7: Environmental Hazards and Human Health

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Page ID: 222274

Paul Hankamp
College of San Mateo

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Learning Outcomes

Define environmental health
Categorize environmental health risks
Explain the concept of emerging diseases
Summarize the principles of environmental toxicology
Classify environmental contaminants

7.1: The Impacts of Environmental Conditions
This page examines the effects of industrial pollution on ecosystems and human health, noting the historical dominance of infectious diseases in health crises, particularly in developing areas. While chronic diseases are now more prevalent, infectious diseases persist due to factors like drug resistance and inadequate living conditions.
7.2: Environmental Health
This page discusses environmental health and its impact on disease prevention by managing risks, differentiating between traditional hazards in developing countries and modern risks linked to urbanization. Key issues include water-related diseases and antibiotic resistance, particularly with MRSA, which is prevalent in both community and medical settings.
7.3: Environmental Toxicology
This page covers environmental toxicology, emphasizing the health impacts of toxic chemicals through various exposure routes, including inhalation and ingestion. It highlights specific contaminants like arsenic, mercury, and BPA, detailing their acute and chronic health risks, such as cancer and neurological issues.
7.4: Bioremediation
This page discusses bioremediation, a waste management strategy utilizing organisms such as plants and bacteria to detoxify polluted environments. It highlights its effectiveness in treating sewage, agricultural chemicals, and heavy metals, particularly through the action of prokaryotic bacteria in oil spill cleanups.
7.5: Case Study - The Love Canal Disaster
This page discusses the Love Canal tragedy in Niagara Falls, highlighting its role in groundwater pollution and the resulting health issues for residents. It details the site's transformation from a hydroelectric station to a waste dumping ground, leading to a state of emergency and the establishment of the Superfund program in 1980. The cleanup, costing $275 million, concluded in 2004, yet over 1,000 hazardous waste sites still require remediation.
7.6: Chapter Summary
This page discusses environmental health, focusing on disease prevention by reducing risks and promoting behavior change. It categorizes risks into traditional hazards for poorer populations and modern hazards like pollution in industrial areas. Environmental toxicology examines the effects of toxic chemicals, while antibiotic resistance poses a significant global threat. Poor sanitation and indoor air pollution contribute to millions of deaths, especially in children.

Thumbnail image - stock image of toxic chemicals

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