Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Environmental Health > Exam 2 > Flashcards

Exam 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is zoonosis

A

an infection or infectious disease transmissible under natural conditions from vertebrate animals to humans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is a vector

A

an insect or any living carrier that transports an infectious agent from an infected individual or its wastes to a susceptible individual or its food or immediate surroundings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is vector-borne infection

A

interaction between the infectious agent and the human host

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

examples of zoonotic diseases

A

rabies, anthrax, salmonellosis, hantavirus, plague

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

examples of vector borne diseases

A

malaria, leishmaniasis, plague, lyme disease, and rocky mountain spotted fever

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Malaria

A
  • present in more than 100 countries
  • more than 50 percent of the world population is at risk
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are the infectious agents of malaria

A

Parasitic Protozoan
- plasmodium falciparum - most deadly
- plasmodium vivax
- plasmodium ovale
- plasmodium malariae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

transmission of malaria

A
  • complex life cycle of mosquitos , the vector, and human hosts
  • transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito of the anopheles type
  • symptoms of malaria occur approximately 9-14 days after being bit by an infected mosquito
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

costs of malaria

A

Direct Costs
- treatment
- disease prevention
Other Costs
- lost productivity
- lost earnings
- negative impact on tourism and agricultural labor
Estimated global direct economic costs - 12 billion USD annually

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How has malaria been controlled

A
  • in the US, malaria was endemic until the end of the 1940s
  • use of DDT and synthetic antimalaria drugs found to be efficacious in the mid-20th century
    -DDT no longer used due to the harm caused to wild life
  • south africa still sprays DDT annually, but only indoors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what causes leishmaniasis and what are the three forms

A
  • parasitic disease caused by the protozoa, Leishmania
  • three forms- visceral, mucocutaneous, and cutaneous
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

leishmaniasis transmission

A
  • cutaneous form is transmitted from the reservoir to the human host by a sand fly
  • after being bitten by the fly, the human host develops distinctive sore skin that forms after an incubation period of several weeks or months
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

environmental factors associated with observed increases in leishmaniasis

A
  • movement of human population into endemic areas
  • increasing urbanization
  • extension of agricultural projects into endemic areas
  • climate change due to global warming
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

leishmaniasis control methods

A
  • periodic application of long-acting insecticides to dwelling units
  • use of screens to prevent sand flies from entering housing
  • elimination of breeding areas for the phlebotomus fly
  • destruction of rodent burrows and control of domestic dogs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what causes the plague and what are the symptoms

A
  • bacterium yersinia pestis infects both animals and humans
  • called black death during the middle ages
  • begins with non specific symptoms
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

plague transmission

A
  • transmitted by the bite of a flea harbored by rodents
  • respiratory droplets from a pneumonic plague infected person can transfer the bacterium to other individuals
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

plague control methods

A
  • encourage the public to avoid enzootic areas, especially rodent burrows, and direct contact with rodents
  • preventing rats from entering buildings and removing food sources that could enable rats multiply
  • rats can be transferred onto ships in cargo containers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

lyme disease transmission and treatment

A
  • black legged ticks act as the disease transmission vector
  • antibiotic exists for successful treatment if diagnosed in the early stages of the disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Lyme disease

A
  • caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi
  • concentrated in the northeastern, mid-atlantic, and upper midwestern regions of the US
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

A
  • caused by Rickettsia rickettsii - a rickettsial agent
  • symptoms are sudden onset moderate-high fevers that may last up to three weeks
  • case fatality rate is up to 25 percent of untreated patients
  • treatable with antibiotics
  • transmitted through bite of an infected tick
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

viral hemorrhagic fevers

A
  • hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, dengue hemorrhagic fever, ebola
  • a severe, multi system syndrome characterized by damage of overall vascular system and impairment of body’s ability to regulate itself. symptoms often accompanied by hemorrhage
  • viruses that cause most infections are zoonoses; causative virus requires animal or insect host
  • viruses are limited to geographic areas where the host species reside
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

arthropod-borne viral diseases

A
  • group of viral diseases that can be acquired through the bite of blood-feeding arthropod vectors
  • the cycle of transmission involves a non human vertebrate and an arthropod vector
  • humans may or may not be part of the infection cycle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what are the four main clinical symptoms of arboviral disease

