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Chapter Sixteen: The Environment and Your Health © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Environment Range of conditions that can influence your health: – Availability of resources – Physical conditions • • • • • • • Temperature Humidity Toxins Allergens Pathogens Noise Radiation – Other organisms © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Environmental Problems and Solutions © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Personal Environment • Home • Neighborhood • Workplace • Health concerns of personal environment: – Indoor air quality – Drinking water – Endocrine disrupters – Noise © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 by keeping your home clean, dry, and free of mold and sources of allergens © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 – Effects still under study © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 Pathogens from home septic systems Contaminants from underwater fuel storage tanks Lead, copper, PVC from pipes • Taking action – Private water supplies should be tested annually – If needed, contact your local health department © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Endocrine Disrupters • Dangerous pollutants – Dioxin, PCBs, DT • • • • Pesticides Herbicides Antiseptics Chemicals used in manufacturing plastics – Phthalates, bisphenol A • Teflon © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 of 120 decibels © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Community and Regional Environment • • • • • Air pollution Water pollution Land pollution Loss of green space Ionizing radiation © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Air Pollution (cont.) – Tropospheric ozone (“smog”) • Lung damage • Reduced lung capacity • Health risk to those who suffer from asthma, emphysema, or heart disease – Air toxics • Cancer • Reduced fertility, birth defects • Taking Action – Check information on local air quality • Avoid outdoor activities during alerts – Limit personal contribution © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Exposure to Unhealthy Air © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Land Pollution • Sources – Municipal solid waste – Sewage sludge • Disposal – Sanitary landfill – Incineration • Taking action—Three Rs: – Reduce – Reuse – Recycle © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Loss of Green Space • Urban development – Increases commute time – Decreases physical activity, increases rates of overweight/obesity – Reduces quality of life © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Ionizing Radiation • Sources – Medical X-rays – Naturally occurring radioactive minerals – Nuclear reactors and waste products – Nuclear bomb explosions • Health Effects – Organ damage – Birth defects – Death • Challenge of nuclear waste disposal © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Human Population Growth © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Global Climate Change (cont.) • Taking action – Conserve electricity – Drive fuel-efficient vehicles – Use mass transit – Reduce, reuse, recycle – Purchase energy-efficient appliances – Vote, volunteer © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 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” © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter Sixteen: The Environment and Your Health © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.