BPK Final CH 13 Flashcards
How is the environment you live in important for your health?
Human’s actions have significant impacts on the environment
Energy use, air and water pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, toxic and hazardous waste and noise and light pollution are associated with negative health outcomes
Increased diseases, cancers, sleep disorders, hearing loss, malnutrition, heat exhaustion
What is Environmental Health
The collective interactions of humans with the environment and the short and long term consequences of these interactions
What is environment
the unique skin of soil, water, gaseous atmosphere (air) , minerals, nutrients, and organisms that cover the planet
Anthropocene
A measurement of time representing the most recent period in Earth’s history when human activity started to have a significant impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems
How is the world’s increasing population creating a problem on Earth?
It is straining the limited resources available
Clean and disease free food and water
Available land
Energy
The acceptable standards of living
What is contributing to population growth?
Fertility rate and infant mortality rates are the highest in the least developed countries
Lack of family planning resources
Lower death rates because of better medical care and socio-economic status
What is the Brundtland Report
A report from 1987 that highlights the global environment’s importance to our survival
What is in the Brundtland Report?
Energy resource use and management
Air and water pollution
Ozone depletion
Climate change
Toxic substance and hazardous waste management
Noise and light pollution
What is Human Energy Consumption
We use energy when we drive cars, light and heat our homes
What are non-renewable energy sources?
Oil
Gas
Coal
Hydro electric
nuclear
What are some renewable energy sources?
Solar
Wind
Water
Geothermal
Biomass and bio fuels from renewable sources
What is an alternate energy source
Ethanol
What are some Human Energy Consumption Health Impacts?
Polluants
De-forestation
Waste Products
Sewage
Solid waste
Toxic waste
Extraction methods
Decreased bio-diversity
Eco system and Greenhouse effect
The Greenhouse Effect
The warming of Earth caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide and certain other gases
Global Warming
An increase in Earth’s atmospheric temperature when averaged across seasons and geographical regions
What are possible consequences of global warming
Severe weather - injuries, fatalities, mental health impacts
Air pollution - Asthma, cardiovascular disease
Changes in vector ecology - Malaria, Lyme disease, west nile virus
Increasing allergens - respiratory, asthma
Water Quality - cholera
Water and Food Supply impacted - malnutrition and diarrhoea disease
Environmental Degradation - Forced migration, civil conflict
Extreme Heat - Heat related illness, cardiovascular failure
How does Climate Change Affect Mental Health?
People can suffer from PTSD from evacuating from wildfires
How do we reduce energy consumption
Use public transit, car pool
Turn the heat down, wear a sweater
turn off lights
Use high efficiency lighting
Hang clothes to dry
Wash and dry dishes by hand
Choose renewable energy sources
Consider e vehicles
How does Land Pollution create a problem
Municipals are supposed to come up with biodegradable, recycling and e-waste solutions and dispose of nuclear, biological, and chemical waste correctly
How do we reduce solid waste consumption
Choosing products with less packaging, made of recycled paper or recyclable products
Avoid plastic wrap, foam or paper cups
Use reusable containers
Reduce, recycle, reuse
Don’t throw electronic items in the trash
Compost regularly, stop junk mail
What is air Pollution and what are some dangers with it?
