Session 8100 – 3 CME I 3 ABPM
Worksite Visit: Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant
Moderator:
Kevin P. Byrne, MD, MPH, FACOEM*
The Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant is the main treatment facility in the Metropolitan Wastewater System. Located on a bluff overlooking the ocean, the plant went into operation in 1963 to treat the region's wastewater. It functions today as an Advanced Primary Treatment plant and processes approximately 180 million gallons of wastewater every day. Biosolids from Point Loma and North City are processed at our Metropolitan Biosolids Center at an average rate of 40,000 dry tons each year. This environmentally friendly product is used in landfills for cover and fill and reused elsewhere as a soil amendment. The location of the plant is at the beautiful and historic Point Loma, which witnessed the first visit to California by Europeans in 1542. After the tour, the group will be taken to the adjacent tide pools to learn about the impact of pollution on marine life and how this affects human health. After a brief presentation about coastal biology, participants will be able to explore the tide pools. A biologist will be on hand to answer questions and point out interesting animal and plant life. Attendees should wear long pants, walking shoes, wind breaker or sweater and sunglasses. Open toed shoes or heels are not permitted. Additional fee required. Seating is limited: Pre-registration required; no on-site registrations accepted..
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Session 2307 – 1.5 CME I 1.5 ABPM
Waterborne Disease and the Health Effects of Water Pollution: What Every Physician Needs to Know
Moderator & Faculty:
Patricia L. Meinhardt, MD, MPH, MA*, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Elmira, NY
This presentation will provide clinicians with an overview of the ready made tools available to improve their diagnostic acumen and clinical management skills when assessing water-related disease resulting from patient exposure to contaminated drinking water, polluted recreational waters, and water contamination resulting from natural, man-made or intentional disasters. The session will address: 1) the clinical challenges that complicate the accurate diagnosis and management of waterborne disease and the health effects of acute and chronic exposure to water pollutants; 2) the importance of accurate and conscientious case reporting of waterborne diseases and water-related disease by healthcare providers; 3) the most common etiologic agents that have been designated as the sources of waterborne disease outbreaks in the US; 4) the five critical types of water pollution and contamination that may result in water-related disease that represent the greatest public health threat in America; 5) the most recent trends in waterborne illness and water-related deaths from both drinking and recreational water exposure in the US; and 6) the important role that healthcare providers play in protecting water quality, safety, and security. This session will highlight “Recognizing Waterborne Disease and the Health Effects of Water Pollution: A Physician On-Line Reference Guide” accessible at www.WaterHealthConnection.org.
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Semi-Plenary Session 2400 – 1.5 CME I 1.5 ABPM
California Wildfires: Their Human and Environmental Impact, Methods of Control and Preparedness
Moderator:
Nick Vent, County of San Diego, San Deigo, CA
Faculty:
Nick Vent, County of San Diego, San Deigo, CA
William Brick, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, San Diego, CA
Asha Devereaux, MD, MPH, San Diego Medical Reserve Corps Physician Advisor, Coronado, CA
This session will provide an overview of the wildfires in San Diego County during October 2007 from the perspective of a key player in the Incident Command System (ICS). The fires were the worst in the history of San Diego, requiring the evacuation of 515,000 people. Secondary problems included the availability of water, power, food, housing, and of course contamination of the ambient air with particulates and gases. We will discuss environmental health and safety actions, infrastructure impacts to businesses recovering from this disaster and the recover aspects involved in cleaning up a disaster area that was 60 miles long and 30 miles wide. The structure and applications of the ICS, which is standard for emergencies of all kind, will be illustrated. The faculty will also discuss the benefits of using a web-based Emergency Operations Command (EOC) tool, the need for briefings (internal and press). As a result, attendees will be better informed and prepared to assist in emergency situations.
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