EPH - DW cont'd, indoor air, radon Flashcards by S R

what are small drinking water systems (1)

1- water not supplied from municipal source (e.g. private well or cistern)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what percentage of Canadian homes have small drinking water systems (1)

1- 14%

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what percentage of Canadian homes that have small drinking water systems get their water regularly tested (1)

1- <30%

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what are some barriers to routine sampling of small drinking water systems (3)

1- inconvenience
2- cost
3- lack of time

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what are factors that affect well water quality

‘well factors’ - DHQD
‘local environment’ - ALMNS

(9)

1- Depth of well (dug versus drilled well)
2- Amount of new water flowing into the area
3- Local land use activities (e.g., livestock,
pesticides, gasoline storage tanks)
4- Meteorological factors (e.g., heavy rains)
5- Natural quality of surrounding soil
6- Surface water infiltration
7- Well and local hydrogeology
8- Quality of the well-head construction
9- Distance from sources of contamination

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

how can you mitigate risk of contamination of small drinking water systems (e.g. well) - PMMT (4)

1- Protect source
2- Maintenance
3- Monitor
4- Treat

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: mitigating risk of contamination of small drinking water systems, what does ‘protect source’ entail (1)

1- Protect source: minimum distances between wells and possible sources of contaminants (e.g.
livestock, fertilizer storage)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: mitigating risk of contamination of small drinking water systems, what does ‘maintain’ entail (1)

1- Maintain: regular maintenance schedule, keep
up-to-date records

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: mitigating risk of contamination of small drinking water systems, what does ‘monitor’ entail - what is the timeline - BM (2)

1- Monitor: regular testing for bacteria q4 months
2- testing for minerals q2 years

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: mitigating risk of contamination of small drinking water systems, what does ‘treat’ entail (1)

1- Treat: treat water with a disinfection system if
lab results show unacceptable levels

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what is community water fluoridation (CWF) (1)

1- monitoring fluoride level in drinking water to optimal level for dental caries prevention

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: CWF, what are health benefits of fluoridation - PDR (3)

1- de-min - inhibits tooth demineralization
2- re-min - enhances re-mineralization
3- plaque - inhibits enzyme activity
of plaque bacteria

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: CWF, what are potential harms of fluoridation - DSI (3)

1- dental fluorosis
2- skeletal fluorosis
3- IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: CWF, what is the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of fluoride (1)

1- MAC of 1.5
mg/L, based on prevention of moderate dental fluorosis (which is re: cosmetic effect, not health impact)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what are ethical principles supporting CWF - no specific framework - HES (3)

1- Harm: public health benefit outweighs individual harms of excess fluoride exposure
2- Equity: benefits for low income children
3- Solidarity: considering the needs of the greater community over individual interest

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what are ethical principles against CWF - no specific framework - AL (2)

1- Autonomy: removes individual choice
2- Least restrictive means: fluoride available in
other forms (benefit is best topically than systemically absorbed)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

re: CWF, what are risk mitigation measures that can be taken for fluoride harms - TSW (3)

1- Do not use fluoridated toothpaste in children
2- Do not use fluoride supplements
3- Do not use fluoridated water with baby formula

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what are sources of indoor air contaminants - simple/general answer (2)

1- outdoor pollutants
2- indoor pollutants

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

how do outdoor air pollutants enter indoor air supply (2)

1- enter through infiltration
2- natural or mechanical ventilation from outside

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

where does most exposure to outdoor pollutants happen (1)

1- Most exposure to ‘outdoor’ pollutants occurs indoors given duration of time spent inside

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

how do indoor air pollutants enter indoor air supply (1)

1- through indoor combustion of fuel or product residue

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

IAQ: what are sources of particulate matter - I (1)

1- Indoor combustion of solid fuels

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

what are sources of NOx and CO - ZHCG (4)

Study These Flashcards

1- Combustion equipment in ice arenas (Zambonis)
2- Heating - gas or wood fireplaces, stoves, furnaces
3- Cooking - electric or gas stove
4- Attached garage

what are sources of VOCs - CFCAS (5)

Study These Flashcards

1- Copy machines
2- Furniture and cabinets
3- Cleaning products, carpets
4- Adhesives
5- Solvents and paints

what are sources of ground-level ozone - PEE (3)

1- Photocopiers 2- Electric motors 3- Electrostatic air cleaners

what are sources of formaldehyde - CFP (3)

