtained from this study provided the BCCDC with a standardized risk-based inspection approach. Ranking of DPPs with respect to their inherent risk also allows inspectors to gain better understanding of present day dairies and their high risk issues. This reassessment allows for the development of more efficient inspection schedules in order to effectively allocate inspection resources and to increase the ability for inspectors to capture and prevent risks which would lead to foodborne illnesses., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Dairy, Cheese, Milk, Semi-quantitative, Risk assessment, British Columbia, Gort’s Gouda Cheese, E. coli, BCCDC, Outbreak, Foodborne illness, Environmental health, Inspection
Disinfection efficacy studies on three different disinfection methods in health care facilities by ATP method
Objectives: Nosocomial infection has always been a significant topic in the field of public health. The disinfection procedures involved in health care facilities are extremely important to prevent potential transmission of diseases. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the disinfection efficacy between three different disinfection methods (Accel wipes, Hubscrub industrial washer, and Steam vapor) on three pieces of non-critical medical equipment: wheelchairs, mattresses and bath chairs. Methods: The method used to evaluate the disinfection efficacy compared the reduction of contaminants count in the relative light unit using ATP monitoring methods. 30 samples of each of the three types of medical equipment were swabbed pre-disinfection and post-disinfection using the three disinfection methods. The recorded reduction number was then converted using log transformation. Statistical analysis was conducted using NCSS to assess differences between the disinfection methods. Results: The mean log-reduction of disinfection for Accel wipes, Hubscrub, and steam vapor were 1.067, 1.490, and 1.485 respectively. Steam vapor and Hubscrub displayed statistically significantly better disinfection efficacy compared to Accel wipes in terms of log reduction (overall p=0.000002). Conclusion: Hubscrub and steam vapor are better disinfectants compared to Accel wipes in terms of mean log reduction values; however, all three disinfection methods demonstrated effectiveness when cleaning and disinfecting non-critical medical equipment. For critical medical equipment, steam vapor and Hubscrub industrial washing are effective while Accel wipes do not meet the standards of high-level disinfection. As a result, combination usages of all three disinfection methods are recommended at health care facilities based on the categories of the medical equipment., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Disinfection efficacy, Medical equipment, Public health, Mean-log reduction, ATP
The effectiveness of smartphone temperature sensors for ambient temperature monitoring
Background: Heat-related illness during extreme weather events is a leading cause of death and morbidity among vulnerable populations. Heat health alert systems are crucial in preventing serious impacts due to extreme heat, however its efficacy is limited by available atmospheric temperature data. A study was conducted to determine the accuracy of a silicon band-gap sensor integrated into certain models of smartphones when compared to a well-documented thermistor themperature sensor. Methods: Ambient temperature readings were taken at a location chosen within Burnaby, BC, using both a Met One sensor and a Sensirion sensor integrated into a smartphone. The data was then analyzed using a dependent T-test for paired samples to determine whether there was a significant difference between the grouped readings. Results: According to the results of the dependent T-test with data adjusted to a calibration curve, it was determined that there was no difference between the readings taken by the Met One and the Sensirion sensors, t(30)= -0.68, p=0.5 (95% CI, -0.04 to 0.02). Conclusions: Although further research is needed, the results of this study suggest that temperature sensors found in smartphones may be a smaller, lower-cost, and more accessible alternative to some of the higher-end models currently used to measure ambient temperature for the purposes of public health planning and policy-making., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Temperature, Silicon band-gap, Sensor, Heat, Sensirion, Met One, Smartphone, Health
Electronic cigarettes
Background: Since 2011, the popularity of electronic cigarettes in North America has increased dramatically. However, with a lack of scientific data performed on long term health effects and the limited number of short term studies, it is difficult for Environmental Health Officers to effectively educate the public on concerns relating to the health and safety of the general public. The increase of teenage users demonstrates the need for better government legislation and enforcement, in order to prevent the re-glamorization of smoking in younger generations. Therefore, the following study conducted a chemical analysis on artificially inhaled vapor from two different types of e-cigarettes (disposable and rechargeable), to determine if any heavy metal concentrations; specifically cadmium, chromium, lead and arsenic, are detectable. Methods: The vapor from one of two e-cigarette types was artificially inhaled through a cellulose filter cassette by a personal sampling pump. A two tailed t-test was performed to determine if there were any differences between the heavy metals and the type of e-cigarette used in the study. Results: There was no statistical significant difference in heavy metal concentration by the type of e-cigarette used (for cadmium the p-value was 0.00, and power was 0.00, for chromium the p-value was 0.181220, and power was 0.008976342, for lead the p-value was 0.333711, and power was 0.001825742, for arsenic the p-value was 0.00, and power was 0.00). Conclusion: Based on the results, it was determined that there was no statistical significance between disposable e-cigarettes and rechargeable e-cigarettes