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Environmental HealthEnvironmental HealthChapter 3
Lesson 3.1
Pollution and Human Health
Theme OutlineTheme Outline
Lesson 3.1Lesson 3.1 Pollution and Human HealthPollution and Human Health Water PollutionWater Pollution Water Pollutants and Human HealthWater Pollutants and Human Health Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in PennsylvaniaWaterborne Disease Outbreaks in Pennsylvania Air PollutionAir Pollution Allergies and AsthmaAllergies and Asthma Pennsylvania Air QualityPennsylvania Air Quality Common Soil PollutantsCommon Soil Pollutants Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution Manufacturing Common Household Cleaning ProductsManufacturing Common Household Cleaning Products
Academic Standards for Academic Standards for Environment & EcologyEnvironment & Ecology
Standard 4.3.10.AStandard 4.3.10.A Describe environmental health issues.Describe environmental health issues.
Identify the effects on human health of air, water and soil Identify the effects on human health of air, water and soil pollution and the possible economic costs to society.pollution and the possible economic costs to society.
Describe how indoor pollution may affect human health (e.g., Describe how indoor pollution may affect human health (e.g., dust mites, fumes, cat dandruff).dust mites, fumes, cat dandruff).
Explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up contaminants.Explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up contaminants. Explain how common household cleaning products are Explain how common household cleaning products are
manufactured and how to dispose of their by-products after manufactured and how to dispose of their by-products after use.use.
Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives Students will identify the effects on human health of air, Students will identify the effects on human health of air,
water, and soil pollution and some of the economic costs to water, and soil pollution and some of the economic costs to society.society.
Students will explain how human practices affect the Students will explain how human practices affect the quality of the water and soil.quality of the water and soil.
Students will describe how indoor pollutants might affect Students will describe how indoor pollutants might affect human health, how common household cleaning products human health, how common household cleaning products are manufactured, and how to dispose of those products are manufactured, and how to dispose of those products after use.after use.
Students will explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up Students will explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up contaminants.contaminants.
Students will identify some environmental regulations and Students will identify some environmental regulations and their impacts on environmental health.their impacts on environmental health.
Love Love CanalCanal
Pollution and Human HealthPollution and Human HealthThe human population depends on the Earth at The human population depends on the Earth at
several different levelsseveral different levels HydrosphereHydrosphere
Example: waterExample: water AtmosphereAtmosphere
Example: airExample: air LithosphereLithosphere
Example: soilExample: soil Biosphere Biosphere
Example: living worldExample: living world
Categories of Pollutants
PollutionPollution
Pollution can be classified according to the Pollution can be classified according to the medium which is contaminated or where the medium which is contaminated or where the contamination occurscontamination occurs Water pollutionWater pollution Air pollutionAir pollution Soil pollutionSoil pollution
Also commonly referred to as land pollutionAlso commonly referred to as land pollution Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution
Water PollutionWater Pollution In developed nations…In developed nations…
PotablePotable drinking water is readily accessible drinking water is readily accessible Water used in households is treated to remove Water used in households is treated to remove
dangerous pollutantsdangerous pollutants Pollutants enter water supplies several waysPollutants enter water supplies several ways
Example: pollution from Example: pollution from precipitationprecipitation Example: pollution from irrigation Example: pollution from irrigation runoffrunoff
Water PollutionWater Pollution Common waterway pollutantsCommon waterway pollutants
SedimentsSediments NutrientsNutrients
These substances wash into waterways from These substances wash into waterways from farmlands, animal feeding facilities, construction farmlands, animal feeding facilities, construction sites, and other areas where the sites, and other areas where the groundground is disturbed is disturbed
EffluentEffluent DefinitionDefinition: : wastewaterwastewater from factories and refineries that from factories and refineries that
is released directly into urban water suppliesis released directly into urban water supplies
Why is effluent a concern in waterways?Why is effluent a concern in waterways?• May contain harmful by-products of manufacturing May contain harmful by-products of manufacturing
processesprocesses
Example: washing of solvents in drainage systemsExample: washing of solvents in drainage systems• May be in the form of May be in the form of heatedheated wastewater from industry wastewater from industry
Example: raising the temperature of aquatic systemsExample: raising the temperature of aquatic systems
SewageSewage Definition: Definition: polluted water that contains polluted water that contains
human waste, garbage, and other household human waste, garbage, and other household wastewaterwastewater
In developed countries, sewage is treated with a system of In developed countries, sewage is treated with a system of screens, filters, screens, filters, and chemicalsand chemicals to remove particulate matter, organic matter, and other to remove particulate matter, organic matter, and other contaminants.contaminants.
