Environmental Health
Chapter 23
Chapter 23 © 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.
Chapter 23 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 3
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.
Chapter 23 © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 4
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 23 © 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 23 © 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 23 © 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 23 © 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 23 © 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 23