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Physical: ionizing radiation, fire, earthquake, volcano, severe weather

Ch. 14 Environmental health – study and assessment of environmental factors that influence human health and quality of life. Physical: ionizing radiation, fire, earthquake, volcano, severe weather Biological: viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens

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Physical: ionizing radiation, fire, earthquake, volcano, severe weather

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  1. Ch. 14 Environmental health – study and assessment of environmental factors that influence human health and quality of life

  2. Physical: ionizing radiation, fire, earthquake, volcano, severe weather Biological: viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens Chemical: harmful substances in the air, water, soil, and food Cultural: smoking, drug use, diet and nutrition, crime, mode of transportation, unsafe sex

  3. 14_IGD01.JPG

  4. Radiation Sources

  5. Plate Tectonics and the Tsunami How a Reactor Shuts Down Crippled Japanese Nuclear Reactors NY Times Resources: NY Times 3/14/11– checking residents for radiation exposure

  6. Infectious disease responsible for 50% of death in LDCs

  7. How do humans impact spread of infections?

  8. Types of toxicants Carcinogens = cause cancer Mutagens = cause DNA mutations Teratogens = cause birth defects Allergens = overactivate the immune system Neurotoxins = assault the nervous system Endocrine disruptors

  9. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) • Fire retardant • Endocrine disruptors = mimic hormones and interfere with the functioning of endocrine (hormone) systems • Neurotoxins

  10. Endocrine disruption

  11. Lake Apopka alligators Males with low testosterone Females elevated estrogen – fewer viable eggs Fewer juveniles 1980 spill of DDT and dicofol High agricultural runoff – nitrate may act as endocrine disruptor

  12. Evidence for hormone disruption Feminized male frogs and hermaphrodites from low levels of atrazine Low birth weight human babies from mothers eating fish with PCB

  13. Endocrine Disruptor connection?

  14. Bisphenol-A (BPA) Linked with miscarriage, birth defects,

  15. bisphenol-A (BPA)

  16. Routes of chemical transport

  17. Airborne toxicants travel widely • Pesticide drift = airborne transport of pesticides • Synthetic chemical contaminants are found globally

  18. Some toxicants persist for a long time Toxins can degrade quickly and become harmless Or, they may remain unaltered and persist for decades Rates of degradation depends on temperature, moisture, and sun exposure Persistent chemicals have the greatest potential for harm

  19. Toxicants can persist and bioaccumulate Bioaccumulation = toxicants build up in animal tissues – especially if fat soluble Biomagnification = toxicants concentrate in top predators

  20. Indoor Environmental Hazards Radon Lead poisoning Asbestos

  21. Risk assessment

  22. Fig. 11-3 p. 230 Factors Affecting Risk • Level / duration of exposure • Individual sensitivity • Synergism

  23. Risk management

  24. Regulation FDA: food, food additives, cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices EPA: pesticides Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): workplace hazards Superfund

  25. International regulation • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 2004 ends the release of the 12 most dangerous POPs Housatonic River PCBs

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