environmental health Flashcards
it is the totality of circumstances surrounding an organism or group of organisms, especially the combination of external physical conditions that affect and influence the growth, development and survival of organisms.
environment
environment broadly includes everything external to ourselves, including the ____, ____, ____and ____ environments.
physical, natural (air, water, soil, climate, weather and other natural resources)
social (relationships, interactions and cultural aspects)
behavorial (respond to changes, actions, habits)
briefly explain environment in simple terms
enviro is the total of all external conditions
living being has to adjust to the surrounding in order to survive and live properly
according to WHO,
environmental health addresses all the ____, ____and ____factors external to a person and all the related factors impacting behaviours.
physical (air, water, soil, pollutants etc)
chemical (toxic subs, hazardous materials)
biological (harmful microorganisms, pests, infectious agent etc)
what does it mean to be “all external conditions”
includes everything that is outside of and surrounding the organism itself
External means not part of the organism’s own body or self.
Conditions refers to the collective circumstances, factors, and elements that exist around the organism.
how does the factors in environmental health can be transmitted to the organism or human beings
inhalation - breathing
digestion - eat/drink
absorption - through the skin
what is the main focus of the environmental health
to assess, understand and control these factors that can negatively impact one’s health
how does the environment impacts our health [CCCROBAAI]
climate change
community noise
chemical
radiation
occupational risk
built environments
air pollution
agricultural practices
inadequate water, sanitation
give examples for the following factors
biological:
social:
chemical:
physical:
biological: viruses, bacteria, disease-causing organism
social: lifestyle
chemical: harmful natural and artificial chemicals
physical: natural disasters and uv radiation, airborne particles
briefly explain the determinants of health and well being in our neighbourhood
- global ecosystem
- biodiversity
- climate stability
the health and well being of our neighbourhood are closely tied to those 3.
maintain a healthy balance in these aspects can ensure
-clean and sustainable environment -access to natural resource
-protection from the potential effects of environmental change
social determinants of health
are conditions where people born, grow, live, learn, work and play.
these conditions can either help them stay healthy or put them in great risk of getting sick
examples of social determinants of health
access to healthy food
safe housing
good schools
clean air and water
job opp
why do we have to be defendant to protect our environment?
they play a vital role in our life as we need safe, healthy and supportive enviro for good health
depend on energy (electricity, gas) sources to power infrastructure
depend on materials to sustain life (protect enviro = protect essentials)
what is the percentage of global deaths are due to modifiable environmental factors
24% (28% of deaths among children under 5)
true or false:
People with low income are more likely to live in polluted areas.
true
true or false:
Children and pregnant women are at high risk of having health problems related to the pollution.
true
how many people around the world die every year because they live/ work in unhealthy environments
more than 12 million
what are the some examples that in the past, diseases that affected the most people
diarrhea from contaminated water
respiratory infection - air pollution
malaria - mosquitoes breeding in stagnat water
what is the major disease that is a burden in many parts of the world during these days
non-communicable disease (ex: heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness)
how can our health may be affected in the long run?
even if we do not get sick right away, these hazards can build up over time and potentially lead to diseases later in life
why do particular population groups may be more vulnerable. (give examples of particular population)
(children, pregnant woman, elderly)
their bodies may be less able to handle or recover from exposures compared to healthy adults
give examples on how health effects may vary with the seasons and time of day
summer - heat waves lead to heat stroke
winter - cold temps worsen respiratory conditions like asthma
air pollution levels tend to be high in the morning and evening hours when more people are commuting which can trigger breathing issues
give examples on health effects may be localized, community-based, city wide, national or even transitional
localized:
leaking industrial plant can contaminate a soil and water supply nearby = affect those living nearby but environmental health impacts can be wider in scale
community and city:
air pollution form vehicle emission or smoke from wildfires = affect entire city or region, impacting many communities
national/ transitional:
climate change & global spread of infectious disease = national or worldwide effects (transitional) on human health
give examples of health effects for outdoor air pollution
respiratory disease
lung cancer
cardiovascular disease
give examples of health effects for unsafe drinking water
diarrheal (gastrointestinal) illness
give examples of health effects for contaminated recreational water (ex: swimming pools that have been polluted by the presence of harmful organisms)
diarrheal (gastrointestinal) illness
eye, ear, nose and throat infections
give examples of health effects for mosquitoes, ticks and other vectors
malaria
dengue fever
rickettsial disease
give examples of health effects for UV exposure
too much:
melanoma
non-melanoma skin cancer
eye cataracts
too little:
vitamin D deficiency leading to rickets
osteoporosis
osteomalacia
benefits of environmental health [CCRIIIS]
cleaner water
cleaner air quality
reduced hazardous waste
increased access to healthy foods
improved population health
improved health equity
safer outdoor env for adults and children
briefly explain the 4 exposure response
hazards:
things in our enviro that can potentially harm human health
(ex:
physical - noise, radiation
social - violence, poverty
chemical - lead, pesticides)
exposure pathway:
how hazards come into contact with ppl - ingestion, absorption and skin penetration
dose-response:
amt. of exposure to the hazard that causes diff health probs
depends on
- duration of exposure
- how often it occurs
- person’s body size
health effect:
when all 3 ^ combine = health effects to the human depends on the 3 ^
how many deaths does air pollution is responsible around the globe
7 million deaths
major pollutants gases in the atmosphere
Nitrogen dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Ozone
Particulates
“Air pollution” means any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other legitimate purposes
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
Air pollution is referring to …
give examples
Anything in the air that is harmful and is not normally there in clean air
Examples:
Smoke from chimney
Dust and soots
Ashes and cinders
Mists or vapors spraying chemicals
Briefly explain the different sources for air pollution
Anthropogenic sources: human-made
Ex:
[ROMEA]
Road transport
Operational processes and Industrial activities
Marine transport
Energy production and water desalination
Air transport
Natural resources: caused by nature
Ex:
forest fire
dusts storms
volcanic activity
identify the stationary source of air pollution:
emits over 10 tons of any single toxic pollutant or over 25 tons of any combination of toxic pollutants per year.
