Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

BPK 140 > Module 13: Environment and Climate > Flashcards

Module 13: Environment and Climate Flashcards

(63 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

define: environmental health

A

“The collective interactions of humans with the
environment and the short & long term consequences of
these interactions”

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

define: environment

A

“the unique skin of soil, water, gaseous atmosphere (air), minerals, nutrients, and organisms that covers this planet”

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

define: anthropocene

A

The epoch representing the commencement of substantial human impact on the earth’s systems

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

define: fossil fuels

A

remnants of living organisms that are compressed by layers of soil creating oil or coal

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

How fast is the world population increasing?

A

The world’s population is increasing at a rate of about 83 million per year; 160 people every minute

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

Factors that contribute to population growth (2)

A
  • fertility rate

- lower death rates (better medical care, better socio-economic status)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Brundtland Report, (1987)

A

highlights the importance of the global environment to our survival

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

Examples of some non-renewables

A

Oil, gas, coal, hydro- electric, nuclear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How much of the energy we use in Canada comes from oil?

A

41%

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

Example of some renewable resources

A

Solar, wind, water and wave, geothermal, biomass and biofuels from renewable sources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How much of the energy we use in Canada comes from renewables?

A

17%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

List 1 alternate fuel

A

ethanol (renewable)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

List the impacts of human energy consumption

A 
Pollutants
Deforestation
Waste products
Sewage
Solid waste
Toxic waste (e.g. heavy metals, PCBs, pesticides, radioactive waste)
Extraction methods can pose further environmental risks
Decreased biodiversity
Ecosystem impacts
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Ways to reduce energy consumption

A 
Use public transit, car pool 
Turn the heat down – wear a sweater 
Turn off lights 
Use high-efficiency lighting 
Hang clothes to dry 
Wash and dry dishes by hand 
Choose renewable energy sources 
Consider e-vehicles
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Give examples of land pollution

A 
Municipal Solid Waste
- Landfills
- Biodegradability
- Recycling
- E-waste
Hazardous Waste
- Nuclear, biological, chemical
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

List someways to reduce solid waste

A

Choose products with less packaging
Use products made of recycled paper or recyclable products
Bottle-free advocacy
Avoid using plastic wrap, foam or paper cups
Use reusable containers (glass is best for the microwave)
Reduce, Recycle, Re-use
Do not throw electronic items in the garbage
Start a compost pile
Stop junk mail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How does air pollution affect human health

A

Air pollution weakens the protective ozone layer.

  • increases the risk of cancer
  • contribute to acute respiratory illnesses.
  • Photochemical smog (ozone pollution)
  • Thinning of the ozone
  • Acid precipitation (acid rain)
  • Greenhouse effect and global warming
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are hydrocarbons

A

products of fuel combustion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Give the equation for ozone

A

nitrogen oxides + sunlight = ozone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the primary component of smog?

A

ground level ozone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What human health issue are hydrocarbons linked to?

A

Respiratory illness (e.g. asthma, lung inflammation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Give examples of particulate matter and state what human health issue they are linked to?

A
  • ash, smoke, pollen, dust

- respiratory damage (asthma, bronchitis, allergies)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what is carbon monoxide. give some properties of it

A
  • when a hydrocarbon doesn’t burn completely

- colourless, odourless, poisonous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

