FIRST TOPIC

Environmental health hazard

An environmental hazard is a substance, state, or event which has the potential
to threaten surrounding natural environment or adversely affect peoples’ health,
including pollution and natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes.

American College of occupational and Environmental Medicine

10 environmental hazards(you can live without), 2013 Indoor environmental hazard.

 Tobacco smoke
 Radon- odorless, invisible gas that increases risk to lung cancer
 Asbestos- commonly used as an insulating material in houses
 Lead
 Combustion gases which induce carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur
dioxide.
 Tap water- lead exposure in older plumbing systems
 Household chemicals
 Pesticides
 Allergens
 Food poisoning
(https://www.ehstoday.com/environment/article/21915665/earth-day-2013-top-10-
indoor-environmental-hazards)

Example of environmental hazards

1. Air contaminants
2. Toxic waste
3. Radiation
4. Disease causing microorganism
5. Plants

5 types of Environmental Hazards

OSHA(Occupational Safety Health Acts) Agency General Safety Guideline
1. Chemical Hazards
Handling Chemical
- exposure to substances such as corrosives, fumes, vapors, liquids, and dusts may
lead to irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity.
-Employees to mitigate the risks through implementing safety protocols that
minimize or even eliminate the possibility of inhaling or ingesting substances
as well as absorbing them through the skin.
-Ex. Use of masks, face shields, boots or other protective clothing

2. Biological Hazards
-Interaction with other people, animals or contagious condition.
-Ex. Animal drippings, fungi, blood, molds

3. Unseen hazards
 -Involves extreme heat or cold. Spending long hours of exposures or ultraviolet
rays, radiation, constant exposure to loud noise. Working in
and occupational hearing loss- workers compensation.

4. Ergonomic hazards
 Manual laborers are at risk for ergonomic hazards which can result in disabling
injuries affecting their joints and muscles.
 these injuries could be caused by unlabeled heavy loads, tools, or objects in
hard to reach places and standing in awkward position when completing
task- particularly those involving weighted loads.

5. Electrical hazards
 electrical hazards have been identified as one of the root causes of falls from
scaffolds and other platform in structural accidents.
 involve construction workers coming in contact with power cables either
overhead or underground
 incorrect handling of electrical tools or machinery.
 electrocution from unqualified electrician

Control: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

● Adhere to OSHA guidelines
● Identify risks in workplace
● Implementation of precautionary measures

An environmental hazard is a type of hazard resulting from chemical, biological, or

physical agents either from ongoing or previous human activity or the hazard maybe a
property present in the natural environment.

This type of hazard va risk to either human health or to the natural

environment

3 types of environmental hazards which are interrelated in categories based on the

properties of their causes:
1. Biological
2. Chemical
3. Physical

6 types of environment
1. Forest 4. Tundra
2. Grasslands 5. Freshwater
3. Desserts 6. Marine

Causes of environmental hazard

1. Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- Volcanic eruption
- Flooding
2. Human-produced hazards
 (PUTOL YUNG DULO, DIKO ALAM KUNG KATULOY NYA YUNG
SENTENCE SA NEXT PAGE)
- Mainly related to the pollution of air, water, soil, and contamination of
food

4 common types of workplace hazards

1. Physical hazards- most common type
2. Ergonomic hazard- every occupation places certain strains on a worker’s body
3. Chemical hazards
4. Biological hazards

5 environmental hygiene
1. Clean air
2. Stable climate
3. Adequate water
4. Sanitation
5. Hygiene

Prerequisite of good health

1. Safe use of chemicals
2. Protection from radiation
3. Healthy and safe workplaces
4. Sound agricultural practices
5. Health supportive cities and built environment
6. Preserved nature

Urban environmental problem

1. Inadequate water supply 6. Urban sprawl
2. Waste water 7. Pollution of soil, air
3. Solid waste 8. Traffic
4. Energy 9. Noise
5. Loss of green and natural spaces

