Ch 15 and 16

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Environmental Health, Aging, and Death

Environmental Health in and Around the Home

Poisoning – Most human poisonings in 2009—about 91%

—occurred in the home – Approximately 82% of poisonings were

unintentional, which included medication errors, bites and stings, food poisonings, and occupational mishaps.

– In 2009, poisoning occurred in children under the age of 6 approximately 68% of the time.


Poisoning – Toxic plants – Ingestion of household cleaning products,

medications, and vitamins – Lead poisoning – Carbon monoxide poisoning


Poisoning – Suspect poisoning and contact a poison

control center if a person: • Becomes ill suddenly with symptoms

affecting many systems of the body • Appears drowsy and indifferent • Exhibits bizarre behavior

– Call 911 if suspected poisoning victim experiences severe symptoms.


Poisoning • Ingestion of Household Cleaning Aids, Medications,

and Vitamins – Children under 5 years of age are most in danger

from ingesting toxic household products. – Warning stickers are generally not effective. – Childproof packaging can be opened by children. – Store all dangerous household substances,

including medicines and dietary supplements in locked cabinets.


Poisoning • Lead Poisoning

– Many sources of lead have been removed from the environment: leaded gasoline, leaded solder in food and beverage cans, and leaded paint.

– Leaded dangers still exist in poorly made ceramic dishes or pottery, car batteries, water pipes that contain lead-based solder, soil surrounding some roads and highways, and some pre-1978 paints in the interiors of older homes.


Poisoning • Lead Poisoning

– Many cases of lead poisoning occur when older homes are remodeled.

– Children are extremely susceptible to absorbing lead through their digestive tract or lungs.

– Lead poisoning is associated with decreased intelligence, learning disabilities, impaired nervous system development, behavioral problems, and delayed or stunted growth.


Poisoning • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

– Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. • A by-product of incomplete combustion of

carbon-containing fuels such as oil, coal, wood, natural gas, charcoal, and gasoline

– Fires are a major source of carbon monoxide poisoning.

– Other sources include: automobile exhaust, malfunctioning furnaces, poorly ventilated kerosene, or gas space heaters


Poisoning • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

– To lower CO poisoning risk: – Maintain and handle properly tools and

appliances that burn such fuels. – Properly vent stoves and furnaces. – Use charcoal grills and gas-powered tools only

in well-ventilated areas. – Install CO detectors.


Inhalation of Asbestos Fibers – Asbestos was used in various products primarily

for its fire-resistant properties. • Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause

asbestosis as well as lung and stomach cancer.

– All asbestos-containing products have been banned by the EPA since 1996.


Inhalation of Asbestos Fibers – Primary danger is to people who live in homes

built between 1920 and 1978. – Danger exists when fibers become airborne. – To avoid danger:

• Do not disturb old products that contain asbestos.

• Hire only trained, certified professionals for asbestos removal.

Environmental Health in the Workplace

Exposure to and Inhalation of Other Toxic Chemicals – Inhaling heavy metal dust or fumes can cause a

variety of lung disorders, irritate the eyes and mouth, and damage the kidneys, brain and spinal cord. • Especially exposure to lead, mercury, and

manganese • Exposure may cause cancer

– OSHA regulates procedures in industries to protect the health of workers.

Environmental Health in the Outdoors

• Water pollution • Air pollution • Noise pollution


Water pollution – Water sources include aquifers, lakes, rivers,

and reservoirs. – Can be contaminated with:

• Pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, protozoans)

• Chemical waste from industry • Fertilizers and pesticides from farm run-off • Heavy metals such as mercury and lead


Water pollution – Monitoring of nation’s water supply is done by

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). – To ensure its safety, 75% of American drinking

water is chlorinated. – Tap water can be tested for safety and treated. – Bottled water is not necessarily healthier to

drink than tap water.


Air Pollution – Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon

monoxide, ozone, and particulates in the air can threaten health.

– Two main contributors to air pollution are automobiles and coal-fired power plants that burn fossil fuels. • Use of small gasoline-powered machines

such as leaf blowers also contributes to air pollution.


Noise Pollution – Sound intensity is expressed in decibels (dB).

• Each 10 dB increase means a tenfold increase in intensity of the sound.

• Sounds at 50 dB or less are considered quiet or soft.

• Sounds at 80 dB or more are annoying and can be harmful over time.

– 40% of the population is exposed to enough noise to cause permanent hearing loss.

Aging

• Aging is the sum of all changes that occur in an organism during its life.

• Life span is the maximum number of years that members of a species can expect to live when conditions are optimal.

• Life expectancy is the average number of years that an individual who was born in a particular year can expect to live.

AgingEffects of Aging on Physical Health

– People begin to experience gradual decline in functioning of the body at about age 30.

– Signs of normal aging include: • Menopause (in women) • Delayed sexual responsiveness • Wrinkles • Graying and thinning hair • Loss of height • Presbyopia (the inability to see close objects

clearly)

Aging

Effects of Aging on Physical Health – Age-Related Macular Degeneration

• Disorder of the eye resulting in distorted and blurry vision, often leading to irreversible blindness in older adults

– Cataracts • Clouding of the lens of the eye which impair

vision – Glaucoma

• Abnormal fluid accumulation in the eyeball, causing vision loss

Aging

Effects of Aging on Physical Health – Arthritis

• Group of disease involving inflammation of the joints

– Urinary Incontinence • The inability to control the flow of urine

Aging

Effects of Aging on Physical Health – Alzheimer’s Disease

• A common form of dementia –Characterized by memory loss, confusion,

loss of control over behavior and body functions

• Progressive condition that has no cure • Cause unclear, but some forms may be

inherited • Brain imaging can now detect signs of

shrinkage in the brain, a sign of Alzheimer’s

Aging

Effects of Aging on Social Health – Ageism is a negative bias toward the elderly.

• Results in mistrust and conflict between generations

– Elderly Americans • Can be a valuable social asset • Experienced consultants or advisors

Aging

Successful Aging – People who age successfully are independent,

socially active, and in good health. • Maintain healthy body weight

–Physically active people live longer than people who are sedentary.

– Having a positive outlook, maintaining good spiritual health, and engaging in social activities may also enhance successful aging.

DyingEmotional Aspects of Dying • Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified five emotional

stages that terminally ill people experience while dying. This model may be useful for understanding the complex emotions of dying people. – Denial – Anger – Bargaining – Depression – Acceptance

Dying

Terminal Care – Hospice is specialized care for patients with a

few months to live. • It is health care designed to give emotional

support and pain relief to terminally ill persons.

• Care may be provided at home or in a special center.

– Hospice staff also provides support for family members and grief counseling for survivors.

Death

Euthanasia and the Right to Die – The practice of allowing permanently comatose

or incurably ill persons to die – Active euthanasia

• Physician hastens death by giving an overdose of pain-relieving drugs that depresses breathing.

– Passive euthanasia • Physicians do not provide life-sustaining

treatments or withdraw such care.

Ch 15 and 16

Education

Transcript of Ch 15 and 16