with respect to concentration of the four heavy metals of interest (eg. cadmium, chromium, lead and arsenic). Although there was no statistical significance between the types of e-cigarettes used, the average concentration of chromium (IV) from the rechargeable e-cigarette was 0.13mg/m3, which is ten times the recommended 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) set by the BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Hence, further studies must be conducted to determine if the average concentration found in this study truly reflects the concentration found in inhaled vapor from rechargeable e-cigarettes. Furthermore, environmental health officers can provide the public with the concentration found in this study and warn of potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes until further studies are released., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Electronic cigarette, Vapor, Disposable, E-cigarette, Rechargeable, Heavy metals, Inhaled, Alternative, Concentration, E-juice, Smoking, Environmental Health Officer
Increased organic contamination found on mobile phones after touching it while using the toilet
Background: Mobile phones are considered as an indispensable handheld item in society today. Frequently used, these devices are a “high-touched” commodity. Previous research has demonstrated that E. coli and other environmental contamination are responsible for the contamination of mobile phones. This study will measure the level of contamination (or sanitation) of mobile phones at an educational institution. Method: The Hygiena MicroSnap Coliform and E. coli Enrichment Swab and the Coliform and E. coli Detection Swabs were used to detect the presence (or absence) of E. coli and total coliforms on subjects’ mobile phones. The Hygiena UltraSnap ATP Surface Test was used to detect levels of ATP. The SystemSURE Plus Luminometer generated readings in RLUs that determined the level of sanitation. In addition, each subject answered two questions regarding their gender and whether or not they have touched their phones while using the toilet within the past week. Results: No presence of E. coli or total coliforms were detected (0 RLUs). A one-tailed paired T-test confirmed that the ATP levels sampled from participants that touched their phones while using the toilet within the past week was statistically significant (P=0.008390). A two-tailed paired T-test confirmed that ATP levels was not statistically significantly different between males and females. Conclusions: Based on the results, touching mobile phones while using the toilet contributes to increased ATP levels found on mobile phones. There were no differences in ATP levels found between males and females. Future studies are required to confirm this., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, ATP, E. coli, Mobile phone, Toilet, Cross-contamination, Fecal-oral route, Organic contamination
Inspection violations and community care facilities in British Columbia, Canada
Background: In British Columbia, community care facility is a broad term that covers many different type of facilities including residential care and child care facilities. These facilities are inspected and audited by the BC regional health authorities to ensure that they are operating in compliance with the BC Community Care and Facilities Act and its respective regulations. These facilities house population groups that are at higher risk of injury or illness due to their physiology and behaviour. Therefore, it is crucial that these facilities are operating in compliance with the prescribed legislation to minimize the risk of illness and injury to the users of these facilities. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any differences in the number of violations in residential care and child care facilities between the different health authorities in BC. Methods: Inspection data were randomly selected and extracted from each of BC’s five health authority’s websites and assessed for the number of violations found in these inspections. Violations were tallied and an ANOVA analysis was performed to identify if there were any differences in the number of violations between the health authority regions. Results: Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and NCSS. There was a statistically significant difference of violations between child care and residential care facilities located in the Interior Health Authority region and Northern Health Authority region. Interior Health Authority child care and residential care facilities have more violations than Northern Health Authority child care and residential care facilities. Conclusion: Violations in child care and residential care facilities varied among the five BC HA region. The IHA facilities were found to have the overall highest number of violations for both child care and residential care facilities whereas the NHA facilities were found to have the lowest number of violations. This suggests that patrons of child/residential care facilities in IHA have a higher potential of getting injured or ill compared to patrons in facilities located in NHA., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Community care licensing facilities, Child care, Licensing officer, Environmental health officer, EHO, LO, Residential care, Inspections, Violations
Knowledge translation and the Public Health Inspector
