Chapter 6: Environmental Health

Question 1

How did Mary Brewster influence environmental health?

Answer 1

Worked to import export the environment of the Henry street neighborhood.
Aimed to improve the physical environment and social conditions that affected health.

Question 2

Poverty and Exposure to Environmental Hazards

Answer 2

People in poverty are more likely to be exposed to environmental hazards d/t things like crowded living conditions, icing closer to hazardous wastes, having poorer quality foods available to them and being exposed to hazards such as lead in pain, pollution in air or water or working in hazardous jobs.

Question 3

Toxicology

Answer 3

The basic science that studies the health effects associated with chemical exposures.

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

The science that helps us understand the strength of the association between exposures and health effects in human populations.

Question 5

Epidemiology triangle

Answer 5

Agent, host and environment.

Question 6

How do geologists, meteorologists and chemists contribute to environmental health and safety?

Answer 6

Contributes information to help understand how and when humans may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, radiation, and biological contaminants.

Question 7

The public health field also depends on

Answer 7

Food safety specialists, sanitarians, radiation specialists, and industrial hygienists

Question 8

Environmental health assessment includes

Answer 8

1. “I PREPARE”
2 Windshield Survey
3. Environmental Databases
4. Environmental health assessment form
5. Inquire/observe about unintended environmental exposures

Question 9

Right to Know Laws include

Answer 9

Consumer Confidence Report

Material Safety Data Sheet

Question 10

What are Right to Know Laws?

Answer 10

The public has a right to know about hazardous chemicals in the environment.

Question 11

Risk Assessment

Answer 11

A process to determine the probability of a health threat associated with an exposure.

Question 12

Risk Assessment includes

Answer 12

Point source and nonpoint source

Question 13

Assessing Risks in Vulnerable Populations includes

Answer 13

Children and pregnant women

Question 14

Assessing Risks in Children

Answer 14

Children are especially at risk because they breathe more rapidly than adults = great exposure to air pollutants.
Also because their bodies work differently than adults (blood-brain barrier, kidneys, growing bodies)

Question 15

Pregnant women must be careful for

Answer 15

Infants development

Question 16

How can you reduces environmental health risks?

Answer 16

1. Apply the basic principles of disease prevention
2. Risk Communication
3. Ethics
4. Governmental Environmental Protection

Question 17

Reducing Environmental Health Risks: Risk Communication

Answer 17

The right information to the right people at the right time

Question 18

Reducing Environmental Health Risks: Ethics

Answer 18

Essential for making ethical decisions regarding environmental health

Question 19

Governmental Environment Protection

Answer 19

1. Manages environmental exposures through the development of enforcements of standards and regulations.
2. Educated public about risks and risk reductions.
   EPA, FDA, Department of Agriculture and local health department

Question 20

As communicators and educators, nurses can do the following

Answer 20

1. Write letters to local newspapers responding to environmental health issues affecting the community.
2. Serve as a credible source of information at community gatherings, formal governmental hearings and professional nursing forums.
3. Volunteer to serve on state, local or federal commissions. Know the zoning and permit laws and regulate the effects of industry and land use on the community.
4. Read, listen and ask questions. As informed citizens, nurses can lead in fostering community action to address threats to environmental health.

Question 21

Environmental Justice

Answer 21

Equal protection from environmental hazards for individuals, groups or communities regardless of race, ethnicity or economic status.

Question 22

A poor person of color is more likely to

Answer 22

1. Live near a hazardous waste site or an incinerator
2. Have children who are lead poisoned.
3. Have children with asthma, which has a strong associated with environmental exposures.

Question 23

What are some unique environmental health threats in the health care industry?

Answer 23

1. Mercury
2. Synthetic Chemicals: persistent bioaccumulate toxins and persistent organic pollutants
3. Dioxin

Question 24

Unique Environmental Health Threats in Health Care Industry and Advocacy include

Answer 24

Health Care Without Harm Campaign (ANA)

Question 25

Is there a resource for people who suspect an environmental problem?

Answer 25

No. There is no single source of info about environmental health available nor is there a resource to which individuals or a community can be referred if they suspect an environmental problem

Question 26

What are starting points for people who suspect environmental problems?

Answer 26

1. Environmental epidemiology unit or toxicology unit of your state health department or environmental agency. 2. Environmental health experts in nursing or medical s schools or schools of public health. 3. Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics

Question 27

What are the roles for nurses in environmental health?

Answer 27

``` Assessment Referral Community involvement and public participation Risk Communication Epidemiological investigations Policy Development ```

Question 28

“I PREPARE”

Answer 28

``` I: Investigate potential exposures P: Present work R: Residence E: Environmental Concerns P: Past work A: Activities R: Referrals and Resources E: Educate ```

Question 29

Pay special attention to levels of prevention as they relate to environmental health risks!!

Answer 29

Need to know for IRAT #1

Question 30

Point source

Answer 30

Stationary location or fixed facility from which pollutants are discharged; any single identifiable source of pollution

Question 31

Nonpoint source

Answer 31

Diffuse pollution source (without a single point of origin or not introduced into a receiving stream from a specific outlet).

Question 32

“I PREPARE”: I

Answer 32

Investigate potential exposures Have you ever felt sick after coming in contact w/ a chemical, pesticide or other substance? Do you have any symptoms that improve when you are away from your home or work?

Question 33

“I PREPARE”: P(1)

Answer 33

Present Work At your present work, Are you exposed to chemicals? Do you know where to find material data safety sheets on the chemicals with which you work? Do you wear personal protective equipment? Are work clothes worn at home? Do co-workers have similar health problems?

Question 34

“I PREPARE”: R(1)

Answer 34

Residence At your place of residence, When was it built? What type of heating do you have? Have you recently remodeled your home? What chemicals are stored on your property? Where does your drinking water come from?

Question 35

“I PREPARE”: E(1)

Answer 35

Environmental Concerns Are there environmental concerns in your neighborhood? What types of industries or farms are near your home? Do you live near a hazardous waste site or landfill?

Question 36

“I PREPARE”: P(2)

Answer 36

Past work What are your past work experiences? What is the longest job you held? Have you ever been in the military, worked on a farm or done volunteer or seasonal work?

Question 37

“I PREPARE”: A

Answer 37

Activities What activities do you or your family engage in? Do you burn, smolder or melt any products? Do you garden, fish or hunt? Do you eat what you catch or grow? Do you use pesticides? Do you engage in any alternative healing or cultural practices?

Question 38

“I PREPARE”: R(2)

Answer 38

Referrals and Resources

Question 39

“I PREPARE”: E(2)

Answer 39

Educate Are materials available to educate client? Are alternatives available to minimize the risk of exposure? Have prevention strategies been discussed? What is the plan for follow-up?