A
  • acute central nervous system illness
  • acute self-limited fevers, with and without rash
  • hemorrhagic fevers
  • polyarthritis and rash, w/wo fever and of variable durations
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

arboviral encephalitis

A
  • caused by virus that produces acute inflammation of sections of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges
  • majority of infections are asymptomatic. Presents as a mild illness with fever and headache, severe illness, high fever, disorientation, and death
  • most arboviral encephalitis are transmitted by the bite of an arthropod- primarily mosquitoes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

west nile fever

A
  • caused by west nile virus, a mosquito borne viral fever
  • etiology agent is flavivirus wnv, which can spread rapidly across wide geographic regions in the US
  • neuroinvasive disease is the most severe form
  • mosquitos become carriers after feeding on infected birds
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

emerging zoonoses

A
  • zoonotic diseases caused by either new agents or known agents emerging in areas or species previously unaffected by them
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

factors associated with the rise of emerging zoonoses

A
  • Ecological changes resulting from agricultural practices, such as deforestation, conversion of grasslands, irrigation
  • Human population and behavior changes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

A
  • severe and sometimes fatal respiratory condition
  • hantavirus is the causative agent
  • main host and vector- north american deer mouse
  • transmitted through inhalation of aerosolized urine and droppings from infected rodents
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Dengue fever

A
  • caused by the falviviruses
  • dengue hemorrhagic fever is life-threatening fever with abdominal pain and bleeding phenomena
  • dengue shock syndrome is potentially fatal
  • transmitted through mosquito bite
  • affected areas are primarily tropical and subtropical areas
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

zika virus

A
  • mosquito borne, linked with developing febrile rash and has been associated with adverse birth outcomes in women infected while pregnant
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

ebola viral hemorrhagic fever

A
  • people get ebola through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected dead person
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

rift valley fever

A
  • caused by the phlebovirus
  • can produce epizoodic or widespread disease through mosquitoes among domestic animals, and infected mosquitos transmit rvf to humans
  • can also be contracted through the bodily fluids of infected animals
  • endemic areas for rvf include south africa, sub-sarahan africa, and madagascar
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

other zoonotic disease

A
  • monkeypox
  • anthrax; caused by spore forming bacterium and commonly occurs among herbivores
  • rabies, caused by virus transmitted through saliva from the bites of infected animals
  • tularemia; rabbit fever; bacterial disease broadly distributed in the US linked with wild animals like rodents and hares
  • Psittacosis (parrot fever): infectious disease associated with bacterial agents and conveyed by dried bird droppings
  • Flu A virus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

control and prevention of mosquito-born diseases

A
  • use sentinel chickens and birds to monitor for the presence of viruses
  • Drain standing water
  • introduce mosquito-eating fish into ponds
  • wear repellants and protective clothing
  • repair window screens
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

dioxin is in agent orange and caused by the burning process

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

what do toxic metals include

A

heavy metals like lead, mercury, nickel and other metallic compounds like aluminum, iron, and tin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

how much do heavy metals exceed the specific gravity of water

A

five or more times

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

what are the effects of acute exposure to toxic metals at high levels

A
  • rapid onset of dramatic and severe symptoms
  • symptoms based on ingestion; gastrointestinal
  • symptoms based on inhalation; neurological effects
    Effects of chronic exposure to toxic metals at lower levels
  • reduced cognitive functioning
  • difficult to differentiate from those of chronic medical condition
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

CERCLA priority list of hazardous substances

A

a rank of hazardous substances that pose the most significant potential threat to human health

