ACTUAL I TÉ • NEWS
Wild parsnip warning from health unit
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) warns homeowners to be careful about letting wild parsnip take root on their pro- perties. Wild parsnip, also known as poison pars- nip, is spreading throughout the Five Coun- ties region.The natural toxins in its sap help discourage animals from feeding on it but can also prove painful to humans trying to remove it as a weed without knowing about its nature. Some peoplemay bemore sensitive than others to the toxins in the plant’s sap. The plant grows to a height of between 50 to 150 centimetres tall, has tiny yellow flowers with five petals which grow together to form a large umbrella-shaped head. The leaves of the plant have a saw-toothed edge and grow from branches. Wild parsnip grows most often in road-
months of July, August and September. The plant’s sapmay come out of a broken stem or be present through nicks or other damage to the plant’s skin. Brushing against the plant or grasping a broken portion may allow contact with bare skin.The toxin in the sap causes a type of chemical burn, resulting in rashes, blisters, or burns. Some of the burns can leave brown scarring that persists for several years. Sap coming in contact with the eyes may cause temporary or permanent blindness or severe eye damage. The best way to deal with and prevent the spread of wild parsnip involves removing the plant and burning it in a safe manner to avoid the chemicals from the sap which may be in the smoke. Mowing is one way to get rid of the plant if it happens before it can spread its seeds. Digging out or hand-pulling wild parsnip are the best methods because
this gets the whole plant out by the roots. Whatever method is used, care demands protective clothing during the operation. That includes goggles or a face shield, rubber gloves, rubber boots, and coveralls which are bound at the hemof the legs to prevent any bits of the plant or its saps from getting up inside the pant leg. After dealing with wild parsnip, wash boots and gloves with soap, water, and a hand brush first before taking them off. Wash coveralls alone, not with other clothing and hang them out to dry rather than use the dryer. As a precaution, wash out the washer with disinfectant after using it to wash the coveralls. Health agency seeks new blood More people with relatives receiving long- termand other types of special health care are wanted on the regional health advisory boards. That is one of themain points highlighted in a report to the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) board on its Regional Planning and Community Enga- gement Activity (RPCEA) program for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. The report noted that, during the past year of operations, the LHIN, through its board members and health services staff, made contact with more than 8000 people within the Champlain health region through advisory committees, one-time meetings, special information gatherings on issues like diabetes and mental health, and also ongoing consultations with patients, family members, and others. Health business plan accepted The annual business plan for the 2015-2016 fiscal period received approval from the board of directors for the Champlain Local Health Inte- gration Network (LHIN) during its June meeting before the summer break. Highlights of the plan include how it will work in partnership with the LHIN’s three-year Integrated Health Service Plan, competency training for LHIN staff on Aborigi- nal culture for dealing with mental health and addiction issues, expanding the LHIN’s electronic consultation service that links family doctors to specialists and also supports the Health Links regional system which coordinates care plans for clients with complex health and medical needs. The board has forwarded the annual business plan to the provincial health ministry for review. Once the plan receives ministry approval, it will become a public document. – Gregg Chamberlain Close to 40 per cent of the LHIN’s commu- nity contacts during the past operations year involved the general public, compared to 18 per cent the previous year and the board wants to see that percentage increase even more. The RPCEA plan for the next fiscal year calls for increasing the number of family members and people receiving health care services on the LHIN’s advisory committees. The LHIN also wants to increase the amount of contact with the Francophone and Abori- ginal sectors of the Champlain health region, and also forge a closer link with the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership. The LHIN will post its Community Engagement Plan online to help inform interested individuals and groups.
side ditches, along railway right-of-ways, up through cracks in parking lot pavement, around sports fields, and in any other areas where the ground has been disturbed such as recreation sites, pastures, fields, fence rows, and residential yards. The most common times for growth are during the summer
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