Sewage processing in the United StatesSewage processing in the United States 80%80% of sewage goes through treatment processes of sewage goes through treatment processes 10%10% of sewage goes through septic systems of sewage goes through septic systems 10%10% of sewage is untreated of sewage is untreated
Wastewater Treatment FacilitiesWastewater Treatment Facilities
A by-product of the sewage treatment process is A by-product of the sewage treatment process is sediment, called sediment, called sludgesludge
Historically, Historically, sludgesludge was was dumpeddumped into water bodies into water bodies or taken to or taken to landfillslandfills..
Now, sludge is Now, sludge is drieddried and then used for and then used for compostcompost material or as fertilizers in agricultural settingsmaterial or as fertilizers in agricultural settings
Water Pollutants Water Pollutants andand Human Human HealthHealth
Most water pollutants can be dangerous to human Most water pollutants can be dangerous to human healthhealthExample: Example: lead lead in water supplies from pipes and pipe solder in water supplies from pipes and pipe solder
may cause brain damage, especially in childrenmay cause brain damage, especially in children
Untreated or inadequately treated sewage Untreated or inadequately treated sewage discharges can also be harmful to human healthdischarges can also be harmful to human healthExample: Example: microbesmicrobes
Definition: very tiny pathogens, or organisms such as Definition: very tiny pathogens, or organisms such as protests, bacteria, or viruses, that cause protests, bacteria, or viruses, that cause diseasedisease
Some Common Water PollutantsSome Common Water Pollutants Common water-related illnessesCommon water-related illnesses
CholeraCholera• Intestinal infectionIntestinal infection• Caused by water contaminated with the Caused by water contaminated with the bacteriumbacterium
Vibro choleraeVibro cholerae• Spread by drinking and eating contaminated water Spread by drinking and eating contaminated water
and food productsand food products• Symptoms include Symptoms include diarrheadiarrhea, vomiting, and , vomiting, and
dehydrationdehydration• World Health Organization (WHO) considers World Health Organization (WHO) considers
cholera a pandemic, mostly contained to developing cholera a pandemic, mostly contained to developing nationsnations
PandemicPandemic DefinitionDefinition: outbreak of a disease that affects an : outbreak of a disease that affects an
exceptionally high portion of a population and occurs over exceptionally high portion of a population and occurs over a very a very largelarge geographic area geographic area
Some Common Water PollutantsSome Common Water Pollutants
Common water-related illnessesCommon water-related illnesses DysenteryDysentery
• Caused by several types of bacteriaCaused by several types of bacteria• Spread by person-to-person contact and by Spread by person-to-person contact and by
consuming contaminated water and food productsconsuming contaminated water and food products• Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal
cramps, fever and less seldom seizures and kidney cramps, fever and less seldom seizures and kidney failurefailure
• Antibiotics offer effective treatment until antibiotic Antibiotics offer effective treatment until antibiotic resistance developsresistance develops
• World Health Organization (WHO) considers World Health Organization (WHO) considers dysentery an epidemic in many developing nationsdysentery an epidemic in many developing nations
Epidemic Epidemic - temporary prevalence of a disease- temporary prevalence of a disease
Some Common Water PollutantsSome Common Water Pollutants
Common water-related illnessesCommon water-related illnesses MalariaMalaria
• Caused by parasitic diseaseCaused by parasitic disease• Spread by contact with infected female mosquitoesSpread by contact with infected female mosquitoes• Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, headache, Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, headache,
fever, and vomiting. fever, and vomiting. • World Health Organization (WHO) considers World Health Organization (WHO) considers
malaria a potentially life-threatening disease in malaria a potentially life-threatening disease in many developing nations. Kills > 1 million people many developing nations. Kills > 1 million people annually.annually.
