environmental hazards Flashcards
Flooding
- Direct Physical Hazards
- Drowning risk – Fast-flowing water, hidden hazards (e.g., displaced manhole covers, eroded pavements).
- Injuries – Floodwater may contain sharp debris (glass, metal) or large objects (e.g., vehicles).
- Electrical hazards – Risk of electrocution from submerged power lines or domestic supplies.
- Gas leaks & carbon monoxide poisoning – Disruptions to gas mains and improper generator use.
- Infectious & Microbial Hazards
- Waterborne diseases – Floodwater can contain sewage and industrial contaminants, increasing risks of diarrhoeal diseases and wound infections.
3. Chemical Hazards - Toxic contamination – Floodwater can disrupt industrial chemical storage, contaminating water, soil, and surfaces.
- Waterborne diseases – Floodwater can contain sewage and industrial contaminants, increasing risks of diarrhoeal diseases and wound infections.
- Interruption of Essential Services
- Loss of safe drinking water – Damage to treatment plants and supply lines.
- Sewage system failures – Local contamination and overflow of treatment works.
- Power, gas, and communication outages – Disruptions to daily life, healthcare, and emergency response.
- Healthcare access – Hospitals, care homes, and emergency services may be inaccessible or overwhelmed.
- Mental Health Impacts
- Short-term distress – Fear for personal safety, loss of shelter, possessions, and basic necessities.
- Long-term psychological effects – PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.
- Economic and social consequences – Financial strain, insurance disputes, property devaluation, disrupted schooling, family breakdowns, and loss of community support.
Flooding in the UK primarily leads to psychological distress, respiratory illnesses, and service disruptions, making long-term recovery a key concern.
exposure assessment
field measures to estimate exposure experienced by the population and how this could change if conditions change
dose response assessment
relationship between amount of exposure and the occurrence of adverse health effects
risk management process
(follow risk assessment)
ECCM
evaluate the risk - compare to known guidelines
communication - risk = hazard + outrage (Sandman)
control - source pathway receptor
monitoring - surveillance systems
Sandman nine ways to evoke outrage in risk comms
Outrage is influenced by:
Voluntariness (coerced risk e.g. air pollution vs voluntary e.g. smoking)
Control (degree to which prevention/mitigation of a risk are in indivdual’s hands)
Fairness (if people feel they are subjected to a disproportionate risk, outrage is higher)
Process (responsiveness of authorities, degree to which government informs the public about a risk, trust in authorities)
Morality (if there is a moral dimension, e.g. children are affected)
Familiarity (novel risks provoke more outrage)
Memorability (memorable incidents make risks easier to imaging e.g. COVID)
Dread (degree the risk is feared)
diffusion in time and space (chronic vs. catastrophic risks)
Fire hazards
PH relevance
can be large scale and affect whole populations - release toxic fumes (NO2, ozone, lead, dioxins (incinerators)) and PM - short and long term impacts
increasing risk of wildfires
occupational risks
sources
wildfires
burning of plastics etc.
harms
short term - respiratory issues, eye irritation, exacerbate existing conditions (CVD, respiratory), burns, falling debris
longer term - fall out from the plume into soil and water sources. asbestos -> cancer, dioxin -> immune system, reproductive functions,
prevention/control
fire safety and prevention measures
occupational protection and monitoring
PH advice - shut doors and windows, wear masks
decontamination
Lead
PH relevance
still present in housing stock - older buildings, socially rented, deprived areas
high burden of disease worldwide
sources
present in paint and pipes of older buildings - inhalation if burned
occupation - construction workplaces
battery recycling and mining
harms
occupational cancers
increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and kidney damage
during pregnancy - reduced foetal growth and preterm birth
in childhood - damage to brain and CNS
higher risk if lots of hand-mouth activity
prevention/control
HSE - protection at work - PPE, minimise dust, health surveillance for workers
no safe level of lead exposure - intervention after testing blood levels if above reference levels
removal of lead pipes / source
run water before use
Carbon monoxide
PH relevance
kills without warning - important source of morbidity and mortality
Infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO.
sources
road traffic
industry
gas boilers, cookers, heaters
generators
fires
poor ventilation
harms
reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried round the body.