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

National Priority List NPL

A
  • prioritized by ATSDR and EPA
  • lists most serious uncontrolled or abandonded hazardous waste sites in the United States identified for possible long-term remedial action under superfund
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

five metals in the top 20 hazardous substances

A
  1. Arsenic
  2. Lead
  3. Mercury
  4. Cadmium
  5. Chromium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

types of media people can be exposed to metal through

A

air, soil/dust, water, biota/food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

heavy metal effects in women

A
  • differences due to hormonal and metabolic processes
  • some toxic heavy metals have the ability to cross the placental barrier, with the potential to cause fetal brain damage
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

heavy metal exposure effects in children

A
  • more hazardous due to small body weight
  • toxic effects may be irreversible
    toxic effects include:
  • impairment of physical and mental development
  • damage to internal organs and the nervous system
  • some forms of cancer
  • mortality
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

what is the classification of major toxic metals

A

metals that are toxic to life forms and not necessary to sustain life
- As, Pb, and Hg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

what is the classification of essential metals with potential for toxicity

A

metals that are considered essential for life when present in trace amounts, but amounts greater than trace levels have the potential to be toxic
- Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

what is the classification for metals related to medical therapy

A

metals used in medical therapy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

bioaccumulation

A

toxic substances become more concentrated and potentially more harmful as they move up the food chain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

properties and exposure possibilities of arsenic

A
  • acutley poisonous material that is ubiquitous in nature - in soil and water
  • by product of refining gold and other metals. Has been used in pesticides, wood preservatives, and some manufacturing
  • inhalation and ingestion can occur through industrial process or drinking contaminated drinking water
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

health effects of arsenic

A

Non-cancerous
- peripheral vascular disease
- cerebrovascular disease
- cardiovascular disease
- adverse pregnancy outcomes
Cancer
- lung cancer
- skin, bladder, kidney, and liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

historical arsenic poisoning

A
  • blackfoot disease in taiwan in 1950s
  • miners and ag workers exposed through arsenic containing pesticides
  • low-level chronic exposure associated with melanosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

characteristics and possible exposure sites of beryllium

A
  • lighter than aluminum but stronger than steel
  • workers in the metal industry are most likely to be exposed. Most frequent method of occupational exposure is inhalation
  • general public exposure results from coal burning emissions
  • emissions form coal-burning plants may contaminate agricultural products
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

health effects of beryllium

A

Non-Cancer
- inhalation can result in berylliosis, also known as chronic beryllium disease (CBD).
Cancer
- beryllium is a carcinogen for lung cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

cadmium properties and possible exposure sights

A
  • found in all soils and rocks and coal and fertilizers derived from minerals
  • used in batteries. Released as a byproduct of the mining industry and manufacturing of fertilizers and pesticides
  • fish, plants, and animals contain a certain amount of cadmium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

primary sources of cadmium exposure

A

primary sources of environmental exposure:
- cigarette smoke
- vegetables grown in cadmium-containing soil
- bioaccumulates in shellfish
- some species of mushrooms
Occupational exposure to cadmium:
- production of nickel-cadmium batteries
- zinc smelting
- paint manufacturing
- soldering
- metal factories

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Health effects of cadmium

A

Non-Cancer:
- osteoporosis
- loss of height
- kidney damage
- elevated BP
- Cardiovascular disease
- Itai-itai disease
Cancer:
- lung, trachea, and bronchus cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

chromium properties and sources of exposure

A
  • naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust
    common forms of chromim:
  • Cr: from human industrial activities
  • Cr3+: an essential nutrient
  • Cr6+: from human industrial activities classified as a carcinogen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

health effects of Cr6+

A

Non-cancerous:
- exposure via ingestion: digestive issues, damage to organs such as the kidney and liver
- topical exposure: skin ulcers
- exposure via inhalation: respiratory issues
Cancer:
- GI squamous cell carcinoma
- respiratory lung cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

what did the film erin brockovich call attention to

A

erin brockovich was a lawyer who helped the residents of hinkley, california win claims against a company responsible for groundwater contamination with hexavalent chromium

59
Q

mercury properties and possible exposure

A

naturally occurring metal existing in three major forms
- metallic mercury
- inorganic mercury
- organic mercury
has also been used as medical treatment in the past