Common water-related illnessesCommon water-related illnesses CryptosporidiosisCryptosporidiosis
• Caused by cryptosporidiosis cysts that enter the Caused by cryptosporidiosis cysts that enter the human body and “hatch”human body and “hatch”
• Often present in surface water suppliesOften present in surface water supplies• Spread by contact with untreated or inadequately Spread by contact with untreated or inadequately
treated wastewatertreated wastewater• Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal
cramps, weight loss, and dehydrationcramps, weight loss, and dehydration
Some Common Water PollutantsSome Common Water Pollutants
Some Common Water PollutantsSome Common Water Pollutants
Common water-related illnessesCommon water-related illnesses GiardiasisGiardiasis
• Caused by cysts that enter the human body and Caused by cysts that enter the human body and “hatch”“hatch”
• Often present in surface water supplies Often present in surface water supplies contaminated by fecescontaminated by feces
• Spread by contact with untreated or inadequately Spread by contact with untreated or inadequately treated wastewatertreated wastewater
• Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and dehydrationcramps, weight loss, and dehydration
• Unlike cryptosporidiosis, medication can eliminate Unlike cryptosporidiosis, medication can eliminate giardia parasites in human hostsgiardia parasites in human hosts
Waterborne Disease Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in PennsylvaniaOutbreaks in Pennsylvania
Between 1971 and 1985, Pennsylvania reported more cases Between 1971 and 1985, Pennsylvania reported more cases of waterborne disease than any other stateof waterborne disease than any other state
Pennsylvania created the Safe Drinking Water Program Pennsylvania created the Safe Drinking Water Program under the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee the state’s public water suppliesto oversee the state’s public water supplies
• Mission: evaluate and monitor the state’s water treatment Mission: evaluate and monitor the state’s water treatment plantsplants
Since 1990, a sharp reduction in waterborne diseases Since 1990, a sharp reduction in waterborne diseases statewide has been recordedstatewide has been recorded
PollutionPollution Pollution can be classified according to the Pollution can be classified according to the
medium which is contaminated or where the medium which is contaminated or where the contamination occurscontamination occurs Water pollutionWater pollution Air pollutionAir pollution Soil pollutionSoil pollution
Also commonly referred to as land pollutionAlso commonly referred to as land pollution Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution
Air PollutionAir Pollution Causes of air pollutionCauses of air pollution
• NaturalNaturalExample: forest firesExample: forest fires
• Human ActivitiesHuman ActivitiesExample: combustion of fossil fuels as energyExample: combustion of fossil fuels as energy
Major sources of air pollution remain Major sources of air pollution remain industrialindustrial processes and processes and motor vehiclesmotor vehicles
1948: Donora, PA
http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/DonoraSmog.html
Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Ozone (OOzone (O33))
• Found in Earth’s upper and lower Found in Earth’s upper and lower atmosphereatmosphere
Lower atmosphereLower atmospherePollutant Pollutant that can cause (chronic) respiratory that can cause (chronic) respiratory tract infections, eye irritation, coughing, tract infections, eye irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, nausea, wheezing, and shortness of breath, nausea, wheezing, and headachesheadaches
Upper atmosphereUpper atmosphereProtects Earth from harmful solar Protects Earth from harmful solar radiationradiation
Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Carbon Monoxide (CO)Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Colorless, odorless Colorless, odorless gasgas• Formed from the incomplete Formed from the incomplete combustioncombustion of fuels of fuels• Commonly found in automobile and industrial Commonly found in automobile and industrial