Major Environmental Hazards

1. Pollution 5. Ocean acidification
2. Global warming 6. Loss of biodiversity
3. Overpopulation 7. Deforestation
4. Waste disposal 8. Ozone layer depletion

Hazard Controls
1. Elimination and substitution – the most preferred method od controlling risk is
to eliminate the hazard altogether
2. Engineering controls
3. Administrative controls
4. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Physical hazard
- An agent, factor or circumstance that can cause harm with or without contact.
They can be classified as type of occupational hazard or environmental hazard.
- Physical hazards include ergonomic hazards, radiation, heat and cold stress,
vibration hazards, and noise hazards.

Discussions on:
1. Radiation (ionizing or non-ionizing)
2. Air and climate/global warming
3. Ventilation
4. Noise and light

Radiation hazard
- Exposure to very high levels of radiation, such as being close to an atomic
blast, can cause acute health effects such as skin burns and acute radiation
syndrome (“radiation sickness"). It can also result in long-term health effects
such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Examples:
1. Sunlight
2. Radio waves
3. X-rays
4. Heat
5. Alpha, beta, and gamma ionizing radiations
6. Infrared
Not all these types are harmful. Moderate use, most radiation will not pose
a health risk.

Radiation protection (radiological protection)

- defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the protection
of people from harmful effects of exposure to ionizing radiation.

Causes of radiation hazards

- the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation is the radiation used during
medical exams such as X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans.

Meaning of rem dose exposure to radiation

Meaning of TLD badges

Occupational exposures
1. Airline industry
2. Nuclear medicine and radiology
3. Industrial radiography
4. Nuclear power plants and processing plants
 Radiation effects on humans
Dose (rem) Effects
Possible late effects
5-20
Possible chromosomal damage
20-100 Temporary reduction in WBC
Mild radiation sickness within few hours
100-200 Vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, reduction in resistance to
infection

Prevention of radiation hazards

1. Use time, distance, shielding, and containment to reduce exposure.
2. Wear dosimeters.
3. Avoid contact with the contamination.
4. Wear protective clothing that if contaminated can be removed

Certain body parts are specifically affected by exposure to different types of radiation
sounds. Several factors are involved in determining the potential health effects of
exposure to radiation.
1. The size of the dose (amount of energy deposited in the body)
2. The ability of the radiation to harm human tissue
3. Which organs are affected

The most important factor is the amount of the dose.

The amount of energy actually deposited in your body.
The more energy absorbed by cells, the greater the biological damage.

Radiation dose- the amount of energy absorbed by the body.

Absorbed dose- the amount of energy absorbed per gram of body tissue.

Measured in units called rads and REM. Roentgen equivalent in man.

To convert rads to rems, the number of rads x number that reflects the potential from
damage caused by the type of radiation.

Beta, gamma and X-ray radiation, the number is generally one.

To some neutrons, protons or alpha particle, the number is 20.

200-300 Serious radiation sickness effects as in

100-200 rem and hemorrhage; exposure to
a lethal dose to 10-35% of the population
after 30 days (LD 10-35/30)
300-400 Serious radiation sickness: also marrow
and intestine destruction; (LD 50-70/30)
400-1000 Acute illness, early death (LD 60-95/30)
1000-5000 Acute illness, early death in days (LD
100/10)

Hair

- The losing of hair quickly and in clumps with

radiation enzyme at 200 rems or higher(***page 13)

Brain
- Nerve brain cells do not reproduce, they won’t be damaged directly unless the
exposure is 5000 rems or greater.
- Like the heart radiation **page 13 nerve cells and small blood vessels that can
cause seizure and death.

Thyroid gland
- Susceptible to radioactive iodine. In sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine can
destroy all or part of the thyroid. Taking potassium iodide can reduce the
effects of exposure.