Weakens the protective ozone layer
Build up of gases that increase the risk of cancer and pollutants contribute to acute respiratory illnesses and global warming
Photochemical smog (ozone pollution)
Thinning of ozone
Acid rain
Greenhouse effect
Air Poluution : Hydrocarbons
Product of fuel combustion
Nitrogen oxides and sun come together to create ozone
Ground level ozone is an irritant and the primary component of smog
Linked to respiratory illnesses (asthma, lung inflammation)
Air Pollution : Particulate Matter examples and health issues
Ash
Smoke
Pollen
Dust
Linked to respiratory damage (asthma, bronchitis)
Air Pollution : Carbon Monoxide
Colourless, odourless, poisonous
80 particles per matter = Lowers body’s oxygen levels by 15%
Linked to headaches, impaired visual perception, impaired manual dexterity, increased risk of CVD
Air Pollution : Sulfur Oxides
Main cause of acid rain
Produced by combustion of oil and other fuels
Linked to lung and cardiovascular diseases
Air Pollution : Nitrogen Oxides
Another component of acid rain
Precursor for ozone
Produced by engine exhaust
Air Pollution : Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Destroys Ozone layer
Coolants in fridges and ACs
Foaming agents in insulation
Propellants in aerosol sprays
Solvents
How is Indoor Air Pollution Made
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Photocopiers, fax machines, computers
Carbon monoxide and other combustion by products
Formaldehyde gas
Asbestos, lead, mercury
Mould
Index of Air Quality
Indicates whether air pollution levels pose a health concern
How can I reduce air pollution
Cut back on driving or choose a car with good gas mileage
Keep your car tuned up and tires properly inflated
Buy energy efficient appliances
Replace incandescent bulbs
Keep your home well insulated
Plant trees
Don’t smoke
Water Pollution
Sources include water delivery systems, domestic wastes, agricultural wastes, nano plastics, pharmaceutical chemicals
What problems that come with water pollution
Some remote indigenous communities don’t have access to safe drinking water
Some regions have water shortages in the summer
2.1 billion don’t have access to safe drinking water
4.5 don’t have access to basic sanitation
How do we protect the water supply
Take showers instead of baths
Use water efficient faucets and showerheads
Fix leaky faucets
Don’t pour toxic material or old medicines down the drain / flushed them down the toilet
Don’t use product with micro abrasives
What are examples of Chemical Pollution
Pesticides
Asbestos
Lead
Mercury
PCBs
Trihalomethane
BPA
Pesticides
Sprayed, dusted, fogged, dumped into environment
Biomagnification
Linked to lung and bladder cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma, chronic bronchitis
Asbestos
Formerly used as building insulation
Particles from it cause respiratory damage, lung cancer
Lead
Found in plumbing, vehicle emissions, tobacco smoke, lead crystal, lead pottery
Linked to central nervous system damage, mental impairment, decreased oxygen transport in the blood
mercury
Coal fuelled power plants, mining, smelting
Contaminate water sources and water based organisms
Linked with brain, heart, kidney damage
PCBs
Polychloinated biphenyls
Carcinogen
Linked with birth defects, immune system damage
Trihalomethane
Synthetic chemical that forms when chlorine in water reacts with natural organic compounds in water
Associated with liver and kidney disorders, birth defects, cancer
BPA
Bisphenol A in polycarbonate (#7 hard plastic)
Estrogen mimic, link to increased cancers
Medical Use Radiation
Xray exposure is cumulative
each generation of x ray technology emits less radiation
Home / Work radiation
Radon
Cell Phones
Microwaves, computer monitors, power lines
Other forms of Radiations
Nuclear Weapons and energy
How to prevent chemical pollution
Read labels of products purchased
Proper disposal of house hold products and pharmaceutical drugs
Buy organically
Only get x rays if needed
Noise Pollution
Excessive noise in the workplace, sporting events and rock concerts
Prolonged exposure to sounds more than 80 - 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss, tinnitus
Hearing loss occurs within first 2 hours of exposure, may recover within two hours after
With repeated exposure can become pemanently deaf
How to reduce noise pollution
Wear ear protectors in noisy environments
Listen to music on the headset with a volume at or below 6
Avoid loud music
Avoid exposure to painfully loud sounds
Light Pollution
When too much artificial illumination enters the night sky and reflects off of airborne water droplets and dust particles
Issues with Light Pollution
Disrupts sleep
Decreases production of melatonin
May increase risk of cancer
Disrupts flight paths of birds or other wildlife
Imbalance in sleep pattern
How to reduce light pollution
Don’t use your computer late at night
Dim the light emitting from your computer
Avoid long term exposure to artificial light
Consider your circadian rhythm
Turn off lights
