Introduction

 to  Environmental  Health        11-­‐12  JUN  2014  

Dean  Romeo  R.  Quizon  (RRQ)    
 
I. Introduction 2. Consumers
a. Herbivore
A. FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH b. Carnivore
1. The Environmental System c. Omnivore (man)
(Man-Environmental Relationship) 3. Detritivores/Decomposers – eat carbon (serves as
2. Principles of Environmental Control source of energy)
3. Emerging Environmental Health Problems 2. Social – ability of an individual to adapt to change
4. Areas of Environmental Health Concern e.g. when people from the provinces go to an urban center
(Metro Manila) to look for jobs
B. DEFINITION OF TERMS 3. Built Environment – anything constructed by man
e.g. houses serve as protection and shelter against
(1) Environment adverse elements and also have a social function
− sum total of an organism’s external conditions and 4. Geophysical – air, land and water
influences (both living or non-living) which affect its life,
development and survival A. AIR
(2) Environmental Health • Normal air in the atmosphere (Troposphere):
− aspect of public health concerned with forms of life, o 21% Oxygen
substances, forces, and conditions surrounding man o 78% Nitrogen
which influence their health and development o 1% Inert gases
(3) Environmental Health Engineering • Trees and organisms have a symbiotic relationship:
− aspect of engineering concerned with protection of o Trees produce O2 utilized by organisms à organisms
human population from adverse environmental factors expire CO2 utilized by trees for photosynthesis
o Cutting of trees à no more carbon sink à CO2
Note: prevents escape of greenhouse gases à increased
Public Health is the universal set. Environmental Health is temperature à global warming
a subset. Occupational Health is a sub-subset. § North Pole – “green spot”/vegetation; due to
Environmental Engineering – concerned with melting of glaciers (2% of total water in the world)
protection of environment from human à increased water levels (level of the sea will rise,
modification and exploitation PHILIPPINES WILL SINK!) à seawater intrusion
(seawater infiltrates groundwater; freshwater
II. The Environmental System becomes salty – 11,000 mg/L chloride content;
IRREVERSIBLE)

B. LAND/SOIL
• Provides platform for activities of human society or land-
based animals
o Sharing function – support infrastructures
• Provides water, nutrients, and anchorage for plants and
trees
o Trees deplete groundwater, but prevent erosion.
o Trees provide water through transpiration after
absorption.
o Leaves - regulate seepage of water into the ground;
stop or prevent rapid flow of water into the ground;
release water slowly (buffer)
• Provides habitat for decomposer organisms which have
essential role in the cycle of carbon and mineral nutrients
o Decomposers - responsible for converting us into
Figure 1. Interaction of the environmental system. nutrients when we die, which are utilized by plants
• Acts as purifying “filter” on water-containing dissolved
LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS and colloidal constituents (natural filtration)
o Quality of groundwater is better than that of surface
1. Energy – source is the sun water (rivers, streams)
A. Non-nutritive: Solar energy emits heat energy à • Where built environment is constructed
electricity (solar panels) • Source of different minerals
B. Nutritive: Solar energy is absorbed by plants à o When in contact with soil, water dissolves minerals
photosynthesis (CO2 + H2O + heat à glucose + O2) (e.g. Fe, Ca, Mg)
i. O2 – released to the environment o Mt. Diwalwal
ii. Glucose – growth and development of plant; source of § large gold reserve
energy for consumers § use of crude method to extract gold from ore: use
iii. Ecosystem functions mercury (Hg) to form amalgam à (Hg + Au) à to
1. Producers remove Hg, apply heat à Hg vaporizes (mercury
fumes) à children are exposed

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 • Groundwater – used mostly in provinces (e.g. deep
C. WATER wells); costly to extract but easier to treat (just add
• Steps in Water Cycle chlorine)
1. Evaporation/Transpiration Natural • Surface water – used mostly in Metro Manila; cheaper to
2. Condensation Distillation extract but needs complete treatment
3. Precipitation (purification of
4. Groundwater/Run-off H20) RESIDUES AND WASTES

