Environmental and Occupational Influences on Health

Question 1

define hazard

Answer 1

something with potential to cause harm

Question 2

define risk

Answer 2

the likelihood of harm occurring

Question 3

define risk factor

Answer 3

something which increases the risk of harm

Question 4

define protective factor

Answer 4

something which decreases the risk of harm

Question 5

define susceptibility

Answer 5

influences the likelihood that something will causeharm

Question 6

give examples of types of hazards

Answer 6

Physical
Chemical
Mechanical
Biological
Psychosocial

Question 7

give examples of routes of exposure

Answer 7

Skin
Blood/sexual
Inhalation
Ingestion

Question 8

factors that influence the degree of risk include:

Answer 8

how much a person is exposed
how the person is exposed
conditions of exposure

Question 9

what does risk combine?

Answer 9

the probability that a particular outcome will occur and the severity of the harm involved

Question 10

what 3 principles govern the perception of risk?

Answer 10

Feeling in control
Size of the possible harm
Familiarity with the risk

Question 11

how does feeling in control influence perception of risk?

Answer 11

Involuntary risks (situations where we believe we have little control) are perceived as having greater risk
Voluntary risks (situations we believe we have some control over) are perceived as less risk

Question 12

how does the size of the possible harm influence the perception of risk?

Answer 12

Risks that involve greater possible harm are perceived as greater than those involving less harm
Even if the less harmful events are more likely

Question 13

how does the familiarity with the risk influence the perception?

Answer 13

Risks that are less familiar are perceived as being greater than more familiar risks

Question 14

individual variables in risk perception

Answer 14

Previous experience,
attitudes towards risk,
values,
beliefs,
Socio economic factors
personality,
demographic factors

Question 15

the environment: direct pathological effects examples

Answer 15

Physical
Ionising and non-ionising radiation
Noise and Vibration
Chemical
Pesticides
VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
Biological
Infectious agents
Allergic substances

Question 16

the environment: indirect effects examples

Answer 16

Housing e.g. overcrowding
Transport e.g. does it encourage walking/car use
Town planning e.g. access to amenities, social networks
Income/welfare/wealth distribution

Question 17

examples of hazardous exposure: diet

Answer 17

Fat
Salt
Bacteria
Pesticides
Acrylamide
Phthalates

Question 18

examples of hazardous exposure: inhalation

Answer 18

Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Smog
Asbestos
Legionella
Pesticides

Question 19

examples of hazardous exposure: dermal

Answer 19

–UV-A / UV-B
–Bacteria
–Cosmetics
–Pesticides