60
Q

mercury exposure

A
  • released into the environment as a by-product of industrial processes. Low levels can be magnified through methylation and biaccumulation
  • particular hazard to fetuses
61
Q

bioaccumulation

A

causes mercury levels to become more concentrated in aquatic invertebrates

62
Q

health effects of mercury

A

nervous and developmental impairments

63
Q

historical mercury poisoining

A

minamata disease
- 1956: neurologic disease resulted among people who ate fish that were contaminated with methylated mercury

64
Q

lead exposure

A
  • historical environmental exposure included gas, tap water, and paint
  • primary source of exposure is through ingesting contaminated food or water, or inhaling ambient lead particles
  • secondary exposure may occur when workers transfer lead particles on their clothing from their workplace to their homes
65
Q

health effects of lead

A
  • lead is a neurotoxin
  • toxic level in children in 5 microgram/dL
  • probable human carcinogen
66
Q

nickel properties and possible exposure

A
  • heavy metal
  • one of the the constituents of the earths crust
  • human exposure to low levels of nickel is unavoidable
  • used in the production of many appliances, tools, and batteries
67
Q

nickel exposure

A
  • welding workers exposed through inhalation
  • occupational exposure also happens via skin contact
68
Q

health effects of nickel

A

Non-cancerous:
- nickel allergy
- cardiovascular disease
- renal diseases
- fibrosis of the lungs
Cancer
- nasal cancer
- lung cancer

69
Q

essential metals with potential for toxicity

A
  • copper, zinc, and iron
    if these metals are absent from the diet, human beings can fail to thrive. However, if these levels are exceeded, toxic effects and lethality can occur
70
Q

copper possible properties and possible exposure sites

A
  • naturally occurring earths rocks and soil
  • present in electrical wires, pipes and in alloys
71
Q

routes of copper exposure

A

inhalation
- inhaling fumes and dust generated during the welding and grinding of copper metal
- ingestion of copper containing food and water
- direct contact with the skin

72
Q

health effects of excess copper

A

Non-cancerous:
- respiratory and GI disturbances
- very high levels can cause liver damage, renal damage, and death

73
Q

properties and possible exposure sites of zinc

A
  • frequently occurring element found in earth’s crust
  • used as a coating to protect against rust, used in batteries
  • important nutritional element
74
Q

health effects of excess zinc exposure

A

Non-cancerous
- ingestion can cause GI problems, anemia, and damage to pancreas
- inhalation can cause metal fume fever

75
Q

iron properties and possible exposure sites

A
  • one of the most ubiquitous metals in earth’s crust
  • important for the growth of cells and transport of oxygen. 66 percent of the iron in the body is used in hemoglobin
76
Q

health effects of excessive amounts of iron

A

hemochromatosis is iron toxicity from the build up of iron
- GI problems
- liver injury
- neurological problems
- acute iron intoxication is a common childhood poisoning

77
Q

aluminum properties and possible exposure

A
  • most abundant metal in earths crust
  • in pots and pand
  • used in medicines as a buffer, found in antiperspirants, certain antiacids, and various cosmetics
78
Q

aluminum exposure and effects

A
  • inhalation can cause coughing or exacerbation of asthma
  • neurotoxicant, possible link to Alzheimer’s disease
79
Q

advantages and disadvantages of hazardous chemicals

A

Advantages
- used for manufacturing clothing, phones, computers, cars, building materials, toys, and furnishings
Disadvantages
- health and human hazards
- damage and pollute the environment

80
Q

top five chemicals released in chemical incidents in the US

A

carbon monoxide, ammonia, chlorine, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid

81
Q

organic compound

A

substances containing mainly carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen

82
Q

aromatic compound

A

organic compound that contains a benzene ring

83
Q

hydrocarbon

A

organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

84
Q

persistent organic pollutants

A

toxic chemicals that can be transported by wind/water. Persist for long periods of time in the environment, and accumulate and pass from one species to the next through the food chain

85
Q

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A

a group of over 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, and gas, garbage, or other organic substances

86
Q

volatile organic compounds

A

organic compounds that evaporate readily into the air.