• Aquifer – water-bearing strata underneath; “sponge” A. SOLID/LAND POLLUTION

• Distillation: water à pure water (pH < 7) • Open dumpsites (Smokey Mountain)
• Sandy soil is a very good source of water. o Leachate can contaminate water (infiltrates inot the
• Water volume is CONSTANT. ground or goes to the sea)
o 97.6% Ocean/Seawater Note: Leachate – “katas ng basura”; all dissolved
o 2.07% Ice and Snow materials and microorganisms of trash
o 0.61% Freshwater o Organic matter (affected by wind and rain) trapped in
§ 0.33% Groundwater dumpsites à anaerobic decomposition à release of
§ 0.28% Surface water methane gas (biogas) and dust particles blown by
• Water in the Philippines the wind
Availability of Water 145, 990 MCM o Plastic products carried by water to rivers and seas
Total Water Demand 29, 944 MCM (in 1996) § Plug canals à flooding
62, 660 – 86,543 MCM (in § Trap fishes à Fish kill
2025) § Settle at the bottom à covers corals
• Water Use in the Philippines o Wastewater contains heavy metals which are
Agriculture 85.6% dangerous to health
Industry 7.3% • Illegal logging
Domestic 7.1% o Can cause erosion and landslides (in Baguio, Leyte,
• Problems in Freshwater Supply Compostela Valley)
o Accessibility o Increase in CO2 à Global warming
o Improper distribution • Mining
o Pollution – already has treatment o Mine wastes and tailing disposal – into rivers and
Note: NWRB (National Water Resources Board) – seas
responsible for the allocation of water to different areas o Siltation of river systems (with heavy metals)
(from Angat Dam). From the 100% of treated water, only o Heavy metal pollution (exposure to community via
40% is delivered to consumers. The 60% is not utilized due airborne or ingestion)
to illegal water tapping and possible leakage from the pipes. o Small scale mining
• Water Resources o e.g. Pangasinan and La Union are deprived of water
1. Marines supply because of heavy metal contamination of
rivers due to mining
− 7, 098 islands
• Agriculture
− 13, 411 km. coastline
o Conversion of agricultural lands to commercialized
− 1, 123 M sq. km. sea area (depending sa
and industrial cities
kinukuha ng China :P)
§ Affects food supply; impact on production
− 82% of provinces along the coastline zone
o Occupational/ergonomic hazards: farmers are
2. Rivers
exposed to heat and chemicals and are prone to
− 421 river systems musculoskeletal disorders
− 18 major river basins
− Cagayan River: largest B. AIR POLLUTION
3. Lakes • Smog (Smoke + fog)
− 72 natural lakes 1. Burning of wastes – “pag-sisiga”; mostly in
− Laguna de Bay: largest provinces; believed to drive pests away; can lead to
− Lake Taal: huge volcanic crater acute respiratory diseases (high morbidity)
− Lake Lanao: largest in Mindanao 2. Jeepneys – reconditioned engines; diesel
4. Wetlands (swamps and mangroves) combustion is not efficient (produces soot/particulate
− 100, 000 hectares of freshwater swamps matter)
− Agusan Marsh Note: Metro Manila is one of the most polluted city in the
− Candaba Swamp: lowest elevation in Region III world and has a high particulate matter (160
− e.g. Marikina micrograms/L) than WHO standard (90 micrograms/L)
5. Groundwater • TOG – total organic gases
− 14% of total water resource potential • Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Sulfur Oxide (SOx) + Water
− ~1.22 M cu. m. storage capacity Vapor = acid rain
− Used by 50% of the population for drinking • Total Particulate Matter – black in the nose hehehe
− Extraction regulated by NWRB • Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10) – lodges into the lungs,
6. Rainfall thus the morning sputum is black
− 2, 400 mm annual average rainfall (Metro • PM 2.5 – smaller than PM 10; expensive to examine;
Manila) like smoke of cigarette (stays in your lungs)
− 11 tropical cyclones average per year

