Unit 13: Environmental Health Flashcards by Kirsten Rodriguez

Explain how the health of the environment and human health are related

weakened environmental health is associated with negative health outcomes like:
- increased diseases
- cancers
- sleep disorders
- hearing loss
- malnutrition
- diarrhea
- heat exhaustion
- mortality

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Discuss how an expanding population stresses the environment

strains limited resources:
- clean and disease free food and water
- available land and water
- energy
- maximum acceptable standard of living

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What are factors that contribute to population growth?

Fertility rate
- fertility rates and infant mortality rates are highest in the least developed countries
- lack of family planning resources, an increase in the standard of living typically leads to a fall in the rate

Lower death rates
- better medical care
- better socio-economic status

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Energy

Describe what type of energy Canada uses

State the percentages

explain why alternate fuels are used

non-renewable
- oil, gas, coal, hydro-, electric, nuclear
- about 41% comes from oil

renewable
- solar, wind, water, wave, geothermal, biomass and bio fuels from renewable sources
- about 17% of the energy we use in Canada comes from renewables

alternate fuels
- ethanol, used to reduce non-renewables

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Energy

What are human energy consumption health impacts?

extraction methods can pose further environmental risks
decreased bio-diversity
eco-system impacts
greenhouse effect

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Explain the greenhouse effect

Warming of the Earth caused by a buildup or CO2 and others
- global warming is an increase in Earth’s atmosphereic temperature

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What are the possible consequences of global warming?

SACIWWEE

severe weather:
- injuries
- fatalities
- mental health impacts

air pollution
- asthma
- CVD

changes in vector ecology
- malaria
- dengue
- lyme disease

increasing allergens
- respiratory allergies
- asthma

water quality impacts
- cholera
- cryptosporidiosis
- campylobacteria
- leptospirosis

water and good supply impacts
- malnutrition
- diarrheal disease

environmental degradation
- forced migration
- civil conflict
- mental health impacts

extreme heat
- heat-related illness and death
- CVD failure

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Energy

What are ways to reduce energy consumption?

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

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Land Pollution

What makes up land pollution?

How much household waste does an average Canadian generate?

Municipal Solid Waste

Hazardous Waste

700 kg of household waste

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Land Pollution

Explain the issues with landfill

landfill produces lots of methane gas, can leach into nearby water systems

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Land Pollution

What are ways to reduce solid waste?

choose products with less packaging
use products made of recycled paper or recyclable products
avoid using plastic wrap, foam or paper cups
use reusable containers
reduce, reuse, recycle
do not throw electronic items
start a compost pile
stop junk mail

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Air Pollution

What does air pollution do to the atmosphere?

Weakens protective ozone layer

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Air Pollution

What are enivronmental negative effects of air pollution?

photochemical smog (ozone pollution)
thinning of the ozone
acid precipitation
greenhouse effect + global warming

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Air Pollution

Describe: Hydrocarbons and Particulate Matter

Links?

Hydrocarbons
- product of fuel combustion
- Linked to respiratory illness

Particulate Matter
- ash, smoke, pollen, dust
- Linked to respiratory damage

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Air Pollution

Describe: CO2 and Sulfur Oxides

What are they linked to?

CO2
- colourless, odorless and very poisonous
- builds up in heavy traffic
- Linked to headaches, impaired vision, increased risk of CVD and death

Sulfur Oxides
- produced by combustion of oil and other fuels
- main cause of acid rain
- Linked to lung + cardiovascular diseases

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Air Pollution

Chemicals in air pollution: describe Nitrogen Oxides and CFCs

Sources?

Nitrogen Oxides
- component of acid rain
- precursor of OZONE
- produced by engine exhaust

CFCs
- destroys ozone layer

Nitrogen Oxides
- produced by engine exhaust

CFCs
- coolands in fridges and air conditioners
- foaming agents in insulation
- propellants in aerosol sprays
- solvents

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Air Pollution

What are sources and negative effects of indoor air pollutants?

sources
- ETS (environmental tobacco smoke)
- photocopiers, fax machines, + computers
- CO and other combustion by-products
- formaldehyde gas
- asbestos, lead, mercury
- mould

effects
- “sick building syndrome”: headache, fatigue and decreased work productivity
- asthma in children

Air Pollution

What are ways to reduce air pollution?

cut back on driving
choose a car that gets good gas mileage
keep your car tuned 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 (fridges)
keep house well ventilated
don’t smoke
clean and inspect chimnes, furnaces and other appliances

Water pollution

sources of water pollution

domestic wastes
industrial wastes
agricultural wastes
pharmaceutical chemicals
nanoplastics
biological

Water pollution

Describe the situations with safe drinking water in Canada and globally

Most water in Canada is purified in water-treatment plants
Some indigenous communities don’t have access to safe drinking water in Canada
2.1 billion people worldwide do not have safe drinking water, 4.5 don’t have access to basic sanitation

Water pollution

List ways to 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 teh drain
don’t pour old medicines down the drain or flush them down the toilet
don’t use products with micro abrasives
dispose of waste properly

Chemical Pollution

Describe pesticides, asbestos and lead

Links?