emissionsemissions• Exposure to carbon monoxide includes symptoms Exposure to carbon monoxide includes symptoms
such as headaches, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms at such as headaches, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms at low levelslow levels
• Exposure to carbon monoxide includes symptoms Exposure to carbon monoxide includes symptoms such as impaired vision and hearing, problems with such as impaired vision and hearing, problems with fine motor skills, and lack of concentration at fine motor skills, and lack of concentration at moderate to high levelsmoderate to high levels
Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Sulfur Dioxide (SOSulfur Dioxide (SO22))
• Formed from the burning of Formed from the burning of coalcoal containing pyrite, containing pyrite, that combines with oxygen in the atmospherethat combines with oxygen in the atmosphere
• Exposure to moisture in the atmosphere produces Exposure to moisture in the atmosphere produces sulfuricsulfuric acid (acid rain) acid (acid rain)
• Exposure to sulfur dioxide includes symptoms such as Exposure to sulfur dioxide includes symptoms such as respiratory illnesses, decreased lung functions, and respiratory illnesses, decreased lung functions, and aggravation of existing heart diseaseaggravation of existing heart disease
Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Nitrogen Dioxide (NONitrogen Dioxide (NO22))
• Formed from the burning of fuelsFormed from the burning of fuels• Common component of Common component of smogsmog (smoke and fog) (smoke and fog)• Commonly found in industrial areas and areas with a high Commonly found in industrial areas and areas with a high
concentration of motor vehiclesconcentration of motor vehicles• Exposure to nitrogen dioxide includes symptoms such as eye Exposure to nitrogen dioxide includes symptoms such as eye
irritation, stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, lung inflammation, irritation, stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, lung inflammation, and various illnesses of the human respiratory systemand various illnesses of the human respiratory system
Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Particulate MatterParticulate Matter
• SolidSolid particles present in air particles present in air• Common particulate matter includes soil, Common particulate matter includes soil,
construction dust, bites of tire rubber, asbestos from construction dust, bites of tire rubber, asbestos from brake linings, and vehicle exhaustbrake linings, and vehicle exhaust
• Exposure to particulate matter includes symptoms Exposure to particulate matter includes symptoms such as irritation and illness of human respiratory such as irritation and illness of human respiratory system and certain kinds of system and certain kinds of cancercancer
Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Toxic SubstancesToxic Substances
Nearly 200 known toxic substances are known to be Nearly 200 known toxic substances are known to be air pollutantsair pollutants
Example: Example: lead lead is a highly toxic metal when ingested or inhaledis a highly toxic metal when ingested or inhaled
Example: Example: mercurymercury containing plant emissions are now closely containing plant emissions are now closely monitored and regulated to reduce overall emissionsmonitored and regulated to reduce overall emissions
What are toxic air pollutants?Toxic air pollutants, also known as hazardous air pollutants, are those pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental effects. EPA is working with state, local, and tribal governments to reduce air toxics releases of 188 pollutants to the environment. Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene, which is found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, which is emitted from some dry cleaning facilities; and methylene chloride, which is used as a solvent and paint stripper by a number of industries. Examples of other listed air toxics include dioxin, asbestos, toluene, and metals such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead compounds.
