USGS Friday's Findings - August 9, 2024

**Title:** One Health, One Environment: Environmental Chemistry's Integrative Approaches in Advancing the One Health Paradigm

**Date:** August 9, 2024, at 2:00-2:30 pm Eastern/11:00-11:30 am Pacific

**Speaker:** Dr. Erin L. Pulster, Research Biologist, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center

This edition of USGS Friday's Findings will explore the intricate relationships between environmental chemistry and the One Health Paradigm, a holistic approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. Our esteemed speaker, Dr. Erin L. Pulster, a distinguished research biologist from the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, will delve deep into how environmental chemistry is pivotal in breaking down the silos that traditionally separate these three areas of health.

One Health is increasingly critical in today's interconnected world, where the health of people, animals, and ecosystems is intertwined. The concept, endorsed by leading global health organizations, underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to tackle complex health challenges, such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change.

Dr. Pulster will highlight how environmental chemistry provides the tools necessary to understand and mitigate these issues. For instance, environmental contaminants, like pesticides and industrial chemicals, can have widespread repercussions, affecting ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. By identifying and controlling these substances, we can prevent their adverse effects and promote a safer, healthier environment for all.

One key area Dr. Pulster will discuss is the role of environmental monitoring and assessment. Advanced analytical techniques in environmental chemistry allow for the detection of contaminants at trace levels. These techniques can be employed to monitor environmental quality and detect emerging contaminants that may pose new health risks. This proactive approach enables early intervention, minimizing the impact on health and the environment.

Further, Dr. Pulster will examine case studies demonstrating how integrated scientific efforts have successfully tackled environmental health issues. For example, the ongoing efforts to remediate contaminated water sources that affect both ecosystems and human communities will be explored. These case studies serve as powerful illustrations of the One Health approach in action, showing how coordinated efforts across disciplines lead to effective solutions.

By leveraging the synergistic power of environmental chemistry, we can address pressing health challenges in a comprehensive manner. The integration of environmental data with health data allows for a more holistic understanding of the interactions between the environment, wildlife, and human health. This integrated approach is crucial for developing sustainable and effective health interventions.

Attendees of this session will gain valuable insights into how environmental chemistry facilitates the One Health Paradigm and the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental health challenges. Dr. Pulster's expertise and the critical case studies she presents will underscore the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to health and highlight the integral role environmental chemistry plays in safeguarding our collective well-being.

Join us on August 9, 2024, from 2:00-2:30 pm Eastern/11:00-11:30 am Pacific for an enlightening session that bridges the gap between environmental science and health, demonstrating that the well-being of people, animals, and the environment are indeed interconnected and inseparable.