Questions and Answers
What is the main concern of environmental health?
What is an example of a physical hazard in the natural environment?
What is an environmental health issue?
What is the ultimate goal of environmental health?
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What is the source of hazardous substances in the environment?
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What are environmental health factors?
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What can be a consequence of human activities on the environment?
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What is an example of a physical hazard?
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What is the primary way that chemical hazards can affect human health?
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What is an example of a biological hazard?
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What is a cultural hazard?
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What is an example of an indoor hazard?
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What is a route of entry for chemical hazards?
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What is a characteristic of chemical hazards?
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What is an example of a physical hazard that can occur naturally?
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Study Notes
Environmental Health
- Environmental health is a branch of public health that focuses on the natural and built environment's impact on human health.
- It aims to prevent human injuries and promote well-being by identifying and evaluating sources of environmental exposures that may be hazardous.
Environmental Health Issues
- Examples of current environmental health issues include:
- Climate change
- Pollution
- Deforestation
- Disease
Environmental Health Factors
- Environmental health factors are aspects of the environment that affect human health.
- These factors can come from human development and industrialization, including:
- Agricultural activities
- Mining operations
- Landfills
- Underground storage tanks
- Shipping and transportation
- Carbon emissions
Physical Hazards
- Physical hazards are processes that occur in the natural environment and can harm human health.
- Examples of physical hazards include:
- Electricity
- Heat
- Heights
- Noise
- Vibration
- Body stressing
- Confined spaces
- Heat strain: working in extreme temperatures can cause physical harm.
- Natural disasters, such as tornados, are also physical hazards.
Chemical Hazards
- Chemical hazards are non-biological substances that can harm human health.
- Examples of chemical hazards include:
- Toxins
- Carcinogens
- Teratogens
- Irritants
- Sensitizers
- Chemical hazards can enter the body through:
- Absorption (through skin or eyes)
- Inhalation (through lungs)
- Ingestion (through mouth)
- Injection (through skin or wounds)
Biological Hazards
- Biological hazards are harmful impacts from the interaction between organisms and the natural environment.
- Examples of biological hazards include:
- Bacterial infections
- Viruses
- Diseases
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
- Influenza
- Mold
- Fungi
- Biological hazards originate from ecological interactions and are transported by biological vectors.
Cultural Hazards
- Cultural hazards, also known as lifestyle hazards, refer to harmful outcomes from daily living.
- Examples of cultural hazards include:
- Place of residency
- Socioeconomic status (SES)
- Occupation
- Behavioural choice (e.g., smoking)
Indoor Hazards
- Indoor hazards refer to harmful impacts from indoor pollution that affect the lungs.
- Examples of potential indoor health hazards include:
- CO2 build-up
- Too dry or humid air
- Dust
- Tobacco smoke
- Burning fuel
- Toxic fumes from cooking
- Asbestos
- Cleaning materials and solvents in the air
- Smoke build-up
- Odourless gases such as radon
- Radon gas is a toxic indoor hazard that can cause lung damage.
- Asbestos is an environmental hazard that can cause lung damage due to its fibrous structure.
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Description
Learn about the definition and scope of environmental health, a branch of public health that focuses on the natural and built environment's impact on human health and well-being.