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C. WATER POLLUTION
• Absence of Wastewater Treatment Facilities
− Wastewater à sewer (2-3 km) à drainage à rivers
à sea
− Manila Water Sewerage System: responsible for
wastewater treatment (10% for environmental
sanitation in water bills)
• 4 major river systems in Metro Manila are biologically
dead (no O2; but trash fish can survive)
• 50/421 rivers are polluted; 16/421 are biologically dead
1. Polluted – still survivable to some organisms
2. Biologically dead – no species due to lack of O2
• 48% of the wastes are domestic
• Critical areas: Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog, Central
Luzon
• Several beaches were polluted by organic wastes (Most
have no wastewater treatment)
o e.g. Boracay – high fecal coliform count
• Laguna Lake
1. Depth: 7 m à 2.8 m due to siltation
2. Nitrogen and phosphorus load: 10.8% à 24%
o Both are components of fertilizers à leaching of
water from agricultural area à eutrophication à
increase growth of algae (algal bloom) à death
of algae à increased no. of decomposers (use
up O2) à O2 depletion in the water
3. BOD levels: suitable for fish production; ½ of
tributaries – high levels
o BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) –
amount of O2 required to stabilize organic
matter; the more polluted an area, the higher the
BOD
• Heavy metal contamination of inland waters in
Mindanao and Luzon:
1. Industrial sources – M. Manila, C. Luzon, S.
Tagalog and Cebu
2. Mining sources – CAR and CARAGA
• Pesticide pollution in rural areas due to agricultural
runoff
• 58% groundwater sampled is contaminated with fecal
coliforms and needs treatment
• 31% illnesses monitored for a 5-year period were water-
related diseases
• Sources of Wastewater
1. Domestic
2. Industrial
3. Storm water
4. Agricultural runoff
• Economic Consequences of Wastewater
Total 67 B
Health 03 B
Fisheries 17 B
Tourism 47 B
− Other economic losses includes damage claims and
family income due to desire for bottled water (4.6
B/year)
• Water-Related Diseases
1. Water-borne – ingestion of contaminated water
(usually fecal contamination)
e.g. cholera, diarrhea, methemoglobinemia,
Minamata disease, etc.
2. Water-washed – unavailability of water or only
available water is contaminated; may lead to lack of
personal hygiene
e.g. trachoma, scabies, enterobiasis, ascariasis,
etc.
3. Water-based – parasites living in water
e.g. schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis, fasciolopsiasis
4. Water insect-related – insect vectors that reside
near water
e.g. Malaria, Filaria, Dengue
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
• Site and location hazards – natural hazards
1. Volcano – living in danger zones
2. Earthquake – disregard of specifications by
contractors
3. Typhoon – 10-12 typhoon annually
4. Floods
• Biological hazards – disposal of excreta (e.g. urine, feces)
and healthcare wastes (e.g. blood)
• Chemical hazards – disposal of chemicals
§ Exported for treatment (e.g. oil spills); also imported from
other countries (e.g. computers)
• Physical hazards – disposal of wastes from welding shops,
construction, electronics, agriculture, etc. (e.g. noise, heat
and extreme temperature)
• Psychological/Sociological
1. Noise, overcrowding – common in informal setting
2. Lack of privacy – leads to incest
3. Lack of opportunity for social interaction
4. Lack of open space
5. Boredom
6. Stresses from work, traffic
II. Principles of Environmental Control
1. Isolation – separation by distance
e.g. coal-fired power plants (emit air pollutants à situated
in area with no habitation), sanitary landfills (mountainous
area à inhabited area; problems: smell, propagation of
pathogenic organisms, air pollution)
2. Substitution – use of alternative materials, processes and
operations to prevent ergonomic problems
e.g. lead was replaced with benzene (carcinogenic) in
gasoline (2001)
3. Shielding – use of barrier/protection to prevent entry of
hazard
e.g. masks, mosquito nets in malaria-endemic areas, boots
to protect against leptospirosis, goggles in welding
4. Prevention
a. Restriction of activities – e.g. rotation of workers,
military chasing terrorists/leftists
b. Immunization against diseases – lasts longer
c. Use of prophylactic agents – short-term
5. Treatment
a. Destruction – applicable to biological hazards
e.g. disinfection, chlorination, incineration, autoclave
b. Conversion of harmful substance to less harmful ones
e.g. organic matter to compost
c. Removal of harmful substances – e.g. biofiltration
d. Dispersion (air) and dilution (water) of pollutants
III. Emerging Environmental Health Problems
1. Access to safe water supply
• Around 78.3% (National) or 71.5% (NCR) households
have access to safe water
• Goal: 90%
• Having no access to safe water, people tend to use
other sources (high-risk water sources) like shallow
wells beside toilet facilities

