Chapter 6: Environmental Health Flashcards
How did Mary Brewster influence environmental health?
Worked to import export the environment of the Henry street neighborhood.
Aimed to improve the physical environment and social conditions that affected health.
Poverty and Exposure to Environmental Hazards
People in poverty are more likely to be exposed to environmental hazards d/t things like crowded living conditions, icing closer to hazardous wastes, having poorer quality foods available to them and being exposed to hazards such as lead in pain, pollution in air or water or working in hazardous jobs.
Toxicology
The basic science that studies the health effects associated with chemical exposures.
Epidemiology
The science that helps us understand the strength of the association between exposures and health effects in human populations.
Epidemiology triangle
Agent, host and environment.
How do geologists, meteorologists and chemists contribute to environmental health and safety?
Contributes information to help understand how and when humans may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, radiation, and biological contaminants.
The public health field also depends on
Food safety specialists, sanitarians, radiation specialists, and industrial hygienists
Environmental health assessment includes
1. “I PREPARE” 2 Windshield Survey 3. Environmental Databases 4. Environmental health assessment form 5. Inquire/observe about unintended environmental exposures
Right to Know Laws include
Consumer Confidence Report
Material Safety Data Sheet
What are Right to Know Laws?
The public has a right to know about hazardous chemicals in the environment.
Risk Assessment
A process to determine the probability of a health threat associated with an exposure.
Risk Assessment includes
Point source and nonpoint source
Assessing Risks in Vulnerable Populations includes
Children and pregnant women
Assessing Risks in Children
Children are especially at risk because they breathe more rapidly than adults = great exposure to air pollutants.
Also because their bodies work differently than adults (blood-brain barrier, kidneys, growing bodies)
Pregnant women must be careful for
Infants development
How can you reduces environmental health risks?
- Apply the basic principles of disease prevention
- Risk Communication
- Ethics
- Governmental Environmental Protection
Reducing Environmental Health Risks: Risk Communication
The right information to the right people at the right time
Reducing Environmental Health Risks: Ethics
Essential for making ethical decisions regarding environmental health
Governmental Environment Protection
- Manages environmental exposures through the development of enforcements of standards and regulations.
- Educated public about risks and risk reductions.
EPA, FDA, Department of Agriculture and local health department
As communicators and educators, nurses can do the following
- Write letters to local newspapers responding to environmental health issues affecting the community.
- Serve as a credible source of information at community gatherings, formal governmental hearings and professional nursing forums.
- Volunteer to serve on state, local or federal commissions. Know the zoning and permit laws and regulate the effects of industry and land use on the community.
- Read, listen and ask questions. As informed citizens, nurses can lead in fostering community action to address threats to environmental health.
Environmental Justice
Equal protection from environmental hazards for individuals, groups or communities regardless of race, ethnicity or economic status.
A poor person of color is more likely to
- Live near a hazardous waste site or an incinerator
- Have children who are lead poisoned.
- Have children with asthma, which has a strong associated with environmental exposures.
What are some unique environmental health threats in the health care industry?
- Mercury
- Synthetic Chemicals: persistent bioaccumulate toxins and persistent organic pollutants
- Dioxin
Unique Environmental Health Threats in Health Care Industry and Advocacy include
Health Care Without Harm Campaign (ANA)
Is there a resource for people who suspect an environmental problem?
No. There is no single source of info about environmental health available nor is there a resource to which individuals or a community can be referred if they suspect an environmental problem
What are starting points for people who suspect environmental problems?
- Environmental epidemiology unit or toxicology unit of your state health department or environmental agency.
- Environmental health experts in nursing or medical s schools or schools of public health.
- Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics
What are the roles for nurses in environmental health?
Assessment Referral Community involvement and public participation Risk Communication Epidemiological investigations Policy Development
“I PREPARE”
I: Investigate potential exposures P: Present work R: Residence E: Environmental Concerns P: Past work A: Activities R: Referrals and Resources E: Educate
Pay special attention to levels of prevention as they relate to environmental health risks!!
Need to know for IRAT #1
Point source
Stationary location or fixed facility from which pollutants are discharged; any single identifiable source of pollution
Nonpoint source
Diffuse pollution source (without a single point of origin or not introduced into a receiving stream from a specific outlet).
“I PREPARE”: I
Investigate potential exposures
Have you ever felt sick after coming in contact w/ a chemical, pesticide or other substance?
Do you have any symptoms that improve when you are away from your home or work?
“I PREPARE”: P(1)
Present Work
At your present work,
Are you exposed to chemicals?
Do you know where to find material data safety sheets on the chemicals with which you work?
Do you wear personal protective equipment?
Are work clothes worn at home?
Do co-workers have similar health problems?
“I PREPARE”: R(1)
Residence
At your place of residence,
When was it built?
What type of heating do you have?
Have you recently remodeled your home?
What chemicals are stored on your property?
Where does your drinking water come from?
“I PREPARE”: E(1)
Environmental Concerns
Are there environmental concerns in your neighborhood?
What types of industries or farms are near your home?
Do you live near a hazardous waste site or landfill?
“I PREPARE”: P(2)
Past work
What are your past work experiences?
What is the longest job you held?
Have you ever been in the military, worked on a farm or done volunteer or seasonal work?
“I PREPARE”: A
Activities
What activities do you or your family engage in?
Do you burn, smolder or melt any products?
Do you garden, fish or hunt?
Do you eat what you catch or grow?
Do you use pesticides?
Do you engage in any alternative healing or cultural practices?
“I PREPARE”: R(2)
Referrals and Resources
“I PREPARE”: E(2)
Educate
Are materials available to educate client?
Are alternatives available to minimize the risk of exposure?
Have prevention strategies been discussed?
What is the plan for follow-up?