Environmental Health and Air Pollution
By
Dr. Ashraf Hussain
Msc., PhD. Community Medicine
Environment
}
All the external factors that can affect an organism which may be other living
organisms called biotic factors or non living variables (non biotic factors)such
as rainfall, temperature, day length, wind and ocean currents and all form
what is called the ecosystem.
Components of Environment
}
Physical: Air, Soil, Housing, climate, Geography, heat, light, noise.
}
Biological: Viruses, Bacteria, Others insects, rodents, animals and plants.
}
Social/ psychosocial/ Socioeconomic: Culture, Values, customs, habits,
morals, religions, education, lifestyle, community life, health services, social
and political organizations
Environmental Health
}
Is that aspect of public health that is concerned with those forms of life,
substances and conditions in the surroundings of man that may exert an
influence on human health and well-being.
}
It also encompasses the theory and practice of assessment, control and
prevention of those environmental factors that can potentially affect
adversely the health of present and future generations.
Definition of Environmental Health by NEHA
}
Environmental health is the science and practice of preventing human injury
and illness and promoting well-being by
}
Identifying and evaluating environmental sources and hazardous agents and
}
Limiting exposures to hazardous physical, chemical, and biological agents in
air, water, soil, food, and other environmental media or settings that may
adversely affect human health.
}
The key to man's health lies largely in his environment.
PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version
}
much of man's ill-health can be traced to adverse environmental factors such
as water pollution, soil pollution, air pollution, poor housing conditions,
presence of animal reservoirs and insect vectors of diseases which pose a
constant threat to man's health.
}
Often man is responsible for the pollution of his environment through
urbanization, industrialization and other human activities.
}
In 2012, WHO es mates, 12.6 million deaths globally, represen ng 23% (95%
CI: 13–34%) of all deaths, were a ributable to the environment.
}
When accounting for both death and disability, the fraction of the global
burden of disease due to the environment is 22% (95% CI: 13–32%).
}
In children under five years, up to 26% (95% CI: 16–38%) of all deaths could
be prevented, if environmental risks were removed.
}
The health of children under five, and to a lesser extent up to 10, and that of
adults between 50 and 75 years is most affected by the environment.
}
In children, the environment’s contribution to infectious and parasitic
diseases, neonatal and nutritional diseases and injuries is very prominent.
}
In older adults, the fraction of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) caused by
the environment becomes more important, and that for injuries remains
constant but significant
}
The highest fraction of deaths and disease that could be tackled through
environmental improvements is in low- and middle-income countries
Basic requirements for a healthy environment
}
Clean air
}
Safe and sufficient water
}
Safe and adequate food
}
Safe and peaceful settlement
}
Stable global environment
Definition of an Environmental Health Professional or Specialist
An environmental health professional or specialist is a practitioner with appropriate
academic education and training and registration or certification to
PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version
}
investigate, sample, measure, and assess hazardous environmental agents in
various environmental media and settings;
}
recommend and apply protective interventions that control hazards to
health.
}
develop, promote, and enforce guidelines, policies, laws, and regulations;
}
Review construction and land use plans and make recommendations;
}
Interpret data and prepare technical summaries and reports.
WHO's work on environmental health provides the basis for global standards in
environmental quality and an effective investments for public health such as
}
air quality guidelines and
}
drinking-water quality guidelines.
Scope of environmental health:
1. Water supplies
2. Waste water treatment
3. Waste management
4. Vector control
5. Prevention and control of land pollution
6. Food hygiene and safety
7. Air quality management
8. Environment radiation Hazards
9. Occupational health and safety
10. Environment Noise Management
PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version