Pesticides
- sprayed, dusted fogged or dumped into the environment
- biomagnification
- linked to lung and bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, chronic bronchitis and NS disorders

Asbestos
- formerly used as building insulation
- linked to respiratory damage (lung cancer)

Lead
- formerly used as base for paints
- found in plumbing, vehicle emissions, tobacco smoke, lead crystal, lead pottery
- linked to CNS damage, mental impairment, decreased O2 transport in the blood, digestive problems, coma, death

Chemical Pollution

Describe: mercury, PCBs, trihalomethanes, BPA

links?

Mercury
- coal fueled power plants, mining and smelting
- can contaminate water sources and
organisms that live in the water
- linked to NVS toxin, damage to brain, head, kidneys, digestive tract, carcinogenic

PCBs
- polychlorinated biphenyls
- links known carcinogen, associated with birth defects, damage the immune system

Trihalomethanes
- synthetic chemical that forms when chlorine in water reacts with natural organic compounds in water
- links liver & kidney disorders, CNS problems, birth defects, cancer

BPA
- in polycarboante (hard plastic)
- links estrogen mimic, possibly increased cancers

Radiation

What are examples of Radiation?

Medical Uses of Radiation: cumulative X-ray exposure
Radiation in Home and Workplace: radon, cellular phones, microwave ovens, computer monitors, high-voltage power lines
Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear Energy

# Chemical Pollution What can we do to prevent chemical pollution?

- read labels of products purchased - proper disposal of house hold products and pharamaceutical drugs - buy organic produce - lock up pesticides - use licensed exterminators - only get X rays if needed - Radon - usually only in rocky/mountainous sites

# Noise Pollution What are examples of noise pollutions? | Describe how permanent or temporary hearing loss occur

- excessive noise in the workplace, sporting events and rock concerts - prolonged exposure to sounds above 80-85 decibels causes permanent hearing loss - most hearing loss occurs within first 2 hours of exposure

# Noise Pollution What can you do to reduce the impact of 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+ decibles)

# Light Pollution When does it occur? ## Footnote Effects

When too much artificial illumination enters the night sky and reflects off of airborne water droplets and dust particles ## Footnote - disrupts sleep - decreases production of melatonin - disruption of migratory flight paths of birds or other wildlife

# Light pollution What can you do to reduce the impact of 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

What can we do to improve general environmental health? | SERAB

**Set an example** - "live green" **Educate** - others about health implications of global ecological issues **Research/Knowledge** **Advocate** **Build Networks/Coalitions**

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions **True or False**: Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down naturally by living organisms.

True

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions **True or False**: E-waste is the fastest growing portion of our waste system.

True

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions **True or False**: Pollen is a contributor to air pollution.

True

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions **True or False**: Solid waste rapidly decomposes once buried in a sanitary landfill.

False

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions **True or False**: The field of environmental health grew out of efforts to control communicable disease.

True

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions The water treatment that helps reduce tooth decay is ## Footnote - fluoridation. - All of the answers are correct. - disinfection. - filtration. - chlorination.

fluordiation

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions Which of the following is NOT considered "e-waste"? ## Footnote - old computers - old televisions - used computer paper - old cell phones - old tablets

used computer paper

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions All the following are simple steps for protecting the water supply, EXCEPT ## Footnote - not pouring old medicines down the drain. - taking showers instead of baths. - fixing leaky faucets. - turning off the tap when brushing your teeth. - watering lawns and garden plants in mid-afternoon.

watering lawns and garden plants in mid-afternoon

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions The ultimate solution to the problem of garbage is ## Footnote - sea burial. - reduced consumption. - composting. - land burial.

reduced consumption

# Unit 13 Quiz Questions Sewage sludge is sometimes used as a fertilizer, unless it is contaminated with ## Footnote - heavy metals. - agricultural chemicals. - fecal matter. - high concentrations of fluoride. - high concentrations of water purifiers.

heavy metals