Environmental Health Flashcards
Environmental Health
branch of public health science that focuses on how the environment influences human health
Exposure
occurs when there is contact between people and environmental contaminant, i.e. pesticides, pollutants
Superfund sites/Brownfield site
environmental program established to address abandoned hazardous waste sites allowing for the EPA to clean up the site. i.e. Gawanis canal, East River, Newton Creek, Love Canal
Urban sprawl
real estate put together in a configuration that is not conducive to health, obesegenic, no green space, the concrete heats up and rises the temperature
Precautionary principle
if something has the potential to cause harm to the environment or humans, then precautionary measures should be taken if there is a lack of scientific evidence concerning cause and effect
Principles of Environmental Health for Nursing Practice
- Knowledge of environmental health is essential for nursing practice.
- Precautionary Principle guides nurses in their practice.
- Nurses have the right to work in an environment that is safe (disaster relief, prisons, radiology)
- Healthy environments are sustained through multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Choices of materials, products, technology and practice in the environment that affect nursing practice are based on the best evidence available.
- Culturally competence
- Nurses participate in assessing the quality of the environment in which they practice and live.
- Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS - have relevant and timely information about potentially harmful products
- Nurses participate in research of best practices that promote a safe and healthy environment.
- Nurses must be supported in advocating for and implementing environmental health principles in nursing practice.
Exposure pathway, what do nurses do to it?
What is the source of contamination, environmental media and transport, point of exposure, route of exposure, receptor population
Interrupt the pathway! Educate!
Bio-availability
Amount of a contaminant that actually ends up in the systemic circulation
Toxicology
the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biological agents on people, animals, and the environment
Exposure estimate
Determines a person’s level of exposure to a contaminant
Biomonitoring
process of using medical tests such as blood or urine collection to determine if a person has been exposed to a contaminant and how much exposure he or she has received (hair is not a reliable biomarker)
Assessment (Taking an exposure history)
Present work? past work? home/residence? activities/hobbies? concerns?
Epidemiology
field of public health science that focuses on the incidence and prevalence of disease or illness in a population
Environmental epidemiology
field of public health science that focuses on the incidence and prevalence of disease or illness in a population from exposures in their environments
Children’s Health and the Environment
- Children’s bodies are rapidly developing
- Eat more, drink more, and breathe more than adults
- Breathing zone is closer to the ground than adults
- Bodies are less able to break down and excrete contaminants
- Behaviors can expose them to more contaminants
Environmental Justice
belief that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of negative environmental health consequences regardless of the following: race, culture, income
Globally: clean water and sanitation, air quality, climate change
Recent Health Issues & Trends
Issues: -damage to the environment -population growth -urban spread/sprawl -advanced technology -industrialization modern agricultural methods (GMO, algae blooms in ocean robbing O2, killing bees)
Trends:
- focus on the build environment
- children’s environmental health
- environmental justice movement (anti-nimbyism)
Sequelae of Climate Change
- Extreme weather-related health effects
- Storm surge-related drowning’s
- Foodborne diseases and nutrition : wetter environments equals more fungus etc, increased CO2 means that plants go faster
- Air pollution-related health effects
- Mental Health and Stress related disorders
- Displaced and refugee populations
- Zoonotic and Vector borne disease
- Infectious & Waterborne diseases
Impacts of Climate Change
- Average global land and sea temperatures are rising
- The incidence of droughts, wildfires and flooding are increasing globally
- Glaciers and the permafrost are melting
- Ice at the North and South Poles is melting and breaking up
- Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons are increasing in severity
- Fresh water resources are diminishing
Sea level rise
- Evacuations of small Pacific Islands are underway. Projected submersion of these islands in 2015.
- Incursions of sea water into freshwater sources creates potable water shortages
- 2/5ths of the world’s major cities are located near coastlines including NY.
Drought
- Crop failure and food shortages
- Increase in disease as water is used for consumption, not hygiene
- Extreme heat events increase morbidity and mortality
- Wildfires, encouraged by high temperatures and conditions, consume thousands of acre of forest and human development every year
- Increase in airborne particulate matter exacerbate rates of respiratory diseases
Flooding
- Contaminates drinking supplies
- Causes billions of dollars in damage in the US alone
- Frequently causes loss of life by drowning, landslides etc.
- Ruins crops and kills livestock
- Exacerbates respiratory disease by increasing airborne mold and fungus spores
- Increases water and food-borne diseases
- Increases infectious disease by shifting the breeding sites of vectors
