U N I T 3 : P r e v e n t i o n an d M an ag e m e n t o f

UNIT 3: Prevention and Management of Environmental

Health Issues

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Lesson 1: Personal and Social Responsibility in the Environment 5 Learning Targets 5 Health Check 5 Learn about It! 6 Check Your Understanding 9 Health Care 10

Lesson 2: Environmental Policies and Laws on Environmental Health Issues 11 Learning Targets 11 Health Check 11 Learn about It! 12 Check Your Understanding 16 Health Care 17

Lesson 3: Collective Action for the Environment 18 Learning Targets 18 Health Check 18 Learn about It! 19 Check Your Understanding 22 Health Care 23

Pro-health Challenge 24

Self-Check 26

Bibliography 28

1 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited

Glossary 29


GRADE 9

UNIT 3 Prevention and Management of Environmental Health Issues

Fig. 1. A healthy environment can keep our well-being healthy as well.


Introduction Man and its environment should exist mutually. As living organisms, we depend on our needs from the environment, and at the same time, the environment is depending on its survival into the hands of humanity. The world and its environment is our home. We are the ones gifted with knowledge and reason to live in every environment surrounding us. Our adaptability is so advanced that we could survive in any given environment. However, this gift of knowledge and rationality became a double-edged sword that could build or destroy our environment and the communities it consists. Calamities, natural disasters, famines, and diseases may spread from an unhealthy environment. This is caused mainly by the unethical lifestyle of human society that keeps on abusing the environment for their gains. Environment health should be a part of humanity ’s social responsibility. We should realize the cause and effects of our actions towards our environment before it’s too late.


Lesson 1: Personal and Social Responsibility in the Environment

Learning Targets In this lesson, you should be able to:

● identify personal and social responsibility in the environment; ● describe the personal and social responsibility in the environment; and ● demonstrate an understanding of personal and social responsibility in the

environment.

Health Check Your Environment

Materials:

● Picture of your environment ● Bond paper ● Glue

Procedure:

1. Walk around your community. Take at least three random pictures around your area. 2. Paste these pictures in a bond paper and write your observations below each picture.

Guide Questions:

1. What is your initial observation with your surroundings? 2. Did you encounter any pollution around your area? 3. What is the most common practice of people in your community that harms the

environment?


Learn about It! We nourish ourselves from the resources we get from the environment. The food where we grow our crops that our livestock eats, the air that we breathe and the water that we drink are all provided by the environment. We depend on our health from the environment. This fact should be enough to find a reason to keep our environment healthy as well. A hazardous and contaminated environment can be harmful to our health, this is where we get malnutrition, infection, accidents, and other harmful diseases. Diseases we can acquire in poor environmental sanitation:

1. Respiratory Diseases - mainly caused by air pollution like smoke from vehicles, tobacco, and factories that pollute the air.

2. Skin Diseases - climate change is a sign of an unhealthy environment. The rapid increase of dropping of temperature in the environment can become conducive to the reproduction of bacteria and viruses that can irritate our skin and start to produce skin rash.

3. Gastrointestinal Diseases - This is mainly caused by contaminated food and water due to lack of proper sanitation in the government. Food and water poisoning is a serious condition that can be fatal if not treated immediately.

4. Neurological Impairment - In places where there are so many factories that dump their chemical waste product anywhere like the ocean animals that live nearby may ingest these chemicals in the process. We get our food like fish, seashells and even poultry or livestock from this environment as well and there's a chance that we get to ingest these chemicals like lead and mercury which is very harmful to our neurological health especially to those pregnant mothers.

There are so many harmful things we can get from a polluted environment, but the good news is there is something we can do about this. We can become an environmental health advocate in our own way by performing our personal and social responsibility for our environment.


Here are some examples of how to be responsible in our actions to promote environmental health:

1. Clean your surroundings regularly - Dirty and unorganized surroundings can become the breeding ground of disease-carrying vectors like flies, mosquitoes, and rodents. It can also cause injuries and accidents. Don’t let any water get stagnant in places and objects since this can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

2. Segregate your garbage - Determining and separation of biodegradable from non-biodegradable can help in managing your garbage waste, and disposing of them in designated areas. Biodegradable is organic waste that decomposes through bacteria that can also cause diseases while non-biodegradable can become toxic and block sewerage that may lead to floods during rainy days.

3. Help in planting more trees in your community - Plants and trees can help in cleaning the air we breathe by filtering carbon dioxide and giving us more oxygen that is essential to our body.

4. Handle food properly - Some food that is undercooked and raw can harbor bacteria and parasites that can lead to food poisoning.

5. Reduce energy consumption - We can do this by minimizing our use of appliances, we can walk or ride a bike in short distances. We can also support the use of renewable energy.

