Unit 13 - Environmental health

Question 1

what is environmental health

Answer 1

the collective interactions of humans with the environment and the short & long term consequences of these interactions

Question 2

what makes up the environment

Answer 2

the unique skin of soil, water, gaseous atmosphere, minerals, nutrients, and organisms that covers this planet

Question 3

what is the Anthropocene

Answer 3

the epoch representing the commencement of substantial human impact on the earth’s systems

Question 4

what does the world’s increasing population effect?

Answer 4

clean and disease free food and water; available land and water; energy; maximum acceptable standard of living

Question 5

what rate is the world’s population increasing at

Answer 5

160 every minute/ 83 million per year

Question 6

what are the two factors that contribute to population growth

Answer 6

fertility rate and lower death rates

Question 7

why have there been lower death rates

Answer 7

better medical care, and better socio-economic status

Question 8

why has there been a higher fertility rate

Answer 8

lack of family planning resources

Question 9

what does the Brundtland report highlight

Answer 9

the importance of the global environment to our survival

Question 10

what are the non renewable energy humans consume

Answer 10

oil, gas, coal, hydro-electric, and nuclear

Question 11

what are the renewable energy resources that human consume

Answer 11

solar, wind, water and wave, geothermal, biomass, and biofuels

Question 12

what are the health impacts of human energy consumption

Answer 12

pollutants, deforestation, waste products, sewage, solid waste, toxic waste, decreased biodiversity, ecosystem impacts, and greenhouse effects.

Question 13

what is the greenhouse effect

Answer 13

the warming of earth caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide and certain other gasses

Question 14

what is global warming

Answer 14

an increase in Earth’s atmospheric temperature when averaged across seasons and geographical regions

Question 15

what are the possible consequences of global warming

Answer 15

severe weather, air pollutants, changes in vector ecology, increasing allergies, water quality impacts, extreme heat, and environmental degradation

Question 16

what are the two types of land pollution

Answer 16

municipal solid waste and hazardous waste

Question 17

what are some ways to reduce energy consumption

Answer 17

use public transit, turn the heat down, turn off lights, hang clothes to dry, consider e-vehicles

Question 18

what are ways to reduce solid waste

Answer 18

choose products with less packaging, bottle free advocacy, reduce, recycle, re-use, avoid using plastic wrap, and start a compost pile

Question 19

what weakens the protective ozone layer

Answer 19

air pollutants

Question 20

what is photochemical smog

Answer 20

ozone pollution

Question 21

what is a hydrocarbon

Answer 21

product of fuel combustion

Question 22

what creates ozone

Answer 22

nitrogen oxides and sunlight

Question 23

what are hydrocarbons linked to

Answer 23

respiratory illness

Question 24

what is particulate matter

Answer 24

ash, smoke, pollen, and dust

Question 25

what is particulate matter linked to

Answer 25

respiratory damage

Question 26

what are the characteristics of carbon monoxide

Answer 26

colourless, odourless, and very poisonous

Question 27

what is carbon monoxide linked to

Answer 27

headaches, impaired visual perception, impaired manual dexterity, increased risk of CVD and death

Question 28

what is the main cause of acid rain

Answer 28

sulfar oxides

Question 29

what creates sulfar oxides

Answer 29

combustion of oil and other fuels

Question 30

what is sulfar oxides linked to

Answer 30

lung and cardiovascular diseases

Question 31

what is the precursor for ozone

Answer 31

nitrogen oxides

Question 32

what produces nitrogen oxide

Answer 32

engine exhaust

Question 33

what is one chemical that destroys ozone layer

Answer 33

chlorofluorocarbons

Question 34

what is chlorofluorocarbons

Answer 34

coolants, foaming agents in insulation, propellants in aerosol sprays

Question 35

what are common sources of indoor air pollution

Answer 35

photocopies, fax machines and computers

Question 36

what characterizes sick building syndrome

Answer 36

headache, fatigue, and decreased work productivity

Question 37

what does the air quality health index indicate

Answer 37

whether air pollution levels pose a health concern

Question 38

what can you do to reduce air pollution

Answer 38

plant trees, proper disposal of ozone depleting appliances, don't smoke, clean and inspect chimneys

Question 39

what are some sources of water pollution

Answer 39

water delivery systems, domestic wastes, industrial wastes, agricultural wastes, and nanoplastics

Question 40

how can you protect the water supply

Answer 40

fix leaky faucets, take showers not baths, and dispose of waste properly

Question 41

what are pesticides linked to

Answer 41

lung and bladder cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma, chronic bronchitis and nervous system disorders

Question 42

how are pesticides spread

Answer 42

they are sprayed, dust, fogged, or dumped into the environment

Question 43

how are asbestos spread

Answer 43

they were formally used as building insulation

Question 44

where is lead found

Answer 44

in plumbing, vehicle emissions, tobacco smoke, lead crystal, and lead pottery

Question 45

what is lead exposure linked to

Answer 45

CNS damage, mental impairment, decreased oxygen transport in the blood, digestive problems, coma and death

Question 46

what are PCBs

Answer 46

polychlorinated biphenyls

Question 47

what is a trihalomethane

Answer 47

synthetic chemical that forms when chlorine in water reacts with natural organic compounds in water

Question 48

what is BPA

Answer 48

bisphenol A in polycarbonate

Question 49

what are the different ways you can be exposed to radiation

Answer 49

medical use, radiation in the home, nuclear weapons, and nuclear energy

Question 50

what are the ways you are exposed to radiation in the home

Answer 50

cell phones, microwaves, computers, power lines

Question 51

when does most hearing loss occur when exposed to noise pollution

Answer 51

within 2 hours of exposure

Question 52

what decibel causes permanent hearing loss

Answer 52

prolonged exposure to 80-85 decibels

Question 53

what is light pollution

Answer 53

when too much artificial illumination enters the night sky and reflects off of airborne water droplets and dust particles

Question 54

what are the effects of light pollution

Answer 54

disrupts sleep, decreases production of melatonin, and disruption of migratory flight paths of wildlife

Question 55

what are the effects from decreases in production of melatonin

Answer 55

increases risk of cancer, and may cause imbalance in diurnal sleep patterns