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 • Emergence of water-borne diseases attributable to IV. Areas of Environmental Health Concerns
piped water system
i. Cholera – sporadic and may occur in epidemic 1. Water supply
proportion 2. Sanitation
nd
ii. Diarrhea – 2 leading morbidity affecting all ages 3. Waste management
rd
and 3 leading child mortality with 9.33 deaths/ 4. Soil pollution
100 000 population 5. Food sanitation
• Acute watery diarrhea – affects 6. Vector control
640/100 000 of population 7. Air resource management
2. Disposal of human waste 8. Occupational health
• Around 69.3% (National) or 67.2% (NCR) households 9. Urbanization
have sanitary toilet
• Goal: 90% V. References
• Having no access to sanitary toilet, people defecate in
Dean RRQ’s lecture
rivers and other bodies of water à water contamination
• Existing sewage and sanitation facilities are  
unsatisfactory (4% only have access to sewerage)  
• Low priority (3% of WATSAN investment) is given to
sewerage and sanitation over water supply
 
• Poor regulation enforcement (poorly constructed septic  
tanks à contaminate rivers)  
• Practice of open defecation  
3. Disposal of solid waste
• Inadequate sanitary landfills (open dumpsites)  
• Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide and Lead levels in  
Payatas and Smokey Mt. dumpsites ranged from high to  
dangerously high
• 90% of drinking water samples from dumpsites were (+)  
for bacterial contamination  
• 1/3 among children who scavenged have bronchitis –  
same situation with asthma, and ½ have below normal
pulmonary function  
• Intestinal parasitism is very common  
4. Disposal of hazardous and toxic waste  
• e.g. hospital wastes, expired drugs (scavengers, river
fishes – at risk), industrial slags, and chemical wastes  
• Critical issues in Health Care Waste Management  
(HWCM):  
a. 2,068 hospitals in the Philippines generate about 28
tons per day.  
b. Hazardous health care waste is mixed with  
municipal solid waste at disposal sites  
c. Controversy over “non-burn” technologies (no
burning of trashes; hydroclave is expensive)  
d. Lack of “secure” sanitary landfills for toxic and  
hazardous waste disposal
e. Very slow development of new sanitary landfills
 
5. Air pollution  
• Leads to global warming  
• High level of dust, sulphur dioxide, lead, and nitrogen  
dioxide found in communities near industrial estates
• High prevalence of bronchitis, cough and phlegm among  
children  
• Below normal pulmonary function is 16x more common  
among children in household using wood or coal fires
6. Use of persistent chemicals  
• Nearly all farmers reported symptoms are consistent
with pesticide poisoning
• Acute outbreaks of foodborne diseases reported in the
past 5 years are increasing
• e.g. fertilizers, insecticides
7. Rapid urbanization
• Air pollution, space, traffic management problems
• Inadequate housing and other structural needs
• Rudimentary water supply system and no sewer drains
• About 30-50% of the generated wastes in urban areas
of developing countries left uncollected
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