Technological Disasters - ANSWER - Wide + varied interpretation
- can vary from a single chemical disaster to something that affects the whole
industry
- Hybrid disasters fit into this category (i.e., earthquake causing a pipeline burst)
- Disasters affecting the environment also fit into this category (i.e., titanic,
challenger space shuttle)
Technological Hazards Risk/ Vulnerability - ANSWER - Deaths are low with
technological disasters
- Those in the industry/ transportation services are most vulnerable
- Workers in resource industries in hinterlands are at highest risk (i.e., miners)
Categories - ANSWER Widespread:
- Long term (nuclear accidents)
- Hazards leading to cumulative effects
Rare Events:
- Airplane crashes
- Shipwrecks
- Mine collapses
Relatively Common:
- Automobile accidents
- Poisons
Cumulative Effects - ANSWER - Conditions that worsen over time as
exposure to a concentration increases
- Concentration reaches a threshold that becomes dangerous to human health
Calculating Risk - ANSWER 1. Large scale structures (buildings, bridges,
dams): probability of building failing in its lifetime
, 2. Transportation (road, sea, rail, etc.): probability of death/ injury per km
travelled
3. Industry (power production, manufacturing): probability of death/ injury per
hours exposed
Radon - ANSWER - Produced by uranium decaying in rock and soil
- When we breathe it, it decays to polonium which gets lodged into lungs and
damages it
- 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in North America
- Areas where radon is high can be 5-10% of homes in North America
- Radon = colourless, odourless, tasteless (difficult to detect)
- Gas can move through unsaturated soil and seep into homes
- Basements in winter = greatest concern due to reduced air circulation
GMO - ANSWER - Organism whose DNA has been modified by altering
genes (i.e., rice that has more vitamin A)
- Most common GMO crops = corn, soybeans, canola
- Are GMOs safe?
- Most say benefits outweigh costs (still more research required)
- UN Food and Agriculture Organization says that it has a lot of benefits, esp. in
developing countries
Pathways of Radiation - ANSWER 1. Inhalation
2. Ingestion
Effects of Radiation - ANSWER 1. Direct (effects evident within days upon
exposure)
2. Indirect (effects not evident, such as genetic effects )
- Effects of radiation can be delayed (chronic)
- Effects of radiation can also be passed on (chromosomal defects, birth defects)
Sources of Radiation - ANSWER 1. Mining Uranium - mines produce waste
products called tailings which are radioactive hazards
2. Production of Electricity - uranium used in powerplants
Nuclear Energy - ANSWER - Clean energy (produces no greenhouse gases)
- Most nuclear powerplants are in Eastern North America because... 1) need for
coolant (lakes, rivers) and 2) need for market (East coast is more populated)
- can vary from a single chemical disaster to something that affects the whole
industry
- Hybrid disasters fit into this category (i.e., earthquake causing a pipeline burst)
- Disasters affecting the environment also fit into this category (i.e., titanic,
challenger space shuttle)
Technological Hazards Risk/ Vulnerability - ANSWER - Deaths are low with
technological disasters
- Those in the industry/ transportation services are most vulnerable
- Workers in resource industries in hinterlands are at highest risk (i.e., miners)
Categories - ANSWER Widespread:
- Long term (nuclear accidents)
- Hazards leading to cumulative effects
Rare Events:
- Airplane crashes
- Shipwrecks
- Mine collapses
Relatively Common:
- Automobile accidents
- Poisons
Cumulative Effects - ANSWER - Conditions that worsen over time as
exposure to a concentration increases
- Concentration reaches a threshold that becomes dangerous to human health
Calculating Risk - ANSWER 1. Large scale structures (buildings, bridges,
dams): probability of building failing in its lifetime
, 2. Transportation (road, sea, rail, etc.): probability of death/ injury per km
travelled
3. Industry (power production, manufacturing): probability of death/ injury per
hours exposed
Radon - ANSWER - Produced by uranium decaying in rock and soil
- When we breathe it, it decays to polonium which gets lodged into lungs and
damages it
- 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in North America
- Areas where radon is high can be 5-10% of homes in North America
- Radon = colourless, odourless, tasteless (difficult to detect)
- Gas can move through unsaturated soil and seep into homes
- Basements in winter = greatest concern due to reduced air circulation
GMO - ANSWER - Organism whose DNA has been modified by altering
genes (i.e., rice that has more vitamin A)
- Most common GMO crops = corn, soybeans, canola
- Are GMOs safe?
- Most say benefits outweigh costs (still more research required)
- UN Food and Agriculture Organization says that it has a lot of benefits, esp. in
developing countries
Pathways of Radiation - ANSWER 1. Inhalation
2. Ingestion
Effects of Radiation - ANSWER 1. Direct (effects evident within days upon
exposure)
2. Indirect (effects not evident, such as genetic effects )
- Effects of radiation can be delayed (chronic)
- Effects of radiation can also be passed on (chromosomal defects, birth defects)
Sources of Radiation - ANSWER 1. Mining Uranium - mines produce waste
products called tailings which are radioactive hazards
2. Production of Electricity - uranium used in powerplants
Nuclear Energy - ANSWER - Clean energy (produces no greenhouse gases)
- Most nuclear powerplants are in Eastern North America because... 1) need for
coolant (lakes, rivers) and 2) need for market (East coast is more populated)
