Indigenous Health and Environment Lecture 7

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is an example of a biological hazard?

Radiation

Toxic metals

Motor vehicle

Bacteria (correct)

What is an example of a benefit associated with physical hazards?

Sound (music) (correct)

Stress-relief

Home

Traditional food species

What can chemical hazards cause?

Motor vehicle

Temperature

Stress

Morbidity (correct)

Which type of hazard can have a delayed effect on health?

Some chemicals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of lipids?

Contain mostly carbon and hydrogen Signup and view all the answers

Which micronutrient is provided as an example, emphasizing its importance?

Iron Signup and view all the answers

Which chemicals are listed in 'The Dirty Dozen' group?

DDT, PCBs, Dioxin Signup and view all the answers

Which substance is an example of a chemical hazard?

Mercury (Hg) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'chemical' as per the Cambridge online dictionary?

Any substance used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules Signup and view all the answers

Which paradigm was prevalent before WW II?

Dilution Paradigm Signup and view all the answers

What did Rachel Carson's Silent Spring lead to in the USA by the end of 1962?

Over forty bills for pesticide regulation Signup and view all the answers

'Good chemicals' in traditional plants provide various health benefits. Which plant, when used as a strong infusion, is said to reduce fever and treat head colds, stiff back/joints, etc.?

Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Signup and view all the answers

'Bad chemicals' were mentioned in Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Which substance was linked to health issues in the 1990s as an endocrine disrupter?

DDT Signup and view all the answers

What are common releases to the environment mentioned in the text?

Hazardous waste injection wells, pesticides, coal strip mine runoff Signup and view all the answers

What are toxic chemicals grouped by according to their actions?

Allergens, neurotoxins, mutagens, teratogens, and carcinogens. Signup and view all the answers

What can be said about inorganic contaminants according to the text?

They cannot be broken down and are naturally occurring. Signup and view all the answers

What occurred due to the loss of placental barrier in the late 1950s?

Minamata disease Signup and view all the answers

What synthetic estrogen was used in the 1960s and caused long-term health effects?

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Signup and view all the answers

'Everyday exposure to toxic chemicals includes which of these substances according to the provided information?'

Chloroform, para-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene, formaldehyde Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Examples of chemical hazards include PCBs, DDT, Mercury (Hg), and Lead (Pb)
"Chemical" definition: any substance used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules (Cambridge online dictionary)
Common environmental hazards and routes of exposure include Yassi et al., 2001
"Good chemicals" in traditional plants provide various health benefits, such as:
- Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium): whole plant, tea/strong infusion, decoction, internal, reduces fever, treats head colds, stiff back/joints, etc.
- Sweet fern: watch video on Creator’s Garden YouTube channel
"Bad chemicals": Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962) predicted far-reaching impacts on the environment and humans, leading to increased regulation of pesticide use.
Before WW II: Dilution Paradigm. After WW II: Boomerang Paradigm.
At least 10,000,000 chemicals have been synthesized since 1900, and about 1,000 new synthetic chemicals are introduced each year.
Common releases to the environment include hazardous waste injection wells, pesticides, coal strip mine runoff, etc.
Everyday exposure to toxic chemicals includes chloroform, para-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene, formaldehyde, and other substances.
Toxic chemicals are grouped by actions: allergens, neurotoxins, mutagens, teratogens, and carcinogens.
Inorganic contaminants, such as metals, cannot be broken down and are naturally occurring. Organic contaminants can be broken down and are predominantly human-made.
Sources of metals include natural sources like forest fires and volcanic eruptions and anthropogenic sources like mining and agriculture.
Trace elements can be toxic or essential, and their health effects depend on the concentration and individual's health status.
Biological response to metals can vary, and some can act as macronutrients, while others can be toxic.
Silent Spring led to over forty bills for pesticide regulation in the USA by the end of 1962.
Minamata disease, caused by the loss of the placental barrier, occurred in the late 1950s.
Thalidomide, which caused the loss of the privileged fetus, was in use in the 1960s.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen, was used in the 1960s and 1970s and caused long-term health effects.
DDT, an endocrine disrupter, was linked to health issues in the 1990s.

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Test your knowledge on the environmental health hazards and benefits for indigenous communities, including biological hazards like bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as well as chemical hazards such as toxic metals and pesticides. Explore the traditional food species and plants that provide essential nutrients and antioxidants for indigenous peoples.