Blood
- System exposure to 100 rems the blood lymphocyte cell count will be reduced.
Leaving the victim more susceptible to infection
- Early symptoms of radiation sickness mimic that of flu and may go unnoticed
unless a blood count is done.
- May present up to 10 years and may have an increased long term risk for
leukemia and lymphoma. (Data from Nagasaki & Hiroshima)

Heart
- 1000 to 5000 rems.
- Immediate damage to small blood vessels and probably heart failure and
death.

GI Tract
- Nausea, bloody vomiting and diarrhea.
- 200 rems or more

Reproductive Tract
- Cells divide rapidly and can damage at low levels of 200 rem cause sterility

Cataracts
- Increase among Hiroshima & Nagasaki survivors
Malignant Tumors (Survivors)
- All ionizing radiation is carcinogenic
1. Leukemia
2. Thyroid cancer
3. Breast cancer
4. Lung cancer
5. Salivary gland cancer

Keloids
- Healed wounds abnormally grow wounds of raised and twisted flesh

Treatment: before start of treatment, we should know the following:

1. How much radiation your body 5. Type of exposure
has absorbed 6. Type of radiation
2. Signs and symptoms 7. Distance from source of
3. Do lab exams (bld test etc.) radiation
4. Device that measures radiation 8. Duration of exposure

Symptomatic and Supportive:

1. Treatment of infection
2. Hydration
3. Treatment of injury
4. Burn
5. Recovery of bone marrow function
Antidote:
1. Potassium iodide (thyro shield- IOSAT)- non radioactive form of iodine
2. Prussian (Prussian blue)- type of dye that binds to particles of radioactive elements
known as cesium and thallium
3. diethylene triamine pentacetic acid (DTPA)- substance that binds to metals
Fossil Fuels

Greenhouse gasses
Air Climate/ Global Warming
 Climate change (UN) - refers to long term shifts in temperatures and weather
patterns.
o These shifts maybe natural, but since the 1800’s human activities have
been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of
fossil fuels (coal oils and gas which produces heat trapping gasses)
 Global Warming- refers to the rise in global temperature due mainly to the
increasing concentration of green house gasses in the atmosphere.
 Climate change- increasing changes in the measure of climate over a long
period of time- inducing precipitation, temperature and wind patterns
 Global warming refers only to the earths rising surface temperatures while
climate change includes warming and side effects of warming like melting
glaciers, heavier rainstorm or more frequent drought, said another way, global
warming is 1 symptom of the much larger problem of human caused climate
change
 Climate change or global climate change is generally considered a more
scientifically accurate term than global warming.
NASA
Permafrost

2008 NASA explained changes to **p19 patterns and sea level all likely to have much
greater human impact than the higher temperature alone

5 Effects of Global Warming

1. More frequent and severe weather, higher temperatures are worsening many
types of disasters, including storms, heat waves, floods and droughts.
2. Higher death rates
3. Dirtier air
4. Higher wildlife extinction rates
5. More acidic oceans
6. Higher sea levels

10 Causes of Global Warming

1. Power Plants - 40% of US carbon dioxide emission stems from electricity
production
2. Transportation
3. Farming - release of CO2 and methane
4. Deforestation
5. Fertilizers - nitrogen oxides
6. Oil drilling - CO2 release
7. Natural gas drilling
8. Permafrost - melting of permafrost releases tons of trapped green house gases
9. Garbage trash breaks down in landfills - release of methane and nitrous oxide
10. Volcanic eruptions - CO2 release

Climate Change Actions **p20

LED

Volcanoes have an overall small effect on global warming and an eruption causes a
short term global cooling as ash in the air reflects greater amounts of solar energy.

