EEASA10 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE

• What is the environment? o The environment is everything that affects or has an impact on a living organism. o The effects of the environment on human health are prominent; humans are affected by: • Air. • Water. • Soil (the foods we eat come from soil). • Biota (pets, other people, fruits and vegetables). • Manmade environment (created by society). o The food you eat, your home, your pets, the people around you, and vehicles passing you on the street are all a part of your environment. • Consequently, all of these things have impacts on your health. o Your environment is your health, but it is not the only factor influencing your health. • Genetics also play a large role in one's overall health. • Gene-environment interaction: o Models of gene-environment interaction: • Genetic makeup increases exposure to an environmental risk factor. • Genetic makeup increases susceptibility to an environmental risk factor. • Genetic makeup and environmental factors are independent risk factors. • What is environmental health? o According to the WHO (World Health Organization): • "In its broadest sense, environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, disease and injuries that are determined or influenced by factors in the environment." • "This includes the study of both the direct and the indirect pathological effects of various chemical, biological, physical (man-made), and housing, urban development, land use, and transportation factors." • Types of hazards: o Chemical hazards (in air, water, soil, and food). • Pesticides. • Mercury. • GMOs (genetically modified organisms). o Biological hazards (bacteria, viruses, parasites, allergens, animals such as bees and poisonous snakes [which are not biological hazards themselves, but they carry diseases that may be transmitted to humans via strings or bites]). • Malaria. • West Nile Disease. o Physical hazards (radiation, fires, tornados, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes are not environmental health hazards -- they are natural disasters). • Manmade hazards are a part of this category. o Social or behavioural hazards (poor diet, smoking, drugs, drinking, and poverty are not environmental health hazards (except for the chemicals in a tobacco cigarette). o Genetic traits (health risks associated with the chromosomal defect that causes Down Syndrome are not environmental heath hazards -- they are merely genetic). • The scope of environmental health: o Chemical, biological, and physical factors are the center of environmental health. o However, outside hazards consist of natural disasters, social/behavioural hazards, and genetics. o All of the these concepts are interrelated. • Core concerns of environmental health: o Focus on chemical, biological, and physical hazards. o Interactions with genetic traits and with social/behavioural stressors. o Emphasis on anthropogenic hazards (human health). o Much more than just pollution. o As a branch of public health, the field of environmental health takes a population perspective. • Key themes of this course: o We make the world we live in and we live in the world we make. o People living in a modern Western lifestyle create, use, and dispose of lots of "stuff." o In an ecosystem, nothing ever goes away. o Therefore, our "stuff" and its by-products are transported and transformed, but they do not disappear. o There has often been a lack of foresight in adopting new products and technologies. o The natural environment is globally connected; trade and travel are increasingly globalized. o Global disparities in development and health are enormous. o Western-style development is not sustainable at a global scale. • Environmental crisis -- human alteration of earth: o Atmosphere: CO2 (related to climate change) increased 30% since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. o Geosphere: 1/3 to 1/2 of the land surface has been transformed by human action. • Urbanization. • Creating roads. • Building homes. o Biosphere: • Affected by the aforementioned factors such as urbanization and industrialization. • Disforestation (clear-cutting), for example, for the sake of building homes and roads. o Industrialization: • Causes pollution due to chemical release. o Overpopulation and overconsumption: • Leaves a larger carbon footprint. • Health effects of pollution: o Air pollution: • Lead, nerve damage, and CO may cause headache fatigue. • Particulate matter, ozone, and SO2 may cause respiratory illness. • NOx and SO2 may cause cardiovascular illness. • Volatile organic compounds may cause cancer