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.

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

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

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

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 precipitationExample: pollution from precipitation Example: pollution from irrigation runoffExample: pollution from irrigation runoff

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 ground is disturbedsites, and other areas where the ground is disturbed

EffluentEffluent DefinitionDefinition: wastewater from factories and refineries that : wastewater 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 heated wastewater from industryMay be in the form of heated wastewater from industry

Example: raising the temperature of aquatic systemsExample: raising the temperature of aquatic systems

SewageSewage DefinitionDefinition: polluted water that contains human waste, : polluted water that contains human waste,

garbage, and other household wastewatergarbage, and other household wastewater

In developed countries, sewage is treated with a In developed countries, sewage is treated with a system of screens, filters, and chemicals to remove system of screens, filters, and chemicals to remove particulate matter, organic matter, and other particulate matter, organic matter, and other contaminants.contaminants.

Sewage processing in the United StatesSewage processing in the United States 80% of sewage goes through treatment processes80% of sewage goes through treatment processes 10% of sewage goes through septic systems10% of sewage goes through septic systems 10% of sewage is untreated10% of sewage is untreated

Wastewater Treatment FacilitiesWastewater Treatment Facilities

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 dumped into water bodies was dumped into water bodies or taken to landfills.or taken to landfills.

Now, sludge is dried and then used for compost Now, sludge is dried and then used for compost material or as fertilizers in agricultural settingsmaterial or as fertilizers in agricultural settings

Sewer Power

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: leadlead 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 diseaseprotests, bacteria, or viruses, that cause disease

Some Common Water PollutantsSome Common Water Pollutants Common water-related illnessesCommon water-related illnesses

CholeraCholera• Intestinal infectionIntestinal infection• Caused by water contaminated with the bacterium Caused by water contaminated with the bacterium

Vibro choleraeVibro cholerae• Spread by drinking and eating contaminated water Spread by drinking and eating contaminated water

and food productsand food products• Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and Symptoms include diarrhea, 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 large geographic areaa very large 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 - temporary prevalence of a diseaseEpidemic - 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 industrial processes and motor vehiclesindustrial processes and motor vehicles

Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Ozone (OOzone (O33))

• Found in Earth’s upper and lower atmosphereFound in Earth’s upper and lower atmosphere• Upper atmosphereUpper atmosphere

Protects Earth from harmful solar radiationProtects Earth from harmful solar radiation

• Lower atmosphereLower atmospherePollutant that can cause (chronic) respiratory tract Pollutant that can cause (chronic) respiratory tract

infections, eye irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, infections, eye irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, nausea, wheezing, and headachesnausea, wheezing, and headaches

Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Carbon Monoxide (CO)Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Colorless, odorless gasColorless, odorless gas• Formed from the incomplete combustion of fuelsFormed from the incomplete combustion 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 coal containing pyrite, Formed from the burning of coal 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 sulfuric acid (acid rain)sulfuric acid (acid rain)

• Exposure to sulfur dioxide includes symptoms such Exposure to sulfur dioxide includes symptoms such as respiratory illnesses, decreased lung functions, as respiratory illnesses, decreased lung functions, and aggravation of existing heart diseaseand aggravation 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 smog (smoke and fog)Common component of smog (smoke and fog)• Commonly found in industrial areas and areas with Commonly found in industrial areas and areas with

a high concentration of motor vehiclesa high concentration of motor vehicles• Exposure to nitrogen dioxide includes symptoms Exposure to nitrogen dioxide includes symptoms

such as eye irritation, stuffy nose, coughing, sore such as eye irritation, stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, lung inflammation, and various illnesses of throat, lung inflammation, and various illnesses of the human respiratory systemthe human respiratory system

Common air pollutantsCommon air pollutants Particulate MatterParticulate Matter

• Solid particles present in airSolid 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 cancersystem and certain kinds of cancer

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.

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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 allergens which cause the allergic reactionProduced by allergens which cause the allergic reaction

Common allergens include bacteria, pollen, cigarette smoke, Common allergens include bacteria, pollen, cigarette smoke, animal dander, and dustanimal dander, and dust

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 lungs in which airways disorder of the lungs in which airways

tend to constrict, resulting in episodes of tend to constrict, 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 inherited Develops in young children as a result of inherited 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, schools, and communities Works with industry, businesses, schools, and communities to reduce air pollutant emissionsto reduce air pollutant emissions

Issues permits, regulates emissions, and approves air Issues permits, regulates emissions, and approves air quality plansquality plans

Enforces air quality by monitoring overall air qualityEnforces air quality by monitoring overall air quality

Pennsylvania Air Quality ProgramsPennsylvania Air Quality Programs

Clean Mower Rebate ProgramClean Mower Rebate Program Goal: replace gasoline-powered lawn equipment with Goal: replace gasoline-powered lawn equipment with

electric equipmentelectric equipment Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant ProgramAlternative 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 ProgramSmall Business Assistance Program Goal: provide small businesses with information on Goal: provide small businesses with information on

pollution prevention practicespollution prevention practices Drive Clean PennsylvaniaDrive Clean Pennsylvania

Goal: ensure registered motor vehicles are properly Goal: ensure registered motor vehicles are properly inspected and maintainedinspected and maintained

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 AgricultureAgriculture

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 ProcessesIndustrial 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.)

Love Canal, New York

Soil Pollutants : Nuclear WastesSoil Pollutants : Nuclear Wastes Radioactive waste is generated by industry and Radioactive waste is generated by industry and

research facilitiesresearch facilitiesExample: hospitalsExample: hospitals

Two types of wasteTwo types of waste High-level wasteHigh-level waste (HLW)(HLW) Low-level wasteLow-level 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 federal 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.

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 Found contaminated clothing, filters, and paper, some

glass item used for medicine, manufacturing, and research, glass item used for medicine, manufacturing, and research, resins, radiation gauges, and smoke detectorsresins, radiation gauges, and smoke detectors

A low-level waste facility has been proposed for A low-level waste facility has been proposed for Pennsylvania to isolate and store waste materialPennsylvania to isolate and store waste material

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

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 adhesives, paints, cleaning products, oils, include carpeting adhesives, paints, cleaning products, oils, and pesticidesand 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 instructionsRead instructions carefully carefully and follow the material on and follow the material on labels exactlylabels exactly

• Use minimal amounts of Use minimal 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 labelmanufacturers label

• 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 detergentsbleaches, ammonia, 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 sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredientingredient

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