Reference no: EM133463227
Case Study: Mercury Poisoning in a Hispanic Community Session Overview
Instructions
For the purposes of this exercise, you will be asked to work in groups to participate in a mercury poisoning investigation that is based on a true scenario. Information regarding the scenario will be provided to you in parts, each of which will be followed by related discussion questions.
Choose one group member to read each segment of information aloud to the rest of the group. After receiving the information, work as a team to formulate answers to each discussion question.
Intended Audience
All public health, medical, veterinary, pharmacy, emergency management, hospital, and other professionals interested in public health preparedness and field epidemiology.
Time Required (estimated)
90 minutes
Learning Objectives
- List common sources of mercury exposure
- Identify appropriate control measures to prevent additional cases of mercury poisoning
- Develop risk communication messages for the public
Mercury Poisoning in a Hispanic Community Pre-Test
1. Which of the following are questions to be asked when conducting an interview with a patient to assess his or her potential exposure to mercury?
a. Do you take any vitamins, dietary supplements, alternative medicines or herbal remedies?
b. Do you have any tattoos?
c. Are you involved in the manufacturing of thermometers, barometers, thermostats, blood pressure machines, chlorine, batteries, fluorescent lights, or jewelry?
d. What types of fish do you eat?
e. All of the above
f. A, C, D only
2. True or False: Health department employees are authorized to confiscate products with known health risks and prohibit a store from selling them.
3. Which of the following state and/or federal agencies should be notified if mercury has been found in a product?
a. State health department
b. FDA
c. EPA
d. Office of the Attorney General
e. All of the above
f. A and B only
4. True or False: Pilot-testing media messages with the intended audience can help to ensure the cultural appropriateness of your message.
Case Study 2: Mercury Poisoning in a Hispanic Community Student Guide
Situation
You work in the environmental health unit of a local health department. This morning, you receive a call from LabTech, a private laboratory that conducts many laboratory tests for healthcare providers in your county. The lab is calling to report a mercury level of 90μg/L (micrograms per liter) in the urine of a 31-year-old woman. A mercury level of 10μg/L or above in urine or blood is considered to be elevated.
1. What information would you want from the laboratory that conducted the test?
2. Based on the information provided, do you think the woman was exposed to organic or inorganic mercury? How does this information affect your assessment of likely source(s) of exposure? What additional test(s) could confirm the type of mercury?
3. What is the possibility that other people in the patient's household or workplace may also be exposed to mercury?
Group Brainstorm: Have one member of the group write ideas on the flip chart. What questions will you ask Maria to assess her potential exposures to mercury?
5. How does this affect your hypothesis about Maria's probable source of mercury exposure?
6. What are the next steps you would take to narrow down the source of Maria's mercury exposure?
7. What strategies will you use to determine if there are additional cases of mercury poisoning in Maria's family or the community?
8. You would like to ensure that the beauty supply store stops selling these skin creams. As a health department employee, do you have the authority to confiscate products with known health risks and prohibit the store from selling them?
9. Which state and/or federal agencies should you notify about this situation?
10. Group Activity: Work together to create a short message about the danger of mercury exposure from skin-lightening creams. When developing your message, consider your intended audience and method of delivery (e.g., television, radio, print or social media).
11. How can you ensure that your message is culturally appropriate for your intended audience?
12. Are you aware of groups in your own community that may be exposed to mercury through occupational exposure, use of mercury in products or rituals, or other sources?
Case Study 2: Mercury Poisoning in a Hispanic Community Post-Test
1. Which of the following are questions to be asked when conducting an interview with a patient to assess his or her potential exposure to mercury?
a. Do you take any vitamins, dietary supplements, alternative medicines or herbal remedies?
b. Do you have any tattoos?
c. Are you involved in the manufacturing of thermometers, barometers, thermostats, blood pressure machines, chlorine, batteries, fluorescent lights, or jewelry?
d. What types of fish do you eat?
e. All of the above
f. A, C, D only
2. True or False: Health department employees are authorized to confiscate products with known health risks and prohibit a store from selling them.
3. Which of the following state and/or federal agencies should be notified if mercury has been found in a product?
a. State health department
b. FDA
c. EPA
d. Office of the Attorney General
e. All of the above
f. A and B only
4. True or False: Pilot-testing media messages with the intended audience can help to ensure the cultural appropriateness of your message.