Air Date: 11-16-2012| Episode: 264
This week on IAQ Radio we will interview Mr. Pertti (Bert) Hakkinen, Ph.D & Stephanie Publicker from the National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health (NIH)…
Full Description:
This week on IAQ Radio we will interview Mr. Pertti (Bert) Hakkinen, Ph.D & Stephanie Publicker from the National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health (NIH). Our discussion will focus on one of the most important and underutilized resources for environmental health professionals the National Library of Medicine, Specialized Information Services. We will also be discussing emergency services with Dr. Hakkinen especially as they relate to the current response to super storm Sandy.
Pertti (Bert) Hakkinen, Ph.D., is the Acting Head of the Office of Clinical Toxicology, and the Senior Toxicologist and Toxicology and Environmental Health Science Advisor in the Division of Specialized Information Services, National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Hakkinen is the former project leader for the Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) and the current project leader for the Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM) tools, represents NLM on various committees, and provides leadership for NLM’s participation in national and international efforts in toxicology-, exposure-, and risk assessment-related information.
Stephanie Publicker has an Associate Degree in Nursing, a BA in Italian and a Masters in Library Science. Since receiving her MLS from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991, she has been involved in end user training, getting her start when users were thrilled to have a 2400 Baud modem. She currently works in the National Library of Medicine’s Specialized Information Services Division where she is involved in end user training, database development, and web content management.
Z-Man’s Blog
National Library of Medicine is growing larger and WISER
Pertti (Bert) Hakkinen, Ph.D and Stephanie Publicker, MLS were our guests on today’s episode of IAQradio. Bert and Stephanie are involved with information services at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The toxicology library began in the 1960s as a response to growing interest in toxics was heightened by Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring. Initially information was only accessible through the labors of specially trained searchers; however, access is now free and available directly to online users. Funded by Federal tax dollars, the library now provides vast and varied information and services to academics, professionals consumers, and others. The library’s information is classified among six major categories: Toxicology, Environmental Health, HIV/AIDS, Chemistry, Specialized Topics in Minority and Other Special Polpulations Health, and Disaster Information.
Nuggets mined from today’s episode:
•The NLM uses strict selection criteria to ensure the information disseminated is authoritative and trustworthy.
•The NLM’s Specialized Information Services division frequently checks on the system to ensure that electronic links to information remain unbroken.
•The toxicology library began in the 1960s as a response to growing interest in toxics and public awareness about hazards of synthetic chemicals, an example is Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.
•PubMed information, after a limited restricted time period for publishers, becomes available to the public for free. Best way to access the free articles is by visiting PubMed Central. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
•http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov ToxTown originally created as a tool for high school students has become very popular website and tool with consumers.
•http://disaster.nlm.nih.gov/ Learn more about the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC).
•http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/ Household Products Data Base
•www.chemm.nlm.nih.gov CHEMM – Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management
•www.remm.nlm.gov/ REMM – Radiation Emergency Medical Management
•http://wiser.nlm.nih.gov/ Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) is a system designed to assist first responders in hazardous material incidents. WISER provides a wide range of information on hazardous substances, including substance identification support, physical characteristics, human health information, and containment and suppression advice. Information is available in multiple formats: online, via smart phone, and downloadable to computers.
•PubMed information after a limited restricted time period for publishers becomes available to the public for free.
While I often complain about wasteful government spending, I agree that NLM provides an important and valuable public service.
Today’s Music: The Dewey Decimal Rap by Melvil Dewey and Hurricane Sandy Song by Todd Chap
Z-Man signing off
