chapter 14? Flashcards
enviornmental health
study of management of enviornmental conditions affecting health
enviornmental hazard
factors/conditions in the enviornment that increase the risk of human injury, disease, or death
outdoor air pollution (natural)
- sandstorm
- volcano
- wildfire
- methane gas
- pollen
primary pollutants
emanating directly rom transportation, power/industrial plants and refineries
what are some secondary pollutants?
photochemical smog (brown)
industrial smog (gray)
ozone layer
thermal inversion
outdoor air pollution (human)
- motor vehicles/factories
- transportation
- electric powered by oil and coal
secondary pollutants
formed when primary air pollutants react with sunlight and other atmospheric components to form new harmful chemicals.
Enviornmental Protection Agency
the federal agency primarily responsible for setting, maintaining, and enforcing environmental standards.
criteria pollutants
most pervasive and biggest concern;
carbon monoxide, lead, etc.
greenhouse gases
atmospheric, coal fired plants, electric power
indoor air pollutants
abestos
biogenic pollutants
combustion by-products (gas stove)
volatile organic compounds (fabric)
formaldehyde (ply wood)
radon (rock)
enviornmental tobacco smoke
sick building syndrome
air quality produces generalized signs and symptoms of ill health of the building’s occupants
the 1970 energy crisis
reduced ventilation in buildings.
“tight buildings are sick buildings”
aquifers
porous, water-saturated layers of underground bedrock, sand, and gravel that yield economically significant amounts of water
water pollution
includes any physical/chemical change in water that can harm living organisms or make water unfit for other uses.
point source pollution
pollution that can be traced to a single source (pipes)
non-point source pollution
pollution occuring through runoff, seepage, or falling of pollutants into water
runoff
water that flows over land sufraces, typically from precipitation
biological pollutants
living organisms or their products that make water unsafe for human consumption
ex: bacteria, viruses, parasites
non-biological pollutants of water
- heat, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, and radioactive pollutants
- endocrine-disrupting chemicals
- pharmaceutical and personal care products
no government regulation on disposal medications
waterborne disease outbreak
at least 2 people epidemiologically linked to recreational or drinking water by location, time, and illness.
- drinking water outbreaks have declined, but recreational has increased
- gastro intestinal issues with parasites and bacteria`
foodborne illness
a foodborne diseae outbreak is the occurence of two or more cases of a similar illness resulting from the injestion of food
what do foodborne illnesses include?
viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, metals, prions
what are the top reasons for foodborne illnesses?
ineadequate cooking
unsanitary conditions
consuming non-pasteuized products
contaminated equipment
obtaining food from an unsafe source (shellfish)
food safety regulation
department of agriculture: meat, poultry, eggs
FDA: saftey and wholesomeness of supplements and food sold in innerstate commerce; inspect food plants, imported food, food composition, and product labeling
CDC: monitors food-borne illness
farm to table (farm)
use safe methods of growing, harvesting, sorting, packaging and storing food
farm to table (processing)
follow FDA guidelines concerning contamination, cleanliness, and eduation and training of workers, and monitor safety at critical points
farm to table (transportation)
containers and vehicles transporting food must be clean. food must be kept cold at all times
farm to table (retail)
employees in grocery stores and restaurants must follow FDA food codes. establishments must pass local health inspections and train staff in sanitation
farm to table (table)
consumers use sound food safety and recognize foodborne illness is a real possibility
FiGHT BAC!
- clean - washing food, utensils, hands and surfaces
- seperate - seperate certain foods, especially meats and eggs
- chill - make sure food is properly chilled
- cook - food must be cooked at a certain temperature
populations vulnerable to food-borne illness
- HIV or autoimmune disease
- very young or very old
- pregnant women
- alcoholics
- antacid users
- people taking antibiotics
universal signs of food poisoning
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
pathogens that cause food-borne illness
norovirus, E.coli, listeria, salmonella, botulism
norovirus
source: person-to-person, raw foods, salads and sandwiches
onset: 1-2 days
cause: improper food handling
e.coli
source: undercooked ground beef, produce, contaminated water
onset: 1-8 days
symptoms: bloody diarrhea, cramps, vomitting,
how to avoid: cook and clean food thoroughly, use treated and bott
listeria
bacterium
source: unpasterized milk, frsh soft cheease, lunch meat, hots dogs.
symptoms: NVD, muscles aches, stiff neck, headache and fever
how to avoid: use only pasteurized products, safe food handling, cook food thoroughly.
- pregnant women are very susceptible
salmonella
bacterium
source: eggs, poultry, dairy, meat
symptoms: NVD
onset: 4-7 days
how to avoid: sanitary food handling, pasteruized products, refrigeration, cook food properly
botullism
source: botullinum toxi (canned food)
symptoms: double vision, inability to swallow, speech difficulty, paralysis.
onset: 4-36 hours
how to avoid: use proper canning methods. do not purchace leaky, bent, bulging or broken cans
solid waste
garbage, sludge, and other discarded material from agriculture, mining, gas production, and industry
hazardous waste
dangerous to health and/or the enviornment. ignitable, corrosive, reactive or EPA designated
- batteries, mercury items, or flourescent lights
electronic waste
often contains polyvinylchloride, brominated flame retardants, lead, and mercury.
solid waste management
source reduction, recycling, reuse, composting, sanitary landfills, combustion
lead!
- often contaminates well water
- found in soil, household dust, air, paint, batteries, and gasoline
who is at the greatest risk for lead poisoning?
children! kids absord 50%, adults only 10%
what major health problems can lead cause?
anemia, birth defects, bone damage, learning disabilties, sterility, neurological and psychological disfunction
what is the number 1 vectorbone disease?
lyme disease
what are some natural hazards?
wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis
radiation
process in which energy is emitted as particles or waves
high-energy ionizing radiation
damages living cells and tissues
(x-rays, sun, erosion of the ozone layer)
non-ionizing radiation
has not been proven to cause cancer
(microwaves, computer screens, cell towers)
how to avoid skin cancer!
- ABCD rule (asymmetry, border irreguarity, color is not uniform, diameter is greater than 6)
- limit sun exposure from 10-4 pm
- use sunscreen with SPF 15
- do not use tanning beds
impact of population growth
global warming, acid rain, bulging landfills, ozone depletion, increasing crime rate
how can population growth be managed? naturally?
contraception, conception control, social policy
naturally: famine, epidemic, warfare
