Environmental Factors Chapter 7

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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the risk assessment process?

Hazard identification (correct)

Dose-response assessment

Exposure assessment

Risk characterization

What does the dose-response assessment aim to determine?

Whether the agent causes health impacts at all

The overall conclusion about health risks

The relationship between exposure amount and health effects (correct)

The number of people exposed to the agent

Which limitation in risk assessment is highlighted regarding the number of chemicals studied?

Only a small number of chemicals have been studied for health risks. (correct)

All chemicals have been studied extensively for health risks.

Studies have focused exclusively on mixtures of chemicals.

Most chemicals are regulated with strict exposure limits.

What role does the exposure assessment step play in the risk assessment process?

It identifies if exposure is primarily limited to certain occupations. Signup and view all the answers

Why is risk characterization important in the risk assessment process?

It draws overall conclusions about the risks based on previous steps. Signup and view all the answers

Which agency is responsible for the safety of meat and poultry in the United States?

USDA Signup and view all the answers

What is considered an 'externality' in the context of environmental pollution?

Costs borne by individuals not directly involved in pollution Signup and view all the answers

Which federal act created the FDA in 1906?

Federal Food and Drug Act Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the EPA?

Setting standards for consumer products Signup and view all the answers

Why might federal legislation be necessary for environmental health?

Environmental issues often transcend state boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What types of contaminants might be harmful if found in food?

Mercury and pesticides Signup and view all the answers

Which agency is primarily concerned with workplace safety and exposures?

OSHA Signup and view all the answers

What types of services does the government typically provide to address environmental health?

Water and sewer services, laboratory testing, and cleanup efforts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of environmental health as a public health discipline?

Preventing human disease from environmental hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an environmental hazard?

Microbial agents Signup and view all the answers

What type of pollution is primarily caused by sewage and industrial discharge?

Point-source pollution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following routes of exposure allows hazards to enter the body through the skin?

Absorption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following acts set quality standards for surface water in the United States?

Clean Water Act Signup and view all the answers

Which pollutant is NOT one of the six common 'criteria pollutants' identified by the EPA?

Methane Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objective of the Safe Drinking Water Act?

To set minimum standards for drinking water quality Signup and view all the answers

What type of pollution is primarily related to runoff from farms and roads?

Nonpoint-source pollution Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental factor is associated with neurological damage and other health effects?

Lead exposure Signup and view all the answers

Which act requires the EPA to set air quality standards for criteria pollutants?

Clean Air Act Signup and view all the answers

What type of waste management act was enacted in 1976 to provide standards for landfill disposal?

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common health effect associated with environmental hazards?

Increased lifespan Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act?

To identify and clean up hazardous waste sites Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a significant source of indoor air pollution?

Tobacco smoke Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 7: Environmental Factors

Environmental factors significantly contribute to death, including microbial agents.
Environmental health is a public health approach to preventing diseases and injuries from environmental hazards.
This focus is on human impacts, not just the environment itself.

Environmental Hazards

Chemicals: Unexpected chemical releases (e.g., spills, DDT) are particularly dangerous.
Radiation: Exposure to radiation, including radon, is hazardous.
Metals: Metals like lead pose environmental risks.
Particles and fibers: Air pollutants, including fibers and particles, are harmful.
Biological agents: Toxins and biological agents from organisms are dangerous.

Environmental Pathways

Environmental pathways carry these hazards.
Air: A primary pathway for environmental hazards.
Water (surface and groundwater): Water sources can carry pollutants.
Soil: Soil pollutants can be harmful.
Food: Food can be contaminated with toxins or pollutants.
Solid waste: Solid waste may contain harmful substances.
Non-food products: Other products can also hold hazards.

Routes of Exposure

Inhalation: Breathing in harmful substances.
Ingestion: Eating or drinking contaminated substances.
Absorption: Harmful substances entering the body through skin contact.

Common Health Effects

Cancer: A frequent health effect from environmental exposure.
Neurological damage: Environmental exposures can harm the nervous system.
Poisoning: Exposure to pollutants or toxins results in poisoning.
Lung and kidney disease: Environmental hazards can damage respiratory and renal systems.
Skin problems: Environmental exposure causes skin issues.
Endocrine system disorders: Environmental hazards can disrupt hormone balance.
Birth defects: Exposure to harmful substances during development can cause birth defects.
Food- and water-borne diseases: Food and water contaminated by environmental hazards can cause illnesses.

Air Pollution

Causes: Combustion (power plants, vehicles), industrial processes, and livestock contribute to air pollution and release toxic gases.
Clean Air Act (1970): Federal legislation to manage and set air quality standards.
Air pollutants: Criteria pollutants (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, and lead) and hazardous air pollutants are key concerns.
Indoor air pollution: Indoor environmental hazards include tobacco smoke, radon, formaldehyde, and airborne microbes.

Water Pollution

Causes: Point-source pollution (e.g., sewage, industrial discharge).

Solid Waste

Solid waste disposal: Methods for managing solid waste, including landfills.
1972 Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act: Regulates ocean dumping.
1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: Regulates hazardous waste.
1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): The Superfund program addresses hazardous waste sites.

Food Safety

Foodborne illness: Exposure to bacteria, parasites, or toxins in food.
Pesticides, Mercury in Fish, and other contaminants: Harmful substances in food.
Additives (vitamins/minerals, preservatives, antibiotics, growth hormones): Some additives are potentially harmful.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Food and Drug Act (1906) regulates genetically modified organisms.

Risk Assessment

A multi-step process to evaluate the likelihood of harmful health effects from environmental exposure.

Hazard Identification

Epidemiological studies and animal studies ascertain whether exposure to particular agents causes adverse health effects.

Dose-Response Estimation

Assessing the link between exposure levels and health effects (how much exposure is needed to cause adverse health effects).

Exposure Assessment

Determining the number of people exposed to an agent and the amount of exposure.

Risk Characterization

synthesizing the steps to conclude if there is a risk, and what the nature of the risk is.

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Description

Explore Chapter 7 focusing on environmental factors that contribute to public health risks. Understand the impact of various environmental hazards such as chemicals, radiation, and biological agents, and their pathways through air, water, soil, and food. Test your knowledge on how these factors influence health safety.