87
Q

pesticide

A
  • chemical substance used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests
  • exposes people to possible health hazards and can have adverse health effects on the environment
  • environmental health officials regulate pesticide use
88
Q

pesticide vs. insecticide

A

pesticides - divided on the basis of their target
insecticides - pesticides specifically used for controlling insects

89
Q

four major classes of pesticides and insecticides

A

organophosphates, organocarbamates, organochlorides, and pyrethroids

90
Q

organophosphate pesticides

A
  • most widely used for agricultural purposes
  • inexpensive
  • control a wide range of insects
  • insects have not built up a resistance
  • does not persist in the environment
91
Q

effects of organophosphate poisoning

A

Acute effects
- anticholinesterase activity causes impairment and disruption of the neural impulse transfer mechanism
- nerves and muscles may become uncoordinated, producing resp paralysis, seizures, loss of consciousness, cramping, and death
Long-term effects
- delayed polyneuropathy manifested by numbness, loss of sensory abilities, and weakness

92
Q

organophosphate exposure incident

A
  • methyl parathion is used to control insects and is a category I pesticide meaning it is among the most toxic pesticides
  • lorain county, ohio. It was sprayed illegally for pest control in private residences over a period of years
  • 49 residents were hospitalized, 1 died, and many household pets died
93
Q

carbamates

A
  • dissipate quickly from the environment - break down into other substances
  • used on anurmals to control ticks and fleas
94
Q

methyl isocyanate (MIC release in bhopal, india

A
  • intermediate chemical used for the manufacture of carbamate pesticides
  • extremely toxic to life-forms
  • accidental release of MIC in 1984 accident killed more than 3,800 people overnight
95
Q

organochlorines

A
  • derived from chlorinated hydrocarbons
  • used to produce DDT and PCBs
  • characteristically stable, persistent in the environment, fat-soluble, bioaccumulates in the food chain
  • exposure causes immune system suppression
96
Q

DDT

A
  • historically was used worldwide to control insects carrying malaria
  • use in the US was prohibited in 1972 due to concerns of possible adverse effects on humans and wildlife
97
Q

effects of DDT

A
  • not highly toxic, but a highly stable chemical that persists in the environment causing bioaccumulation and concentrating in the fatty tissues of the body
  • estimated half life in the human body is about 10 years
    exposure is linked to
  • non-hodgkins lymphoma, pancreatic, and breast cancers
  • reproductive effects
  • impaired lactation
  • falling sperm counts
  • impaired neurologic function
98
Q

pyrethrins

A
  • derived from natural sources
  • degrade rapidly by the action of sunlight and are not very toxic to animals, but highly toxic to some beneficial insects
99
Q

herbicides

A
  • atrazine- one of the most widely used weed killers in the US. Turns male frogs into female frogs. Some association found with prostate cancer
  • paraquat - highly toxic chemical. some marijuana in US was contaminated, inhalation of this will cause lung damage
  • agent orange - used during the vietnam war in drums marked with orange stripes
100
Q

exposure and effects of agent orange

A
  • used in Vietnam War to prevent thick jungle foliage from camouflaging people
  • contained small amounts of dioxins that originated form the manufacture
  • evidence found that agent orange was associated with several forms of cancer
101
Q

effects of environmental estrogens

A
  • DDT is an endocrine disruptor acting as an antagonist to androgen
  • has an abnormal influence on the reproductive systems of exposed humans and animals
  • acts as a cancer promoter
102
Q

people at risk of pesticide exposure

A
  • agricultural workers
  • children
  • sensitive subpopulations: schools and homes near ag fields
103
Q

biopesticides

A

pesticides derived from natural materials
- microbial pesticides, plant-incorporated protectants, biochemical pesticides

104
Q

Dioxins

A
  • chemical compounds that are unintentional byproducts of certain non-industrial, and natural processes usually involving combustion
  • typically contains TCDD, most toxic forms of doin
  • stable and persistent chemical
105
Q

sources of dioxin

A
  • natural sources: forest fires and volcanic eruptions
  • man-made sources; burning trash, incineration of industrial and municipal wastes, burning of some fuels
  • produced from bleaching of wood pulp in the manufacture of paper and application of some herbicides
  • trace amounts of agent orange
  • cigarette smoke
  • can bioaccumulate in the food chain
106
Q

health effects of dioxin

A
  • dioxin is fat soluble
  • chloracne, rashes, skin discoloration, liver damage, endocrine effects, excessive body hair, reproductive and developmental effects, possible cancer risks
107
Q

