Standard 16. Environmental HealthThe registered nurse practices in an

environmentally safe and healthy manner.

Definition of Environmental Health• Those aspects of human health, including

quality of life, that are determined by these problems in the environment:

• Physical

• Chemical

• Biological

• Social,and psychological

Definition of Environmental Health• The environment includes the surrounding

context, milieu, conditions, or atmosphere in which nursing practice occurs.

• It also refers to:• The theory and practice of assessing, correcting,

controlling, and

• Preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect the health of present and future generations.

The Precautionary Principle• There is an ethical imperative to prevent

rather than merely treat disease, even in the face of “scientific uncertainty.”

• Nurses should use products and practices that do not harm human health or the environment and should take preventive action when there is such uncertainty.

Environmental Exposures and Health Problems

Increasing scientific evidence on the association between environmental exposures to heavy metals, pesticides, air and water pollution, and other environmental toxins and such health outcomes as:• Reproductive and developmental problems• Cancer• Neurological, immunological, and metabolic

disorders• Asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Environmental Exposures and Health Problems

It is recognized that several environmentally influenced health problems are on a steep rise in the U.S., such as: • Autism• Asthma• Obesity• Certain childhood cancers• Infertility

Nurses’ Workplace ExposuresRNs handle various therapeutic chemicals and drugs with differing side effects and exposure rates in the course of their practice and can experience health reactions to diverse, chronic workplace exposures to: • Hazardous cleaning• Disinfecting and sterilizing agents• Radiation• Mercury compounds• Other chemicals

Nurses’ Workplace Exposures

One workplace study of physicians and nurses showed: • 18 of the same chemicals were detected in every

single participant,• All 20 participants had at least five of the six

major types of chemicals tested,• 13 participants tested positive for all six of these

major chemical types, and • All participants had bisphenol-A, phthalates,

PBDEs and PFCs: all chemicals associated with chronic illness such as cancer and endocrine malfunction.

Applications of Environmental Health Standard

 EducationBasic knowledge of scientific environmental health concepts.

Applications of the Environmental Health Standard

 Administration An organizational culture that supports the incorporation of EH principles into nursing practice and advocacy.

Applications of the Environmental Health Standard

 Quality ImprovementEH hazards for patients and staff can be identified and exposure reduction strategies developed and implemented.

Applications of the Environmental Health Standard

Research

Nurses must be able to interpret and use research findings that:• Expose environmental hazards• Improve the human condition, and• Maintain safe and healthy workplaces and communities