6. Identify your carbon footprint - We need to learn new ways to minimize our contribution to global warming, our carbon footprint is being determined using materials that can be harmful to the ozone layer like burning of plastics and other material or by using aerosol sprays.

7. Support government programs - Support government laws and policies regarding environmental health.

8. Identify sources of pollution - Make it a habit to check your house, school, and community for any of pollution.

9. Check product labels before purchasing - Always read the product label before buying it, choose products that are environmentally friendly.

10.Use alternatives solution - Using natural alternatives like onions, garlic, and pepper for pesticide instead of chemical.



Check Your Understanding A. Write T if the statement is true and write F if the statement is false.

1. If a body of water is receiving chemical waste from surrounding factories, it is no longer safe to drink and swim.

2. Energy consumption is not important as long as you are comfortable in life. 3. Carbon footprint is a chemical that can cause global warming due to human

practices. 4. Non-biodegradable waste can be used as fertilizer because they are organic. 5. When you found a source of pollution in your school, it is better to report this

to your teacher.

B. Draw a smiley face 🙂 if the statement is correct and draw a frowning face 🙁 if the statement is wrong.

1. We can use the boiling method to treat water from an unknown source. 2. Floods are natural disasters that we can never prevent from happening. 3. The reason why the Pasig river and Manila bay became so dirty is that of

human practices. 4. Sunlight is a source of renewable energy that we can use as an alternative. 5. The best way to promoting a healthy environment is to start with myself and

my household.


Health Care Environment Health Advocate In a piece of paper list down five practices that you do in your house and community to promote a clean environment. Materials:

● Pen ● Paper

Guide Questions:

1. How long have you been doing these practices? 2. Did it help your community? In what way? 3. Do your parents and local government or Barangay chairman teach you how to

clean the environment?


Lesson 2: Environmental Policies and Laws on Environmental Health Issues


● identify environmental policies and laws on environmental health issues; ● describe the personal and social responsibility in the environment; and ● demonstrate an understanding of personal and social responsibility in the

environment.

Health Check Your Environment

Draw a picture of your idea of a healthy environment, color your drawing and put a title on it. Materials:

● Art materials ● Bond paper

Guide Questions:

1. How do you describe your ideal healthy community? 2. Do you know any place in the country that reflects this kind of environmental health? 3. As a student, what can you do to help in achieving this kind of environment?


Learn about It! The government and its agencies should provide the creation of programs, projects, and guidelines related to environmental health standards. It should be a collaboration between the local and national government to set specific evidence-based program with community involvement.

Fig. 4. Proper waste management is important in every community.


The following are the laws and policies on preventive measures and management program on environmental health:

a. Water supply sanitation and public health sanitation. ● Clean Water Act of 2004’s main goal is to provide clean and potable water to

every community. ● PD 856 of 1998, also known as Sanitation Code of the Philippines, focuses on

the creation of point water source, communal faucet and waterworks system in every level of community and promoting public health sanitation which follows a specific standard from the DOH.

b. Solid waste management.

● RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 ensures the proper disposal and segregation of garbage from the communities.

c. Insect and rodent control.

● The Philippine Federation of Pest Management Operators provides solutions on the elimination of vectors that carries harmful diseases to human households and establishments.

d. Human waste and sewage disposal.

● The Wastewater Management implemented Sewage Disposal IRR (1995) of the Sanitation Code and the National Policy on Urban Sewerage and Sanitation of 1994 regarding the proper treatment and disposal of wastes found in sewers and septic tanks and the toilet facilities of every household and establishments.

e. Environment protection.

● PD 1586 or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of 1978 is a policy that focuses on the management and planning on the effects and negative consequences or risks on the environment, there are also organized action group to protect biodiversity from wildlife to natural resources from man-made pollution and illegal activities (e.g. mining, logging, deforestation, and wildlife hunting for black market).


f. Healthcare Waste Management (HCWM) ● HCWM is a government policy under the direct supervision of DOH where they

inspect hospital and healthcare centers for proper waste disposal. Hospital wastes are sources of toxic chemical and contagious diseases, and proper disposal should be implemented and practiced in every hospital and health clinics in a community.

g. Food sanitation programs.

● RA 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013 implements sanitary permit and inspection on all food sources being distributed in the community and also training of food handlers with proper hygienic practices.

h. Pollution free air.

● RA 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999 aims to achieve and maintain quality air to breathe for every Filipino that meets the National standard for clean air criteria.

To ask for technical assistance from government agencies and private civic group with a specific specialization on environmental health, the following are groups that you may refer to:

1. DENR or Department of Environment and Natural Resources - for environment protection

2. DOH or Philippine Red Cross - for safety and Public health concerns 3. Water Districts - for the management of potable water source 4. Department of Agriculture - for clean food sources from livestock, poultry,

and plant-based foods.



