Chapter 19

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 Seen

as encompassing all the interactions of humans with their environment and the health consequences of these interactions. Our responsibility Environmental problems are complex and seem beyond the control of the individual.

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 Grew

out of efforts to control communicable diseases United States developed a huge, complex health system designed to deal with these critical health concerns.

Natural disaster Human made disaster

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 World

population 6.6 Billion

Increasing at a rate of 76 million per year 150 people every minute

How

many people can the world hold?

Already exceed earths capacity by 20% Food Available land and water Energy Minimum acceptable standard of living

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

High fertility rates Lack of family planning Lower death rates

For population management to be successful there needs to be improvement of:

Poverty Remove the pressures for having a large family Improved health Better education Increased literacy Employment opportunities for women Family planning
6

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 Is

not a human invention or even a new problem Air Quality and Smog

Five major air pollutants:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Particulate matter (PM) Ground-level ozone

AQI values run from 0 to 500; the higher the AQI, the greater of pollution and associated health danger.
2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.
7

The temperature of the earths atmosphere depends on the balance between the amount of energy the earth absorbs and the amount of energy radiated back into space. Greenhouse effect

Reradiation causing a buildup of heat that raises the temperature of the lower atmosphere. Concentration of greenhouse gases

Global warming

Possible consequences
Increased rainfall and flooding Increased mortality from heat stress A poleward shift of 50-350 miles

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

8

 2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

10

 2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

11

Thinning of the Ozone Layer A fragile, invisible layer about 10-30 miles about the earths surface

Shields the planet from the suns hazardous ultraviolet (UV) rays Being destroyed primarily by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Coolants in refrigerators Foaming agents Insulation Propellants Solvents

Energy use and air pollution

U.S. is the biggest energy consumers in the world

12

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

Indoor air pollution

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) Carbon monoxide and other combustion by-products Formaldehyde gas Biological pollutants Indoor mold Cut back driving Keep your car tuned up Buy energy-efficient appliances Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent Home is well-insulated Plant and care for trees Local waste hauler will remove ozone-depleting refrigerants from disposed refrigerators Adequately ventilate your house to reduce indoor air pollution Tightly seal paints, cleaning agents and other chemicals Dont smoke Clean and inspect chimneys, furnaces and other appliances

Preventing air pollution

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

13

 Ensuring

safe, clean drinking water Purifying water in a water-treatment plants

Screening Filtration Disinfection (chlorine) Fluoridation

Reduces tooth decay by 15-40% for than 60 years

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

14

 Too

rapid growth of some regions of the U.S. is taxing the local system World Health Organization

1 billion people do not have safe drinking water 2.6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

15

 The

connection of disease and contact with contaminate water

Typhoid Cholera Hepatitis A

Direct contact with human feces

Modern

day

Septic systems Sewage-treatment systems

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

16

 Take

showers, not baths Install sing faucet aerators Water-savor toilets Fix any leaky faucets Do not flush old medications Dont pour toxic material down the drain

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

17

Average American generates 4.6 pounds of trash per day; about 1.5 pounds of this is recycled. Whats in our garbage?

Paper products make up the largest amount of household trash. Yard waste Plastic Metals Glass 1% of solid waste is toxic

Computer components

Disposal of solid waste

Sanitary landfill Biodegradability Recycling Discarded technology

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

18

 2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

19

 Buy

products with the least amount of packaging Buy recycled or recyclable products Avoid using foam or paper cups Use glass to store food Recycle paper, plastic, glass and aluminum Do not throw electronic items recycle them Start a compost pile Stop junk mail

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

20

 2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

21

1970s EPA established the Superfund program

To clean up the nations uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. To date, the EPA has completed clean-ups at 966 hazardous waste sites Superfund national priorities list includes 1255 sites as of May 2008.

Asbestos

Mineral-based compound Asbestosis, lung cancer, and other serious lung diseases.

Lead Pesticides Murcury

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

22

 Read

the labels, and try to buy the least toxic products. Dispose of your household hazardous waste properly Buy organic produce Store pesticides or toxic household products in a locked place Use a licensed exterminator

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

23

Radiation is energy Nuclear weapons and power

104 nuclear power plants in the U.S. X-rays Electromagnetic radiation

Medical uses of Radiation

Radiation in the Home and Workplace

Microwave oven Computer monitor Cell phones High-voltage power lines

Radon gas

Avoiding radiation
Only get x-rays when necessary Follow the Surgeon Generals recommendations for radon testing Find out if there are radioactive sites in your area.

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

24

 2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

25

Effects of loud or persistent noise in the environment Greater than 80-85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss.

Sporting events Rock concerts Sets legal standards for noise in the workplace. When listening to music with headphones keep the volume at 6 or below Avoid loud music Avoid exposure to painfully loud sounds (above 80 decibels)
26

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Some ways to avoid exposing yourself to excessive noise

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

 Become

a part of larger community actions to work for a healthier world:

Share what you have learned Join, support, or volunteer your time Contact your elected representatives and communicate your concerns

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

27

Chapter 19

2010 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

28