80ppm of carbon monoxide decreases body O2 by how much

A

15%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
In heavy traffic, how high could the carbon monoxide ppm be?
400 ppm
26
carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
headaches, impaired visual perception, impaired manual dexterity, increased risk of CVD, death
27
For nitrogen oxide explain: - what it is a component of - what it is a precursor to - what is it produced by
- component: acid rain - precursor: ozone - produced by: engine exhaust
28
CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) - effect on the environment - what is it in?
- destroys ozone layer - Coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners - Foaming agents in insulation - Propellants in aerosol sprays - Solvents
29
Indoor air pollution examples
- Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) - Carbon monoxide and other combustion by-products - Formaldehyde gas - Asbestos (used as a flame retardant), lead (in old yellow paint), mercury - Biological pollutants such as mould
30
What is sick building syndrome?
- indoor pollution sickness | - characterized by headache, fatigue, and decreased work productivity
31
define: hypoxia
Hypoxia: condition caused by the body being deprived of oxygen
32
AQHI and AQI meaning
- air quality health index | - air quality index
33
define: greenhouse effect
Greenhouse effect: the warming of Earth caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide and certain other gases
34
define: global warming
Global warming is an increase in Earth’s atmospheric temperature when averaged across seasons and geographical regions
35
list possible consequences of global warming
- Increased rainfall and flooding or drought - Increased mortality from heat stress - Poleward shift in the location of vegetation zones - Changes in agriculture - Changes in sea level due to rapid and drastic melting of the polar ice caps - Increased deaths from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat WHO, 2020
36
What you can do to reduce air pollution
- Cut back on driving - Choose a car that gets good gas mileage - Keep your car tuned up and tires properly inflated - Turn off car engine if you will be stopped for more than a minute - Buy energy-efficient appliances - Replace incandescent bulbs - Keep your home well insulated - Plant trees and shrubs - Proper disposal of ozone-depleting appliances (refrigerators) - Keep house well ventilated - Don’t smoke - Clean and inspect chimneys, furnaces and other appliances
37
Sources of Water Pollution
``` Water delivery systems Domestic Wastes Industrial Wastes Agricultural Wastes Pharmaceutical chemicals (antibiotics) Nanoplastics Biological (Giardia) ```
38
__ billion worldwide people do not have safe drinking water and ___ billion do not have access to basic sanitation.
2.1 and 4.5
39
The hotter the air, the more water ___________________, the more water stored in our air, the ____________________.
- that can be stored in our air | - more violent our storms and hurricanes, etc
40
How can we protect the water supply
Take showers, not baths Install sink faucet aerators and water-efficient showerheads Water-saver toilets Fix leaky faucets Don’t pour toxic material down the drain Don’t pour old medicines down the drain or flush them down the toilet Don’t use product with micro abrasives Dispose of waste properly
41
biomagnification
any concentration of a toxin, such as pesticides, in the tissues of tolerant organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain
42
What health concerns are pesticides linked to
Linked to lung and bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, chronic bronchitis and nervous system disorders.
43
List examples of chemical pollutants
- pesticides - asbestos - lead - mercury - PCB - BPA - radiation
44
What was asbestos formerly used for?
- building insulation and flame retardant
45
What health concerns is asbestos linked to
Particles from it cause respiratory damage (asbestosis, mesothelioma lung cancer)
46
What was lead formerly in? What can it now be found in
- paint | - Found in plumbing, vehicle emissions, tobacco smoke, lead crystal, lead pottery
47
lead poisoning
Lead poisoning: linked to central nervous system damage, mental impairment, decreased oxygen transport in the blood, digestive problems, coma, death
48
mercury contamination and poisoning
- Can contaminate water sources and organisms that live in the water (Nervous system toxin, linked to damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, digestive tract, carcinogenic
49
What are PCBs and their associated health concerns
- polychlorinated biphenyls | - known carcinogen, associated with birth defects, damage the immune system
50
What is BPA and what are the human health and environment conecrns
- Bisphenol A in polycarbonate (No 7 symbol, hard plastic) - estrogen mimic, possible link to increased cancers - Caused fish to switch sex because estrogen in water made it appear like there wasn’t enough male fish
51
Examples of radiation use
- Medical Uses of Radiation (X-ray exposure is cumulative and no exposure is absolutely safe; Each generation of X-ray technology emits less radiation) - Radiation in the Home and Workplace (radon, cellular phones, microwave ovens, computer monitors, high-voltage power lines) - nuclear weapons - nuclear energy
52
Ways to prevent chemical pollution
Read labels of products purchased Proper disposal of household products and pharmaceutical drugs Buy organic produce Lock up pesticides Use licensed exterminators Only get X rays if needed Radon; usually only in rocky/mountainous sites
53
Prolonged exposure to sounds ______ decibels causes permanent hearing loss, tinnitus. Most hearing loss occurs within first ______ of exposure, may recover within ______ after
> 80 - 85 - 2 hours - two hours
54
How does hearing damage become permanent?
repeated or continued exposure to loud sounds
55
Ways to prevent noise pollution
Wear ear protectors in noisy environments Listen to music on a headset with a volume at or below 6 Avoid loud music Avoid exposure to painfully loud sounds (80 + decibels)
56
light pollution
Occurs when too much artificial illumination enters the night sky and reflects off of airborne water droplets and dust particles
57
effects of light pollution
Disrupts sleep Decreases production of melatonin (may cause imbalance in diurnal sleep patterns, may increase risk of cancer) Disruption of migratory flight paths of birds or other wildlife
58
Reducing light pollution
Don’t use your computer late at night Dim the light emitting from your computer Avoid long term exposure to artificial light Consider your circadian rhythm Full spectrum lighting? Turn off lights!
59
Examples of living green
- lifestyle choices - educate your peers - educate yourself - advocate - build networks/coalitions
60
Examples of lifestyle choices for living green
Reduce, Re-use, Recycle Choose organic, biodegradable Compost Bring your own shopping bags, coffee cups, utensils etc. Car sharing Bike, walk, Public transport, car-pooling Dispose of chemicals properly, recycle batteries and old tires
61
How can we advocate for our environment?
- Contact your elected representatives and communicate your concerns; - Insist that your own organization become an advocate for environmentally healthy public policies at the national and international level; - Call for the spending necessary to support the education, research and other actions necessary to address the global ecological crisis and its health effects.
62
In 1990, what did Carl Sagan unveil and what was its significance?
- Pale blue dot: picture of earth from a distance | - This perspective underscores the need to preserve and protect “the blue dot”. “The only home we have”
63
What is the concept of Spaceship Earth?
- Explained by Carl Sagan - If we were to live on a spacecraft we would need to take all of Earth with us - Earth is a self contained unit which contains all the required components for life

BPK 140 (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions