Intro to Environmental Health Final

Question 1

what book, written by Rachel Carson in 1962, was credited with sensitizing the public to the potential hazards of chemicals that were being disseminated into the environment?

Answer 1

Silent Spring

Question 2

what is persistent organic pollutant (POP)?

Answer 2

carbon-containing chemical compounds that, to varying degrees, resist photochemical, biological, and chemical degradation

Question 3

what is the major contributor to global climate change?

Answer 3

greenhouse gases

Question 4

what are three of the major classes of pesticides/insecticides

Answer 4

-Organophosphates
-organocarbamates
-organochlorides

Question 5

what are three of the modes of exposure for solvents?

Answer 5

-inhaling vapors during use
-ingesting vapors in foods
-using foods and cosmetics packed in certain types of plastics
-smoking cigarettes
-working in a factory: chronic exposure

Question 6

what type of radiation can be stopped by a piece of paper?

Answer 6

alpha particle

Question 7

what radiation “has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions”

Answer 7

ionizing radiation

Question 8

what three factors affect the amount of radiation exposure

Answer 8

-total amount of time exposed to the radioactive source
-distance from the radioactive source
-degree of radioactivity (rate of energy emission) of a radioactive material

Question 9

what is non-ionizing radiation and give an example

Answer 9

radiation that has enough energy to move atoms in a molecule around or cause them to vibrate but not enough to remove electrons

examples:
–sound waves
–visible light
–microwaves

Question 10

what contains 70% of the earth’s freshwater

Answer 10

glaciers and icecaps

Question 11

name four common components in air pollution

Answer 11

sulfur oxides
particulate matter
oxidants (including ozone)
carbon monoxide
hydrocarbons
lead

Question 12

what is the kyoto protocol

Answer 12

an international and legally binding compact that was initiated in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. Goal is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that are believed to be the cause of recent climate changes.

Question 13

what are the four stages of water treatment in most plants

Answer 13

-coagulation: removes suspended material

-sedimentation: causes heavy particles to settle to the bottom of tanks for collection

-filtration: removes smaller particles

-disinfection: kills bacteria or microorganisms

Question 14

what is the EPA’s criteria air pollutants?

Answer 14

ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, lead

Question 15

what are the four dimensions of municipal solid (MSW) waste disposal

Answer 15

recycling, landfilling, composting, combustion

Question 16

what are the two main components of source reduction

Answer 16

-waste reduction: aims to reduce the amount of waste produced at the source

-waste recycling: refers to the reuse of materials in the waste

Question 17

what are the four major parts of landfill design

Answer 17

bottom liner, system for collecting leachate, a cover, appropriate location (groundwater)

Question 18

what are the three components included in modern sewage treatment

Answer 18

removing solids, deactivating microbes, producing wastewater that can be returned safely to waterways or in some cases can be reused or recycled

Question 19

what are the four means by which hazardous wastes are disposed of legally in the US

Answer 19

-discarding them on the surface of the land

-storing them in slurry ponds

-dumping them into landfills or into the ocean

-incineration

Question 20

what is the difference btwn food poisoning and foodborne illness

Answer 20

food poisoning is from a toxin or chemical

foodborne illness is from bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions, parasites

Question 21

what are the four major categories of food hazards

Answer 21

biological, physical (stone, glass, metal), chemical, nutritional (presence of nutrients and other food constituents in excessive or deficient amounts that lead to disease)

Question 22

what are the two most common types of foodborne illness

Answer 22

salmonella
camplyobacter

Question 23

what three factors contribute in foodborne illness

Answer 23

-changes in agricultural and food processing methods
-increasing globalization in food distribution
-social and behavioral changes among the human population

Question 24

define an occupational disease

Answer 24

a disease caused or influenced by exposure to general conditions or specific hazards encountered in the work environment

Question 25

describe the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood

Answer 25

process blocks oxygen from being carried by the hemoglobin when exposed to carbon monoxide

Question 26

in the movie "trade secrets," what compound were the workers exposed to?

