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The authors reviewed asthma prevalence rates from all 501 Pennsylvania public school districts for 1997-1998 through 2002-2003. School nurses collect and report these data to the Pennsylvania Department of Health annually, and the data are aggregated by school district, county, and specified school year. The department initiated a descriptive pilot investigation in 2004 as part of the larger Asthma School Project, targeting all students with asthma in the two districts that had the highest and second highest asthma rates in Pennsylvania. The authors conclude that reporting of asthma by school nurses was a reliable data source, since most participating students had documentation of asthma diagnosis or asthma medication. The department also conducted environmental evaluations at the schools and investigated the occurrences of asthma exacerbations in participating students, but no unusual patterns or links to the schools were identified. The authors encourage other state health departments to consider designing and testing similar approaches to tracking asthma in students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten years ago, in 1996, the author published a commentary on disasters, the environment, and public health, reviewing progress in the field. Despite many advances, significant events have occurred during the intervening decade, including the September 11,2001, terrorist attacks and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster. The recent lessons from Hurricane Katrina indicate that puhlic health professionals still need to do more to protect the puhlic in times of national disasters. Since recurring disasters will continue to adversely affect human health, public health providers and others involved with disaster management should again reflect on the importance of this issue and the need for action. Such action includes key puhlic health professionals being present and actively involved in the field before and immediately follovdng disaster impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract During 1998, the Pennsylvania Department of Health received complaints about hydrogen sulfide odors believed to be associated with mushroom-composting operations in southeastern Pennsylvania. Many residents were concerned about possible illness in students attending an elementary school near the composting operations. In response, the department conducted health surveys during the spring and autumn at the exposed school and at a nearby control school. The surveys assessed whether exposures to hydrogen sulfide were associated with excess adverse health effects by comparing health effects among students from the exposed school with those among students from the control school. School nurses were trained to complete health questionnaires for the students. The state environmental agency measured daily ambient hydrogen sulfide concentrations at both schools. No consistent association was found between exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide and any adverse health effects. It was concluded that the students attending the elementary school near the mushroom-composting operations were not exposed to any significant public health hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]