Derek Terrell: Outside Reading #2: Exposure

Article: Publick Health improvement goal from Healthy Minnesotans: Public Health Improvement Goals 2004.

In this article the organizations focuses a lot on Asbestos, which is a common health hazard linked to many cases of lung disease. To ensure that Asbestos isn't present in public places, many people organize a list of necessary actions that should and will be taken to prevent contact with Asbestos. Some of these actions include: countless studies of asbestos exposure and methods used in the industry to remove or isolate potential asbestos hazards and most importantly Regulatory information, including state and federal rules and regulations, as they relate to asbestos-related activity. There are many other actions that are taking place to prevent the spread of Asbestos, but these two accomplishments are why i chose this article. As I read this article I was impressed that so much was being done to take care of a deadly hazard that is present most places. But what i didn't understand was why all of these actions aren't taken to fix all the other environmental issues that may have an even larger impact overall then asbestos alone. I understand that studies have been done on the increase of greenhouse gases and pollution, which is why we know as much as we do now. But if people focused more on specific studies for the bigger environmental problems then maybe the state and federal government will force rules and regulations to help solve these problems as well. But nothing wil change significantly I don't think, until the government gets involved in fixing the numerous problems that affect us each day.