Environmental Health

Chapter 3
Lesson 3.1

Pollution and Human

Health

Theme Outline

Lesson 3.1

Pollution and Human Health

Water Pollution
Water Pollutants and Human Health
Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in Pennsylvania
Air Pollution
Allergies and Asthma
Pennsylvania Air Quality
Common Soil Pollutants
Indoor Pollution
Manufacturing Common Household Cleaning Products

Academic Standards for

Environment & Ecology
Standard 4.3.10.A

Describe environmental health issues.

Identify the effects on human health of air, water and soil

pollution and the possible economic costs to society.
Describe how indoor pollution may affect human health (e.g.,
dust mites, fumes, cat dandruff).
Explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up contaminants.
Explain how common household cleaning products are
manufactured and how to dispose of their by-products after
use.

Learning Objectives

Students will identify the effects on human health of air,

water, and soil pollution and some of the economic costs to
society.
Students will explain how human practices affect the
quality of the water and soil.
Students will describe how indoor pollutants might affect
human health, how common household cleaning products
are manufactured, and how to dispose of those products
after use.
Students will explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up
contaminants.
Students will identify some environmental regulations and
their impacts on environmental health.

Love Canal

Pollution and Human Health

The human population depends on the Earth at
several different levels

Hydrosphere
Example: water

Atmosphere
Example: air

Lithosphere
Example: soil

Biosphere
Example: living world

Pollution

Pollution can be classified according to the

medium which is contaminated or where the
contamination occurs

Water pollution
Air pollution
Soil pollution
Also commonly referred to as land pollution

Indoor Pollution

Water Pollution

In developed nations

Potable drinking water is readily accessible

Water used in households is treated to remove
dangerous pollutants
Pollutants enter water supplies several ways

Example: pollution from precipitation

Example: pollution from irrigation runoff

Water Pollution

Common waterway pollutants

Sediments
Nutrients

These substances wash into waterways from

farmlands, animal feeding facilities, construction
sites, and other areas where the ground is disturbed

Effluent

Definition: wastewater from factories and refineries that

is released directly into urban water supplies

Why is effluent a concern in waterways?

May contain harmful by-products of manufacturing
processes
Example: washing of solvents in drainage systems
May be in the form of heated wastewater from industry
Example: raising the temperature of aquatic systems

Sewage

Definition: polluted water that contains

human waste, garbage, and other household
wastewater

In developed countries, sewage is treated with a system of screens, filters,

and chemicals to remove particulate matter, organic matter, and other
contaminants.

Sewage processing in the United States

80% of sewage goes through treatment processes
10% of sewage goes through septic systems
10% of sewage is untreated

Wastewater Treatment Facilities

A by-product of the sewage treatment process is

sediment, called sludge
Historically, sludge was dumped into water bodies
or taken to landfills.
Now, sludge is dried and then used for compost
material or as fertilizers in agricultural settings

Water Pollutants and Human Health

Most water pollutants can be dangerous to human

health
Example: lead in water supplies from pipes and pipe solder
may cause brain damage, especially in children

Untreated or inadequately treated sewage

discharges can also be harmful to human health
Example: microbes
Definition: very tiny pathogens, or organisms such as
protests, bacteria, or viruses, that cause disease

Some Common Water Pollutants

Common water-related illnesses

Cholera
Intestinal infection
Caused by water contaminated with the bacterium
Vibro cholerae
Spread by drinking and eating contaminated water
and food products
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and
dehydration
World Health Organization (WHO) considers
cholera a pandemic, mostly contained to developing
nations

Pandemic

Definition: outbreak of a disease that affects an

exceptionally high portion of a population and occurs over
a very large geographic area

Some Common Water Pollutants

Common water-related illnesses

Dysentery
Caused by several types of bacteria
Spread by person-to-person contact and by
consuming contaminated water and food products
Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal
cramps, fever and less seldom seizures and kidney
failure
Antibiotics offer effective treatment until antibiotic
resistance develops
World Health Organization (WHO) considers
dysentery an epidemic in many developing nations
Epidemic - temporary prevalence of a disease

Some Common Water Pollutants

Common water-related illnesses

Malaria
Caused by parasitic disease
Spread by contact with infected female mosquitoes
Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, headache,
fever, and vomiting.
World Health Organization (WHO) considers
malaria a potentially life-threatening disease in
many developing nations. Kills > 1 million people
annually.

Some Common Water Pollutants

Common water-related illnesses

Cryptosporidiosis
Caused by cryptosporidiosis cysts that enter the
human body and hatch
Often present in surface water supplies
Spread by contact with untreated or inadequately
treated wastewater
Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal
cramps, weight loss, and dehydration

Some Common Water Pollutants

Common water-related illnesses

Giardiasis
Caused by cysts that enter the human body and
hatch
Often present in surface water supplies
contaminated by feces
Spread by contact with untreated or inadequately
treated wastewater
Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal
cramps, weight loss, and dehydration
Unlike cryptosporidiosis, medication can eliminate
giardia parasites in human hosts

