1. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 9 Environmental Health and Safety

2. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Concepts and Theories Preventive approach Ecologic perspective –Ecosystem Contaminant Toxic agent Triangle of human disease ecology

3. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

4. Long-Range Environmental Impact Consider present and future needs –Food and fuel limitations of the natural environment –Conservation by balancing present and future needs –Preventing consequences of environmental abuse

5. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns Overpopulation –Effects: food scarcity, water shortages, depletion of other vital resources –Demographic entrapment: population > ability of ecosystem to support it or acquire needed support, or when population exceeds its ability to migrate to other ecosystems in a manner to preserve its standard of living –Government ’ s role: solutions may be controversial depending on culture, religious beliefs, personal values and convictions –Nurse ’ s role: teaching about birth spacing, preventing high-risk pregnancies, preventing growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS, providing family planning education, providing prenatal care

6. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Is the following statement true or false? A contaminant is a poisonous substance in the environment that produces harmful effects on the health of humans, animals, or plants.

7. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer False –A contaminant is organic or inorganic matter that enters a medium such as water or food and renders it impure.

8. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Air pollution –One of the most hazardous sources of chemical contamination; adverse effects include costs to property, productivity, quality of life, and human life (see Fig. 9.3) –Difficulty establishing actual cause and effect –Certain geographic areas more susceptible to ill effects due to weather or physical terrain

9. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Dusts, gases, and naturally occurring elements –Dusts: silica dust, asbestos; gases: sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, chlorine, ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, radon (see Fig. 9.4) –Pollen, volcanic ash, airborne microorganisms Acid precipitation –Air contaminants + precipitation = sulfuric and nitric acid (acid rain) –Effects: killing small life forms; danger to forest and freshwater ecologies

10. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Ozone depletion and global warming –Effects: increased risk for skin cancer and cataracts; indirectly damaging food chain, increasing exposure to vector-borne diseases, raising ocean levels, and negative impact on crop production –Government’s role: clean air legislation, reduction of greenhouse gases –Nurse’s role: detection, community education, lobbying for appropriate legislation

11. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Water pollution –Surface water (lakes, streams); underground sources –Effects: cause of disease; contamination of streams, lakes, wells; contamination of fish; upset of ecosystem –Government’s role: legislation for water quality testing; groundwater protection –Nurse’s role: examine household or city drinking water; identify increased incidences of water- related diseases; promote safe, healthy water

12. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Which of the following is a component of acid rain? a.Carbon monoxide b.Radon c.Chlorine d.Nitric acid

13. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer d.Nitric acid Acid rain is formed when air pollutants combine with precipitation to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Carbon monoxide, radon, and chlorine are gases that pose a major global environmental concern.

14. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Deforestation, wetlands destruction, and desertification –Effects: upset of ecosystem; gases contribute to ozone depletion; geographic changes/landslides; drought, famine, starvation –Government’s role: saving wetlands and forests –Nurse’s role: acting as a voice at the local level; leading and collaborating to initiate grassroots efforts to save wetlands and forests Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.)

15. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Energy depletion –Nonrenewable sources primarily used today; nuclear energy still controversial, including building of plants and disposal of nuclear waste –Government’s role: discovery, rediscovery, or tapping of other renewable sources of energy; use of environmentally friendly sources –Nurse’s role: education about energy conservation, alternative energy sources; encourage people to become interested in and knowledgeable about potential energy depletion

16. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Unhealthy or contaminated food –Inherently harmful foods, contaminated foods, foods with toxic additives –Food irradiation/cold pasteurization—for global food safety –Government’s role: regulatory agencies and monitoring –Nurse’s role: education about proper food storage, cooking, and handling

17. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Waste disposal –Issues involving disposal of human waste, garbage, hazardous waste –Government’s role: establishing standards for safe waste disposal; monitoring and enforcing compliance –Nurse’s role: educating public and lobbying for enabling legislation; encouraging use of recyclable products; avoiding use of aerosol sprays and plastics and other nonrecyclable items

18. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Is the following statement true or false? Overuse of renewable energy sources is the primary reason for energy depletion.

19. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer False –Energy depletion is occurring because of the emphasis on use of nonrenewable energy sources.

20. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Insect and rodent control –Effects: irritation/discomfort; direct threat to health via attack; contamination of food; vectors for disease transmission (mosquitoes, flies, ticks, roaches, fleas, rats, mice, ground squirrels) –Government’s role: vector surveys, research, control; community awareness; pest control programs –Nurse’s role: increasing awareness of threat; remaining alert to evidence of insects/rodents; educating people; notifying proper authorities; surveying communities; influencing policymakers

21. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Major Global Environmental Concerns (cont.) Safety in home, worksite, and community –Exposure to toxic chemicals, radiation, noise pollution, biologic pollutants; injury hazards; psychological hazards –Government’s role: standards and regulation; monitoring of chemical use and production; public education & community safety programs –Nurse’s role: monitoring; preventing injuries; providing safety education; promoting first-aid/CPR education; noise education; active lobbying for crime prevention, reducing workplace stressors, developing educational & support programs

22. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Strategies for Nursing Action in Environmental Health Learn about possible environmental health threats. Assess clients ’ environment and detect health hazards. Plan collaboratively with citizens and other professionals to devise protective and preventive strategies. Assist with the implementation of programs. Take action to correct situations in which health hazards exist.

23. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Strategies for Nursing Action in Environmental Health (cont.) Educate consumers and help them to take preventive measures. Promote development of policies and legislation that enhance consumer protection and promote a healthier environment. Assist with and promote program evaluation to determine the effectiveness of environmental health efforts. Apply environmentally related research findings and participate in nursing research.

24. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Is the following statement true or false? The most serious health hazard of insects and rodents is their role as vectors.

25. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer True –The most serious threat posed by insects and rodents is that they can act as vectors that carry disease organisms for transmission directly to humans.

26. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Internet Resources Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): –www.atsdr.cdc.govwww.atsdr.cdc.gov Fight BAC! Partnership for Food Safety Education: http://www.fightbac.org National Food Safety Initiative: –http://www.foodsafety.comhttp://www.foodsafety.com

27. Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Internet Resources (cont.) Population Action International: http://www.populationaction.org http://www.populationaction.org U. S. Environmental Protection Agency: –http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.ht mlhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.ht ml U. S. Food and Drug Administration: –http://www.fda.gov/http://www.fda.gov/