GERPACIO, Mae Jhoy A.

PHAR 3-2

1. What agency/ies responsible for control of pollution?

○ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
■ President Richard Nixon issued an executive order that led to its establishment in
December 1970.
■ A U.S. federal government organization whose main objective is to protect the health of
people and the environment,
■ It is in charge of enacting rules and regulations that support public and environmental
health. It is in charge of initiatives that support clean air, clean water, sustained
development, power efficiency, and pollution avoidance.
○ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
■ Responsible for the creation and implementation of laws, regulations, and policies
pertaining to environmental management (development, recovery, disposal), as well as
the administration and preservations (use of forests, minerals, wildlife, and other natural
resources).
○ Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)
■ Founded in 1987 as a supporting organization for the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, was transformed into a separate agency in 2002.
■ Environmental impact assessments and pollution regulation and prevention are
undertaken by this national agency. Its goal is to improve the environment in order to
foster economic sustainability, environmental protection, and excellent public health.
2. Laws on environmental protection and pollution control?
○ Environmental Impact Assessment Law (PD 1586) - “ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
RELATED MEASURES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
○ Toxic Substances And Hazardous Waste Management Act (RA 6969) - “AN ACT TO
CONTROL TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTES, PROVIDING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
○ Clean Air Act Of 1999 (RA 8749) - “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AIR
POLLUTION CONTROL POLICY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
○ Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) - “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN
ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, CREATING THE NECESSARY
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND INCENTIVES, DECLARING CERTAIN ACTS
 PROHIBITED AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
○ Clean Water Act (RA 9275) - “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WATER
QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
○ Environmental Awareness And Education Act Of 2009 (RA 9512) - “AN ACT TO PROMOTE
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”
3. Roles of health workers in poison control; pharmacists role?
Health care workers are one of the first line personnel in poison prevention and control. They are
the ones who have the essential knowledge about toxic or poisonous substances and its proper
management, making them important in ensuring that appropriate measures are given to someone who
is exposed to it. Sadly, not all health workers have any notable familiarity with the management of events
relating to toxic substances, hence, healthcare professionals such as pharmacists are an exception.
Pharmacists do not only focus on medications, as most of the people know, instead, they are
also well informed regarding toxic substances. They have been equipped with the basic skills in
managing a situation where an individual is poisoned. To further explain the pharmacist roles in the
management of a poison, take to account that a patient is poisoned. When an individual has been
speculated to be poisoned, the pharmacist can identify if it is really exposed to toxicants by observing
the signs and symptoms. Then, if the patient is identified as poisoned, they have the knowledge on
which antidote and other health measures are appropriate to the patient. Moreover, it does not end
there, pharmacists may be involved in patient monitoring to know if the antidote is effective in removing
the poison out of the system of the patient, observing for possible adverse events, and making
recommendations on what other health measures should be taken and not.
Outside the hospital setting, pharmacists may still help in poison control and this is by using their
voice to share and inform patients regarding toxic substances, how to handle them, and how to act on
unexpected events of exposure. Community pharmacists, for example, who are exposed to a lot of
people may use their work setting as an advantage in informing people about poisons. They may
provide awareness through the dissemination of brochures or other materials that contain contact
numbers in case of emergency, and other necessary information.
In conclusion, pharmacists play an utmost role in poison control and prevention. They not only
have the knowledge and skills, but they also have the authority to lead or recommend for the betterment
of poison management. Thus, they are not just medication experts, but they can also be called poison
experts.
REFERENCES:

Dellarocca, M. (2021, August 12). The Pharmacist’s Role in Pediatric Poison Control. Retrieved from
https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/the-pharmacists-role-in-pediatric-poison-control
Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). (n.d.). GOVPH. Retrieved from
https://emb.gov.ph/about-us-2/
Marraffa JM, Cohen V, Howland MA. Antidotes for toxicological emergencies: a practical review. Am J
Health Syst Pharm. 2012 Feb 1;69(3):199-212. doi: 10.2146/ajhp110014. PMID: 22261941.
New law to create “green jobs”. (2016, May 10). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
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R.A. 8749. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1999/ra_8749_1999.html
Republic Act No. 9003. (2001, January 26). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved
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Republic Act No. 9275. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/ra_9275_2004.html
Republic Act No. 9512. (2008, December 12). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2008/12/12/republic-act-no-9512/
P.D. No. 1586. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1586_1978.html
What Is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? What It Does. (2021, July 17). Investopedia.
Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/environmental-protection-agency.asp