point source
identify the stationary source of air pollution:
unintentional and undesirable emission, leakage or discharge of gases or vapours from pressure-containing equipment or facilities and components inside plants such as valves, piping flanges, pumps, storage tanks, valves, compressors etc.
fugitive
concentrated no. of smaller toxic sources, each emitting less than 10 tons per year of any singe toxic and less than 25 tons per year of combined toxics, that when considered collectively is a major contributor to toxics in the environment.
area source
how much of toxic pollutants is polluting the environment in
point source:
area source:
point source:
single toxic pollutant - over 10 tons
combination of toxic pollutants - over 25 tons
area source:
single toxic pollutant - less than 10 tons
combination of toxic pollutants - less than 25 tons
examples of air pollution
cars
planes
ships
these release pollutants as they release pollutants as they move from one location to another
_____ are common and present everywhere, while _____ are more localized and specific to certain industries, but they are more toxic and can cause serious health issues like cancer.
criteria air pollutants
hazardous air pollutants
criteria of air pollutants
ubiquitous - always present everywhere in the enviro
omnipresent - found in all locations
emitted directly into air: particulates, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons.
they impose great effects to humans.
how many chemicals are classified as hazardous air pollutants
188 chemicals
ex: formaldehyde and benzene
briefly explain Hazardous air pollutants
sources are limited
industry specific
more toxic and carcinogenic
enumerate the major air pollutants
sulfur dioxide
nitrogen dioxide
nitrous oxide
carbon monoxide
particulates matter
it is a greenhouse gas
nitrous oxide
nitrous oxide is inert at _____, destroyed in the atmosphere by ______
low temperatures
photolysis
what is the appearance of these following air pollutants
sulfur dioxide:
carbon monoxide:
nitrogen dioxide:
particulates matter:
sulfur dioxide: colorless gas with sharp odor
carbon monoxide: colorless and odorless gas
nitrogen dioxide: reddish brown gas
particulates matter: turbidity
what are the sources of these following air pollutants
sulfur dioxide:
carbon monoxide:
nitrogen dioxide:
sulfur dioxide:
burning of fossil fuels
burning of fuel containing sulfur
production of paper, cement and aluminum
carbon monoxide:
incomplete combustion
volcanoes
forest fires
nitrogen dioxide:
burning of fossil fuels
motor vehicle exhaust
unvented combustion
motor transport (large contributor of nitrogen emissionn)
it is the largest contributor of nitrogen emissions
fossil fuels burning
what are the side effects of these following air pollutants
sulfur dioxide:
carbon monoxide:
nitrogen dioxide:
particulates matter:
sulfur dioxide:
breathing problems
respiratory problems
cardiovascular disease
(basically respiratory probs)
carbon monoxide:
low birth weight
increased in fetal deaths
impairs learning ability
nitrogen dioxide:
irritation of respiratory airways , eyes, nose, susceptibility to lung infections
reduced lung efficiency
particulates matter:
bronchiole irritation
respiratory and cardiovascular disease
this air pollutant can be converted to fine particulate sulfate
sulfur dioxide
this air pollutant contributes to the formation of smog
carbon monoxide
this air pollutant is able to photochemical conversion of atmospheric CH4 and other hydrocarbons
carbon monoxide
this air pollutant can bind reversible to hemoglobin
carbon monoxide
this air pollutant produce acid rain
nitrogen dioxie
briefly explain the particulate matter in
PM10:
PM2.5:
PM10:
inhalable particles
diameter 10micrometers and smaller
PM2.5:
fine inhalable particulates
2.5 micrometers and smaller
how many people die prematurely from household air pollution in a yearr
3.2 million
who are the most risk of household air pollution
women and children
what are some sources of indoor air pollution (with examples)
attic (storage box, roof leaks, dust)
outdoor air (odors and pathogens, particulate matter)
bathroom (mold, microbial pathogens, odor)
bedroom (hairsprays, perfumes, polish, furniture, carpet)
kitchen (cleaning products, cooking appliance)
living room (paint, pet hair)
what are the effects of air pollution
on animals:
on the planet:
on animals:
poisoning of aquatic life
on the planet:
global warming
ozone depletion
briefly explain the sources of water
surface water:
mixture of surface run-off and groundwater (lakes, rivers, streams, ponds)
rain water: evaporated water that has on animals:
on the planet
precipitated in the form of rain
ground water:
portions of water which have percolated into the earth to form underground deposits in aquifers (extracted thru streams and wells)
briefly explain the health aspects of water pollution
water-borne: ingestion of contaminated water
water-washed:
lack of water
unavailability of water = unsafe resources of water
unhygienic practices
water-based:
unhygienic disposal of human waste = spread of parasites
water-insect related:
water is used for their breeding ground
some examples of the health aspects of water pollution
water-borne:
methemoglobinemia
choleraera
botulism
typhoid
water-washed:
enterobiasis
ascariasis
scabies
water-based:
schistosomiasis
water-insect related:
malaria
filariasis
it is water in liquid form containing pollutants
waste water
what is the composition of waste water
99.99% liquid
0.01% solid
(solid portion is what makes the water unsuited for domestic use)
briefly explain the 4 sources of wastewater
domestic:
laundry (high in phosphate)
kitchen washing (organic)
cleansing (chemicals)
industrial:
must not be included in sewer lines without treatment
stormwater:
from storm/ rain
agricultural runoff:
with pesticides, fertilizers, waste from animals
includes backyard industries
