Environmental Health Lecture 1 PDF

Environmental Health Lecture 1 Fundamentals of Environmental Health and its Factors 1 Definition of Environment The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded or The complex of climatic, edaphic (soil-based), and biotic fa...

Environmental Health Lecture 1 Fundamentals of Environmental Health and its Factors 1 Definition of Environment The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded or The complex of climatic, edaphic (soil-based), and biotic factors that act upon an organism or an ecologic community 2 According to Public Health…. All that which is external to the individual host. [It] can be divided into physical, biological, social, and cultural factors, any or all of which can influence health status in populations. Last, J. M. (Ed.). (1995). A Dictionary of Epidemiology (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. 3 Types of Environment Internal environment : Organ, Organ system, tissue etc. of the body External environment : Surroundings to which man is exposed Or Built Environment Natural Environment Social Environment 4  Built environment is shaped by: CLIMATE AND ECONOMY GOVERNMENT CULTURE AND GEOLOGY FASHION TECHNOLOGY CUSTOMERS 5 Natural Environment The natural environment includes all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth. Natural environment is often used as a synonym for habitat. For instance, when we say that, the natural environment of giraffes is the savanna. 6  Composition Natural Environment i. The Lithosphere: The lithosphere is the rigid outermost shell of a rocky planet defined on the basis of the mechanical properties. ii. The Hydrosphere: The hydrosphere refers to the combined mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of the planet. Ocean, rivers, lakes, ponds and as a whole all the water body of the earth. iii. The Atmosphere: The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through greenhouse effect, and reducing temperature extremes between day and night. 7 The Biosphere: The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems. It can also be termed the zone of life on Earth, a closed system and largely self- regulating. The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships 8 Social Environment The social environment refers to the immediate physical and social setting in which people live or in which something happens or develops. It includes the culture that the individual was educated or lives in, and the people and institutions with whom they interact. The interaction may be in person or through communication media, even anonymous or one-way and may not imply equality of social status. 9  Social environment includes culture, language, social condition, health, profession, living condition, economic capability of the people in a certain area 10 Contributors to the “Environment Physical: Air, water, soil, housing, Chemical: Air pollutants, toxic climate, geography, heat, light, wastes, pesticides etc. noise, debris, noise etc. Biological: Virus, bacteria and Social/socio-economic: Culture, other microbes, insects, rodents, values, customs, habits, morals, animals and plants, Disease religions, education, lifestyle, producing agents, reservoir of community life, health services, infection, intermediate host and social and political organizations. reservoirs of infection, 11 Good health Good health is reflected in one’s ability to act or function in their environment over a period of time. Longevity depends on accessibility to resources that sustain quality of life. Decreased longevity is an significant indicator of poor health. As well, decreased functionality is another significant indicator of compromised health, not necessarily poor health. ‘Handicapped’ people are still functional, just not to the same ‘normal’ capacity as a majority of people. The inability to function to a personal norm is an indicator of poor health. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Clean air Safe and sufficient water Safe and adequate food Safe and peaceful settlements Stable global environment WHO DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations. Environmental Health Science NIEHS charter: “The study of those factors in the environment that affect human health” Factors (“pollutants” or “toxicants”) in air, water, soil, or food Transferred to humans by inhalation, ingestion, or absorption Production of adverse health effects 18  Boundary of Environmental Health  Waste water Waste Water supplies treatment management Prevention and Food hygiene Vector control control of land SCOPE OF pollution and safety ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Air quality Environmental Occupational radiation health and management hazards safety Environmental Accommodation noise establishments management  Environmental impact assessments Port health Accident prevention SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL Environmental health aspects of public recreation and tourism HEALTH Environmental health measures associated with epidemics, emergencies, disasters and migrations of populations Establishment of an effective environmental health surveillance and information system Research on environmental health issues Thank you