Health Hazards/ Emergency mgmt. Flashcards
What are the core functions of public health?
Assessment & surveillance
Health promotion & policy development
Health protection
Disease prevention
Emergency Management
What is the definition of a health hazard?
chemical, physical or biological factors in our environment that can have negative health impacts- acute or chronic.
Exposure can occur through touch, inhalation, and ingestion.
Definition from the HPPA:
(a) a condition of a premises,
(b) a substance, thing, plant, or animal other than man, or
(c) a solid, liquid, gas, or combination of any of them,
That has or that is likely to have an adverse effect on the health of any person
What is wood smoke composed of?
Gases, particles, and chemicals that result from combustion (chemical reaction)
- Gases
- Particulate matter
- PAHs
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What is radon, and what is the PH significance?
- Radon is a radioactive gas that is released when naturally-occurring uranium in soil and rock breaks down. Certain areas have more than others.
- This is a concern for health because gas can accumulate to dangerous levels in indoor environments.
- This happens because pressure in basements is lower than in soil, so gases seep in
- Radon can cause lung cancer- People who smoke and are exposed to radon are at even more of a risk.
- you can test for radon in your home with a DIY kit (leave for 3 months during fall-winter)
- The Canadian guideline for radon is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³)
- Remediating is done by “sub-slab depressurization”, using a pipe under your basement to divert the gas outdoors
What are potential sources of contamination in a restaurant fire?
- Smoke damage and chemical residue
- Damage from water used to fight the fire
- Chemical fire retardants (range hood suppression system)
What is air pollution? What are the some air pollutants that can have an effect on human health?
Air pollution is the contamination of air with substances that can have harmful effects.
This can be from anthropogenic, or natural sources (dust storm, volcano, etc)
Air pollutants that can have effects on human health are PM, NOx, SOx, O3, VOCs,
- CO (Incomplete burning) – gas stove, old fire place, gas powered equipment
- VOCs – off gassing from new carpeting, furniture, paint, printer)
- Tobacco – various chemicals
- Formaldehyde (Flame retardant)
- Radon – breakdown of uranium in the soil entering home
What are the 3 general steps of addressing a health hazard?
Hazard identification:
what is the pollutant, and what health hazards are posed?
Exposure assessment:
How much of the pollutant have people been exposed to, and for how long? how many people have been exposed?
Dose-response assessment:
What are the health issues that are seen at different exposures?
Is this an at-risk population?
Are there any guidelines or standards that outline exposure limits for the pollutant in question?
What advice would you give to someone who is concerned about asbestos in their basement?
- Can only be determined by viewing the material under a special microscope/by a test in a laboratory
- Discuss the dangers of breathing in asbestos: can lead to mesothelioma (type of cancer)
- Asbestos is only a hazard if it is in a friable state (loose and/or in poor condition) which allows it to be breathed in
List control measures that can be taken to protect construction workers from asbestos in their environment.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): Respirator, protective clothing that fully covers the head and body, and footwear
- Shower after leaving the contaminated environment
- Ensure there is negative pressure in the room
- Ensure proper filtration and ventilation
- Ensure there is a separation between the dirty and clean areas
List preventative measures for mould
- Must control sources of moisture indoors (30-50%)
- Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to increase ventilation
- Use air conditioning systems to reduce moisture levels
- Use a dehumidifier in damp areas such as basements
- Use moisture resistant materials in areas likely to get wet (e.g., kitchen, bathroom, laundry areas)
- Ensure rain, irrigation water, and snowmelt drain away from the building (declining slope)
- Ensure eavestroughs and downspouts are kept clean and free of debris (proper outflow)
- Repair plumbing-related leaks promptly
- Limit the number of cannabis plants indoors
PHI’s Role during an Emergency/Natural Disaster
Inspect Shelters (Water, sewage, disposal, food & pests)
Implement mass immunization program (if needed)
Inspect food premises
Communication with public (water contamination, food safety)
Communication/Liaison with other organizations
Collection of sample where applicable
Factors of an Emergency shelter inspection components:
Backup power
Potable water
Food storage
Hand hygiene
Pest control
Ventilation
House keeping/sanitation
Washrooms
Waste disposal
Structural Integrity
Components of the Epidemiological Triangle
- Host
- Agent
- Environment
If we are missing one point of the triangle, cannot have disease spread