Climate change Statistics 2021

 Global mean temperature for 2021 about 1.09C above the 1850-1900.
 2021 – will be between the 5th and 7th warmest year on record.
 2015-2021 – 7th warmest years on record.
Climate Change Actions from UN Act Now recommendations:
1. Save energy at home – Electricity and Heat is powered by coal, oil and gas.
Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light
bulbs and energy efficient electric appliances, washing laundry with cold
water or hanging things to dry instead of using a dryer.
2. Walk, Bike or take public transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Eat more vegetables.
4. Consider your travel. – Airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels producing
a significant greenhouse gas emission.
5. Throw away less food. – food rots in landfill which then produces methane.
6. Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle
7. Change your home’s sourced energy – wind or solar panels on rooftops to
generate electricity.
8. Switch to an electric vehicle - helps reduce air pollutants.

What the World is doing to STOP Global Warming

1. Improvements to energy efficiency.
2. Vehicle fuel economy.
3. Increases in wind and solar power.
4. Biofuels from organic waste.
5. Setting a price on carbon.
6. Protecting forests 
These are all potent ways to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other
gases trapping heat on the planet.

UN Goals in Controlling Global Warming.

In the agreement, all countries agreed to work to limit global temperature
rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and given the grave risks, to strive for 1.5
degrees Celsius. (Present is 1.09 degrees Celsius)

The United Nations Secretariat has adopted a new 10-year Climate Action Plan
aimed at transforming its operations to achieve a 45 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions and sourcing 80 per cent of electricity from renewable energy by 2030.

The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the
threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below
2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the
temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

We also have the SDGS of which Goal 13 calls for urgent action to combat
climate change and its impacts. It is intrinsically linked to all 16 of the other goals of
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to address climate change. These
countries adopted the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2
degrees Celsius.

The Philippines is a signatory to the Paris and UN agreement.

The UN Environmental Programme established in 1972 addresses environmental
issues at the global and regional level for the UN develops international agreement
and national environmental instruments and strengthens institutions for wise
environmental management.

The UN is working to solve global environmental problems as an international forum

for building assessment and negotiating agreements. The UN is tackling global
problems such as zone layer depletion, toxic wastes, UN of forest and species and air
and water pollution.

Kyoto protocol which operationalizes the UN framework convention on climate

change by committing industrialized convention and economies in transition to limit
an reduce greenhouse gas emission in accordance with agreed individual targets.

(SDG 13.3) All 197 countries have signed the Paris Agreement and all but six have
formally satisfied it. The holy sec(vatican) despite not being a party to the agreement
has committed to supporting it. The Philippines falls unto this category as the country
only produces 0.3% of the world’s annual greenhouse emissions.

Emission by country in million tons

1. China-9.3MT 11. Indonesia- 496.4MT
2. USA- 4.8k MT 12. Mexico- 446.6 MT
3. India- 2.2k MT 13. Brazil 427.6
4. Russia- 1.5k MT 14. South Africa- 421.7
5. Japan 1.1k MT 15. Australia 384.6
6. Germany 7.888k MT 16. Turkey 378.6
7. Korea- 600 MT 17. UK 358.7
8. Iran 567.1 MT 18. Italy 321.5
9. Canada 547.8 MT 19. France 306.1
10. Saudi Arabia- 532.2 MT 20. Poland 305.8

Philippines with 1.18MT greenhouse gases is 157.6MT totally only 0.33% of global
GHG emission. In its commitment to Paris agreement reduce the greenhouse gas
emission by 75% by 2030 up from a target of 70% set 4 years before- August 13,
2021.

Ventilation
 Ventilation is the introduction of outdoor air into a space
 Ventilation is mainly used to control indoor air quality by diluting and displacing
indoor pollutants. It can also be used to control indoor temperature, humidity, and
air motion to benefit thermal comfort, satisfaction with other aspect of indoor
environment or other objective.
The intentional induction of air is categorized as :

Mechanical ventilation
 Intentional fan driven flow of outdoor air into a building.
 Includes: supply fans which pushes outdoor air into the building
 Exhaust fans which draw an out of building and thereby cause equal ventilation
or combination of both.
 Mechanical ventilation is often provided by equipment that is also used to heat
and cool place.

