1. 9 Environmental Health CHAPTER

2. The Rise and Fall—and Rise?—of DDT DDT is the least expensive way of killing the mosquitoes that cause malaria. DDT harms fish and birds, and can cause liver damage, cancer, and convulsions in humans. In the 1970s many countries banned the use of DDT, but some African countries have resumed its use to control malaria. DDT is the least expensive way of killing the mosquitoes that cause malaria. DDT harms fish and birds, and can cause liver damage, cancer, and convulsions in humans. In the 1970s many countries banned the use of DDT, but some African countries have resumed its use to control malaria. Talk About It Evidence shows that DDT damages ecosystems but helps eradicate malaria in areas where millions of people die of the disease each year. Should DDT be used in malaria-stricken areas? Why or why not?

3. Lesson 9.1 An Overview of Environmental Health One third of death and disease in the least developed nations is a direct result of environmental causes.

4. Environmental health: Is the study of how environmental factors affect human health Environmental factors: include natural disasters such as sunrays and ongoing earthquakes. Also include human- made factors, such as car exhaust and pesticides. Environmental health: Is the study of how environmental factors affect human health Environmental factors: include natural disasters such as sunrays and ongoing earthquakes. Also include human- made factors, such as car exhaust and pesticides. Lesson 9.1 An Overview of Environmental Health

5. Types of Environmental Health Hazards Biological: Viruses, bacteria, and other organisms that cause disease. Known as pathogens. Social: Lifestyle choices that endanger health. Smoking or Living next to a factory. Chemical: Harmful artificial and natural chemicals in the environment. Cleaning products, caffine(85 cups), Strychnine (rat poison) and botulinum…one teaspoon of could kill a quarter of the world’s population, yet some people choose to inject it in the form of Botox Physical: Natural disasters and ongoing natural phenomena, such as UV radiation, tornados that can cause health problems Biological: Viruses, bacteria, and other organisms that cause disease. Known as pathogens. Social: Lifestyle choices that endanger health. Smoking or Living next to a factory. Chemical: Harmful artificial and natural chemicals in the environment. Cleaning products, caffine(85 cups), Strychnine (rat poison) and botulinum…one teaspoon of could kill a quarter of the world’s population, yet some people choose to inject it in the form of Botox Physical: Natural disasters and ongoing natural phenomena, such as UV radiation, tornados that can cause health problems Lesson 9.1 An Overview of Environmental Health

6. Epidemiology The study of disease in human populations—how and where they occur and how they can be controlled. Often involves studying large groups over long periods Epidemiologists will try to find out why is the cancer rate so high in a certain town. Epidemiologists usually deal with biological hazards Lesson 9.1 An Overview of Environmental Health

7. Toxicology One teaspoon of botulinum could kill a quarter of the world’s population, yet some people choose to inject it in the form of Botox Toxicity is a measure of how harmful a substance is. Toxicologists look at toxicity by determining dose- response relationships. One teaspoon of botulinum could kill a quarter of the world’s population, yet some people choose to inject it in the form of Botox Toxicity is a measure of how harmful a substance is. Toxicologists look at toxicity by determining dose- response relationships. Lesson 9.1 An Overview of Environmental Health

8. Individual Responses Sensitivity to hazards varies with age, sex, weight, and immune system health. Fetuses, infants & children are more sensitive to chemicals than adults. Genetics: Many diseases have genetic as well as environmental factors. A genetic mutation can increase breast cancer. Sensitivity to hazards varies with age, sex, weight, and immune system health. Fetuses, infants & children are more sensitive to chemicals than adults. Genetics: Many diseases have genetic as well as environmental factors. A genetic mutation can increase breast cancer. Lesson 9.1 An Overview of Environmental Health Did You Know? Thalidomide, a drug that currently shows promise for treatment of Alzheimer's, AIDS, and some cancers, caused thousands of severe birth defects when it was used as an anti-nauseal in the 1950s and 60s.