high exposure causes movement problems, confusion, lung and heart problems, death
prolonged exposure to small amounts - headaches, memory problems, dementia, vision issues, personality changes
prevention/control
thresholds to protect workers
CO alarms
quality appliances and regular checks
ventilation
chlorine
PH relevance
widely used - risk of accidental release
sources
leaks or spills e.g. swimming pools, industry, water treatment
harms
respiratory distress, burns to eyes and skin
high levels - damage lungs and can be fatal
prevention/control
safety protocols - transport, handling, storage
evacuation, decontamination after a spill
sustainability principles (DEFRA)
integration (in all policies approach
prevention of environmental harm
rectification of source - address environmental damage at its origin
polluter pays
precautionary approach
housing and health hazards
housing affordability - ability to pay for basic neccessities, overcrowding
housing quality - temperature, damp and moulde, chemicals (lead, asbestos, CO), radiation, design, noise
housing security - homelessness, stress and anxiety, adverse childhood experiences
water and health
pollution: fertilisers, metals, sewage
waterbourne diseases = cholera, schistosomiasis, GI infections, Hep A, polio
regulation in england
drinking water inspectorate
Ofwat
environment agency - monitor and protect water quality
control: legislaiton and regultion (environment act 2021), monitoring and taking corrective action, sewage management, pollution management, sanitation
food and health
FSA - sets safe levels and monitors contamination of food
food hygiene and safe preparation measures
food safety act - framework for food legislation
asbestos
PH relevance
widespread in the environment
previously used extensively in buildings - remains in older buildings including schools and hospitals
occupation exposure
sources
building materials pre 1999 - disturbance of fibers due to natural weathering and during demolition and renovation
fires in older buildings
inhalation of fibres in the air
harms
respiratory issues - asbestosis
cancers
delayed onset
prevention/control
safe removal of sources
bans
management of occupational exposure
surveillance
radon
PH relevance
naturally ocucring radioactive colourless and odourless gas
leading cause of lung cancer worldwide
high conc in some regions of the UK e.g. south west
sources
radioactive decay in rocks and soil
inhaled when it escapes from the ground enters through cracks in building floors
higher risk indoors where ventilation is poor
can enter water systems - evidence unclear of impact
harms
lung cancer
prevention/control
target and action levels set by UKHSA
monitoring in areas of high conc
better ventilation
sealing walls and floors
raise awareness
evacuation
hazards related to landfill sites
Noise and smells
explosive gases
fire
contamination of soil and water
dust
increased road traffic
hazards related to incinerators
toxins in ash
noise and smell
increased road traffic
air pollution
Noise
sleep disturbance, stress (chronic increases CVD risk), depression, low productivity, poor school performance, hearing loss
environmental noise regulations for noise from transport
HSE noise at work safe limits and duty to protect employees from harm
radiation
ionising (gamma, alpha, beta) and non ionising (UV, microwaves, radiowaves)
sources: natural (radon, the sun), non-natural (industry, healthcare, nuclear incidents)
Becquerels - rate of decay
Grays - amount of energy absorbed
Sieverts - effective dose/health effects of absorbed dose
health impacts
short term: acute radiation sickness
long term: cancer, organ damage, hereditary defects
UV - sun burn, skin cancer
no evidence of damage from other non ionising types
control
EA monitors air, soil and water
regulation for nuclear sites
occupational risks - personal monitors
air pollution
chemicals in the air that can damage health (e.g. cause respiratory issues). These are Ozone (protection from the sun), CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, SO2, PM10 and PM2.5 (CVD and premature death), volatile organic compound e.g. Benzene (carcinogenic), Radon (lung cancer)
national air monitoring network (EA)
clean air act - powers to tackle emissions
air quality standards - legal limits - LAs must address if they are breached
Environment agency
environmental regulator in England
relevant roles:
Pollution: Prevent and control pollution, including waste regulation
Water: Manage water resources and quality
Environment act
Targets for environmental protection - water and air quality, waste reduction
five DEFRA principles
duties for businesses and public bodies
ways legislation can protect environmental health
legislation and regulation - legal limits and powers to act, targets and duties
e.g. air quality standards, environment act
DEFRA 5 principles
taxation for harmful industries
emissions allowances and trading scheme
protection of health at work
health and safety at work act
hazard-specific legislation e.g. noise, lead
control of substances hazardous to health legislation
risk assess, mitigate - plans, control measures, monitor, training
duty to report work related incidents and deaths
occupational health departments - fitness to work, protection from hazards
