“Operation Medicine Delivery” Practice Test Completed
The U.S. Postal Service, local, state and federal government agencies completed the public health emergency preparedness test called “Operation Medicine Delivery on Sunday, May 6, 2012. The event tested how fast medicine can be delivered to people’s homes in a simulated emergency. Empty pill bottles and a flyer were delivered to residents in Saint Paul ZIP codes 55101 and 55102, and in two other ZIP codes in the Minneapolis area.
For more information on Operation Medicine Delivery | Emergency and Community Health Outreach (ECHO) | News Release (pdf) | Minnesota Department of Health Hotline - 651.201.3920
Operation Medicine Delivery Flyers (pdf): English | Hmong | Somali | Spanish
New Solid Waste Master Plan
In March 2012, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners adopted Ramsey County’s new final Solid Waste Master Plan (pdf) and submitted it to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for approval. This plan sets policy direction and guides the County, municipalities, the waste-management industry and others in making decisions that protect public health and the environment, reduce a variety of risks, and stabilize the economics of waste management for residents and businesses.
Through a number of mechanisms (including focus groups, electronic and telephone surveys, interviews, meetings, and social media tools), residents, waste-management professionals and representatives of municipalities and other public entities provided input into the development of this plan. As result, the final plan reflects the needs of the broader community as well as the perspectives of County and state staff.
Ramsey County’s plan complements the Regional Solid Waste Master Plan (pdf). This multi-county plan, adopted by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board in December 2011, provides overall vision and includes high-level regional and partnership strategies to enhance solid waste management in the coming years.
Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about skin creams, beauty and antiseptic soaps, or lotions that might contain mercury. Skin products containing mercury have been found in Minnesota and at least six other states. They are manufactured in other countries and marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes and wrinkles.
For more information on Skin Lightening Creams | FDA Alert | Minnesota Department of Health
Properly disposal of products at Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sites
Health Alert Flyers (pdf) - English | Somali | Hmong | Spanish
MDH Fact Sheets - English | Somali | Hmong | Spanish
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs feed on human blood, can hide in the smallest crack or crevice and can live over a year with no food. They are VERY hard to get rid of. They have not been shown to spread disease; but, their health effects include reaction to bites, loss of sleep, anxiety and depression. For more information on Bed Bugs
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