THE ENIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Dr.Amean A Yasir
Environmental Health:-Freedom from illness or injury due to exposure to factors in potentially detrimental to human health
Environmental
Ecological perspectives:
Public health perspectives
Ecological Issues:the physical environment that are
Factors that affect the physical environment and ecological systems that may not have direct health effects.
Major Ecological Issues :
Deforestationdesertification, and loss of biodiversity
Global warming
Ozone depletion
Planetary toxification
Over population
Deforestation: Reduction in the earth’s crown cover of trees to less than 10% of its original extent
Desertification: The conversion of fertile land into desert
Loss of biodiversity: The extinction of certain species of plants and animals
May have indirect health effects such as
Diminished food and water sources
Changes in human exposure to pathogens
Global Warming:
An overall increase in temperature throughout the world
Caused by the “greenhouse effect” of gasses accumulated in the atmosphere
reflecting heat back to the earth
Effects of Global Warming:
Increased growth rates for insects and parasites
Increased flood danger in some area
Increased heat-related mortality
Ozone Depletion:
Destruction of the stratospheric layer of ozone resulting in greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation
Caused by chemical interactions between air pollutants
Effects of Ozone Depletion:
Contributes to global warming and its effects
Increased incidence of skin cancers
Increased incidence of cataracts
Planetary Toxification:
Accumulation of wastes in the environment including:
Solid wastes
Liquid wastes
Hazardous wastes
Effects of Planetary Toxification:
Air pollution
Water pollution
Increased potential for human exposure to toxic substances
Increased incidence of cancers, heavy metal poisoning, and infectious diseases
Effects of Over Population:
Inadequate food and water resources
Increased social disorganization and stress
Ecological effects such as deforestation, and loss of biodiversity
Public Health Issues:
Caused by:
Physical hazards
Biological hazards
Chemical and gaseous hazards
Physical Hazards:
Radiation
Ionizing radiation
Nonionizing radiation
Lead and other heavy metals
Noise
Effects of Physical Hazards:
Increased cancer incidence
Increased incidence of cataracts
Heavy metal poisoning
Hearing loss
Increased stress, insomnia, depression, etc.
Biological Hazards:
Infectious organisms
Insects and animals
Plants
Effects of Biological Hazards:
Communicable diseases
Contact dermatitis
Plant poisoning
Insect and animal bites
Diminished food supplies
Increased exposure to allergens
Chemical and Gaseous Hazards:
Poisons
Water pollution
Air pollution
Effects of Chemical and Gaseous Hazards:
Poisonings and exposures to toxic substances
Increased respiratory disease
Increased cancer incidence
Multiple other biophysical effects
Assessing Environmental Health:
Identifying environmentally-caused health problems
Identifying environmental factors contributing to health problems
Identifying population groups affected by environmental health problems
Planning to Improve Environmental Health:
Primary prevention
Secondary prevention
Tertiary prevention
Primary Prevention:
Eliminating environmental hazards
Limiting human exposure to environmental hazards
Undertaken with individuals, families, and population groups
May involve:
Client education
Political activity
Secondary Prevention:
Screening for environmental health problems
Treatment of environmental health problems
Political activity
Tertiary :
Dealing with the consequences of environmental health problems
Preventing subsequent environmental health problems