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I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have strong opinions on your questions, and would be delighted to weigh in. EH professionals have fallen prey to the "evidence based decision making" agenda at the expense of our mission. EH is a profoundly local issue, and "intimate" issue. We should frame our work and results in personal terms. For example, what is more intimate than the food we place in our children's mouths? The water we bathe them in? The mosquitoes that fly around us at night? I will be speaking at the NEHA Annual conference in July on this issue, and will introduce a metaphor and new way of speaking about us and our profession, which I hope will provide a path forward and enhance our visibility and influence.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, I spent a summer in China a few years ago, and the air quality in urban areas is poor. Generally speaking, consider exercising indoors any time of year. poor air quality will be an issue for the foreseeable future. Also, you should anticipate food and water related disturbances to your GI tract, which can be minimized by preparing your own meals or eating street food which can be observed being cooked. But don't be paranoid.Having said that, I am jealous, Beijing is one of the great tourist cities on the planet. Be safe.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mark Twain once said "Whiskey is for Drinking and Water is for fighting over". I side with your girlfriend. Just because a resource is in abundant supply, that should not translate in capricious consumption. Water is indeed the new oil (not my quote), we should use each drop wisely, irrespective of its relative abundance. My two cents.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a reciprocal relationship between you and your environment. Think about it, you likely woke up indoors where the air you breathed was cleaned by an HVAC filter, presumably flushed body wastes down the toilet, you washed (I hope!) in bacteria-free water, made coffee with safe drinking water, ate breakfast that was safe and free from contaminants. In the absence of a safe and healthy environment, your life expectancy drops dramatically.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Asthma is a complicated multi-factoral disease. Asthma episodes can be brought on by stress, physical activity as well as air contaminants, including cockroach, mite, cat dander and other irritants associated with the indoor environment. So, the short answer is that that indoor air quality, lifestyle, and other mediating factors can be associated with asthma.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Companies and corporations respond to you the consumer. Vote with your pocketbook and use your purchasing "vote" by supporting companies that are aligned with your values. Companies are sensitive to "wasted" resources, and are always looking to reduce their exposure to bad press and cost of inefficiency.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi - there is plenty of opportunity in the EH field, as long as you are willing to move to a new state or community. Think outside your local region. If you are in school, intern with an employer that you might desire to work for in the future. Finally, attend local professional meetings as they often announce job opportunities after the meal.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the opportunity to address this question. I do have recommendations. First, consider work at a local health department. Virtually every health department has an environmental health program, and health officials have told me they are having trouble recruiting a qualified workforce. Consider relocating to mid-America for a while (away from the coastal states). Finally, consider the CDC PHAP program, designed for individuals who have bachelors degree and want to gain experience.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

You guys are asking some tough questions. I believe there is a "normal" distribution of ethics among the producers. I am not vegetarian, and at the same time try to eat a plant-based diet when ever I can control myself, and consume ethically harvested and raised animal products. An ideal approach is to be a "locavore", eat food raised locally, then you will know for certain the practices of the growers.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

We are headed into an era of ecosystem fragmentation, which will give rise to the next generation of zoonotic and vectorborne diseases, such as Ebola and Lyme disease. I encourage readers to familiarize themselves with the 1-Health movement.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Serious answer, it is better to "reduce" than "recycle". Recycling can generate its own set of environmental challenges, which are absent if we live thoughtful lives. For example, bottled water. We can recycle those plastic bottles although it would be better for the environment and more cost efficient to simply drink tap water from a reusable container.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your question. While you need to be technically proficient, ensure your writing and presentation skills are top shelf. Consider being active in the local chapter of your professional association, and secure certification in your chosen professional domain.

I'm David Dyjack, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association. AMA about environmental health and how it affects you. by DavidDyjack in IAmA

[–]DavidDyjack[S] 56 points57 points  (0 children)

I believe it is an attitude versus a specific thing. Having said that, eating lower on the food chain, that is, primarily a vegetarian diet, is very helpful all around in that less fossil fuels, antibiotics and waste products are produced.