Intro to Environmental Health Final Flashcards
what book, written by Rachel Carson in 1962, was credited with sensitizing the public to the potential hazards of chemicals that were being disseminated into the environment?
Silent Spring
what is persistent organic pollutant (POP)?
carbon-containing chemical compounds that, to varying degrees, resist photochemical, biological, and chemical degradation
what is the major contributor to global climate change?
greenhouse gases
what are three of the major classes of pesticides/insecticides
-Organophosphates
-organocarbamates
-organochlorides
what are three of the modes of exposure for solvents?
-inhaling vapors during use
-ingesting vapors in foods
-using foods and cosmetics packed in certain types of plastics
-smoking cigarettes
-working in a factory: chronic exposure
what type of radiation can be stopped by a piece of paper?
alpha particle
what radiation “has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions”
ionizing radiation
what three factors affect the amount of radiation exposure
-total amount of time exposed to the radioactive source
-distance from the radioactive source
-degree of radioactivity (rate of energy emission) of a radioactive material
what is non-ionizing radiation and give an example
radiation that has enough energy to move atoms in a molecule around or cause them to vibrate but not enough to remove electrons
examples:
–sound waves
–visible light
–microwaves
what contains 70% of the earth’s freshwater
glaciers and icecaps
name four common components in air pollution
sulfur oxides
particulate matter
oxidants (including ozone)
carbon monoxide
hydrocarbons
lead
what is the kyoto protocol
an international and legally binding compact that was initiated in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. Goal is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that are believed to be the cause of recent climate changes.
what are the four stages of water treatment in most plants
-coagulation: removes suspended material
-sedimentation: causes heavy particles to settle to the bottom of tanks for collection
-filtration: removes smaller particles
-disinfection: kills bacteria or microorganisms
what is the EPA’s criteria air pollutants?
ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, lead
what are the four dimensions of municipal solid (MSW) waste disposal
recycling, landfilling, composting, combustion
what are the two main components of source reduction
-waste reduction: aims to reduce the amount of waste produced at the source
-waste recycling: refers to the reuse of materials in the waste
what are the four major parts of landfill design
bottom liner, system for collecting leachate, a cover, appropriate location (groundwater)
what are the three components included in modern sewage treatment
removing solids, deactivating microbes, producing wastewater that can be returned safely to waterways or in some cases can be reused or recycled
what are the four means by which hazardous wastes are disposed of legally in the US
-discarding them on the surface of the land
-storing them in slurry ponds
-dumping them into landfills or into the ocean
-incineration
what is the difference btwn food poisoning and foodborne illness
food poisoning is from a toxin or chemical
foodborne illness is from bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions, parasites
what are the four major categories of food hazards
biological, physical (stone, glass, metal), chemical, nutritional (presence of nutrients and other food constituents in excessive or deficient amounts that lead to disease)
what are the two most common types of foodborne illness
salmonella
camplyobacter
what three factors contribute in foodborne illness
-changes in agricultural and food processing methods
-increasing globalization in food distribution
-social and behavioral changes among the human population
define an occupational disease
a disease caused or influenced by exposure to general conditions or specific hazards encountered in the work environment
describe the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood
process blocks oxygen from being carried by the hemoglobin when exposed to carbon monoxide
in the movie “trade secrets,” what compound were the workers exposed to?
vinyl chloride
describe the change in lungs from healthy to COPD
healthy airways and air sacs in the lungs are elastic– they try to bounce back to their original shape after being stretched or filled with air, just the way a new rubber band or balloon does. This elastic quality helps retain the normal structure of the lung and helps move the air quickly in and out.
In people with COPD, the air sacs no longer bounce back to their original shape. the airways can also become swollen or thicker than normal, and mucus production might increase. the floppy airways are blocked, or obstructed, making it even harder to get air out of the lungs.
what are the three methods of primary prevention that are preferred over other methods for protecting workers?
-engineering control (quieter machinery, improved building ventilation)
-optimal work practices (use of safety education programs, reorganizing work schedules to reduce exposure to hazards)
-administrative controls
describe the one exception to the foodborne outbreak definition
the occurrence of a similar illness among two or more people which an investigation linked to consumption of a common meal or food items, except for botulism
what are possible stochastic effects of radiation exposure
carcinogenesis and genetic damage such as changes in DNA
describe hydrocarbons
combustion byproducts
a substance that consists of only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Benzene is an example
define pesticide
any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating pests. Pests can be insects, rodents, weeds, and a host of other unwanted organisms
describe organophosphates
can be used to control a wide range of insects, thus eliminating the need for multiple applications of different pesticides
have not been weakened by the resistance of insects
tend not to persist in the environment
frequent cause of fatal poisonings
define dioxins
refers to a family of chemical compounds that are unintentional byproducts of certain industrial, non-industrial and natural processes, usually involving combustion
health effects of exposure to dioxin depend on:
duration of exposure
frequency of exposure
when the exposure occurred
concentration of the agent
route of entry into the body
define organic solvents
a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances; the solvent does not change in forming a solution
define source water
the untreated and unfiltered water in rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers from which water utilities draw water to be treated, filtered, and tested to produce drinking water
define finished water
***the water you’re drinking
water leaving the plant and ready to be used by consumers after being collected, treated, and, usually filtered by a water utility
define surface water
includes water from lakes, streams, rivers, and surface springs. it is vulnerable to contamination by a variety of human, animal, and industrial sources and therefore has been subject to some of the most stringent testing and treatment requirements
define groundwater
comes from aquifers deep underground and is less susceptible to contamination than surface water
–aquifer
–rock embedded
define aquifer
a layer or section of earth or rock that contains freshwater, known as groundwater
what are the differences btwn renewable and non-renewable water
non-renewable:
–not recharged by hydrological cycle
renewable:
–population, use, and climate affect quality of renewable water
what are the leading causes of disabling conditions
sprains, strains
bruises, contusions
cuts, lacerations, punctures
agents of occupational disease
noise, ducts, chemicals, work-related stress, lifting heavy weights, microbial agents
what are some occupational diseases found in historical literature
-phossy jaw: bone degrades in jaw due to sulfur containing compunds
-mule spinners’ cancer: testicular cancer
triangle shirtwaist company fire
march 25, 1911
doors were locked and fire escapes were missing
Gauley Bridge disaster
caused exposure of unprotected workers to high levels of silica dust
1500 cases of silicosis: cells digest themselves
noise
ototoxic agents include very loud sounds and several classes of drugs and chemicals used in the work environment
work-related stress
chronic stress has been implicated in a range of somatic conditions (coronary heart disease) and mental disorders including depressions
name a few occupationally associated diseases and conditions
allergic and irritant dermatitis
fertility and pregnancy abnormalities
musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel
respiratory diseases
asbestos
what are the industries that account for the largest frequency of death
construction
transportation and public utilities
agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
define job stress
the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker
what are U.S. agencies that conduct surveillance
NIOSH
OSHA
define radiation
energy traveling through space. some types of radiation associated with radioactivity are alpha and beta particles and gamma and x-rays
neutrons
define radioactivity
the spontaneous emission of radiation from the nucleus of an unstable atom
as a result of this emission, the radioactive atom is converted, or decays, into an atom of a different element that might or might not be radioactive
define absorbed dose (total dose)
the radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of an organ or tissue and is used in studies of the damage to a particular organ or tissue
define dose equivalent (effective dose)
obtained by weighing the absorbed dose in an organ or tissue by a radiation weighing factor that reflects the biological effectiveness of the charged particles that produce ionization within the tissue
explain the process of carcinogensis
cell is irradiated
dna breaks and is mutated
cell is replicated and mutation is promoted
tumor (results of progression)= in carcinogenisis
what are natural sources of exposure to ionizing radiation
cosmic radiation
a decay product of uranium, radioactive radon gas may seep into homes, thus exposing the residents
radon gas
inert, colorless, and extremely toxic gas
seeps through cracked bedrock and can enter homes through foundation and water pipes
class a carcinogen
what are the effects of a nuclear explosion?
the blast (damage to or destruction of buildings and those in them)
heat (destruction or injury by high temps)
intense light (damage to eyesight)
ionizing radiation causing acute radiation syndromes of different severity
what are health effects of non-ionizing radiaiton
extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation does not appear to produce many discernible short-term health effects
higher frequencies causes heating of the body
what form of UVR is most harmful?