Answer 26

vinyl chloride

Question 27

describe the change in lungs from healthy to COPD

Answer 27

healthy airways and air sacs in the lungs are elastic-- they try to bounce back to their original shape after being stretched or filled with air, just the way a new rubber band or balloon does. This elastic quality helps retain the normal structure of the lung and helps move the air quickly in and out. In people with COPD, the air sacs no longer bounce back to their original shape. the airways can also become swollen or thicker than normal, and mucus production might increase. the floppy airways are blocked, or obstructed, making it even harder to get air out of the lungs.

Question 28

what are the three methods of primary prevention that are preferred over other methods for protecting workers?

Answer 28

-engineering control (quieter machinery, improved building ventilation) -optimal work practices (use of safety education programs, reorganizing work schedules to reduce exposure to hazards) -administrative controls

Question 29

describe the one exception to the foodborne outbreak definition

Answer 29

the occurrence of a similar illness among two or more people which an investigation linked to consumption of a common meal or food items, except for botulism

Question 30

what are possible stochastic effects of radiation exposure

Answer 30

carcinogenesis and genetic damage such as changes in DNA

Question 31

describe hydrocarbons

Answer 31

combustion byproducts a substance that consists of only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Benzene is an example

Question 32

define pesticide

Answer 32

any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating pests. Pests can be insects, rodents, weeds, and a host of other unwanted organisms

Question 33

describe organophosphates

Answer 33

can be used to control a wide range of insects, thus eliminating the need for multiple applications of different pesticides have not been weakened by the resistance of insects tend not to persist in the environment frequent cause of fatal poisonings

Question 34

define dioxins

Answer 34

refers to a family of chemical compounds that are unintentional byproducts of certain industrial, non-industrial and natural processes, usually involving combustion

Question 35

health effects of exposure to dioxin depend on:

Answer 35

duration of exposure frequency of exposure when the exposure occurred concentration of the agent route of entry into the body

Question 36

define organic solvents

Answer 36

a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances; the solvent does not change in forming a solution

Question 37

define source water

Answer 37

the untreated and unfiltered water in rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers from which water utilities draw water to be treated, filtered, and tested to produce drinking water

Question 38

define finished water

Answer 38

***the water you're drinking water leaving the plant and ready to be used by consumers after being collected, treated, and, usually filtered by a water utility

Question 39

define surface water

Answer 39

includes water from lakes, streams, rivers, and surface springs. it is vulnerable to contamination by a variety of human, animal, and industrial sources and therefore has been subject to some of the most stringent testing and treatment requirements

Question 40

define groundwater

Answer 40

comes from aquifers deep underground and is less susceptible to contamination than surface water --aquifer --rock embedded

Question 41

define aquifer

Answer 41

a layer or section of earth or rock that contains freshwater, known as groundwater

Question 42

what are the differences btwn renewable and non-renewable water

Answer 42

non-renewable: --not recharged by hydrological cycle renewable: --population, use, and climate affect quality of renewable water

Question 43

what are the leading causes of disabling conditions

Answer 43

sprains, strains bruises, contusions cuts, lacerations, punctures

Question 44

agents of occupational disease

Answer 44

noise, ducts, chemicals, work-related stress, lifting heavy weights, microbial agents

Question 45

what are some occupational diseases found in historical literature

Answer 45

-phossy jaw: bone degrades in jaw due to sulfur containing compunds -mule spinners' cancer: testicular cancer

Question 46

triangle shirtwaist company fire

Answer 46

march 25, 1911 doors were locked and fire escapes were missing

Question 47

Gauley Bridge disaster

Answer 47

caused exposure of unprotected workers to high levels of silica dust 1500 cases of silicosis: cells digest themselves

Question 48

noise

Answer 48

ototoxic agents include very loud sounds and several classes of drugs and chemicals used in the work environment

Question 49

work-related stress

Answer 49

chronic stress has been implicated in a range of somatic conditions (coronary heart disease) and mental disorders including depressions

Question 50

name a few occupationally associated diseases and conditions

Answer 50

allergic and irritant dermatitis fertility and pregnancy abnormalities musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel

