Environmental Health Information for Consumers  

Focus on NLM Resources—2/4/15Kate Flewelling, MLISNational Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region

Resources

• Household Products Database

• ToxMystery• Tox Town• Environmental health

student portal

Household products database (HPD)

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

HPD was designed to answer questions such as:

• What’s under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room?

• Do these household products pose a potential health risk to you and your family?

• What are the chemical ingredients and their percentages in specific brands?

• Which products contain specific chemical ingredients?

Household ProDucts Database

• Contains over 7000 products• Products chosen based on

market share and shelf presence• Updated twice a year• Can also search for Product

Recalls

Household products database: products categories

HPD: Personal care category

HPD: Ivory classic bar soap

HPD: Ivory classic soap (Health effects)

I recently purchased polyurethane wood stain to refinish a table and would like to find out more about the product before using it.

Are there any products in this database that could potentially cause hyperactivity?

ToxMystery

Suitable for ages 7-11

http://toxmystery.nlm.nih.gov/

Toxie the Cat helps children find the hazards hidden in each room and offers hints

when needed.

• Available in English and Spanish• “For Teachers” section includes 3

lesson plans with student worksheets/activities”

• Parent Resources

Toxmystery Child’s bedroom scene

Toxmystery garage scene

Teacher Resources

Tox Town

Suitable for grades 6-12+

Tox Town provides information on:• Everyday locations where

you might find toxic chemicals

• Non-technical descriptions of chemicals

• How the environment can impact human health

• Available in English and Spanish

• http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov

Insect Bites and StingsMoldsNoiseOccupational HealthPfiesteria InfectionsPoisoningRadiation ExposureRadon Secondhand Smoke Sun ExposureWater Safety - Recreational

Air PollutionChild SafetyDrinking WaterErgonomicsFire Safety Farm SafetyFood SafetyHeat IllnessHousehold PoisonsHypothermiaIndoor Air Quality

Environmental Health Concerns in Tox Town

ArsenicAsbestosBenzeneCarbon MonoxideChromiumLeadMercuryNitrogen Oxides

OzoneParticulate MatterPesticidesPhthalatesRadonSulfur DioxideTolueneVolatile Organic Compounds

Chemicals in Tox Town

Tox Town: Farm scene

Tox Town: city scene

What can you see in the Port?

Scenes from Tox Town

Stormwater

Spanish Version

Text Version

Links to Reliable Sources

• Environmental Protection Agency• Centers for Disease Control• Occupational Safety & Health Administration • Extension Service• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Timely Topics

Education resources in Tox Town

• Tox Town-Based Curriculum Units / Science Club• Classroom Activities• Interactive Resources• Careers in Environmental Health, Chemistry, and Toxicology

Discovering the Connection: Your Environment, Your Health

http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/teachers6.php

6 Units of Curriculum

• Water Quality• Air Quality• Chemicals in Your Home• Food Safety• Runoff, Impervious Surfaces &

Smart Development• The Great Debate: Bottled Water

vs. Tap Water in Our School

How can my dog affect my health?

How can my dog affect my health?How Can My Dog Affect My Health?

What is that smell at the drycleaners? Is it something I should be worried about?

Offices and Stores

How can I keep the workers at my nail salon safe?

Hair and Nail Salon

Environmental health student portalProvides a safe and useful resource for students and teachers to learn how the environment can impact our health.

Suitable for grades 6-8

http://kidsenvirohealth.nlm.nih.gov/

For teachers

http://kidsenvirohealth.nlm.nih.gov/generic/6/for-teachers

Experiments and Projects

http://kidsenvirohealth.nlm.nih.gov/generic/4/experiments

Questions?

Thank You!

This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHS-N-276-2011-00003-C with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System.

Kate Flewelling, MLISNational Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic

Regionhttp://nnlm.gov/mar/

flewkate@pitt.edu