AllergyAllergy DefinitionDefinition: reaction to the body to a foreign substance : reaction to the body to a foreign substance
that, in similar amounts and circumstances, is harmless to that, in similar amounts and circumstances, is harmless to most other peoplemost other people
Produced by Produced by allergens allergens which cause the allergic reactionwhich cause the allergic reaction
Common allergens include bacteria, Common allergens include bacteria, pollenpollen, cigarette smoke, , cigarette smoke, animal animal danderdander, and , and dustdust
Commonly controlled with medication and the avoidance Commonly controlled with medication and the avoidance of the irritating substance or activityof the irritating substance or activity
AsthmaAsthma DefinitionDefinition: : disorder of the disorder of the lungslungs in which airways in which airways
tend to tend to constrictconstrict, resulting in episodes of , resulting in episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and tightness breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and tightness of the chestof the chest
Triggered by dust mites, animal dander, pollen, Triggered by dust mites, animal dander, pollen, exercise and various air pollutantsexercise and various air pollutants
Develops in young children as a result of Develops in young children as a result of inheritedinherited susceptibility to allergenssusceptibility to allergens
Adults develop asthma in response to allergens, Adults develop asthma in response to allergens, viruses, certain medications, exposure to certain viruses, certain medications, exposure to certain materials in the workplace, and exercisematerials in the workplace, and exercise
Commonly controlled with medication and the Commonly controlled with medication and the avoidance of the irritating substance or activityavoidance of the irritating substance or activity
Pennsylvania Air QualityPennsylvania Air Quality Vehicle traffic on Pennsylvania roadways has increasedVehicle traffic on Pennsylvania roadways has increased Increased vehicle traffic means higher levels of potentially Increased vehicle traffic means higher levels of potentially
harmful air pollutantsharmful air pollutants Regulated by the Regulated by the Department of Environmental Department of Environmental
Protection’s Bureau of Air QualityProtection’s Bureau of Air Quality
DEP: Bureau of Air QualityDEP: Bureau of Air Quality
Works with industry, businesses, Works with industry, businesses, schools, and communities to reduce air schools, and communities to reduce air pollutant emissionspollutant emissions
Issues permits, regulates emissions, and Issues permits, regulates emissions, and approves air quality plansapproves air quality plans
Enforces air quality by monitoring Enforces air quality by monitoring overall air qualityoverall air quality
Pennsylvania Air Quality ProgramsPennsylvania Air Quality Programs Clean Mower Rebate Program
Goal: replace gasoline-powered lawn equipment with Goal: replace gasoline-powered lawn equipment with electric equipmentelectric equipment
Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program Goal: provide financial assistance and information on Goal: provide financial assistance and information on
alternative fuels and vehiclesalternative fuels and vehicles Small Business Assistance Program
Goal: provide small businesses with information on Goal: provide small businesses with information on pollution prevention practicespollution prevention practices
Drive Clean Pennsylvania Goal: ensure registered motor vehicles are properly Goal: ensure registered motor vehicles are properly
inspected and maintainedinspected and maintained
http://www.epa.gov/air/recipes/mowers.html
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/alternative_fuels_incentive_grant-move_to_grants/10492
http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/default.htm
PollutionPollution
Pollution can be classified according to the Pollution can be classified according to the medium which is contaminated or where medium which is contaminated or where the contamination occursthe contamination occurs Water pollutionWater pollution Air pollutionAir pollution Soil pollutionSoil pollution
Also commonly referred to as land pollutionAlso commonly referred to as land pollution Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution
Common Soil PollutantsCommon Soil Pollutants
Pollution that contaminants all, or at least Pollution that contaminants all, or at least portions of land and underlying soilsportions of land and underlying soils
Common soil pollution sourcesCommon soil pollution sources Agriculture
Example: sediments, pesticides, herbicides, animal wastes, and Example: sediments, pesticides, herbicides, animal wastes, and fertilizers resulting from poor irrigation systems and the fertilizers resulting from poor irrigation systems and the improper disposal of wastesimproper disposal of wastes
Industrial ProcessesExample: release of toxic substances from industry, poor mining Example: release of toxic substances from industry, poor mining
practices, oil and gas well leaks, and underground storage practices, oil and gas well leaks, and underground storage tanks (Ex. Love Canal, NY et. al.)tanks (Ex. Love Canal, NY et. al.)
