1. The Environment and Your Health Chapter Twenty

2. The Environment Range of conditions that can influence your health: –Availability of resources –Physical conditions Temperature Humidity Toxins Allergens Pathogens Noise Radiation –Other organisms

3. Environmental Problems and Solutions

4. Personal Environment Home Neighborhood Workplace Health concerns of personal environment: –Indoor air quality –Drinking water –Endocrine disrupters –Noise

5. Indoor Air Quality: Health Risks Carbon monoxide –Odorless, colorless byproduct of combustion –Effects range from mild discomfort to death –Keep appliances in working order –Install a carbon monoxide detector Volatile organic compounds (paint, paint stripper, solvents) –Effects range from eye irritation in the short term to organ and nerve damage in the long term –Minimize use of products –Use and dispose of properly

6. Indoor Air Quality: Health Risks (cont.) Tobacco smoke –Increases risk for respiratory problems and cancer –Reduce exposure Asbestos (building material) –Minerals with a fibrous crystal structure –Causes lung damage and cancer if inhaled –Leave undamaged asbestos-containing materials alone –Hire qualified professional to remove damaged asbestos

7. Indoor Air Quality: Health Risks (cont.) Lead –Toxic metal used in house paint, as gasoline additive, in plumbing solder –Causes organ damage, delayed physical and mental development, and death –Replace lead-based paints and test tap water in older houses Biological pollutants (bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, dust mites, plant pollen and other allergens) –Minimize exposure through cleaning, vacuuming, pest control, and other strategies

8. Indoor Air Quality: Health Risks (cont.) Radon –Naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted during uranium decay in soil, rock, water –Causes lung cancer –Test homes and install a radon reduction system if needed Nonionizing (electromagnetic) radiation –Cannot break chemical bonds but may excite electrons or heat biological materials (e.g., microwave) –Effects still under study

9. Drinking Water Source of water supply –Safety of drinking water is affected by environmental factors in home and community –Water supply is typically from ground water (rural) or river/lakes (urban) Drinking water contaminants –Agricultural fertilizers –Pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, viruses –Lead, copper, PVC from pipes Taking action –Flush water through plumbing –Have water tested and take any needed action

10. Endocrine Disrupters Dangerous pollutants –Dioxin, PCBs, DT Pesticides Herbicides Antiseptics Chemicals used in manufacturing plastics –Phthalates, bisphenol A Teflon

11. Noise Defined as any undesirable sound Health effects are dependent upon intensity, frequency, and nature of the noise –Anxiety, frustration –Inability to concentrate, reduced productivity –Anger, stress –Long-term hearing loss can occur at noise levels at 120 decibels for over 2 hours

12. The Community and Regional Environment Air pollution Water pollution Land pollution Loss of green space Ionizing radiation

13. Air Pollution Sources –Internal combustion engines –Oil refineries, chemical production Health effects –Carbon monoxide Impaired respiration –Nitrogen and sulfur oxides Lung tissue damage Respiratory effects –Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Cancer Fetal effects

14. Air Pollution (cont.) –Tropospheric ozone (“smog”) Lung damage Reduced lung capacity Respiratory distress –Air toxics Cancer Reduced fertility, birth defects Taking Action –Check information on local air quality Avoid outdoor activities during alerts –Limit personal contribution

15. Exposure to Unhealthy Air

16. Water Pollution Sources –Point sources (e.g., sewer overflow) –Urban and agricultural runoff Types –Biological water pollutants Disease-causing organisms from human or animal sewage –Toxic pollutants Naturally occurring elements Industrial and agricultural activities

17. Water Pollution (cont.) Health effects –Biological pollutants cause diarrhea, hepatitis, cholera, and other diseases –Toxic chemicals cause cancer, organ damage, infertility, and birth defects Taking action –Read annual water quality reports for your area –Avoid eating contaminated fish –Pay attention to “don’t swim” warnings

18. Land Pollution Sources –Municipal solid waste –Sewage sludge Disposal –Sanitary landfill –Incineration Taking action—Three Rs: –Reduce –Reuse –Recycle

19. Loss of Green Space Urban development –Increases commute time –Decreases physical activity, increases rates of overweight/obesity –Reduces quality of life

20. Ionizing Radiation Sources –Medical X-rays –Naturally occurring radioactive minerals –Nuclear reactors and waste products –Nuclear bomb explosions Health Effects –Organ damage –Birth defects –Cancer –Death Challenge of nuclear waste disposal

21. The Global Environment Atmosphere, oceans, continental land masses, and all living organisms that exist on Earth Concerns –Human population explosion –Global climate change –Stratospheric ozone depletion –Loss of natural habitats and species extinction

22. Human Population Growth Effects –Resource depletion and starvation –Habitat destruction –Political tensions, terrorism, and war (competition for limited resources) Reducing population growth –Increase infant survival –Provide education opportunities for girls –Provide universal access to birth control

23. Human Population Growth

24. Global Climate Change Greenhouse gases –Trap heat radiated from the earth; increase global temperature –Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, tropospheric ozone, water vapor Effects of climate change –Coastal flooding –Increased frequency and severity of destructive weather events –Expanded range of disease-carrying insects –Decreased air and water quality –Decreased food availability

25. Global Climate Change (cont.) Taking action –Conserve electricity –Drive fuel-efficient vehicles –Use mass transit –Reduce, reuse, recycle –Purchase energy-efficient appliances –Vote, volunteer

26. Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Ozone layer of upper atmosphere protects surface of Earth from harmful UV radiation Causes of depletion –Human-made air pollutants, especially CFCs Effects –Skin cancer, cataracts, weakened immunity, reduced crop yields Taking action –Have refrigerators and air-conditioning systems serviced by licensed technicians who can properly dispose of old CFCs

27. Loss of Habitat and Species Extinction Causes –Population growth –New technologies Health effects –Loss of genetic diversity and possible drug treatments –Degradation of overall environment and its ability to support life –Lessened emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being Taking action –Conserve energy –Reduce, reuse, recycle –“Buy green”

28. The Environment and Your Health Chapter Twenty