risk, nausea, and skin irritation. o Water pollution: • May cause headache fatigue and gastroenteritis due to bacteria, parasites, and chemicals. o Soil contamination: • Pesticides may cause nausea, cardiovascular illness, and headache fatigue. • The declining health of other organisms is the clearest indicator of environmental threats to human health. o No single factor is responsible, however -- they all work together. o Factors may include: • Increased UV. • Traces of toxic chemicals. • Infections (fungi and bacteria). • Predators. • Environmental health: o Environmental factors are responsible for 25% of all preventable diseases. o In developing countries, diarrhea and respiratory infections are heading on the list. o Protecting the environment have been a mainstream of public health practices since 1878. o Not all populations are affected -- the poorer individuals with lower socio-economic status, particular races, and developing countries are more affected, as opposed to whites, developed countries, and the rich. • Example: In NYC, African American, Hispanic, and low income populations have been found to have hospitalization and death rates from asthma (caused by air pollution) 3-5 times higher than those for all NYC residence. CASE STUDY 1: LONDON SMOG 1952 • A man guides a London bus through thick fog with a flaming torch during 1952 Great Smog • Smog was a result of coal burning • Industrial revolution CASE STUDY 2: INDONESIAN FIRES 1997 • Smoke over Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia • From fires set to clear land for agriculture • Fire is from monsoons • Rain stops the burning AIRBORNE HAZARDS • Outdoor air pollution  Primary air pollutants: human sources (cars, stationary, most hydrocarbon, most particulates)  Secondary: natural sources (volcano) • Indoor air pollution HEALTH EFFECTS OF OUTDOOR POLLUTION • The effects depend on the dose or concentration Asthma: difficulties in breathing, particles can irritate the bronchial passage • Indoor air pollution is significant Chronic bronchitis: Excessive amount of mucus is produced in bronchi, resulting in lasting cough Pulmonary emphysema: weakening wall of alveoli, they become enlarged and loss their resilience • Shortness of breath is primary symptom • Lung cancer, heart disease, toxic poisoning, eye irritation, birth defects 7 COMMON OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS • Primary air pollutants PARTICULATE MATTER • Particles found in air (dust, soot, smoke, liquid droplets) • vehicles, factories construction, tilled fields, stone crashing • Some formed in air • Serious health effects • Big and small  PM10- respirable  PM2.5- “fine”  2.5-10 stay in trachea, are removed from mucociliary escalator  0.1-2.5 are removed by macrophages CARBON MONOXIDE • Odorless, colorless gas • Incomplete burning of carbon containing fuels • Heaters, woodstoves, gas stove, fireplaces, water heaters, car exhaust, tobacco smoke • Bigger problem for indoor air pollution  Limited space can cause build up leading to death • Sometimes confused with flu or food • Fetuses, infants, elderly people with heart and respiratory illnesses are at high risk for adverse health effects HEALTH EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE • Interferes with delivery of oxygen in blood to rest of body • Worsen cardiovascular conditions • Fatigue • Headache • Weakness • Confusion • Disorientation • Nausea, dizziness PREVENTION • Never leave a car engine running in a shed or garage or in any enclosed space • Proper selection • Correct use of appliances • Good ventilation NITROGEN OXIDES(NOx) • Formed in any type of combustion process • Involved in formation of ground level ozone • Forms nitrate particles, and acid aerosols • Contribute in formation of acid rain • Transported over long distances SULPHUR OXIDES (SOx) • Burning of coal and oil, extraction of metals from ore • SO2 dissolve in water vapour to form acids • Acids react to other gases and particles and form sulphates • Transported over long distances • Respiratory illnesses, aggravates existing heart and lung disease VOC (VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS) • Variety of organic compounds used as solvent in industry, cars • Hydrocarbons (hc): methane, butane, propane • Some produce photochemical smog LEAD (PB) • Metal • Vehicles and industrial sources • Leaded gasoline • Deposit on soil and water • Children accidentally can eat soil, particularly effects them • Lead is neurotoxic • Effects IQ, cognitive mortality, increased lung cancer risk, kidney toxicity, high blood pressure • Heavier burden or exposure on