Five on Friday: Worker Deaths from Using Methylene Chloride and Teenager Develops Heat-related Illness App

Fri, 12/08/2017 | by Claire Hutkins Seda

MCN Five on Friday

As the holidays ramp up, our free time gets sucked away. Here, we’ve collected a few health justice pieces that MCN staff read this week, in case you missed some of the stories that matter. What did you read that you recommend to us? Let us know on Facebook.

Why is dangerous chemical in common paint strippers still on the market?

Amy, Director of Environmental and Occupational Health: “Dr. Harrison offers a powerful interview on a well done CBS piece describing worker deaths from using methylene chloride products to strip bath tubs. MCN will be talking about this chemical and others on our chemical safety webinar for Community Health Workers on Wednesday at 1pm Eastern. Register here!

Teenager develops app to protect farmworkers from heat-related illness

Jillian, Director of Education and Communication: “A former employee, Erin Sinclair who lives in Modesto now sent me this link for all of us: ‘Teenager develops app to protect farmworkers from heat-related illness.’”

Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving's Story Explains Why

This heartbreaking article was sent in by MCNers from both Austin and Maryland -- the message is getting heard around the country. As clinicians, how can we enact change? “Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving's Story Explains Why.”

Haitian quake victims in the U.S. will lose deportation protection in 2019

Candace, Specialist in Clinical Systems & Women’s Health, sent in an update on Haitian immigrants’ legal status: “Haitian quake victims in the U.S. will lose deportation protection in 2019.”

Some Southern California farms remain open despite air hazards, exposing workers to wildfire ash

Claire, Writer and Editor, forwarded this article about how some volunteers distributing N-95 masks at a farm in Southern California were asked to leave. Workers continue to labor despite the dizzying air quality and ash raining from the sky.

Have a safe and healthy weekend.