The Environment & Human Health Flashcards
How many environmental hazards are there
Four
Define hazards
Environmental factors that pose risks to the: physical, mental, and social well being of humans.
What are the four environmental hazards
Physical hazard
Chemical hazard
Biological hazard
Cultural hazard
Define chemical hazard
Synthetic compounds (pollutants) found in water, air, and food
Define Biological hazards
Pathogens that cause infectious diseases
Define Cultural hazards
Threats from where you live, job and lifestyle choices
Define Risk
Situation involving exposure to danger
Risk formula
Risk = (probability) X (consequences)
Define Probability
Measure of how likely some event will occur
Consequences
Damages to people, property, economics
Define Acceptable Risk
The amount of risk an individual or society is willing to take
Physical hazards caused by
Caused by natural processes or events.
Preparation is key.
Become hazardous when people live or work near the hazard and human activity amplify there effect.
Humans have little to no control over natural events.
What are Geologic Hazards
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
Volcanic eruptions
Landslides
List weather hazards
Hurricanes Tornadoes Blizzards Floods Wildfires Drought
Most common form of radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
How are physical hazards created
Continuous exposure to natural conditions
Define Radiation
Energy that is emitted from a source and travels through material or space.
Types of radiation
Non-ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation
Define non-ionizing radiation
Low energy EM radiation, which is essential to life.
Examples of Non-ionizing Radiation
Radio waves
microwaves
infared radiation
-only excessive exposure lwads to health risks.
Define Ionizing Radiation
High energy EM radiation
Examples of Ionizing Radiation
Ultra violet radiation
X-ray
Gamma radiation
-Acute exposure to large dose can damage living tissue, cause mutation, radiation sickness or cancer.