UVB
cause melanoma
what is the number for water scarcity
1000 cubic meters per person
what is the number for water stress
1700 cubic meters per person
what are potential contaminants of water that flow across the ground
chemicals and nutrients (fertilizers)
rubber, heavy metals, sodium (from roads)
petroleum byproducts and chemicals (dry cleaners, service stations, underground storage)
what are some examples of waterborne diseases
cryptosporidiosis
cholera
certain viral infections
what are potential adverse health effects of DBPs (water disinfection byproducts)
stillbirths
neonatal deaths
possible increased risk of birth defects
what are the health effects of air pollution
lung cancer and skin cancer
damage to vital tissues and organs, such as the nervous system
impairment of lung and breathing function
describe London Fog
landmark of the study oh health effects of air pollution
difference btwn stationary sources and mobile sources of air pollution
mobile is harder to track bc constantly moving (cars, trucks, buses)
mobile releases more damage than stationary
particulate matter
include dust, soot, and other fine solid and liquid materials that are suspended in, and move within the air
which is more dangerous: pm 10 or pm 2.5
pm 2.5 bc it can get deeper in the lungs and is not readily cleared from the body
sources of particulate matter
diesel exhaust from trucks and buses
smoke form incineration of garbage
waste from crops
slash burning
effluents from wood burning fireplaces
greenhouse effect
solar radiation passes through the clear atmosphere
most radiation is absorbed by the earth’s surface and warms it
some solar radiation is reflected by the earth and the atmosphere
infrared radiation is emitted from the earth’s surface
some of the infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere, and some is absorbed and re-emitted in all directions by greenhouse gas molecules. the effects of this is to warm the earth’s surface and the lower atmosphere
what is temperature inversion
an atmospheric condition during which a warm layer of air stalls above a layer of cool air that is closer to the surface of the earth
pollutants can build up when they are trapped close to the earth’s surface
why is foodborne illness a major cause of morbidity?
in elderly bc of how dehydrated they are
how are salmonella bacteria transferred?
to environmental surfaces at work and at home from raw meats, poultry, and seafood
animal feces
contaminated water and soil
describe Delaney clause
prohibited the use of additives that had been determined to cause cancer in human beings or animals
key players in food safety
international level: FAQ
national level: USDA, FDA, CDC
state level: department of health services
what are the seven principles of HACCP
- analyze hazards
- identify critical control points
- establish preventative measures with critical limits for each control point
- establish procedures to monitor the critical control points
- establish corrective actions to be taken when monitoring shows that a critical limit has not been met
- establish procedures to verify that the system is working properly
- establish effective recordkeeping to document the HACCP system
what are problems caused by growing volume of waste
difficulties in disposal
dump sites being used up
increases in pollution
increases in costs of disposal
what are the four demensions of MSW disposal?
recycling
landfilling
composting
combustion
describe EPA’s Hierarchy for management of MSW
more favored to least favored:
source reduction/ reuse
recycling/ composting
energy recovery
disposal/ treatment
describe source reduction
reducing the amount of waste created, reusing whenever possible, and then recycling what is left
what are advantages of recycling
reduces emissions of greenhouse gases
prevents water pollution
decreases the amount of materials shipped to landfills
preserves raw materials and energy
opens up new employment epportunities
name the parts of a modern landfill
leachate collection system
landfill liner
clay cap
methane gas recovery system
leachate treatment system
well to monitor groundwater
aquifer
what are the federal landfill standards
- location restrictions
- liners
- operating practices
- groundwater monitoring
- closure and postclosure care
- corrective action in event of a leak
- financial assurance
how are hazardous wastes legally disposed of in the US
discarding them on surface of the land
storing them in slurry ponds
dumping them into landfills or into the ocean
incineration
what led to the creation of the superfund
love canal
describe the primary stage of sewage treatment
aims to remove large materials, which can be composted or shipped to landfills
describe secondary stage of sewage treatment
promotes microbial digestion of organic material that remains in the sewage
describe tertiary stage of sewage treatment
removal of remaining solids and microorganisms from the liquid portion of sewage
filtration through sand and charcoal filters and deactivation of microorganisms by using chlorine or UV radiation
describe organophosphates
used to control a wide range of insects, thus eliminating the need for multiple applications of different pesticides
have not been weakened by resistance of insects
tend not to persist in the environment
frequent cause of fatal poisonings
describe carbamates
dissipate quickly from the environment as a result of breaking down into other substances
some are approved for controlling garden pests
an ingredient in some products applied to furry pets to control ticks and fleas
methyl isocyanate
an intermediate chemical used for the manufacture of carbamate pesticides
when acute exposure occurs, MIC is extremely toxic to life forms
organochlorines
derived from chlorinated hydrocarbons, which are chemical compounds that contain chlorine, carbon, and hydrogen
characteristically stable and fat-soluble; persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in the food chain
associated with the suppression of the immune system and cancer
DDT is an example of what?
organochlorine pesticide
pyrethrins
great ability to paralyze and kill flying insects
interfere with the transmission of neural impulses via action on sodium channels
used inside the home in aerosol cans, lice stuff1