Question 51

respiratory diseases

Answer 51

asbestos

Question 52

what are the industries that account for the largest frequency of death

Answer 52

construction transportation and public utilities agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting

Question 53

define job stress

Answer 53

the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker

Question 54

what are U.S. agencies that conduct surveillance

Answer 54

NIOSH OSHA

Question 55

define radiation

Answer 55

energy traveling through space. some types of radiation associated with radioactivity are alpha and beta particles and gamma and x-rays neutrons

Question 56

define radioactivity

Answer 56

the spontaneous emission of radiation from the nucleus of an unstable atom as a result of this emission, the radioactive atom is converted, or decays, into an atom of a different element that might or might not be radioactive

Question 57

define absorbed dose (total dose)

Answer 57

the radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of an organ or tissue and is used in studies of the damage to a particular organ or tissue

Question 58

define dose equivalent (effective dose)

Answer 58

obtained by weighing the absorbed dose in an organ or tissue by a radiation weighing factor that reflects the biological effectiveness of the charged particles that produce ionization within the tissue

Question 59

explain the process of carcinogensis

Answer 59

cell is irradiated dna breaks and is mutated cell is replicated and mutation is promoted tumor (results of progression)= in carcinogenisis

Question 60

what are natural sources of exposure to ionizing radiation

Answer 60

cosmic radiation a decay product of uranium, radioactive radon gas may seep into homes, thus exposing the residents

Question 61

radon gas

Answer 61

inert, colorless, and extremely toxic gas seeps through cracked bedrock and can enter homes through foundation and water pipes class a carcinogen

Question 62

what are the effects of a nuclear explosion?

Answer 62

the blast (damage to or destruction of buildings and those in them) heat (destruction or injury by high temps) intense light (damage to eyesight) ionizing radiation causing acute radiation syndromes of different severity

Question 63

what are health effects of non-ionizing radiaiton

Answer 63

extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation does not appear to produce many discernible short-term health effects higher frequencies causes heating of the body

Question 64

what form of UVR is most harmful?

Answer 64

UVB cause melanoma

Question 65

what is the number for water scarcity

Answer 65

1000 cubic meters per person

Question 66

what is the number for water stress

Answer 66

1700 cubic meters per person

Question 67

what are potential contaminants of water that flow across the ground

Answer 67

chemicals and nutrients (fertilizers) rubber, heavy metals, sodium (from roads) petroleum byproducts and chemicals (dry cleaners, service stations, underground storage)

Question 68

what are some examples of waterborne diseases

Answer 68

cryptosporidiosis cholera certain viral infections

Question 69

what are potential adverse health effects of DBPs (water disinfection byproducts)

Answer 69

stillbirths neonatal deaths possible increased risk of birth defects

Question 70

what are the health effects of air pollution

Answer 70

lung cancer and skin cancer damage to vital tissues and organs, such as the nervous system impairment of lung and breathing function

Question 71

describe London Fog

Answer 71

landmark of the study oh health effects of air pollution

Question 72

difference btwn stationary sources and mobile sources of air pollution

Answer 72

mobile is harder to track bc constantly moving (cars, trucks, buses) mobile releases more damage than stationary

Question 73

particulate matter

Answer 73

include dust, soot, and other fine solid and liquid materials that are suspended in, and move within the air

Question 74

which is more dangerous: pm 10 or pm 2.5

Answer 74

pm 2.5 bc it can get deeper in the lungs and is not readily cleared from the body

Question 75

sources of particulate matter

Answer 75

diesel exhaust from trucks and buses smoke form incineration of garbage waste from crops slash burning effluents from wood burning fireplaces

Question 76

greenhouse effect

Answer 76

solar radiation passes through the clear atmosphere most radiation is absorbed by the earth's surface and warms it some solar radiation is reflected by the earth and the atmosphere infrared radiation is emitted from the earth's surface some of the infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere, and some is absorbed and re-emitted in all directions by greenhouse gas molecules. the effects of this is to warm the earth's surface and the lower atmosphere

Question 77

what is temperature inversion

Answer 77

an atmospheric condition during which a warm layer of air stalls above a layer of cool air that is closer to the surface of the earth pollutants can build up when they are trapped close to the earth's surface

Question 78

why is foodborne illness a major cause of morbidity?