poor, non-white population OZONE (O3) • Secondary air pollutant • Formed in atmosphere • Summetime pollutant, time of day, seasonal, climate • Good in stratosphere • Bad on ground • Transported on long distances • Lung damage (small airways) • Formed on the ground from pollutants • Irritates and damages eyes, nose, sinuses, throat • People who exercise outdoors during the concentration picks SMOG • Smoke fog= smog (used in 1905 in England) • Sulphurous smog- London type of smog or industrial smog • Photochemical- L.A. type of smog or brown air • Secondary air pollutants • Produced by chemical reactions of light and other reactions in atmosphere, with sources of pollutants INDOOR AIR POLLUTION • Contains 205 times higher concentration of hazardous pollutants than outdoor air • Buildings more airetight to conserve energy, inadequate ventilation SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS • Building materials and furnishing • Asbestos insulation • Wet or damp carpet • Furniture made of certain pressed wood products • Cleaning air products and air fresheners • Personal care and hobbies • Pesticides • Cooking • Bathing • Heating • Radon • Wood UNHEALTHY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND SICK BUILDING • “sick building syndrome”-nonspecific symptoms experiences by occupants of a building • “sick building” designation- a building whose occupants experience such symptoms • Building related illness- specific diagnosable illness, linked to specific feature of building HEALTH EFFECTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION • Hard to detect by our senses • Symptoms are similar, need years to develop • Headaches, tiredness, dizziness, nausea • Asthma • Cancer 6 COMMON INDOOR POLLUTANTS • Asbestos: group 6 of different fibrous minerals • Have separable, long, strong and flexible heating resistant fibers • Heat resistant ASBESTOS IN THE ENVIRONMENT • Do not evaporate into air or dissolve into water, do not break down • Fibers and particles may remain suspended in air and carried long distances • Not able to move through soil HOW MIGHT YOU BE EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS • Industrialized countries, nearly everyone has asbestos in their lungs • People work in some industries • People living near these industries • During demolition work and remodeling • From drinking water HEALTH EFFECTS OF ASBESTOSI • Affect lungs and membranes surrounding lungs • Asbestosis- scar-like tissue, not in general public  Difficulty breathing  Dry cough  Heart enlargement  Death • Plaques in pleural membranes • Lung cancer (mesothelioma) • Increase risk of getting other cancers • Not related to birth defects • Risk increases with smoking • Low levels can be measured in urine, faces and mucus FORMALDEHYDE • Volatile organic compounds (VOC), naturally occurring gases, colourless, and strong smell • Becomes a gas at normal room temperature • Also released by burning wood and natural gas, by automobile and by cigarettes • Glue or adhesives in pressed wood products (particleboards, MDF, plywood) • Preservatives in some paints and cosmetics • Coatings that provide permanent press quality to fabrics and draperies • Finish used to coat paper products • Certain insulation materials HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE Allergic reactions – Watery eyes, burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat – Skin rashes • Nausea • Coughing • Chest tightness • Asthmatic reactions • Cancer • “ome people very sensitive • Need moisture, does not need • standing water, just requires • high relative air humidity • – Bathrooms and kitchens • – Gym areas • – Locker rooms • – Leaky roof areas • – Damp basements • – On or within wood, paper, • carpet and foods MOLD HEALTH EFFECTS • Major source of indoor allergens • Trigger asthma • Produce Toxins • Produce Irritants MOLD AND MOISTURE • Need moisture, does not need standing water, just requires high relative air humidity • Bathrooms and kitchens • – Gym areas • – Locker rooms • – Leaky roof areas • – Damp basements • – On or within wood, paper, • carpet and foods • The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture (maintaining the relative humidity between 30-60%) • • Often undiscovered • • Produce tiny spores • • Discoloration and odour problems SECOND HAND SMOKE • Contain 4 000 compounds (CO and Formaldehyde), • 40 are carcinogens • A non-smoker exposed to secondhand smoke has a 25% increased chance of developing lung cancer • EPA estimates that each year 3 000 lung cancer deaths among nonsmoking adults in US • Health Canada estimates that more than 300 nonsmokers