Final Exam Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is environmental health?
The branch of public health that focuses on the relationships between people and their environment, promoting human health and well-being and fostering healthy and safe communities.
What are examples of environmental exposures?
Air pollution, contaminated water, pesticides, lead, noise, PFAS, and mold.
What are the three core functions of public health?
Assessment, Policy Development, Assurance.
What does DPSEEA stand for?
Drivers
Pressures
State
Exposure
Effect
Action
Q: What does the following objective refer to?
**Objective 1: Explain the history of air quality, including the relationship between air pollution events and government responses.
This objective reviews how major events like the 1952 Great Smog of London, caused by coal burning, led to public health crises and influenced policies like the UK’s Clean Air Act (1956), showing that environmental disasters can lead to government regulation.
Q: What are the six criteria pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act?
A: Lead (Pb), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ground-level Ozone (O₃), Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ), and Particulate Matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅).
Q: What are the four main study types used to investigate air pollution and health impacts?
Epidemiology, Controlled Human Studies, Animal Models, and Cellular/Molecular Models.
What is the difference between criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants?
Criteria pollutants are regulated by the EPA and are widespread; hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are toxic substances like benzene and mercury that are known to cause cancer and other health problems.
What strategies are used to control air pollution according to the Clean Air Act?
Emission limits, cleaner fuels, updated industrial tech, improved vehicle standards, and enforcement by the EPA.
How does air pollution impact different geographic scales?
Locally (e.g., urban smog), regionally (pollution drift), and globally (climate change, ozone depletion), with low-income communities often more affected.
What is water contamination
The presence of harmful chemical, biological, or physical substances in water that make it unsafe for human or environmental use.
What are examples of chemical and biological water contaminants?
Chemical: pesticides, heavy metals, nitrates. Biological: pathogens like E. coli, viruses, and parasites from sewage and animal waste.
What are some health impacts of water contamination?
Cancer, neurological disorders, blue baby syndrome (chemical); cholera, hepatitis A, dehydration (biological).
What are the stages of wastewater treatment?
Primary (removes solids), Secondary (biological treatment), Tertiary (advanced filtration), and Disinfection (chlorine, UV, ozone).
Q: What are the major U.S. laws regulating water quality?
Clean Water Act (1972): Regulates discharges into surface waters; addresses pollution from point sources.
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974): Ensures the safety of drinking water by regulating contaminants and requiring public notification.
What are point vs. nonpoint sources of water pollution?
Point source: Specific, identifiable source (e.g., pipe from a factory).
Nonpoint source: Diffuse, untraceable pollution (e.g., fertilizer runoff from lawns, oil from streets)
What are some health risks of nitrate contamination in groundwater?
Nitrate exposure can cause methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”) in infants and potentially cancer in adults.
How does climate change impact water quality?
Droughts lower water levels, concentrating contaminants.
Flooding increases runoff and sewer overflows.
Higher temperatures promote harmful algal blooms.
What is the PACE-EH process?
Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health. It guides community-based environmental health assessment and action planning.
What are routes of exposure between water and human health?
Ingestion (drinking contaminated water)
Dermal contact (bathing/swimming)
Inhalation (e.g., volatile chemicals while showering)
What are personal solutions to reduce water contamination?
Don’t litter
Pick up pet waste
Use fewer fertilizers and pesticides
Wash cars on grass or at commercial facilities
What are community-level solutions to water contamination?
Community education
Local ordinances limiting runoff
Rain gardens and green infrastructure
Monitoring programs
What are societal-level solutions to water pollution?
Stronger regulations (CWA, SDWA)
Funding for infrastructure improvements
Equitable access to clean water
What are major anticipated health impacts of climate change?
Heat-related illness
Spread of vector-borne diseases
Respiratory issues (from wildfires or ozone)
Food and water insecurity
Mental health strain