Answer 78

in elderly bc of how dehydrated they are

Question 79

how are salmonella bacteria transferred?

Answer 79

to environmental surfaces at work and at home from raw meats, poultry, and seafood animal feces contaminated water and soil

Question 80

describe Delaney clause

Answer 80

prohibited the use of additives that had been determined to cause cancer in human beings or animals

Question 81

key players in food safety

Answer 81

international level: FAQ national level: USDA, FDA, CDC state level: department of health services

Question 82

what are the seven principles of HACCP

Answer 82

1. analyze hazards 2. identify critical control points 3. establish preventative measures with critical limits for each control point 4. establish procedures to monitor the critical control points 5. establish corrective actions to be taken when monitoring shows that a critical limit has not been met 6. establish procedures to verify that the system is working properly 7. establish effective recordkeeping to document the HACCP system

Question 83

what are problems caused by growing volume of waste

Answer 83

difficulties in disposal dump sites being used up increases in pollution increases in costs of disposal

Question 84

what are the four demensions of MSW disposal?

Answer 84

recycling landfilling composting combustion

Question 85

describe EPA's Hierarchy for management of MSW

Answer 85

more favored to least favored: source reduction/ reuse recycling/ composting energy recovery disposal/ treatment

Question 86

describe source reduction

Answer 86

reducing the amount of waste created, reusing whenever possible, and then recycling what is left

Question 87

what are advantages of recycling

Answer 87

reduces emissions of greenhouse gases prevents water pollution decreases the amount of materials shipped to landfills preserves raw materials and energy opens up new employment epportunities

Question 88

name the parts of a modern landfill

Answer 88

leachate collection system landfill liner clay cap methane gas recovery system leachate treatment system well to monitor groundwater aquifer

Question 89

what are the federal landfill standards

Answer 89

1. location restrictions 2. liners 3. operating practices 4. groundwater monitoring 5. closure and postclosure care 6. corrective action in event of a leak 7. financial assurance

Question 90

how are hazardous wastes legally disposed of in the US

Answer 90

discarding them on surface of the land storing them in slurry ponds dumping them into landfills or into the ocean incineration

Question 91

what led to the creation of the superfund

Answer 91

love canal

Question 92

describe the primary stage of sewage treatment

Answer 92

aims to remove large materials, which can be composted or shipped to landfills

Question 93

describe secondary stage of sewage treatment

Answer 93

promotes microbial digestion of organic material that remains in the sewage

Question 94

describe tertiary stage of sewage treatment

Answer 94

removal of remaining solids and microorganisms from the liquid portion of sewage filtration through sand and charcoal filters and deactivation of microorganisms by using chlorine or UV radiation

Question 95

describe organophosphates

Answer 95

used to control a wide range of insects, thus eliminating the need for multiple applications of different pesticides have not been weakened by resistance of insects tend not to persist in the environment frequent cause of fatal poisonings

Question 96

describe carbamates

Answer 96

dissipate quickly from the environment as a result of breaking down into other substances some are approved for controlling garden pests an ingredient in some products applied to furry pets to control ticks and fleas

Question 97

methyl isocyanate

Answer 97

an intermediate chemical used for the manufacture of carbamate pesticides when acute exposure occurs, MIC is extremely toxic to life forms

Question 98

organochlorines

Answer 98

derived from chlorinated hydrocarbons, which are chemical compounds that contain chlorine, carbon, and hydrogen characteristically stable and fat-soluble; persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in the food chain associated with the suppression of the immune system and cancer

Question 99

DDT is an example of what?

Answer 99

organochlorine pesticide

Question 100

pyrethrins

Answer 100

great ability to paralyze and kill flying insects interfere with the transmission of neural impulses via action on sodium channels used inside the home in aerosol cans, lice stuff1