Environmental Health

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 2

Environmental HealthPlanet supplies us with: food, water, air, and everything that sustains our life.Historically environmental health focused on preventing infectious diseases spread by water, waste, food, rodents, and insects.

Expansion of the modern day definition.

Encompassing all the interactions of humans with their environment and the health consequences of these interactions.

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Classic Environmental Health Concerns

Grew out of the efforts to control communicable diseases.Pathogens which can be transferred via sewage, drinking water and food.U.S. has a complex health system devoted to control such health issues.

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Clean WaterWater Contamination and Treatment.

FluoridationWater-treatment plants

Water shortagesWhat You Can Do to Protect the Water Supply

ShowerSink faucet aeratorsWater saving toiletsFix leaky faucetsUse organic versus chemical fertilizersDon’t pour toxins down the drainGardening issues

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Waste DisposalHumans generate large amounts of waste.

Sewage• Septic system• Heavy metal• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Solid waste• Garbage• Sanitary landfill

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Waste DisposalWhat You Can Do to Reduce Garbage

Products with least amount of packagingProducts made of recycled paper or recyclable productsAvoid using foam or paper cupsStore food in glass jars and reusable plastic containersRecycle newspapers, glass, cans, paper, and any other recyclablesDo not throw electronic itemsStart a compost pileStop junk mail

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Food Inspection

Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Overall the food distribution in the U.S. is safe and efficient.

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Insect and Rodent Control

Great number of illnesses are associated with animal and insect contact.

EncephalitisLyme DiseaseRocky Mountain spotted feverBubonic plagueWest Nile virus

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Population GrowthWorld’s population currently estimated at 6.5 billion.

150 people every minute.Increasing by 76 million per yearTo exceed 9.1 billion by 2050

How Many People Can the World Hold?FoodAvailable land and waterEnergyMinimum acceptable standard of living

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Chapter 17 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 11

Factors That Contribute to Population Growth

High fertility ratesLack of family planning resourcesLower death ratesPopulation

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PollutionAir pollution

Air quality and smog• Temperature inversion

Air quality index (AQI)• Carbon monoxide (CO)• Sulfur dioxide (SO2)• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)• Particulate matter (PM)• Ground-level ozone

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Chapter 17 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 14

The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Global warmingPossible Consequences

Increased rainfall and flooding or drought.Increased mortality from heat stress.A poleward shift of about 50-350 miles

Thinning of the Ozone LayerChlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Acid precipitationEnergy Use and Air Pollution

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Chapter 17 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 16

Indoor Air Pollution

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)Carbon monoxide and other combustion by-productsFormaldehyde gasBiological pollutants

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What You Can Do To Prevent Air Pollution

Cut back on drivingKeep your car tuned upBuy energy-efficient appliancesReplace incandescent bulbsHomes well insulatedPlant trees and shrubsProper disposal of ozone-depleting appliancesKeep house well ventilatedDon’t smokeClean and inspect chimneys, furnaces and other appliances

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Chemical PollutionAsbestosLeadPesticides

BiomagnificationMercuryWhat You Can Do to Prevent Chemical Pollution

Read labels of products purchasedProper disposal of house hold productsBuy organic produceLock-up pesticides Use licensed exterminators

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RadiationNuclear Weapons Nuclear EnergyMedical Uses of RadiationRadiation in the Home and Workplace

RadonWhat You Can Do to Prevent Chemical Pollution

Only get X rays if really neededCheck local and state health department about radonFind out if there are radioactive sites in your area

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Chapter 17 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 21

Noise PollutionDecibels

Sounds above 80-85Two common sources of excessive noise

• Workplace• Large gatherings of people at a concert or sporting event

The Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) standardsWhat You Can Do to Prevent Chemical Pollution

Wear ear protectorsListen to music on a headset with a volume at or below 6Avoid loud musicAvoid exposure to painfully loud sounds 80 + decibels

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Chapter 17 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 23

Healing The Environment

Share what you have learned.Join, support, or volunteer your time.Contact your elected representatives.

Environmental Health

Chapter 17