Environmental health Flashcards
Spaceship earth concept
We are all passengers on this spaceship “earth” and have to work together tp keep the earth functioning
Relation between environmental health ad human health
We now realize that environmental pollutants can lead to infectious diseases as well as a chronic disease
Effect of expanding population and human impacts on the environment
Increases difficulties of basic environmental health factors such as clean and disease-free food and water
Energy resource management
air pollution
ozone depletion
Components and causes of air pollution
Weakens the protective ozone layer.
This leads to respiratory illnesses
Components include:
Carbon monoxide
Sulfur dioxide
N02
Particulate matter
Ground level ozone
smog
acid precipitation
greenhouse effect and global warming
Hydrocarbons
Nitrogen oxides+ sunlight = ozone
Ground level ozone is the primary component of smog
Carbon monoxide
Colourless odour less
linked to headaches,
impaired visual perception
Increased risk of cvd
Sulfur oxides
The main cause of acid rain
linked to lung and cardiovascular diseases
Components of water pollutuion
Components:
Water delivery systems
Domestic Wastes
Agricultural wastes
Pharmaceutical chemicals
Nanoplastics
Biological
How to protect water supply
Take showers
Install sink faucet aerators and water efficient showerheads
water-saver toilets
Types of chemical pollution
Pesticides
Asbestos
Lead
Pesticides
Linked to lung and bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, chronic bronchitis, and nervous system disorders
Asbestos
Cause respiratory damage (Asbestosis, mesothelioma lung cancer)
Lead
Linked to central nervous sytem damage, mental impairment, decreased oxygen, transport in the blood, digestive problems, coma, death
Chemical Pollution
Mercury
PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls)
Trichalomethanes
BPA
Radiation
Medical uses of radiation (X-ray exposure is cumulative and no exposure is absolutely safe)
Radon
Cellular phones
Microwave ovens
Computer monitors
High voltage power lines