Soil Pollutants : Nuclear WastesSoil Pollutants : Nuclear Wastes Radioactive waste is generated by industry and Radioactive waste is generated by industry and
research research facilitiesfacilitiesExample: hospitalsExample: hospitals
Two types of wasteTwo types of waste High- High- level wastelevel waste (HLW) (HLW) Low- Low- level wastelevel waste (LLW) (LLW)
Nuclear Wastes:Nuclear Wastes:High-level wastes (HLW)High-level wastes (HLW)
Highly radioactiveHighly radioactive Remains radioactive for long periods of timeRemains radioactive for long periods of time Found in nuclear reactor waste products and industrial Found in nuclear reactor waste products and industrial
gaugesgauges Disposal and storage is the responsibility of the Disposal and storage is the responsibility of the federal
government in the United Statesgovernment in the United States
A typical High Level Waste (HLW) or Spent Fuel (SF) disposal concept includes steel canisters (1) containing waste (2) placed in horizontal drifts (3), surrounded by a clay barrier made up of blocks (4) manufactured from high-density compacted bentonite and situated deep within crystalline rock.
Yucca Mountain• Ideal to build an underground
repository where wastes can be stored several hundred meters deep in solid rock
• This site is far from urban areas and is geologically stable
• If approved, could cost between 30-50 billion dollars
• Possibly operational by 2010http://worldnewsvine.com/2010/08/gop-congressional-control-would-open-door-for-yucca-mountain-nuclear-disaster/
Not in My Back Yucca Not in My Back Yucca
It seems like the good citizens of Nevada would sooner elect an orangutan as governor than let the federal government fill Yucca Mountain with radioactive waste. Can't blame them, I guess, but that spent nuclear fuel has to go somewhere. What, then, are the alternatives to stashing it beneath Yucca Mountain?
Nuclear Wastes:Nuclear Wastes:Low-level wastes (LLW)Low-level wastes (LLW)
Low to moderately radioactiveLow to moderately radioactive Emit radioactive particles under decay is completeEmit radioactive particles under decay is complete Found contaminated clothing, filters, and paper, some glass Found contaminated clothing, filters, and paper, some glass
item used for medicine, manufacturing, and research, resins, item used for medicine, manufacturing, and research, resins, radiation gauges, and smoke detectorsradiation gauges, and smoke detectors
A low-level waste facility has been proposed for Pennsylvania A low-level waste facility has been proposed for Pennsylvania to isolate and store waste materialto isolate and store waste material
Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution
Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution Common in households and pose potential health risks to Common in households and pose potential health risks to
humanshumans Common household materials that are potentially hazards Common household materials that are potentially hazards
include carpeting include carpeting adhesives, paints, , paints, cleaning products, oils, products, oils, and and pesticides
Potential harm from misuse and mishandled materialsPotential harm from misuse and mishandled materials
Indoor Pollution: Reducing the RiskIndoor Pollution: Reducing the Risk
Several ways to reduce the Several ways to reduce the risk of indoor pollutantsrisk of indoor pollutants
• Read instructions carefully carefully and follow the material on and follow the material on labels exactlylabels exactly
• Use Use minimal amounts of amounts of materials to accomplish the materials to accomplish the tasktask
• Discard excess or unused Discard excess or unused wastes wastes according to the according to the manufacturers manufacturers labellabel
• Remove household hazardous Remove household hazardous waste by contacting a local waste by contacting a local collection program for proper collection program for proper disposaldisposal
Manufacturing Common Manufacturing Common Household Cleaning ProductsHousehold Cleaning Products
Common household cleaning items that pose potentially Common household cleaning items that pose potentially dangerous health risks to humans include chlorine dangerous health risks to humans include chlorine bleaches, ammonia, and laundry detergents, and laundry detergents
Example: Household chlorine bleachExample: Household chlorine bleach Manufacturing process uses electric Manufacturing process uses electric
current to break down salt water into current to break down salt water into sodium hydroxide, hydrogen, and chlorinesodium hydroxide, hydrogen, and chlorine
The resulting sodium hydroxide is mixed The resulting sodium hydroxide is mixed with waterwith water
Chlorine is added to this mixture to form Chlorine is added to this mixture to form sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredientsodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient
Chlorine gas, a by-product of this Chlorine gas, a by-product of this manufacturing process, is a yellowish-green manufacturing process, is a yellowish-green toxic gastoxic gas
