PUBH 243 Exam 5

Definition of hazard:

anything that may cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer etc.

Risk =

hazard x exposure

List the three components of sustainable development:

1. Materials and energy to use 2. Land use and 3. Human development

Health impact assessment:

A method for describing and estimates the effects that a proposed project or policy may have on health of a population

Environmental impact assessment:

A process for reviewing the potential impact of anthropogenic (human-related) activities (e.g. a proposed construction project) with respect to their general environmental consequences.

Describe the types of environmental situations to which this principle might apply:

A specific application of the precautionary principle in the environment relates to the endocrine disruptors. DDT and chemicals known as the organochlorines have been linked to abnormalities in human sexual reproduction systems. For example, low sperm counts in men and animal abnormalities such as changes in the sexual functioning of aquatic animals. The precautionary principle would advocate for the control of endocrine disrupting chemicals even though the research isn't sound.

What is meant by the term environmental policy?

A statement by an organization (public or private) of its intentions and principles in relation to its overall environmental performance.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

Basic mission is to protect human health and the environment; develop and enforce regulations, give grants, study environmental issues, sponsor partnerships, teach people about the environment, publish information

Explain why children are more vulnerable to environmental toxins than adults:

Children are more vulnerable because they are smaller and still developing. We need environmental policies in place to help prevent cases like childhood asthma (linked to air pollution) (pg. 66) Unequal toxin exposures are present within adults and children from different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Children of color may experience particularly high exposures to environmental toxins.

Cite the EPA's statement on environmental justice:

Equal treatment of all people in society irrespective of their racial, ethnic or socioeconomic background

What does the term fair treatment mean?

Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies

The logic model

Public health event or emergency: public information > mass mobilization > engagement > output > outcome (results in impact: reduced death, illness, and economic and social loss)

Explain how environmental health research is a component of the policy cycle: How does environmental health research contribute to the implementation of sound environmental policies?

Research allows people to know what policies need to be created and designed to reduce environmental risk. Sound policy requires sound data.

Explain how risk assessment aligns with policy development and give an example:

Risk assessment is closely aligned with the policy process through the balancing of economic and other costs with health and societal benefits that may accrue through specific policy alternative. (ex: when the entire US switched from leaded to unleaded gasoline, this decision was extremely beneficial to health however as very expensive. Another example is trace levels of pollutants in drinking water that has already undergone purification)

Describe the rationale for the polluter-pays principle:

States that the polluter should bear the expenses of carrying out pollution prevention and control measures (OECD in 1974)

Risk management:

The adoption of steps to eliminate identified risks or lower them to acceptable levels (often as determined by a government agency that has taken into account input from the public)

Define the term environmental sustainability:

The concept that resources should not be depleted faster than they can be regenerated; the concept also specifies that there should be no permanent change to the natural environment

List and define the stages of the policy cycle:

The distinct phases involved in the policy-making process; comprises five stages: 1. Problem definition, formulation, and reformulation 2. Agenda setting 3. Policy establishment (i.e. adoption and legislation); and 4. Policy implementation; and 5. Policy assessment

Risk assessment:

The process of determining risks to health attributable to environmental or other hazards; involves 1. Hazard assessment 2. Dose response assessment 3. Exposure assessment and 4. Risk characterization

What types of policies are needed to protect vulnerable populations from environmental hazards?

Those who may be sensitive to environmental hazards include children, persons with genetic vulnerability, and minority groups such as African Americans and American Indians. * Policies must reflect differences between adults and children (and underserved populations) *

The built environment:

Urban areas and structure (e.g., roads, parks, and buildings) constructed by human beings, as opposed to underdeveloped, rural areas.

Indicate how they are correlated with equal access of communities to the decision-making process that leads to a healthful environment:

for a community to be healthful and involved it must be informed, and it must have equal access

Definition of risk:

the chance, high or low that somebody could be harmed by these, and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be

Define and discuss the precautionary principle:

the precautionary principle states that preventative, anticipatory, measures should be taken when an activity raises threats of harm to the environment, wildlife or human health, even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established