Environmental and Occupational Influences on Health

Question 1

What is a hazard

Answer 1

Something with potential to cause harm

Question 2

What is risk

Answer 2

The likelihood of harm occurring

Question 3

What is a risk factor

Answer 3

Something which increases the risk of harm

Question 4

What is a protective factor

Answer 4

Decreases the risk of harm

Question 5

What is susceptibility

Answer 5

influences the likelihood that something will cause harm

Question 6

What is an outcome

Answer 6

The harm that results from an uncontrolled hazard

Question 7

What are the different types of hazard

Answer 7

Physical - noise, lighting, vibration
Chemical - acids, solvents, fumes
Mechanical - trips and slips, being hit by objects, injury by equipment
Biological - bacteria, fungi, blood-borne pathogens
Psychological - stress, bullying, violence

Question 8

What are the different routes of exposure

Answer 8

Skin
Blood / sexual
Inhalation
Ingestion

Question 9

What factors influence the degree of risk

Answer 9

How much a person is exposed
How the person is exposed
Conditions of exposure

Question 10

What factors does risk combine

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What are the 3 principles that govern the perception of risk

Answer 11

Feeling in control - involuntary risks (little control) are perceived as having greater risk than voluntary risks (some control)

Size of the possible harm - risks that involve greater possible harm (i.e. tornado) are perceived as greater than those involving less harm (i.e. chip pan fire) even if the less harmful events are more likely

Familiarity with the risk - risks that are less familiar (i.e. nuclear plant accident) are perceived as being greater than more familiar risks (i.e. food poisoning)

Question 12

What are some individual variables in risk perception

Answer 12

Previous experience
Attitudes towards risk
Values 
Beliefs 
Socio-economic factors 
Personality 
Demographic factors

Question 13

What are some environmental direct pathological effects on health

Answer 13

Physical

• ionising and non-ionising radiation
• noise and vibration

Chemical

• Pesticides
• Volatile organic compounds

Biological

• Infectious agents
• Allergic substances

Question 14

What are some indirect environmental effects on health

Answer 14

Housing - i.e. owercrowding
Transport - i.e. does it encourage walking or car
Town planning - i.e. access to amenities, social network
Income / Welfare / Wealth distribution

Question 15

What are some examples of hazardous exposure

Answer 15

Diet - fat, salt, bacteria, pesticides, acrylamide, phthalates

Inhalation - environmental tobacco smoke, smog, asbestos, legionella, pesticides

Dermal - UV-A / UV-B, bacterial, cosmetics, pesticides

Question 16

What factors are involved in global health and sustainability

Answer 16

Inequalities in health within and between countries
Local problems may be generated or have consequences globally
Effective use of limited resources
Technology
Managing expectations and facilitating behavioural change
Politics/human rights/gender issues