Environment Health Flashcards

1
Q

Take home message

A

If we take care of the environement, it will take care of us

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2
Q

Environmental health

A

The collective interactions of humans with the environment and the short & long term consequences of these interactions

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3
Q

Anthropocene

A

A geological epoch that represents the beginning of human’s substantial impact on earth systems

  • World’s increasing population strains limited resources
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4
Q

Factors that contribute to population growth

A
  • Fertility rate
  • Lower death rates (better medical care)
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5
Q

Environmental impacts of humans

A
  • Air pollution & water pollution
  • Climate change
  • Toxic substance and hazardous waste management
  • Ozone depletion
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6
Q

Brundtland Report (1987)

A

Highlights the importance of the global environement to our survival

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7
Q

Human Energy Consumption

A

Used to drive cars, light and heat homes, power industry

Non-renewables:
- Oil (41%), gas, coal, hydro-electric, nuclear

Renewable (17%):
- Solar, wind, water, bio fuels

Alternate fuels: Ethanol

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8
Q

Human Energy Consumption Health Impacts

A
  • Pollutants
  • De-forestration
  • Waste products
  • Sewage
  • Eco-system impacts
  • Greenhouse effect
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9
Q

Greenhouse effect

A

The warming of earth caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide and certain other gases

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10
Q

Global warming

A

An increase in Earth’s atmospheric temperature when averaged across seasons and geographical regions

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11
Q

Possible consequences of Global warming

A

Climate change impacts human health in many ways:

Increase in CVD, more allergies, mental health impacts, more diseases, etc.

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12
Q

Climate change affect on mental health

A

Ex. wildfire in 2016 gave evacuees PTSD

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13
Q

How to reduce energy consumption

A
  • Use public transit, car pool
  • Turn the heat down
  • Turn off lights
  • wash and dry dishes by hand
  • Choose renewable energy sources
  • Consider electronic vehicles
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14
Q

Land pollution

A

solid waste:
- average Canadian generates more than 700 kg of household waste yearly

Hazardous waste:
Nuclear, biological, chemical

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15
Q

Solid waste reduction

A

Choose products with less packaging

  • Using recyclables is also a great option

Reduce, reuse, recycle

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16
Q

Air pollution

A

Air pollution weakens protective ozone layer.

  • Build-up of gases increases the risk of cancer and pollutants contribute to acute respiratory illnesses

Also contributes to global warming

17
Q

Types of air pollution

A

Hydrocarbons:
- product of fuel combustion
- Linked to respiratory illness

Particulate Matter:
- Ash, smoke, pollen, dust
- Linked to respiratory damage

Carbon Monoxide:
- Colourless, odorless, poisonous
- Linked to headaches, impaired visual perception, increased risk of CVD, death

Sulfur oxides:
-Main cause of acid rains
- produced by combustion of oil and other fuels
- linked to lung disease and CVD

Nitrogen oxides:
- component of acid rain
- produced by engine exhaust

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- Destroy ozone layer

18
Q

Indoor air pollution

A
  • Computers, fax machines
  • Carbon monoxide and other combustion by-products
  • Biological pollutants such as mold
  • Asbestos, lead, mercury

may contribute to “sick building syndrome”
- headaches, fatigue, decrease in work productivity

  • Asthma in children is associated with indoor air pollution
19
Q

How to reduce air pollution

A
  • Less driving
  • Plant trees
  • Dont smoke
  • Buy energy-efficient appliances
20
Q

Water pollution

A

Sources:
- water delivery systems
- domestic, agricultural, industrial wastes
- Pharmaceutical chemicals
- Nanoplastics

Most water in Canada is purified in water-treatment plants (some indigenous communities do not)

some regons have water shortages in Summer

  • 2.1 billion people do not have safe drinking water
  • 4.5 billion people do not have access to baic sanitation
21
Q

Protecting water supply

A
  • Take showers not baths
  • Fix leaks
  • Dont pour toxic material or old medicines down the drain
  • Dispose of wastes properly
22
Q

Chemical pollution

A

Pesticides:
-sprayed, dusted, fogged, dumped into environment

linked to lung and bladder cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma

Asbestos:
- Formelry used as insulation in walls
Particles from it cause respiratory damage

Lead:
- paints were lead-based
- found in plumbing, vehicle emissions, tobacco smoke

Linked to CNS damage, mental impairment, coma, death

23
Q

Chemical pollution continued

A

Mercury:
- can contaminate water sources and orgsnisms that live in water
- linked to brain damage, heart, kidneys

PCBs:
- polychlorinated biphenyls
- carcinogen, immune system damage

Trihalomethanes:
- synthetic chemical that forms when chlorine in water reacts with natural organic compounds in water
- associated with liver and kidney disorders, CNS problems, cancer

24
Q

Preventing Chemical pollution

A
  • Buy organic products
  • Lock up pesticides
  • Only use X-rays if necessary
24
Radiation
- Linked to cancer Ex. cel phones, X-rays, ovens Nuclear weapons and energy give of radiation
25
Noise pollution
Excessive noise in workplace, sporting events, concerts, etc. Prolonged exposure to sounds > 80 - 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss * Most hearing loss occurs within 2 hours of exposure * Continued or repeated exposure makes damage permanent
26
How to reduce noise pollution
* Wear ear protectors in noisy environements (ear plugs) * Listen to music at moderate volume * Avoid exposure to painfully loud sounds
27
Light Pollution
occurs when we have too much artificial light that enters the night sky and reflects off airborne water droplets and dust particles Effects: - Disrupts sleep - Decreases production of melatonin - May increase risk of cancer Others: Disrupts wildlife Ex. flight path of birds
28
How to reduce impact of light pollution
* don't use computer late at night * Avoid long time exposure to artificial light * Turn off lights
29
Environment & Health: What can we do?
Live as green as we can * Choose organic * conserve energy * be environment consciously * Reduce, reuse, recycle **Educate**: Educate others about health impacts of glibal ecological issues **Research/Knowledge**: - Look for evidence of local ecological systems that are negatively effected and help **Advocate**: Advocate for human and ecological health; become part of a larger environmentally conscious community **Build networks/coalitions**: - Join environmental groups - establish coalitions with health organizations to address health implications of global ecological issues