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs

A
  • organochlorines that are classified as dioxin-like chemicals.
  • chemical stability, low flammability, inexpensive, insulating properties
  • common use was insulating fluid in electrical transformers and capacitors
108
Q

exposure to PCBs

A
  • PCBs remain in the environment for long periods by binding to sediments and bioaccumulating
  • hudson river is heavily contaminated
109
Q

health effects of PCBs

A

Non-cancerous
- impacts to the immune and reproductive systems; impacts intellectual development
Cancer
- cause cancer in animals and designated as probable human carcinogens
- malignant melanoma and liver, biliary tract, and intestinal cancers

110
Q

organic solvents

A
  • organic liquid substances that are capable of dissolving other organic substances
  • do not persist in the environment because of their volatility
111
Q

tetrachloroethylene

A
  • synthetic, nonflammable solvent used in the dry-cleaning industry as a metal degreaser
  • evaporates easily has a distinctive odor
  • exposure to high levels causes neurologic effects
  • can cause liver and kidney cancer in lab animals with limited evidence in humans
112
Q

trichloroethane

A
  • solvent found in degreasing compounds and household cleaners
  • cause diziness and unconsciousness
  • potential harm to the ozone layer
  • human carcinogen
113
Q

toluene

A
  • used to manufacture nail polish, paints, and adhesives
  • causes reversible neurologic effects and adverse effects on the renal system
114
Q

acetone

A
  • used in nail polish, cleaners, and paints
115
Q

benzene

A
  • occurs naturally in gas and crude oil, is a component of cigarette smoke
  • extremely toxic
  • causes damage to blood and blood-forming organs; known carcinogen of myelogenous leukemia
116
Q

styrene

A
  • used to manufacture polystyrene resins
117
Q

vinyl chloride

A
  • used for the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride
  • human carcinogen associated with liver cancer
118
Q

radiation

A
  • includes ionizing and nonionizing radiation
  • propagation of energy through space, or some other medium, in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles
119
Q

ionizing radiation vs. non-ionizing radiation

A

difference is their energy level
Ionizing Radiation
- contains so much energy it can knock electrons out of atoms, ionization
- damages DNA
- Radioactive sources
Non-ionizing Radiation
- has enough energy to move electrons in a molecule, but not enough energy to remove them
- Heating, photochemical
- Microwave, phone, heat-lamp, laser

120
Q

Sources of Ionizing Radiation

A

Natural Sources
- geologic radioactive elements decay
- outer space cosmic rays
Anthropogenic sources
- medical X-rays and radiation diagnostic/therapy procedures
- leak from nuclear power plants
- radioactive fallout from above-ground nuclear weapon testing
- consumer products

121
Q

natural sources of uranium

A
  • common element in the earth’s crust, present in soil and geologic formations
  • coal used to fuel electric plants. Fly ash that escapes from power plants into the environment can expose nearby residents to radioactive radionuclides
122
Q

Natural Sources of Radon

A
  • decay product in uranium decay chain
  • inert, colorless, radioactive gas, alpha, that can float around and be inhaled from the air
  • class A carcinogen, 2nd most frequent cause for lung cancer in US
  • comes from the ground and accumulates in basements- remidiation ventilation and wall sealing
123
Q

extraterrestrial radiation

A
  • primary cosmic rays originate from outer space and interact with earth’s atmosphere to produce secondary cosmic rays
  • cosmic rays have the ability to penetrate and cross the human body easily
124
Q

nuclide

A

nucleus with a specific atomic mass, atomic number, and specific energy state

125
Q

isotope

A

different forms of the same element contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons

