HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03171987 - T.2 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Mark Finucane C itra
Costa
February 251987
,DATE: C /
SUBJECT: Proclamation of March 15-21 , 1987 as Poison Prevention Week
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION ,
I . RECOMMENDED ACTION :
Proclaim the week of March 15 , 1987 " Poison Prevention Week "
in Contra Costa County to coincide with "National Poison
Prevention Week " . Encourage local residents to purchase,
handle, store and dispose of toxic materials safely.
II . FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
III . REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND :
Public awareness of the health effects resulting from expo-
sure to hazardous materials has intensified in recent years .
Contra Costa County residents are potentially at risk from
exposure to toxics in the general environment , in the
workplace, and in the home.
Substances which are strictly regulated in a workplace
setting are often used indiscriminately and without proper
safeguards in the home. Such products include : pesticides ,
cleaners , paints and solvents , auto supplies , and outdated
medicines . These highly toxic substances are often used
without proper ventilation or without eye or skin protection .
Further , they can be combined in volatile mixtures ; stored
improperly, often in reach of children ; and disposed of in
an unsafe manner.
Some of the negative health effects resulting from improper
use of household hazards include :
a ) Poisonings : The Bay Area Poison Control Center reported
3 , 610 ca s from Contra Costa residents due to acute
toxic exposure. Of these calls , 3, 368 ( 93 . 3%) were due
to poisonings from household products . Over 55% of all
poisonings are to children 5 years of age or younger.
In general , 78 . 5% of all household toxic exposures are
due to ingestion of poisons . However, 7. 5% of exposures
are due to inhalation ; 5% to eye contact ; and 5. 5% to
dermal contact .
A /
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: �_ YES SIGNATURE;
RECOMMENDATION OF. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOLD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON filar c APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
and ACKNOT,JLEDGED presentation on hazardous household wastes .
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT I AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TARN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
cc: Health Services Director ATTESTED _March 17 , 1987
County AdI'11T11Strat6r... PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
UPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
(;;
BY r 'Z�
M38217-83 ,DEPUTY
7, Z
-2-
b )
2-b ) Worker Illnesses : Sanitation workers and firefighters are
expose to household hazards when collecting garbage and
responding to fires . These workers are at high risk of
contracting serious illnesses from respiratory and dermal
contact with these toxics .
c ) Soil and Groundwater Pollution : Household toxics disposed
in. sanitary landfills can leaF into the soil and ground-
water . Public drinking water systems can become con-
taminated as a result of such leakages ..
The Environmental Health Coordinating Council ( EHCC ) , a
coalition of environmental , citizen , labor, and industry
groups staffed by .the Department of Health Services
Prevention Program, is currently developing public infor-
mation materials to promote safe alternatives to household
toxics , and the proper disposal or recycling of these pro- .
ducts . This program is being developed in response to
public demand and coincides with the Hazardous Waste Task
Force recommendations .
The Board of Supervisors has demonstrated a commitment to
planning for the safe handling of hazardous materials .
Household toxics are a category of hazardous materials for
which safe alternatives are often readily available.
" Poison Prevention Week " is an opportunity to promote public
education on household toxics , . and to encourage the safe
storage, usage and disposal of these products by Contra Costa
residents .
IV . CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION :
Not applicable.