9. Risk Assessment Risk: The probability that a hazard will cause harm Risk assessment: The process of measuring risk Takes into account: The type of hazard How frequently humans will be exposed to it How sensitive people are to it Lesson 9.1 An Overview of Environmental Health

10. Lesson 9.2 Biological and Social Hazards Three quarters of infectious disease deaths are caused by five types of diseases: respiratory infections, AIDS, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, and malaria. Tuberculosis-causing bacteria

11. Infectious Diseases Lesson 9.2 Biological and Social Hazards Did You Know? In 2002, AIDS killed about 2 million people worldwide— almost equal to the entire population of Arkansas. Caused by pathogens. HIV virus or TB(Tuberculosis) Spread by human and animal contact and through contaminated food and water Cause of almost half of all deaths in developing nations Covering your mouth when you cough, washing your hands often, and staying home from school if you’re sick help prevent the spread of infectious disease.

12. Emerging Diseases Diseases appearing in the human population for the first time or suddenly beginning to spread rapidly Humans have little or no resistance, and no vaccines have been developed. Facilitated by increasing human mobility, growing antibiotic resistance, and environmental changes Diseases appearing in the human population for the first time or suddenly beginning to spread rapidly Humans have little or no resistance, and no vaccines have been developed. Facilitated by increasing human mobility, growing antibiotic resistance, and environmental changes Lesson 9.2 Biological and Social Hazards

13. Responding to Emerging Diseases World Health Organization (WHO): Monitors health events worldwide and coordinates international responses to emerging diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Responds to emerging diseases in the United States; the CDC developed pandemic plans to deal with the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. World Health Organization (WHO): Monitors health events worldwide and coordinates international responses to emerging diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Responds to emerging diseases in the United States; the CDC developed pandemic plans to deal with the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. Lesson 9.2 Biological and Social Hazards H1N1 Virus

14. Social Hazards Lesson 9.2 Biological and Social Hazards Some social hazards are easier to avoid than others. Examples of social hazards: Smoking or secondhand smoke your. School is next to a factory. Working with harmful chemicals. Lack of exercise. Eating fatty foods. Which of the above would be the hardest to change?

15. Lesson 9.3 Toxic Substances in the Environment Chemicals are all around us, and all of them can be harmful to our health in large enough amounts. In other words, “The dose makes the poison.”

16. Chemical Hazards Any chemical can be harmful in large enough amounts. A pollutant is something released into the environment that has some harmful impact on people and other organisms. Chemical hazards are not necessarily pollutants, and pollutants are not necessarily chemical hazards. Any chemical can be harmful in large enough amounts. A pollutant is something released into the environment that has some harmful impact on people and other organisms. Chemical hazards are not necessarily pollutants, and pollutants are not necessarily chemical hazards. Lesson 9.3 Toxic Substances in the Environment Oil Pollution

17. Types of Chemical Hazards Carcinogens: Cancer-causing chemicals. Tobacco Chemical mutagens: Chemicals that cause genetic mutations. Benzene in gasoline. Teratogens: Chemicals that harm embryos and fetuses. Thalidomide, banned in 50s, used as sleeping pill prevent nausea during pregnancy. Neurotoxins: Chemicals that affect the nervous system. Lead or mercury poisoning. Endocrine disruptors: Chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system. PCBs Allergens: Chemicals that over-activate the immune system. Animal skin & saliva proteins Carcinogens: Cancer-causing chemicals. Tobacco Chemical mutagens: Chemicals that cause genetic mutations. Benzene in gasoline. Teratogens: Chemicals that harm embryos and fetuses. Thalidomide, banned in 50s, used as sleeping pill prevent nausea during pregnancy. Neurotoxins: Chemicals that affect the nervous system. Lead or mercury poisoning. Endocrine disruptors: Chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system. PCBs Allergens: Chemicals that over-activate the immune system. Animal skin & saliva proteins Lesson 9.3 Toxic Substances in the Environment Dust mite protein is a common allergen.