126
Q

radioactive decay

A
  • reduction in activity of a quantity of material disintegration of its atoms
127
Q

radionuclide

A

an atom with an unstable nucleus

128
Q

half-life

A

the time in which half the atoms of the radioactive nuclide disintegrate

129
Q

types of ionizing radiation and characteristics

A

Alpha particles
- a fast moving subatomic particle made up of helium nucleus ejected from a radioactive atom
- alpha particles can be stopped by skin or paper
Beta particles
- a high energy electron emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom
- beta particles can be stopped by plastic, glass, or aluminum foils
Electromagnetic waves
- gamma rays and x-rays are high energy photons
- can be stopped by thick/dense materials like lead plates

130
Q

measurement of ionizing radiation

A

Geiger counter- hand held device used for environmental measurement of beta and gamma radiation
Film badge- used in the workplace as person measurement of exposure to gamma radiation. Contains dental X-ray film that darkens in proportion to the degree of exposure to radiation

131
Q

effective dose

A

the amount of radiation absorbed by a person, adjusted to account for the type of radiation received and the effect of particular organs

132
Q

factors that affect the amount of ionizing radiation exposure

A
  • total time exposed to radioactive
  • distance from the radioactive source
  • degree of radioactivity of the material
133
Q

health effect of ionizing radiation

A
  • damages tissue and DNA in genes
  • radiation burns, radiation sickness, skin cancer, and other cancers
  • bone cancer - radium jaw
  • probability of effect is directly proportional to the dose
  • severity is independent of the dose
  • stochastic effects are associated with long-term, low-level exposure
  • carcinogenesis and genetic damage
134
Q

hormesis

A

low dose of non-nutritional toxic substance that has beneficial effects
- can stimulate biological defense mechanisms

135
Q

effects of nuclear bomb explosion

A
  • the blast, damage and destruction to buildings
  • heat; thermal burns and radiation-induced skin injuries
  • intense light damage to eyesight
  • ionizing radiation
  • radioactive fallout
136
Q

Dirty Bomb/Radiological Dispersal Device RDD

A
  • explosion caused by conventional explosives but not by nuclear reaction
  • major injuries come from the explosion itself
  • main impact is psychological
  • dirty bomb is not a weapon of mass destruction but rather a method of mass disruption
137
Q

nonionizing radiation

A

includes radiation of low frequencies. Powerlines, radio, microwave, infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet

138
Q

sources of nonionizing radiation

A

Natural sources
- sun
- heat
Anthropogenic source
- UV lamp, light bulb, thermal process
- microwave ovens, cell phones
- radar, radio antennas, radio communication transmitters
- electric power lines

139
Q

health effects of nonionizing radiation

A

Nonthermal segment
- extremely low frequency, 50-60 Hz, induces low current on the body and does not produce significant health effects
Thermal segment
- 1 MHz to 100 MHz produces heating effects on or near the skin’s surface
- microwave radiation penetrates more deeply into the body, causing internal layers to heat up
- ocular effects like cataracts

140
Q

optical radiation

A

combined spectrum of UV, visible light, and infrared

141
Q

ultraviolet radiation

A

Sources
- welding, tanning beds, flood lamps, halogen lamps, electric sparks, tanning
Health Effect
- targets skin and eyes
Dermal effects - short term burns, photoaging of skin, nonmelanoma skin cancer, malignant melanoma
Ocular effects- acute temporary blinding, retinal damage, lens opacities, and MM of the pigmented portion of the eye
- UV-B is considered to be the most harmful to human health

142
Q

photosensitivity, photoallergy, and phototoxicity

A
  • photosensitivity- heightened sensitivity to sunlight
  • photoallergy- type of dermatitis activated by sunlight
  • phototoxicity- severe reaction to sunlight; sometimes occurs in conjunction with drugs
143
Q

photoaging and malignant melanoma

A
  • photoaging- leathery appearance, loss of elasticity, and occurrence of brown spots
  • malignant melanoma- most serious and potentially fatal form of skin cancer attributed to long-term UV exposure
144
Q

ocular effects caused by UV and IR

A
  • UV radiation can cause photokeratitis, burn of the cornea, aka snow blindness
  • UV radiation can cause rare cancer - ocular melanoma
  • sunlight exposure can cause cataracts or retinal burns
  • infrared radiation can also cause retinal burns, corneal burns, and cataracts

Environmental Health (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions