Transcript Environmental Health

Environmental Health
Chapter 24
Environmental Health
Planet supplies us with: food, water, air,
and everything that sustains our life.
Encompassing all the interactions of
humans with their environment and the
health consequences of these
interactions.
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Classic Environmental Health
Concern
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 Water
Water Contamination and Treatment.
Fluoridation
Water-treatment plants
Water shortages
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Protecting the Water Supply
Shower
Sink faucet aerators
Fix leaky faucets
Use organic versus chemical fertilizers
Don’t pour toxins down the drain
Gardening issues
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Waste Disposal
Humans generate large amounts of
waste.
Sewage
• Septic system
• Heavy metal
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Solid waste
• Garbage
• Sanitary landfill
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Waste Disposal
What You Can Do to Reduce Garbage
Products with least amount of packaging
Products made of recycled paper or recyclable
products
Avoid using foam or paper cups
Store food in glass jars and reusable plastic
containers
Recycle newspapers, glass, cans, paper, and any
other recyclables
Start a compost pile
Stop junk mail
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Food Inspection
Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
U.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.
Encephalitis
Lyme Disease
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Bubonic plague
West Nile virus
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Population Growth
World’s population currently estimated at 6.1
billion
Increasing by 78 million per year
To exceed 9 billion by 2050
How Many People Can the World Hold?
Food
Available land and water
Energy
Minimum acceptable standard of living
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World Population
Factors That Contribute to Population
Growth
High fertility rates
Lack of family planning resources
Lower death rates
Population
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Pollution
Air pollution
Air quality and smog
Air quality index (AQI)
• Carbon monoxide
• Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Particulate matter (PM)
• Ground-level ozone
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The Greenhouse Effect and
Global Warming
Consequences
Increased rainfall and flooding or drought.
Increased mortality from heat stress.
A poleward shift of about 50-350 miles
Thinning of the Ozone Layer
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Acid precipitation
Energy Use and Air Pollution
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Indoor Air Pollution
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
Carbon monoxide and other combustion
by-products
Formaldehyde gas
Biological pollutants
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What You Can Do To Prevent Air
Pollution
Cut back on driving
Keep your car tuned up
Buy energy-efficient appliances
Replace incandescent bulbs
Homes well insulated
Plant trees and shrubs
Proper disposal of ozone-depleting appliances
Keep house well ventilated
Don’t smoke
Clean and inspect chimneys, furnaces and other
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appliances
Chemical Pollution
Asbestos
Lead
Pesticides
Biomagnification
Mercury
What You Can Do to Prevent Chemical Pollution
Read labels of products purchased
Proper disposal of house hold products
Buy organic produce
Lock-up pesticides
Use licensed exterminators
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Radiation
Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Energy
Medical Uses of Radiation
Radiation in the Home and Workplace
Radon
What You Can Do to Prevent Chemical Pollution
Only get X rays if really needed
Check local and state health department about
radon
Find out if there are radioactive sites in your area
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Noise Pollution
Decibels
Sounds above 80-85
Two common sources of excessive noise
• Workplace
• Large gatherings of people at a concert or sporting event
The Occupational Safety and Health
Administrations (OSHA) standards
What You Can Do to Prevent Chemical Pollution
Wear ear protectors
Listen to music on a headset with a volume at or below 4
Avoid loud music
Avoid exposure to painfully loud sounds 80 + decibels
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Healing the Environment
• Share what you learn about environmental
issues with your family and friends
• Join, support, or volunteer with organizations
working on environmental causes that are
important to you
• Contact your elected
representatives and
communicate your concerns
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Thank You!
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