Gasoline pumping stations are objects which take a place of commonality and ritual in many American’s daily lives. Constantly we drive past them, waiting until that dreaded orange light to signal that it is again our turn to “fill ‘er up”. However, did you know that gas pumps can be great centers of Public Health? It’s true!For our “This is Public Health” campaign our group decided to visit the Marathon gas station located on the corner of Fletcher and Bruce B Downs. Each member of our group had initial ideas on how an everyday object such as a gas pump could be related to Public Health, and we were not disappointed in our assertions. It turned out that the pumps are a veritable fortress of Public Health!
Many of the features on the gas pumps relate to the sectors of Public Health dealing with protection and the spread of information. These features help to represent health to the public through the use of various stickers and labels. For example, there are stickers warning that the inhalation of gas may be harmful to your health as well as stickers proclaiming the flammability of the fumes.
Tools are another important asset which gas pumps utilize to protect the health of the public. These tools include such things as easy to reach fire extinguishers, located at each side of the many back to back pumps. Sanitation is also taken to account at the pumps, with paper towels being provided for quick and easy cleanup. Also, many gas stations now offer plastic “mitts” to use while pumping gas as well as hands-free hand sanitizer stations.
In choosing the commonplace gas station as the staging ground for our campaign our group hoped to show that even routine objects can hold significance in the realm of Public Health. In our expectations we were not disappointed, displaying for all to see the fact that the next time you fill up, remember, “This is Public Health”!
Chris Morrow
Jason Kupersmith
Doug Franz
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