18. Indoor Chemical Hazards Asbestos: insulate heat & fire resistant. Fibers can enter lungs…cancer Radon: Natural break down of uranium. Colorless, odorless gas that can seep into basements…cancer VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): Anything that gives off fumes. Paint, gasoline & new car smell. Lead: Lead paint & drinking water. Can result in brain, liver, kidney damage. Also hearing loss, behavior abnormalities & death. Today all children are checked for lead poisoning. Asbestos: insulate heat & fire resistant. Fibers can enter lungs…cancer Radon: Natural break down of uranium. Colorless, odorless gas that can seep into basements…cancer VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): Anything that gives off fumes. Paint, gasoline & new car smell. Lead: Lead paint & drinking water. Can result in brain, liver, kidney damage. Also hearing loss, behavior abnormalities & death. Today all children are checked for lead poisoning. Lesson 9.3 Toxic Substances in the Environment

19. Indoor Chemical Hazards Lesson 9.3 Toxic Substances in the Environment

20. Sources of Outdoor Chemical Hazards In the air: Natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions, or human sources, such as pesticides In the ground: Pesticide use, improper disposal of electronics, etc. In the water: Chemical runoff from land or direct drainage of toxic substances into water In the air: Natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions, or human sources, such as pesticides In the ground: Pesticide use, improper disposal of electronics, etc. In the water: Chemical runoff from land or direct drainage of toxic substances into water Lesson 9.3 Toxic Substances in the Environment A leaking oil line

21. Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification Bioaccumulation: The buildup of toxic substances in the bodies of organisms Biomagnification: The increased concentration of toxic substances with each step in a food chain Persistent organic pollutants are biomagnified and stay in the environment for long periods of time and over long distances. Bioaccumulation: The buildup of toxic substances in the bodies of organisms Biomagnification: The increased concentration of toxic substances with each step in a food chain Persistent organic pollutants are biomagnified and stay in the environment for long periods of time and over long distances. Lesson 9.3 Toxic Substances in the Environment

22. Lesson 9.4 Natural Disasters Although we cannot prevent most natural disasters, there are steps that scientists, engineers, governments, and citizens can take to resist damage and deal with the aftermath. A landslide caused by the Great Sichuan Earthquake in Sichuan Province, China

23. Earthquakes Lesson 9.4 Natural Disasters Earth’s crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates, which float on a layer of molten rock. Earthquakes tend to occur along active plate boundaries. Earthquakes can damage structures and trigger landslides and tsunamis. Earth’s crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates, which float on a layer of molten rock. Earthquakes tend to occur along active plate boundaries. Earthquakes can damage structures and trigger landslides and tsunamis.

24. Openings in Earth’s crust that eject molten lava and other materials Ash and gases from volcanic eruptions can block sunlight, causing temperatures to drop. Eruptions can trigger landslides and mudflows. Molten lava can cover and destroy surrounding land. Openings in Earth’s crust that eject molten lava and other materials Ash and gases from volcanic eruptions can block sunlight, causing temperatures to drop. Eruptions can trigger landslides and mudflows. Molten lava can cover and destroy surrounding land. Volcanoes Lesson 9.4 Natural Disasters Did You Know? In 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines, covering the area around the volcano with a layer of volcanic materials up to 180 m (600 ft) thick.

25. Storms Tornadoes: Rotating funnels of air that can travel over 400 km (250 mi) per hr Hurricanes: Storms that form over tropical oceans, with winds over 119 km (74 mi) per hour Thunderstorms: Produce lightning and thunder, usually with heavy rain Tornadoes: Rotating funnels of air that can travel over 400 km (250 mi) per hr Hurricanes: Storms that form over tropical oceans, with winds over 119 km (74 mi) per hour Thunderstorms: Produce lightning and thunder, usually with heavy rain Lesson 9.4 Natural Disasters Did You Know? Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans in 2005, caused more than $80 billion in damage and killed 1800 people.

26. Avalanches Masses of snow that slide down a slope Conditions favoring avalanches: Slope greater than 30 degrees Unstable snowpack Heavy snowfall Warm temperatures Lesson 9.4 Natural Disasters Did You Know? A big North American avalanche can contain 230,000 m 3 of snow—about the equivalent of 20 football fields filled with snow 3 m (10 ft) deep.