Background: Knowledge translation (KT) is the process of using the best available knowledge to inform decision-making. Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are tasked with the critical responsibility of protecting public health. However, there is little data available about how effective and consistent current methods of distributing information to professionals across Canada are. The efficacy of KT has implications on the PHI profession and ultimately, public health protection. Objective: The purpose of this research is to identify how PHIs across Canada take evidence and incorporate it into practice. Methods: A survey was created with questions focused on determining what information PHIs use when making public health decisions, how PHIs go about finding the information required, and the level of trust invested into each source of data. Questions were formulated with guidance from the National Collaborating Centre of Environmental Health (NCCEH). It was distributed electronically to PHIs via social media and BCIT. Results: PHIs use evidence-based information to advise their decisions and actions always (43%) or often (46%) in daily practice. Government agencies, professional organizations, peer-reviewed literature, and colleagues are most often used and deemed as reliable resources. Although very frequently used, the internet was seen as neither reliable nor unreliable. 77% of respondents cited that barriers exist that impede their access to evidence-based information. The most common barriers listed were time constraints, costs, and lack of relevant information. Conclusions: The internet is becoming an increasingly popular means by which knowledge is delivered. However, web-based public health resources need to be more concise, easily accessible, PHI-specific and facilitated by reliable entities to effectively address barriers to practice. Increased communication of evidence, practices, and standards are required between health authorities, government agencies, and PHI professionals to ensure consistent and cohesive protection of public health., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Knowledge translation, Public Health Inspectors, PHIs, Evidence, Public health
Sous vide salmon pasteurization temperature
Objectives: Cooking foods to a specific temperature and temperature control are often very difficult due to the frequent fluctuation of heat during the traditional dry heat (oven) cooking process. “Sous vide” cooking of vacuum-packaged foods immersed in water provides constant and controllable time and temperature measurements throughout the process. Some sous vide style foods are cooked at temperatures that are lower than 60oC for short periods of time. This presents a recognizable food safety concern including the survival of harmful bacteria as well as conditions that do not achieve pathogen reduction during either the sous vide cooking or finishing (searing) process. This research project investigated the time and temperature relationship for sous vide salmon in order to examine if pasteurization temperature was achieved if an additional searing step was performed. Methods: Temperature values were measured using data-loggers (SmartButton) for 30 samples of vacuum-packed salmon and cooked sous vide inside a circulating water bath at 50oC for 20 minutes. A one sample one tailed t-test was conducted to assess whether the internal temperature of salmon reached instantaneous pasteurization temperature of 70oC after a final searing step was performed at 220oC for 45 seconds. Results: Five out of the 30 (16.7%) salmon samples achieved 70oC after the final searing step. Statistical analyses were statistically significant, and the null hypothesis (Ho: measured internal temperature of salmon ≥ target temperature) was rejected with 100% power and a p-value of 0.00. Conclusion: These results indicate that salmon cooked sous vide style under 50oC for 20 minutes with a final searing step of 220oC for 45 seconds will likely not achieve pasteurization providing adequate pathogen reduction according to guidelines set out by BCCDC. For sous vide style cooked salmon cooked at lower temperatures for short periods, freezing for control of parasite hazards is recommended., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Sous vide, Salmon, Temperature, SmartButton, Public health
A study on allergen knowledge and its perceived importance in food safety
Background: Studies have shown that one out of every thirteen Canadians suffers from a significant food allergy, and that 1.2 million Canadians may be affected by food allergies in their lifetime. As food allergies are common, many would assume that allergen safety would be a significant component of public health promotion and food education. This study, on food allergen knowledge, is one step towards addressing the deficit that exists with regards to understanding food allergens in public health. Method: The study was conducted by surveying Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) nationwide using an online questionnaire. It was distributed via email with the aid of the Environmental Health faculty at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The survey was also posted to the BCIT Environmental Health and Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) groups on the online social networking service Facebook. The results helped determine whether opinions, behaviors, and knowledge level regarding food allergens and food allergen safety depended on having a food allergy themselves. Results: The data extracted from the survey was analyzed using the statistical software NCSS. The results of the Allergen Knowledge portion (t-test) concluded that there is no association between the score of the Allergen Knowledge test, and whether or not the participants have a food allergy, inferred by its p-value of 0.268010. The results of a chi-square test indicated that there is a borderline association between how often EHOs educate restaurant operators on allergen safety, and whether or not they have a food allergy (p = 0.049) Conclusion: The t-test performed concluded that the participant’s knowledge regarding food allergens was not dependent on the presence or absence of a food allergy. The second statistical analysis (chi-square test) supported an association between how often EHOs educated restaurant operators on allergen safety, and whether or not they have a food allergy. Health Authorities can use these results to provide a basis for establishing a food allergen training program for EHOs in the future, thereby raising awareness and helping to better manage the presence of food allergens in public health., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Food allergy, Priority allergens, Food safety, Allergen knowledge, Health promotion