MCN Resources

This NLM Hurricane Katrina web page offers information and resources on toxic chemicals and environmental health for health workers and the interested public. Links are provided to information on chemicals that may be released as a result of the Katrina disaster and on environmental health concerns following the wind and flood damage.

Our focus this month is Hepatitis B.

“Viral Hepatitis in Minority America” 2. “The Perils of Needles on the Body” 3. A listing for updated hepatitis materials from the Immunization Action Coalition 4. A listing from the IAC for new Vaccination Information Statements 5. Announcements of relevant conferences

Since many exposures come during those field applications, the risks - to farmworkers and to nearby residents who can be affected if the chemicals drift - can occur much more frequently. "You are working in one field, and the tractor passes in the next field spraying," says Epifanio, 58, a veteran Mexican farmworker who asked that his full name not be used, out of fear for his job. "The wind brings it to you. It happens to somebody around here every single day."

Maria Fernandez, 42, of Cancun, Mexico, sits outside a shoddy trailer she shares with other workers. "Everybody around here always has headaches, coughs, running noses," she said. "It has to do with that dust on the plants from the chemicals. You are always breathing it in."

Vacunacion un gesto de amor