die from lung cancer each year because of such exposure • Environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand • smoke): • – Adults: heart disease, heart attack, lung cancer, • hearing loss, eyes, nose and throat irritation • – Children: SIDS, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, • ear infection and hearing loss • • “moking is on the rise in less developed • countries • – More than 8 million people projected to die from • smoking-related causes in 2030 RADON GAS • Colorless, odorless, tasteless • Naturally occurring • Radioactive decay of uranium • From soil and rock into basements and lower floors indoor air • Dissolved in groundwater, pumped into wells and then into homes • In construction building blocks RADON GASES IN BUILDINGS • Natural hazards in some regions • – Begins series of rapid breakdowns • – Radon and some progeny are alpha emitters; • lung cancer risk • –Often simple to detect and remediate AIR DUST • Heating and cooling -forced air system • Dust particles • Pollen or other debris • Duct Cleaning Service Providers LIQUID NATURAL CAPITAL • The earth is a water planet • Water covers 71% of the earths surface • Mostly salt water • No species can live without water • Sculpting the earths surface • Moderating climate • Removing and diluting wastes and pollutants WORLD PROBLEMS • Quantity of water • Quality of water • Stress on the worlds major river basins  Water stress <1700 cubic meters/year/person  Water scarcity <1000 cubic meters • Some areas have lots of water but the largest rivers are far from agricultural and population centers • Lots of precipitation arrives during a short period but cannot be collected and stores • Use about 54% of the worlds reliable runoff of surface water and could be using 70-90% by 2025 • Withdrawal-total amount of water removed from a river, lake or aquifer fro any purpose  Some may be retuned to the source for reuse but not all  Some lakes and rivers shrink HYDROLOGICAL POVERTY • 1/6 people do not have regular access to clean water • Diarrheal deaths kill over 2 million children annually DRINKING WATER • Annual reports on local drinking water quality • Naturally pure water and distilled water • Natural content of minerals in water • Surface water- in urban areas  Rivers  Lakes  Rivers • Ground water- in rural areas  Wells QUALITY OF WATER • Potential sources of water contamination  Pesticides  Fertilizers  Industry  Landfills • Water pH • Hardness (how much salt) • Color • Turbidity (clear and transparent) • Taste (no taste) • Odor (no smell) • Microbes and chemicals CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER • Microbes  Fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria- contamination with human and animal wastes, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, renal failure, coagulation disorders  Salmonella typhi- typhoid fever (high fever, abdominal pain, constipation)  Shigella sp.- more severe abdominal cramping with blood and mucus in stool  Vibrio cholera- life threatening, rice water stools  Norwalk viruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses- diarrheal illness  Hepatitis A- liver inflammation  Cryptosporidium-parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste  Giardia lamblia - enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal wastes, diarrhea, vomiting, cramps CASE STUDY: • Walkerton example (E.coli) RADIONUCLIDES • Alpha emitters • Beta/photon emitters • Combined radium 226/228 • Radon gas • Radium • Damage to DNA, increase risk of cancer RADON • Colorless, odorless gas • Produced by radioactive decay • Produced by the radioactive decay of uranium, in particular Uranium-238 with a half life of 4.5 billion years, and other radioactive minerals • Radon decays radioactive isotopes Polonium-218 and Polonium-214 which also produces alpha particles that if breathed or swallowed can cause several types of cancer • Uranium is found in several types of minerals associated with granites, metamorphic gneiss, and sedimentary rock derived from weathering and erosion of granite • • Radon can build up in the basement of a home constructed on soils with high radon levels or if the basement walls are built of granite RADIUM • Radium Hot Springs, located within the boundaries of Kootenay National Park, BC as it INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS: ARSENIC • High concentration of arsenic are poisonous and lower concentrations can cause skin cancer and melanosis • After many years of drinking lower levels, possibility of skin damage, problems with circulatory system • Arsenic occurs in more than 200 diff