Check Your Understanding

A. Write T if the statement is true and write F if the statement is false.

1. PD 856 of 1998 is concerned about the provision of public health sanitation to every community.

2. The government agency that protects and preserve our environment is DSWD.

3. Under the food safety act, food handlers in the community should be trained proper handling foods served in the community.

4. If the sewerage system follows a standard procedure with government guidelines, the occurrence of diseases can be minimized.

5. Killing pest is the best way to eradicate every disease.


1. The government alone can make the environment healthy and clean. 2. Showing an excellent example of cleaning your environment is a good way

to motivate others. 3. You can support government programs on environmental health by sharing

it with your friends and family. 4. A clean household is conducive to healthy living. 5. Thinking of the outcome to the environment should be considered before

performing any human activities.


Health Care Problem and Solution Look for a specific environmental health problem in your community or school, and look for government programs, laws and policy that can be used.

Materials: ● Pen ● Paper

Guide Questions:

1. How many environmental issues did you find? 2. Are there ways you can personally help in managing this responsibility? How? 3. Is there a government program you particularly like related to environmental health?


Lesson 3: Collective Action for the Environment


● identify examples of collective action for the environment; ● describe collective action for the environment; and ● demonstrate an understanding of the collective action for the environment.

Health Check Common Pollutants

Materials:

● Pen ● Paper ● Gloves ● Plastic bag

Procedure:

1. Walk around your community or school and list at least ten pieces of solid waste commonly scattered around that area.

2. You can pick up these garbage using your gloves and throw them in a garbage bag. Guide Questions:

1. During your walk what was the most common garbage you have noticed? 2. Why do you think people throw them anywhere? 3. What is the best solution you can suggest for this problem?


Learn about It! Because of unethical human consumption and practices, we put the health of our environment in a critical situation. As a result of the hazardous impact, we caused the environment backfires on our health and the health of future generations. Global warming and climate change are just around the corner. Diseases like measles, dengue, and leptospirosis, are still rampant in the country. Environmental health awareness should be widely spread not only in the Philippines but across the globe.

Fig. 6. Cleaning the environment is easy when we help one another.

A suggestion from the Department of Health is through strengthening and maintaining established programs and projects in the promotion of environmental health programs involving mass participation from people and volunteers from the community. Every action plan intended for environmental health should be implemented in all the regions of the country encouraging regular citizens to participate in the program.


As a student, you can participate in the following as part of your school campus awareness for environmental health.

1. Earth Day/Earth Hour - This a worldwide event that your school can take part. The goal of this event is to teach and inspire people to protect the environment. For the earth hour, it is a global event where people all over the world will cut their electrical supply or refrain from using electronic appliances or devices to conserve electricity for 1 hour.

2. War on Waste - A school strategy for students to get involved in the proper segregation of wastes and keeping the school community mindful in cleanliness. Student makes their own trash cans and labeling it biodegradable and non-biodegradable and encouraging students to recycle materials that can be recycled.

a. Reduce - Conserving water, food and other non-renewable sources of energy. Encouraging students to walk or ride a bike in short distance travel.

b. Reuse - encouraging students to bring their own water bottle, utensils, straw, and other personal belongings that are reusable to lessen plastic wastes.

c. Recycle - Teaching students to create something useful out recyclable items like plastics and paper.

Fig. 7. Recycling can minimize garbage pollution.


3. Recycled Art competition or Environmental Fashion show - organizing these kinds of cultural and art events in school can greatly help in raising awareness to students by showing them examples of ways you can keep the environment healthy. This is the best way to get them involved in activities that promote environmental health.

4. Plant a community garden or tree planting program - Creating a backyard of a vegetable garden and assigning students to take charge of watering and planting will empower them to take responsibility in environmental health. In this process, they can learn from school on how to create your own garden that they can use in their backyard to fight against air pollution.

5. Create an outdoor classroom - exposing the student to the beauty of the environment will motivate them to take part in environmental health programs. A student will realize that if the environment is clean and free from pollution, the outdoor classroom experience is enjoyable and relaxing.


Check Your Understanding

A. Write T if the statement is true and write F if the statement is false.

1. The process of segregating plastic materials to be processed and molded into a new item is recycling.

2. Earth Hour is a global movement where all source of electricity and energy is being turned off for an hour.

3. If you join an environment-friendly fashion show, you can buy new materials for your costume.

4. War on waste is a school program that involves argument among student clubs.

5. Combining biodegradable and non-biodegradable is convenient and environment-friendly than segregation.



1. In creating a school garden program, you add goat, sheep or cow in the garden. 2. When you start a vegetable garden, you can also promote eating these vegetables

for good health. 3. You should only participate in school activities about the environment when you

can get a higher grade. 4. Lessons that you learn in class about the environment should be applied in your

house and community. 5. You can keep your own backyard clean and throw all the garbage outside the gate

of your house.

Health Care Reusable Program In a piece of paper, list down five unusable items in your house that you think you can reuse into something useful. Follow the table below.

Unusable Items Reuse into:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Guide Questions:

1. How can reusing help the environment? 2. What did you feel when you were able to reuse some items? 3. Can you save money by reusing? When you buy an item do you also consider if it is

reusable?


Pro-health Challenge

Save the Environment!

Goal: Your task is to collect recyclable materials from your house, school, and community. Role: You are an environmental health advocate that will express your way to save the environment by recycling. Audience: Young students like you and people in your community who needs to be aware of the importance of recycling in the present time. Situation: In the present period of commercialization where most of the products are made out of plastic wrappers or bottles, our environment becomes polluted of this garbage that people are not disposing of properly. Where in reality, there are many ways to recycle and reuses these extra plastics. Product, Performance, and Purpose: Collect all the recyclable plastic, wood, rubber, etc. wastes in your house, school or community. Using your artistry and creativity create a design for a new object, product or tool that can be useful to you. Fill in the questions below.

List of recyclable materials you used: 1. 2. 3.

Name of your art creation or tool: Function to human lives:


Standards and Criteria for Success:

Criteria Beginning (0-12 points)

Developing (13-16 points)

Accomplished (17-20 points)

Score

Relevance (Focus on the usefulness of the created object and its impact to your well-being or health of the environment)

Materials Used (Refers to the variety of recyclable materials used in the project)

Creativity (Artistry and design of the project, how durable and pleasing to the eyes)

Key Guide Question

Why should we be aware of the condition of our environment?

Reflective Questions

What would our environment look like ten years from now if we ignore the current pressing environmental issues?

Guide Questions:

1. What are the advantages of being aware of environmental issues? 2. Why is it important to save the environment in collective action? 3. How can we benefit from a healthy environment?


Self-Check

Skills

I think I need more time and assistance.

I have a minimal understanding of it.

I am confident that I can do this with ease.

Identify the different ways to prevent and manage environmental health issues.

Enumerate Government policies and programs for environmental health.

Demonstrate knowledge on the collective participate to prevent environmental health issues.

Reflect

I find __________________________ the most interesting because ______________________. I got ____ checks because _______________________________________________________. I need to improve on _______________________because _____________________________. I need to practice _________________________ because _____________________________. I plan to _____________________________________________________________________ .


Wrap Up


Bibliography Vivian R. Lugue, et al. 2014. Our World of MAPEH 9, Quezon City: Rex Book Store

Gerardo C. Garcia, et al. 2015. The 21st Century MAPEH in Action 9, Metro

Manila: Rex Book Store

Norma B. Santiago, et al. 2016. Active MAPEH 9, Sampaloc Manila: Magallanes

Publishing House

World Health Organization Nutrition. “Environmental Health Issues.”Accessed

February 6, 2019

https://www.who.int/features/2005/health_survey/environmental_health/en/

SlideShare. “Community and Environmental Health.” Accessed February 5, 2019 https://www.slideshare.net/lhoralight/health-37130531

SlideShare. “The Concept of Community and Environmental Health”. Accessed February 6, 2019. https://www.slideshare.net/AllynVocal/the-concept-of-community-and-environmenta health

SlideShare. “Environmental Health Programs.” Accessed February 6, 2019 https://www.slideshare.net/pccampo/environmental-health-programs-presentation

Journal of Medical Ethics.”Responsibility for Health: Personal, social. environmental.” Accessed February 7, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2598168/

Department of Health.”Environmental Health.”Accessed February 6, 2019 https://www.doh.gov.ph/environmental-health


Glossary

Biodegradable refers to an organic matter that is decomposed.

Biodiversity refers to the existence of different kinds of plants and animals in an

environment.

Carbon refers to a chemical element which can be found in coal and petroleum.

Chemicals refer to substances made through the chemical process.

Contaminated refers to the process of making something dirty or impure.

Decompose refers to the breaking down of materials through a natural process.

Global warming refers to the recent increase in the world’s temperature that is believed to

be caused by the rise in certain gases such as carbon in the atmosphere.

Hazardous refers to a condition where one is exposed to risk or harmful elements.

Non-Biodegradable refers to materials that cannot be decomposed.

Resources refer to a supply of something that someone can use when needed.

Sanitation refers to the process of keeping places free from dirt, infection, and disease.

Sewage refers to waste material carried away from home and other buildings in a system of

pipes.


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U N I T 3 : P r e v e n t i o n an d M an ag e m e n t o f