Page 10 - Boca Exposure - August '19

Page 10, Boca Exposure
From The Desk Of Palm Beach County Commissioner

Robert S. Weinroth: County Leads State In Ag Production

Robert Weinroth, a former and medical Cannabidiol (CBD) extract. Hemp is not marijuana, before starting and five to seven ounces every 15 or 20 minutes.
member of the Boca Raton but they are cousins coming from the same species of plant. • Avoid dehydrating liquids. Alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated
City Council, was elected Industrial hemp has less than 0.3 percent of the THC (the soft drinks do not hydrate the body and can hurt more than help.
as a Palm Beach County psychoactive chemical that at higher levels defines marijuana). • Wear protective clothing. Lightweight, light-colored and
Commissioner to replace For the near term, hemp production is limited to University of loose-fitting clothing helps protect against the heat. Change
Steven Abrams, who Florida facilities. clothing if it becomes saturated.
retired due to term limits Infectious Disease Elimination Program. Palm Beach • Pace yourself. Work at a slow, even pace. Know your limits
requirements. County recently became the first Florida county to adopt an and ability to work safely in heat.
Palm Beach County is Infectious Disease Elimination Program ordinance establishing • Schedule frequent breaks. Take time for rest periods and
Florida’s top agricultural a countywide Syringe Exchange Program. The Board of County water breaks in a shaded or air-conditioned area.
producing county and takes Commissioners unanimously adopted the ordinance after recent • Use a damp rag. Wipe your face or put it around your neck.
the title of largest agricultural state legislation was enacted. • Avoid getting sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear a hat if
producing county east of the Mississippi River! Some Palm The objective of the program is to reduce HIV transmission, working outside.
Beach County farmers have been in business since the 1800s hepatitis C, skin infections and other blood-borne diseases. It is • Be alert to signs of heat-related illness. Know the warning
planting pineapples and tomatoes. also expected to provide a bridge to drug treatment and recovery signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Look for, and check
In 2017-18, Palm Beach County generated over $1.4 billion support, as well as other primary health and social services for on, other workers who might be at high risk.
in agricultural sales. intravenous drug users. • Avoid direct sun. Find shade or block out the sun if possible.
In western Palm Beach County, billions of dollars are The program, which will not receive any state or county • Eat smaller meals. Eat fruits high in fiber and natural juice.
generated by farming industries from packing houses to sugar dollars, will rely on grants and private donations to operate. Avoid high-protein foods.
mills, harvesting equipment, and transportation systems. Major In 2017, there were 647 opioid-related deaths in Palm Beach Keep Your Pet Safe in the Heat. Don’t forget your pets also
growers continue to produce in the Agricultural Reserve west County. More than 8.400 county residents are currently living are subject to the effects of the heat! Here are some tips to help
of the turnpike in South County, a 21,000-acre area that was with HIV, with nearly one new infection occurring every day. keep your pets safe in the summer:
designated as a preservation (primarily for agriculture) by the Recently, there was also a recent Hepatitis C scare making this • Pets can get dehydrated quickly; offer them plenty of fresh,
Board of County Commissioners in 1980. program more important than ever to protect the public health clean water. If outdoors, make sure they have a shady place out
Palm Beach County currently leads the nation in the of our community. of the sun, and be careful not to over-exercise them.
production of sugar cane, sweet corn and sweet bell peppers. It Ten Hot Weather Safety Tips. It’s hot outside! We are • Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or
leads the state in the production of rice, lettuce, radishes, Chinese currently experiencing record-breaking temperatures in South difficulty breathing, increased heart and breathing rate, drooling,
vegetables, specialty leaf and celery. Florida this summer, so it’s important to take precautions to avoid mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also
For seven months out of the year, fresh fruit and vegetables heat-related disorders such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting with an elevated
coming out of Florida feed over 80 million people worldwide. Heat stroke occurs when the body no longer sweats, and body body temperature.
New technology and improved disease-resistant crop varieties temperatures reach dangerous levels. Symptoms include dry, hot • It’s illegal to leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle, which
have helped Florida’s farms become more efficient and reddish skin and lack of perspiration, high body temperature, can lead to fatal heat stroke. It’s OK to trim longer hair on a dog,
productive. strong rapid pulse, chills, confusion and slurred speech. but don’t shave your dog. Their layers of hair serve to protect
Hemp is a hot topic right now. After the most recent Heat exhaustion is our body’s response to the loss of them from overheating and sunburn.
legislative session in Tallahassee, the governor signed into law water and salt, typically through sweating. Symptoms include • Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems
a bill establishing a state hemp program to be overseen by the excessive perspiration, weakness/fatigue, dizziness or confusion, caused by excessive heat.
Florida Department of Agriculture. Hemp is projected to become clammy skin, muscle cramps and flushed complexion. • Apply sunscreen or insect repellent that is labeled safe for use
a multibillion-dollar industry over the next few years. For anyone spending time outdoors working or playing, here on animals.
Hemp is used for hundreds of products including fiber, cattle are some helpful tips: • Be careful of very hot asphalt, which can cause burns on your
feed, building materials, and food, such as hemp seed oil, greens • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids; drink about 16 ounces pet’s paws.