Chapter 17 Biological and Chemical Hazards

Questions for Today What are the different Biological Hazards we come in contact with? What are some major infectious diseases and their causes? How do we slow down the spread of AIDS? What are the different Chemical Hazards we come in contact with? What are ways to prevent Chemical Toxins from entering our body?

Types of Diseases Three types of diseases: –Nontransmissible Disease: caused by something other than a living organism and does not spread from one person to another Cardiovascular disease, Cancers, Asthma, Diabetes, and malnutrition –Infectious Disease: caused when a pathogen invades the body and multiplies it’s cells and tissues Flu, HIV, malaria, TB, and measles –Transmissible disease: an infectious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another Flu, HIV, malaria, TB, and measles

Antibiotics, Life-span, and Outbreaks With the onset of antibiotics and vaccines, the life expectancies of most countries have gone up. Infectious disease are still a major concerns due to outbreaks. –Epidemic: large-scale outbreak of infectious disease is an area or country –Pandemic: GLOBAL epidemic, such as AIDS. One of the major setbacks in prevention of the spread of infectious disease is the fact that we live in a very global age. –If there is an epidemic in China, it can easily spread to America due to air travel.

The Top three killers The world’s top three viral killers are –Influenza –HIV –Hepatitis B Other major killers and their causes: –Cholera/Diptheria (Bacterial) –Malaria (Protozoan, Mosquito Transferred) –Tuberculosis (Bacterial)

Slowing down AIDS Reduce number of new infections Concentrate on the groups in society that are most likely to spread the disease –Sex Workers –IV drug users –Soldiers Free HIV testing Mass-advertisement and Education program geared towards adults and childten Free or low cost drugs to slow the progress Increase Funding for research

Antibiotic Resistance Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Resistance due to overuse and unsustainable use of antibiotic and antibacterial drugs and sanitizers. –Example of Natural Selection YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE YOUR ANTIBIOTICS EVEN AFTER YOU FEEL BETTER!

Emergent Disease Emergent disease are those that have mutated from a strain that previously didn’t affect humans. Killer (emergent) viruses –West Nile Virus Mosquito Transferred –Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Spread through saliva droplets –Avian Flu –Swine Flu Be knowledgeable about the situation before panicking. –Help curb Mass Hysteria

Chemical Hazards Different types of chemicals can cause harm Toxic Chemicals: a chemical that can cause temporary or permanent harm to a person –Carcinogens – cancer causing agents Arsenic, Benzene, formaldehyde, Radiation, etc. Found in Tobacco Smoke, UV Radiation from Tanning Beds or X-rays, and Vinyl Chloride in the creation of PVC. –Mutagens – cause genetic mutations Ingestion of Nitrites, Nitrous acid and other food preservatives Benzene from the creation of plastics UV rays from Tanning Beds and X-Rays

Chemical Hazards (Toxins) Teratogens – cause birth defects –Drinking alcohol, exposure to lead dust, arsenic, formaldehyde, PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls) Neurotoxins – affect nervous systems –PCBs, Methyl Mercury, arsenic, lead, types of pesticides

Chemical Hazards (Hormonal) Hormonally active agents (HAA) –Mimic Hormones –Aluminium, atrazine, DDT, PCBs, bisphenol A Hormone Blockers –Gender Benders PCBs, DDT Thyroid Disruptors –Effect weight, growth, and behavior

Prevention of Chemical Hazards Education is the Key Government Standards on the emission of chemicals through laws. –Clean Water Act –Clean Air Act –FIFRA –NEPA 1969