minerals that rarely are low in concentration • Arsenic dissolves very readily in groundwater and can move long distances from its source • When many sources combine, arsenic can concentrate in toxic level in the groundwater INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS: LEAD • Lead pipes are banned • Anemia • Brain, kidneys and nervous system damage • Appetite loss • Abdominal pain • Constipation • Fatigue • Sleeplessness INORGANIC CONTANIMATES: FLUORIDE • Fluoride concentration greater than 1.5 milligrams per liter can become potentially harmful • Small amounts added to drinking water to promote dental health • Exposure to high concentrations of fluoride can cause dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis (bone disease) • Fluoride is found in the common mineral fluorite and in certain types of micas and clay minerals • Highest concentrations of fluoride are found in regions of volcanic activity • • Unlike arsenic ions, the highly reactive fluoride ions in the groundwater tend to form chemical compounds within short distances of it source, therefore, high levels of fluoride are typically found close to its source materiaL INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS: NITRATES • Inhibits the red blood cells ability to transfer oxygen • Methemoglobinemia- oxygen starvation, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and lips) • Spontaneous abortion and neural tube defects INDUSTRIAL CONTAMINANTS: PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES • Chlorinated hydrocarbons  DDT, Chlordane, Lindane  Persistent, bioaccumulating  Not mammal toxic  Very negative ecological effects Organophosphates and carbamates  Round up (grasses)  Metolachlor, alachlor (weeds)  Rapid decay, not persistent  Not bioaccumulating but very mammal toxic INDUSTRIAL CONTAMINANTS: MTBE • Fuel additive, replace the use of lead as octane enhancer • Used to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by auto emission • Leaking of underground tanks, to some extent from air deposition DRINKING WATER FROM HOUSEHOLD WELLS • Vulnerable to contamination by upgradient land uses (e.g. agriculture, Septic systems) • Make sure that well is built properly • Check the water regularly • Naturally occurring contaminants, depending on geology (radionuclides, nitrate and nitrite, heavy metals, fluoride • Man made contaminants  Improper use of fertilizers, pesticides  Poorly located septic system  Leaking underground tanks  Improper disposal of wastes  Chemical spills at local industrial sites DRINKING WATER FROM HOUSEHOLD WELLS: NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS • Visible  Scum from calcium salts  Turbid water from dirt, clay or rust  Green stains on sink caused by high acidity Tastes  Salty taste from high sodium content  Soapy taste from alkaline minerals  Metallic taste from acidity or high iron content  Chemical taste from industrial chemicals Smell  A rotten eggs odour from hydrogen sulphide gas or bacteria  Detergent odour  Gasoline smell  Methane gas smell from organic matter in water  Chlorine smell from excessive chlorination HOW IS DRINKING WATER TREATED? • Groundwater • – Naturally filtered • – Less organic matter • – Often does not need any treatment • Water from rivers, lakes and reservoirs • – Basic treatment steps for drinking water • • Initial settling (creates sludge) • • Coagulation and flocculation of tiny suspended particles • • Sedimentation (more sludge) • • Filtering; often sand filter • • Disinfection DISINFECTION OF DRINKING WATER • Treatment specifically to kill pathogens • Chlorination most common  Effective against bacteria; less so against protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) and viruses – Residual disinfection in distribution system  Alternatives: granulated activated charcoal, ion exchange resins, reverse osmosis  In developing world: boiling water and solar energy DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS • Formed when disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water  Trihalomethanes – excess over many years cause liver, kidney, or central nervous system problems, increased risk of getting cancer  Haloacetic Acid – increased risk of getting cancer  Bromate – increased risk of getting cancer  Chlorite – children could experience nervous system effects, some people may experience anemia BOTTLED WATER • – Rapid increase in consumption  Expensive; often groundwater source; not likely to be fluoridated  Regulated not as drinking water, but as packaged food  Often disinfected using ozone or UV light (no residual effect needed)  Tap water & bottled water