ENVIRONMENTAL

HAZARDS
An environmental hazard is
a substance, state or event
which has the potential to
threaten the surrounding
natural environment and
adversely affect people's
health
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDS

HAZARDOUS WASTES
NATURAL HAZARDS
 HAZARDOUS WASTE
A hazardous waste is a waste with
a chemical composition or other
properties that make it capable of
causing illness, death, or some
other harm to humans and other
life forms when mismanaged or
released into the environment.
 A toxic chemical is one that can cause
temporary or permanent harm or death
to humans and animals.

In 2004, the EPA listed Arsenic, Lead,

Mercury, Vinyl Chloride (used to make
PVC plastics), and Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCBs) as the top five toxic
substances in terms of human and
environmental health.
Three Major Types of
Potentially Toxic
Agents
 Carcinogens are chemicals, types of
radiation, or certain viruses that can cause
or promote cancer.

Radioactive substances are considered

carcinogens, but their carcinogenic activity is
attributed to the radiation, for example
gamma rays and alpha particles, which they
emit. Non-radioactive carcinogens are
inhaled asbestos, certain dioxins, and
tobacco smoke
Mutagens are chemicals or forms of
radiation that cause mutations, or
changes, in the DNA molecules found in
cells, or that increase the frequency of
such changes.

Radiation based mutagens

Ionizing radiations such as X-rays,
gamma rays and alpha particles may
cause DNA breakage and other
damages.
Teratogens are chemicals that cause
harm or birth defects to a fetus or
embryo.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Varicella
Chemicals affect our Immune Systems
Our bodys immune system protects us
against disease and harmful substances
by forming antibodies that render
invading agents harmless, but some
chemicals interfere with this process.
Arsenic.
Methylmercury.
Dioxins.
 Some natural and synthetic chemicals in
the environment, called neurotoxins, can
harm the human nervous system, causing
the following effects.

Behavioral changes.
Learning disabilities.
Retardation.
Attention deficit disorder.
Paralysis.
Death.
Examples of neurotoxins.
Arsenic.

Lead.

Certain pesticides.
Chemicals that affect the Human Endocrine
System
The endocrine system is a complex network of
glands that release tiny amounts of hormones
that regulate human:

Reproduction.
Growth.
Development.
Learning ability.
Behavior.
Chemicals that affect the Human Endocrine
System
Phthalates are found in detergents,
perfumes, cosmetics, deodorants,
soaps, and shampoo, and in PVC
products such as toys, teething rings,
and medical tubing used in hospitals.
Phthalates cause cancer and other
health problems in laboratory
animals.
Pets Livestock Wild animals Insects Food Water Air

Fetus and babies

Other humans Humans

Stepped Art
Fig. 14-3, p. 351
 Atmosphere

Vegetation
Crops

Surface water Humans

Animals

Vegetation

Fig. 17-11, p. 449

 WINDS PRECIPITATION WINDS PRECIPITATION
Hg and SO2 Hg2+ and acids Hg2+ and acids
Photo-
Elemental chemical Inorganic
Human sources Inorganic mercury
mercury oxidation mercury and acids
vapor and acids (Hg2+)
Coal-
(Hg) (Hg2+)

Deposition
Incinerator burning
plant

Runoff of Hg2+ and acids

Vaporization
Deposition

Deposition
Large fish

Small fish BIOMAGNIFICATION

IN FOOD CHAIN

Zooplankton Phytoplankton

Bacteria
Elemental Oxidation Inorganic and acids Organic
mercury mercury mercury
liquid (Hg) 2+
(Hg ) Bacteria (CH +
3Hg )

Settles Settles Settles

out out out

SEDIMENT

Fig. 17-A, p. 450

Science: cycling of mercury in aquatic
environments, in which mercury is converted
from one form to another. The most toxic
form to humans is methylmercury (CH3Hg+),
which can be biologically magnified in
aquatic food chains and webs. Some
mercury is also released back into the
atmosphere as mercury vapor.
TREATMENT, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

The most desirable is to reduce the quantity of

waste at its source or to recycle the materials
for some other productive use.

Hazardous waste can be treated by chemical,

thermal, biological, and physical methods Among
thermal methods is high-temperature
incineration, which not only can detoxify certain
organic wastes but also can destroy them.
Hazardous wastes that are not destroyed by
incineration or other chemical processes need to be
disposed of properly For most such wastes, land
disposal is the ultimate destination, although it is not
an attractive practice, because of the inherent
environmental risks involved.

Two basic methods of land

disposal include
landfilling
underground injection.
 REPUBLIC ACT No. 6969
Toxic Substances and Hazardous and
Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990
AN ACT TO CONTROL TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR
WASTES, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
The penalty for violating the law is
imprisonment from 6 months to 20 years and
a fine ranging from P600 to P500,000.