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Nature of Environmental Health Hazards

Annalee Yassi, Tord Kjellström, Theo de Kok, and Tee L. Guidotti

in Basic Environmental Health

This chapter describes the nature of environmental health hazards. Topics discussed include hazards and risk, biological hazards, chemical hazards, physical hazards, and mechanical hazards.

Characterizing and Prioritizing Chemicals

Ken Geiser

in Chemicals without Harm: Policies for a Sustainable World

The first step in a safer chemical policy framework is to develop a full chemical information profile much like the European Union chemical dossiers. Chemicals can then be classified into a universal ... More

The first step in a safer chemical policy framework is to develop a full chemical information profile much like the European Union chemical dossiers. Chemicals can then be classified into a universal chemical classification scheme as to their degree of hazard using existing international chemical classification systems. Once chemicals are classified from those of most to those of least concern they can be prioritized for government, industry, consumer and research attention. Government agencies could do this, but a more public and decentralized approach could be more effective by relying on the participation of hundreds of contributors in a manner similar to Internet “crowd sourcing”.Less

Health hazards in the physical work environment

Clare Bambra

in Work, Worklessness, and the Political Economy of Health

This chapter examines the health effects of three traditional dimensions of the physical work environment: chemical hazards including exposure to toxic substances used in industrial processes ... More

This chapter examines the health effects of three traditional dimensions of the physical work environment: chemical hazards including exposure to toxic substances used in industrial processes (asbestos, silica, coal dust, and lead); environmental factors such as noise, vibration, and workplace injuries; as well as ergonomic hazards such as repetitive movements, heavy lifting, and including shift work. It argues that despite changes in the nature of the economy in advanced market democracies, these physical hazards are still an important public health issue for many working age people. It suggests that differences in occupational exposures may well be of significance in terms of explaining socio-economic inequalities in health. It also examines how exposure to physical work environment hazards varies by country and how legislation can reduce the levels to which workers are exposed.Less

Chemical Hazards

René Mendes

in Global Occupational Health

This chapter describes common classes of chemical hazards and some specific chemicals that are important in occupational health: 1) the gases that make up the chemical asphyxiants have in common the ... More

This chapter describes common classes of chemical hazards and some specific chemicals that are important in occupational health: 1) the gases that make up the chemical asphyxiants have in common the characteristic that they interfere with oxygen or energy metabolism in cells. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that acts by binding to haemoglobin and preventing haemoglobin from delivering oxygen to tissues in the body. It is the most common cause of chemical poisoning because it is produced by combustion in fires where there is insufficient oxygen and in automobile exhaust. 2) Solvents are substances, usually liquids that readily dissolve other substances. In occupational health the term "solvent" usually refers to organic chemicals that dissolve oils. Their vapours may be inhaled or the main exposure may come from skin contact. Their toxic effects depend on the compound but have in common skin effects and effects on the brain, kidney and liver at varying doses. 3) Exposure to metals and the metalloids usually takes the form of inhaling metal-containing dust, inhaling fumes from molten metal or inhaling or ingesting salts of the element. Their toxicity varies. 4) Pesticides are biologically active chemicals designed to control insect, animal, and plant pests. Their toxicity varies widely and depends on the compound, of which the major functional classes are insecticides, including organochlorines, organophosphates, and carbamates, and herbicides.Less

Environmental Health

Emily Ying Yang Chan

in Essentials for Health Protection: Four Key Components

Human health is closely linked to the natural environment, behavioural patterns, and policy context. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines environment, as it relates to health, as all the ... More

Human health is closely linked to the natural environment, behavioural patterns, and policy context. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines environment, as it relates to health, as all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related behaviours. Environmental health is the branch of public health that focuses on the interrelationships between people and their environment, as well as how to foster healthy and safe communities. It addresses the societal and environmental factors that increase the likelihood of exposure and disease. Poor environmental quality has its greatest impact on people whose health status is already at risk. Environmental threats to health frequently require rapid and urgent action to protect the environment for both present and future generations. This chapter describes key concepts in environmental health and related risks.Less

Agriculture and Rural Development

Jyrki Liesivuori and Tee L. Guidotti

in Global Occupational Health

Agricultural workers usually live in rural areas, sometimes isolated and remote from health care. They are required to perform many jobs as they are needed and carry out much of their work outdoors. ... More

