ENVR 101: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Basic Concepts

What is the environment? Not us - outside Where we live Attributes

Definitions Environmental Science: The systematic study of the chemical, physical, and biological functioning of the environment, including as a central theme the role of Homo sapiens in this functioning

Definitions Environmental Health: A subset of environmental science that specifically considers the role of environmental agents or contaminants on human health

The environment is useful Provides food Provides space Provides other essential resources Assimilates wastes

Why protect the environment? Spaceship earth This is all we’ve got Since we all require food, space, essential resources, and waste assimilation from the same Earth, we, Homo sapiens, are all in relationship with each other and all other species

To pollute is: To introduce into an environment any factor which decreases the beneficial uses of the environment

Nature's solution to pollution is dilution Various natural processes can ameliorate the effects of pollution Only if the concentration of the pollutant is low Harm results only when something ‘harmful’ is present in harmful amounts

What determines the concentration of pollutants? # of persons / area TIMES Amount of consumption / person Amount of pollutants / amount of consumption EQUALS The amount of pollutants per area (concentration)

Concentration is a function of: Population density Per capita consumption Amount of pollutants produced in producing and using consumables

World Population Growth 1950 - 1996 6 5 Population (billions) 4 3 2 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Year

Materials Use and Population Growth U. S. A, 1900-1990 3000 2500 2000 Tons of Materials Population Millions of Tons or People 1500 1000 500 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 Year

Consumption in the US At the present time the US, which has about 5% of the world’s population, consumes about 30% of the world’s resources.

Model of Environmental Harm and Pollution Control Opportunities Sources of Emissions Transport / Transform Fate / Effects Mitigation / Control Policies / Technologies

Environmental Science considers the processes that: Produce pollutants (sources) Transport / transform these through the environment Determine the fate and effects of these contaminants May be used to control the concentration or harm of pollutants

Environmental Health: Is particularly concerned with controlling the effects of environmental contaminants on human health This requires understanding the sources, transport / transformation, and fates of particular environmental contaminants