1- Furnishings 2- Carpets 3- Plywood/particle board

what are sources of dust mites - CF (2)

1- Carpets 2- Foam chair cushions

what are sources of mould - CW (2)

1- Condensation due to excessive humidity (think damp places like showers or basements) 2- Water leakage

what are common symptoms of indoor air issues - DHF-DNS-CHS (9)

1- Dryness and irritation of eyes/nose/throat/skin 2- Headache 3- fatigue 4- dizziness 5- nausea 6- Shortness of breath 7- coughing and sneezing 8- Hypersensitivity and allergies 9- sinus congestion

what is legislation regarding residential indoor air quality (1)

1- no specific legislation given the high variability between homes and difficulty that would ensue with numerical compliance of a single standard - however Guidelines are available

who sets legislation regarding workplace indoor air quality (1)

1- Ministry of Labour sets industrial workplace targets for worker exposure

what is indoor air quality (IAQ) (2)

1- air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities 2- air that a substantial majority (80% or more) of the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction

what are strategies to improve IAQ - using the 6Es - economic (1)

1- Subsidize purchase of home equipment that meet standards

what are strategies to improve IAQ - using the 6Es - engineering - FMB (3)

1- Filter the air (air cleaner, HEPA filter, electrostatic precipitator) 2- Maintain fuel-burning appliances 3- Building materials (VOCs)

what are strategies to improve IAQ - using the 6Es - education - BN (2)

1- burn dry, clean wood 2- never burn pressure-treated or chemically treated wood

what are strategies to improve IAQ - using the 6Es - environment - VDC (3)

1- Ventilation (leave doors and windows open) 2- Do not store paints, solvents or varnishes inside the home 3- Control humidity levels

what are strategies to improve IAQ - using the 6Es - enforcement - I (1)

1- Industrial workplace targets for worker exposure

what are strategies to improve IAQ - using the 6Es - empowerment/engagement - CM (2)

1- CO detector 2- make your home smoke-free

what is sick building syndrome (1a) and what is the timeline of symptoms (1b)

1a- occupants experience acute but non-specific health-related effects 1b- symptoms resolve right after leaving building

what are some symptoms of sick building syndrome - HDFM (4)

1- headache 2- dizziness 3- fatigue 4- mucous membrane irritation

what is the etiology of sick building syndrome (1)

1- unknown, range of potential causes

what is building-related sickness (1a) and what is the timeline of symptoms (1b)

1a- occupants experience acute and specific health-related effects 1b- symptoms may require prolonged recovery time after leaving the building

what are some symptoms of building-related sickness CSCP (4)

1- cough 2- shortness of breath 3- chest pain 4- pregnancy problems

what is the etiology of building-related sickness - F-LACH (5)

1- Legionnaires’ 2- allergic reaction 3- CO poisoning 4- fibre rash 5- humidifier fever

what is radon - describe its features (4) CORN Where is it produced, by the breakdown of which element (1)

1- colourless, odourless, radioactive, and naturally occurring gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soils and rocks

what percentage of Canadian homes contain radon levels > 200 Bq/m³ (i.e. greater than recommended levels) (1)

1- 18%, as of 2024 (nearly double the 7% level in 2012)

what is the guideline for radon levels in homes (1)

1- undertake remedial measures when average annual concentration > 200 Bq/m³ in the normal occupancy area

what is the health impact of radon (2)

1- IARC group 1 for lung cancer (small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) 2- smokers at higher risk for lung cancer after exposure to radon

what is risk mitigation for radon via 6Es - economic - F (1)

1- Financial incentives for testing and remediation

what is risk mitigation for radon via 6Es - engineering - VS (2)

1- (Increase) mechanical Ventilation to allow an exchange of air 2- Seal all cracks and openings in foundation, walls, floors, and pipes

what is risk mitigation for radon via 6Es - education - R (1)

1- raise awareness of radon health effects

what is risk mitigation for radon via 6Es - environment - R (1)

1- (Develop) Radon registry and mapping to prioritize high risk communities

what is risk mitigation for radon via 6Es - enforcement - MC (2)

1- Mandatory building codes 2- Consider protection of renters

what is risk mitigation for radon via 6Es - engagement/empowerment - S (2)

1- smoking cessation 2- community-wide campaigns on the importance of testing homes for radon

What is the most effective means of radon remediation/reduction (1) - ASD

1- active soil depressurization

EPH - DW cont'd, indoor air, radon Flashcards

(55 cards)