Agricultural workers usually live in rural areas, sometimes isolated and remote from health care. They are required to perform many jobs as they are needed and carry out much of their work outdoors. Agricultural workers work very hard and at a very rapid pace at certain times of the year, a pattern that often leads to injuries. Despite these hazards, however, farmers in industrialized countries usually live longer and have fewer health problems than urban residents. This does not apply in developing countries, where the other problems of rural life and isolation from health care make life more difficult for agricultural workers. Traumatic injuries are the most common occupational health problem in agriculture. Respiratory diseases are relatively common in agriculture, due to inhaled agents. Chemical hazards reflect modern farming practices. Pesticides range from very safe to highly toxic to humans, depending on the specific used. Hydrogen sulfide, a very toxic gas, is formed in manure pits and where organic material decomposes. Ammonia vapor, from fertilizer or released from the nitrogen-rich bird manure in poultry sheds, is very irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. A highly toxic gas, “nitrogen dioxide”, forms over time when some crops are put up in silos. Many biological hazards are found in agriculture, particularly zoonoses, transmitted from animals. Physical hazards are common in agriculture, including noise, ergonomic hazards, heat stress, and ultraviolet radiation from working outdoors. Agricultural work can be very stressful. The farmer or worker has little control over the pacing of the work.Less

Chemical Hazards

Michael Gochfeld and Robert Laumbach

in Occupational and Environmental Health

Building on the principles of toxicology, this chapter describes chemicals by structure, source, use, mechanism of action, environmental properties, and target organ. Major advances in toxic effects ... More

Building on the principles of toxicology, this chapter describes chemicals by structure, source, use, mechanism of action, environmental properties, and target organ. Major advances in toxic effects include more detailed understanding of the mechanisms by which toxic chemicals damage receptors at the subcellular, cellular, and organ level. The chapter describes properties of various types of inorganic and organic chemicals and their adverse health effects. It discusses asphyxiants, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide; heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium; organic solvents, such as benzene and trichlorethylene; pesticides, including chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphates; and a variety of other toxic chemicals to which people are exposed in the home, community, or workplace environment. Several cases are presented to illustrate various concepts concerning chemical hazards in occupational and environmental health.Less

Hazards for Healthcare Workers

Jane A. Lipscomb

in Occupational and Environmental Health

This chapter describes occupational hazards for healthcare workers. The chapter focuses on biological hazards, chemical hazards, physical hazards, safety and ergonomic hazards, violence, psychosocial ... More

This chapter describes occupational hazards for healthcare workers. The chapter focuses on biological hazards, chemical hazards, physical hazards, safety and ergonomic hazards, violence, psychosocial and organizational factors, and health consequences associated with changes in the organization and financing of healthcare. The nature and magnitude of various problems is described. The chapter includes specific prevention and control measures for addressing biological hazards, chemical hazards, ionizing radiation, safety hazards, ergonomic hazards, musculoskeletal disorders, violence, and psychosocial hazards. Finally, the chapter provides a summary of historical and recent policy initiatives, including federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines, developed and implemented to protect healthcare workers from recognized hazards.Less

Breast Cancer, Part 1: The Rise Of Activism and The Pesticide Hypothesis

Inge F. Goldstein and Martin Goldstein

in How Much Risk?: A Guide to Understanding Environmental Health Hazards

The New York Post, a New York City daily, ran a sensational headline on the front page of its April 12, 2000, issue: “Breast Cancer Hot Spots”. The news story reported ... More

The New York Post, a New York City daily, ran a sensational headline on the front page of its April 12, 2000, issue: “Breast Cancer Hot Spots”. The news story reported that statistics and maps of breast cancer rates just released by New York State health authorities showed unusually high rates of breast cancer on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, as well as on Long Island and several other areas in New York City and upstate. These high rates were described by the state authorities as “not likely due to chance.” The residents of the Upper East Side, one of the most affluent areas of the city, were understandably alarmed. One woman interviewed was considering whether to move elsewhere, but had not yet decided. A second demanded that the two major party candidates for the U.S. Senate state their positions on the high rate. A third noted that there were no obvious sources of pollution in the neighborhood, no pesticide spraying or toxic waste dumps, that could explain why the breast cancer rate was high. Many people believe that breast cancer is caused by toxic agents in the environment. Victims of breast cancer we have met at sessions of support groups have described vividly the pains and discomfort of chemotherapy, radiation, and radical surgery; the nagging anxiety about a possible recurrence, the sense of disfigurement, of mutilation; the ignorance and insensitivity of many of the so-far healthy; the strengthening or weakening of bonds to those close to them: husbands, sons, daughters, parents, who either grow in understanding and compassion or fall short. But there is one common thread that runs through their stories: each of them feels there must be a reason why she, at this particular point in her life, should have gotten this terrible disease. Why me? Lucia D., in her late thirties, remembers that as a child of eight or nine growing up in Panama she and other children used to run after the truck that periodically sprayed DDT in their neighborhood and dance around in the spray. She is convinced that this childhood exposure is the reason she has breast cancer at such an early age. Less