Natural ventilation
 Passive flow of outdoor air into a building through planned openings such as
doors, window stack.
 Relies entirely on passive physical phenomena like wind pressures, or the stack
effect. Maybe fixed or adjustable. Cross ventilation is a phenomenon of natural
ventilation.

Mixed-mode ventilation(hybrid vents)

 Use both mechanical and natural ventilation

Types:
 Natural  Spot
 Mechanical  Task-Ambient Conditioning (TAC)
 Hybrid
 
Can Covid-19 be transmitted thru HVAC systems/ Heating ventilation and Air
Conditioning.
The risk of spreading SARS COV-2 the virus that causes Covid-19, through
ventilation systems is not clear at this time. Viral RNA (virus) has been reportedly
found on air grilles, on return air dusts, and on heating, ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) filters, but detecting viral RNA alone does not imply that the
virus was capable of transmitting diseases,
One research group reported that the use of a new air sampling method allowed them
to find viable viral particles within a Covid-19 patient's hospital room with good
ventilation, filtration, and UV (ultraviolet disinfection) at a distance as far as 16 feet
from the matress?? (nacut yung word so diko sure hehe)

However the concentration of viable virus was believed to be too low to cause disease
transmission
 
Ventilation helps your home rid itself of moisture, smoke, cooking odors and indoor
pollutants.
One of the reasons ventilation is so important because it controls how much moisture
is lingering in your home. Without ventilation system in place, you have no control of
the air flow in a building.
 
Ventilation is needed to provide oxygen for metabolism and dilute metabolic
pollutants (CO2 and odour).
It is additionally used for cooling and (particularly in dwellings) to provide oxygen to
combustion appliances.
 
Ensuring proper ventilation with outside air can help reduce the concentration of
airborne contaminants, including viruses, indoors.
Proper ventilation also reduces surface contamination by removing some virus
particles before they can fall out of the air and land on surfaces.

Good ventilation systems:

1.Control impurities
2.Air regulation
3.Stop condensation
4.Reduce temperature
5.Health benefits

Noise Control Measure

Solutions for reducing noise in the workplace:

1.Buy quiet-select and purchase low noise tools and machinery

2.Maintain tools and equipment routinely(such as lubricate gears)
3.Reduce vibration where possible
4.Isolate the noise such in an insulated room with enclosure
5.Place a barrier between the noise source and the enyloyce.

Elimination is the most effective noise control method.

 It is a process that eradicates the noise source
 The most effective way to prevent risk to workers and should always be
considered when introducing new work process, selecting new work equipment,
and designing the layout of the work station.

3 Ways to prevent noise around workers:

1. Ways to control worker exposure to excessive noise and patient hearing loss in
during using quieter machines
2. Isolating the noise source
3. (Using) limiting worker exposure or using effective protective

5 Major categories of control measures:

Hierarchy of controls :
1. Elimination 4. Administrative controls
2. Substitution 5. Personal Protective Equipment
3. Engineering controls

6 ways to reduce noise in your home:

1. Seal your windows and doors 4. Load up your bookshelves
2. Update your floors 5. Soundproof your laundry
3. Rearrange your furnitures 6. Add curtains
How to cope with noise sensitivity:
1. Don’t overprotect against sound. The more you protect your hearing the more
fear you invoke about these sounds.
2. Systematically expose yourself to the sounds you hate.
3. Talk to medical professional.
4. Minimize your stress.
5. Get support.

How to reduce and protect people from noise:

1. Wear earplugs anytime you are engaged in activities where noise exceed 85db.
2. When using headphones, keep the volume at 60% of maximum and take
periodic breaks to give your ears a rest.
3. When possible, avoid jobs with regular exposure to hazardous noise level.

Effects on Health:
Exposure to high levels of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Loud noise
can create a physical and psychological stress, reduce productivity, interfere with
communication and conservation and contribute to workplace accidents and injuries
by making it difficult to hear warning signals.

