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Intro to Environmental Health Final > Intro to Environmental Health Final > Flashcards

Intro to Environmental Health Final Flashcards

1
Q

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?

A

Silent Spring

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2
Q

what is persistent organic pollutant (POP)?

A

carbon-containing chemical compounds that, to varying degrees, resist photochemical, biological, and chemical degradation

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3
Q

what is the major contributor to global climate change?

A

greenhouse gases

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4
Q

what are three of the major classes of pesticides/insecticides

A

-Organophosphates
-organocarbamates
-organochlorides

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5
Q

what are three of the modes of exposure for solvents?

A

-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

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6
Q

what type of radiation can be stopped by a piece of paper?

A

alpha particle

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7
Q

what radiation “has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions”

A

ionizing radiation

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8
Q

what three factors affect the amount of radiation exposure

A

-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

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9
Q

what is non-ionizing radiation and give an example

A

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

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10
Q

what contains 70% of the earth’s freshwater

A

glaciers and icecaps

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11
Q

name four common components in air pollution

A

sulfur oxides
particulate matter
oxidants (including ozone)
carbon monoxide
hydrocarbons
lead

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12
Q

what is the kyoto protocol

A

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.

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13
Q

what are the four stages of water treatment in most plants

A

-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

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14
Q

what is the EPA’s criteria air pollutants?

A

ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, lead

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15
Q

what are the four dimensions of municipal solid (MSW) waste disposal

A

recycling, landfilling, composting, combustion

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16
Q

what are the two main components of source reduction

A

-waste reduction: aims to reduce the amount of waste produced at the source

-waste recycling: refers to the reuse of materials in the waste

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17
Q

what are the four major parts of landfill design

A

bottom liner, system for collecting leachate, a cover, appropriate location (groundwater)

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18
Q

what are the three components included in modern sewage treatment

A

removing solids, deactivating microbes, producing wastewater that can be returned safely to waterways or in some cases can be reused or recycled

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19
Q

what are the four means by which hazardous wastes are disposed of legally in the US

A

-discarding them on the surface of the land

-storing them in slurry ponds

-dumping them into landfills or into the ocean

-incineration

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20
Q

what is the difference btwn food poisoning and foodborne illness

A

food poisoning is from a toxin or chemical

foodborne illness is from bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions, parasites

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21
Q

what are the four major categories of food hazards

A

biological, physical (stone, glass, metal), chemical, nutritional (presence of nutrients and other food constituents in excessive or deficient amounts that lead to disease)

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22
Q

what are the two most common types of foodborne illness

A

salmonella
camplyobacter

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23
Q

what three factors contribute in foodborne illness

A

-changes in agricultural and food processing methods
-increasing globalization in food distribution
-social and behavioral changes among the human population

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24
Q

define an occupational disease

A

a disease caused or influenced by exposure to general conditions or specific hazards encountered in the work environment

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25
Q

describe the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood

A

process blocks oxygen from being carried by the hemoglobin when exposed to carbon monoxide

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26
Q

in the movie “trade secrets,” what compound were the workers exposed to?

A

vinyl chloride

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27
Q

describe the change in lungs from healthy to COPD

A

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.

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28
Q

what are the three methods of primary prevention that are preferred over other methods for protecting workers?

A

-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

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29
Q

describe the one exception to the foodborne outbreak definition

A

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

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30
Q

what are possible stochastic effects of radiation exposure

A

carcinogenesis and genetic damage such as changes in DNA

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31
Q

describe hydrocarbons

A

combustion byproducts

a substance that consists of only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Benzene is an example

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32
Q

define pesticide

A

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

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33
Q

describe organophosphates

A

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

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34
Q

define dioxins

A

refers to a family of chemical compounds that are unintentional byproducts of certain industrial, non-industrial and natural processes, usually involving combustion

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35
Q

health effects of exposure to dioxin depend on:

A

duration of exposure

frequency of exposure

when the exposure occurred

concentration of the agent

route of entry into the body

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36
Q

define organic solvents

A

a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances; the solvent does not change in forming a solution

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37
Q

define source water

A

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

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38
Q

define finished water

A

***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

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39
Q

define surface water

A

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

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40
Q

define groundwater

A

comes from aquifers deep underground and is less susceptible to contamination than surface water

–aquifer
–rock embedded

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41
Q

define aquifer

A

a layer or section of earth or rock that contains freshwater, known as groundwater

42
Q

what are the differences btwn renewable and non-renewable water

A

non-renewable:
–not recharged by hydrological cycle

renewable:
–population, use, and climate affect quality of renewable water

43
Q

what are the leading causes of disabling conditions

A

sprains, strains
bruises, contusions
cuts, lacerations, punctures

44
Q

agents of occupational disease

A

noise, ducts, chemicals, work-related stress, lifting heavy weights, microbial agents

45
Q

what are some occupational diseases found in historical literature

A

-phossy jaw: bone degrades in jaw due to sulfur containing compunds

-mule spinners’ cancer: testicular cancer

46
Q

triangle shirtwaist company fire

A

march 25, 1911

doors were locked and fire escapes were missing

47
Q

Gauley Bridge disaster

A

caused exposure of unprotected workers to high levels of silica dust

1500 cases of silicosis: cells digest themselves

48
Q

noise

A

ototoxic agents include very loud sounds and several classes of drugs and chemicals used in the work environment

49
Q

work-related stress

A

chronic stress has been implicated in a range of somatic conditions (coronary heart disease) and mental disorders including depressions

50
Q

name a few occupationally associated diseases and conditions

A

allergic and irritant dermatitis
fertility and pregnancy abnormalities
musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel

51
Q

respiratory diseases

A

asbestos

52
Q

what are the industries that account for the largest frequency of death

A

construction
transportation and public utilities
agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting

53
Q

define job stress

A

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

54
Q

what are U.S. agencies that conduct surveillance

A

NIOSH
OSHA

55
Q

define radiation

A

energy traveling through space. some types of radiation associated with radioactivity are alpha and beta particles and gamma and x-rays

neutrons

56
Q

define radioactivity

A

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

57
Q

define absorbed dose (total dose)

A

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

58
Q

define dose equivalent (effective dose)

A

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

59
Q

explain the process of carcinogensis

A

cell is irradiated
dna breaks and is mutated
cell is replicated and mutation is promoted
tumor (results of progression)= in carcinogenisis

60
Q

what are natural sources of exposure to ionizing radiation

A

cosmic radiation

a decay product of uranium, radioactive radon gas may seep into homes, thus exposing the residents

61
Q

radon gas

A

inert, colorless, and extremely toxic gas

seeps through cracked bedrock and can enter homes through foundation and water pipes

class a carcinogen

62
Q

what are the effects of a nuclear explosion?

A

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

63
Q

what are health effects of non-ionizing radiaiton

A

extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation does not appear to produce many discernible short-term health effects

higher frequencies causes heating of the body

64
Q

what form of UVR is most harmful?

A

UVB

cause melanoma

65
Q

what is the number for water scarcity

A

1000 cubic meters per person

66
Q

what is the number for water stress

A

1700 cubic meters per person

67
Q

what are potential contaminants of water that flow across the ground

A

chemicals and nutrients (fertilizers)
rubber, heavy metals, sodium (from roads)
petroleum byproducts and chemicals (dry cleaners, service stations, underground storage)

68
Q

what are some examples of waterborne diseases

A

cryptosporidiosis
cholera
certain viral infections

69
Q

what are potential adverse health effects of DBPs (water disinfection byproducts)

A

stillbirths
neonatal deaths
possible increased risk of birth defects

70
Q

what are the health effects of air pollution

A

lung cancer and skin cancer
damage to vital tissues and organs, such as the nervous system
impairment of lung and breathing function

71
Q

describe London Fog

A

landmark of the study oh health effects of air pollution

72
Q

difference btwn stationary sources and mobile sources of air pollution

A

mobile is harder to track bc constantly moving (cars, trucks, buses)

mobile releases more damage than stationary

73
Q

particulate matter

A

include dust, soot, and other fine solid and liquid materials that are suspended in, and move within the air

74
Q

which is more dangerous: pm 10 or pm 2.5

A

pm 2.5 bc it can get deeper in the lungs and is not readily cleared from the body

75
Q

sources of particulate matter

A

diesel exhaust from trucks and buses
smoke form incineration of garbage
waste from crops
slash burning
effluents from wood burning fireplaces

76
Q

greenhouse effect

A

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

77
Q

what is temperature inversion

A

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

78
Q

why is foodborne illness a major cause of morbidity?

A

in elderly bc of how dehydrated they are

79
Q

how are salmonella bacteria transferred?

A

to environmental surfaces at work and at home from raw meats, poultry, and seafood

animal feces

contaminated water and soil

80
Q

describe Delaney clause

A

prohibited the use of additives that had been determined to cause cancer in human beings or animals

81
Q

key players in food safety

A

international level: FAQ
national level: USDA, FDA, CDC
state level: department of health services

82
Q

what are the seven principles of HACCP

A
  1. analyze hazards
  2. identify critical control points
  3. establish preventative measures with critical limits for each control point
  4. establish procedures to monitor the critical control points
  5. establish corrective actions to be taken when monitoring shows that a critical limit has not been met
  6. establish procedures to verify that the system is working properly
  7. establish effective recordkeeping to document the HACCP system
83
Q

what are problems caused by growing volume of waste

A

difficulties in disposal
dump sites being used up
increases in pollution
increases in costs of disposal

84
Q

what are the four demensions of MSW disposal?

A

recycling
landfilling
composting
combustion

85
Q

describe EPA’s Hierarchy for management of MSW

A

more favored to least favored:

source reduction/ reuse
recycling/ composting
energy recovery
disposal/ treatment

86
Q

describe source reduction

A

reducing the amount of waste created, reusing whenever possible, and then recycling what is left

87
Q

what are advantages of recycling

A

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

88
Q

name the parts of a modern landfill

A

leachate collection system

landfill liner

clay cap

methane gas recovery system

leachate treatment system

well to monitor groundwater

aquifer

89
Q

what are the federal landfill standards

A
  1. location restrictions
  2. liners
  3. operating practices
  4. groundwater monitoring
  5. closure and postclosure care
  6. corrective action in event of a leak
  7. financial assurance
90
Q

how are hazardous wastes legally disposed of in the US

A

discarding them on surface of the land

storing them in slurry ponds

dumping them into landfills or into the ocean

incineration

91
Q

what led to the creation of the superfund

A

love canal

92
Q

describe the primary stage of sewage treatment

A

aims to remove large materials, which can be composted or shipped to landfills

93
Q

describe secondary stage of sewage treatment

A

promotes microbial digestion of organic material that remains in the sewage

94
Q

describe tertiary stage of sewage treatment

A

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

95
Q

describe organophosphates

A

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

96
Q

describe carbamates

A

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

97
Q

methyl isocyanate

A

an intermediate chemical used for the manufacture of carbamate pesticides

when acute exposure occurs, MIC is extremely toxic to life forms

98
Q

organochlorines

A

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

99
Q

DDT is an example of what?

A

organochlorine pesticide

100
Q

pyrethrins

A

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

101
Q
A

Intro to Environmental Health Final (1 decks)

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