The most common health problem it causes Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
 Can increase BP (HTN)

 Can cause heart disease

 Sleep disturbances

 Stress – affects all age groups especially children

 Tinnitus

 Studies show that noise causes cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in the

brain
 Can become risk factor for depression, neurodegeneration disorders

 Loud enough sound could cause an air embolism in the lungs.

 Lungs might burst from increased pressure

 High intensity ultrasonic sound above 20 khz can cause physical damage.

Top 10 noisiest Jobs

1. Nursing worker or teacher 85dB
2. Motorcycle courier 90dB
3. Classical Musician 90dB
4. Computer music 100dB
5. Factory and farm worker 105dB
6. Rock star 110dB
7. Night club worker 115dB
8. Construction worker 120dB
9. Formula one river 135dB
10. Airport ground staff 140dB
Normal conversation approx ATV motorcycle 96-100dB
60dB
Lawn mower 90dB School dance 101-105dB

Average home noise 40dB Chainsaw 106-115dB

Noise inside a 60mph car 70dB Sports crowd 120-129dB

Heavy traffic 80-89dB Car races 130dB

Subway 90-95dB Gunshot/siren at 100 ft 140dB

Sounds above 85dB are harmful.

Lighting control system

 Is an intelligent network based lighting control solution that incorporates
communication between various system inputs and output related to lighting control
with the use of one or more central computing devices.
 Light control in the ability to regulate the level and quality of light in a given space

for specific tasks or situation.

 Controlling light properly not only enhances the experience, it helps to save energy

by using light when and where it is needed most.

Type of lighting
Lighting control option to support the vision of your lighting arrangement .
 Basic lighting control  Occupancy sensors
 Preset lighting control  Motion sensor controls
 Dimmed switches  Integrated lighting controls

5 Different types of light(bulb)

 Incandescent
 Standard fluorescent
 Halogen
 LED
 Smart bulb
 A group (tranditional)
 g-group globe

4 types of lighting
 Ambient lighting-Bright powerful illumination that lights up a room into entirely.
Called general lighting for its purpose to provide with uniform levels of
illumination over an entire space completely.
 Task lighting- tailored for the task you are about to complete.
Ex. Indulge in productive comforts looks, cooking, reading

 Accent lighting- achieving a specific designed effect by focusing on certain point

of **page35
Ex. Creating a impression of large room
Highlight a certain feature or decorative local portrait like a beautiful collection,
unique piece of art, and antiques
Circadian rhythm

 Decorative lighting- effect of the design will have with the light that is
transmitted. It’s all about making a wrong statement. Whether a direct, upward,
or downwards lighting, color and size to achieve an effect.

Effect of Light on Health

By controlling the body’s circadian system, light impacts outcomes in healthcare
settings by reducing depression among patients, decreasing length of stay in hospitals,
improving sleep and circadian rhythm, lessening agitation among dementia patients,
easing pain and improving adjustments to night shift work.

Light helps regulate our sleep. The body’s hormonal reaction to wavelength of
light is what regulates our circadian rhythm or biological clocks which affects our
cognition, blood pressure, immune system, metabolism and controls our sleep/wake
cycle.

With light we can affect our mood, improves sleep and heat depression, affect on
productivity, learning and memory consolidation. Effects on diseases that demonstrate
seasonal and divisional patterns. Significant impact on concentration, productivity,
energy mood, alertness.

Light meter
Illuminance meter
Lux meter

Measures to control lighting in workplace

1. Determine light level in the workplace with a use of light meter apparatus
2. Replace bulbs on a regular schedule
3. Clean light fixtures regularly
4. Add more light fixtures in appropriate place
5. Paint walls and ceilings light coloring so light can be reflected
6. Use more reflected light and local lighting to eliminate shadows
7. Use filtered light instead of direct light which causes most glare
8. Warmer yellow or orange lights tend to be better for relaxing
9. Color blue and white lights are good for working, waking up and concentrating
10. Good lighting in about creating functional lighting with multiple light sources so
as to avoid over illuminations and stress