Waterborne Disease
Outbreaks in Pennsylvania

Between 1971 and 1985, Pennsylvania reported more cases

of waterborne disease than any other state
Pennsylvania created the Safe Drinking Water Program
under the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
to oversee the states public water supplies
Mission: evaluate and monitor the states water treatment
plants
Since 1990, a sharp reduction in waterborne diseases
statewide has been recorded

Pollution

Pollution can be classified according to the

medium which is contaminated or where the
contamination occurs

Water pollution
Air pollution
Soil pollution
Also commonly referred to as land pollution

Indoor Pollution

Air Pollution

Causes of air pollution

Natural
Example: forest fires

Human Activities
Example: combustion of fossil fuels as energy

Major sources of air pollution remain

industrial processes and motor vehicles

1948: Donora, PA

http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/D
onoraSmog.html

Common air pollutants

Ozone (O3)

Found in Earths upper and lower

atmosphere

Upper atmosphere
Protects Earth from harmful solar
radiation

Lower atmosphere
Pollutant that can cause (chronic) respiratory
tract infections, eye irritation, coughing,
shortness of breath, nausea, wheezing, and
headaches

Common air pollutants

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Colorless, odorless gas
Formed from the incomplete combustion of fuels
Commonly found in automobile and industrial
emissions
Exposure to carbon monoxide includes symptoms
such as headaches, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms at
low levels
Exposure to carbon monoxide includes symptoms
such as impaired vision and hearing, problems with
fine motor skills, and lack of concentration at
moderate to high levels

Common air pollutants

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Formed from the burning of coal containing pyrite,
that combines with oxygen in the atmosphere
Exposure to moisture in the atmosphere produces
sulfuric acid (acid rain)
Exposure to sulfur dioxide includes symptoms such as
respiratory illnesses, decreased lung functions, and
aggravation of existing heart disease

Common air pollutants

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Formed from the burning of fuels
Common component of smog (smoke and fog)
Commonly found in industrial areas and areas with a high
concentration of motor vehicles
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide includes symptoms such as eye
irritation, stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, lung inflammation,
and various illnesses of the human respiratory system

Common air pollutants

Particulate Matter
Solid particles present in air
Common particulate matter includes soil,
construction dust, bites of tire rubber, asbestos from
brake linings, and vehicle exhaust
Exposure to particulate matter includes symptoms
such as irritation and illness of human respiratory
system and certain kinds of cancer

Common air pollutants

Toxic Substances

Nearly 200 known toxic substances are known to be

air pollutants
Example: lead is a highly toxic metal when ingested or inhaled
Example: mercury containing plant emissions are now closely
monitored and regulated to reduce overall emissions

What are toxic air pollutants?

Toxic air pollutants, also known as hazardous air pollutants, are those
pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other
serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects,
or adverse environmental effects. EPA is working with state, local,
and tribal governments to reduce air toxics releases of 188 pollutants
to the environment. Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene,
which is found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, which is emitted from
some dry cleaning facilities; and methylene chloride, which is used as
a solvent and paint stripper by a number of industries. Examples of
other listed air toxics include dioxin, asbestos, toluene, and metals
such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead compounds.

Allergy

Definition: reaction to the body to a foreign substance

that, in similar amounts and circumstances, is harmless to
most other people
Produced by allergens which cause the allergic reaction
Common allergens include bacteria, pollen, cigarette smoke,
animal dander, and dust
Commonly controlled with medication and the avoidance
of the irritating substance or activity

Asthma

Definition: disorder of the lungs in which airways

tend to constrict, resulting in episodes of
breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and tightness
of the chest

Triggered by dust mites, animal dander, pollen,

exercise and various air pollutants
Develops in young children as a result of inherited
susceptibility to allergens
Adults develop asthma in response to allergens,
viruses, certain medications, exposure to certain
materials in the workplace, and exercise
Commonly controlled with medication and the
avoidance of the irritating substance or activity

Pennsylvania Air Quality

Vehicle traffic on Pennsylvania roadways has increased

Increased vehicle traffic means higher levels of potentially
harmful air pollutants
Regulated by the Department of Environmental
Protections Bureau of Air Quality

DEP: Bureau of Air Quality

Works with industry, businesses,

schools, and communities to reduce air
pollutant emissions
Issues permits, regulates emissions, and
approves air quality plans
Enforces air quality by monitoring
overall air quality

Pennsylvania Air Quality Programs

Clean Mower Rebate Program

Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program

Goal: provide financial assistance and information on

alternative fuels and vehicles http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/alternati
ve_fuels_incentive_grant-move_to_grants/10492

Small Business Assistance Program

Goal: replace gasoline-powered lawn equipment with

electric equipment http://www.epa.gov/air/recipes/mowers.html

Goal: provide small businesses with information on

pollution prevention practices http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/default.htm

Drive Clean Pennsylvania

Goal: ensure registered motor vehicles are properly

inspected and maintained

Pollution

Pollution can be classified according to the

medium which is contaminated or where the
contamination occurs

Water pollution
Air pollution
Soil pollution
Also commonly referred to as land pollution

Indoor Pollution

Common Soil Pollutants

Pollution that contaminants all, or at least

portions of land and underlying soils
Common soil pollution sources

Agriculture
Example: sediments, pesticides, herbicides, animal wastes, and
fertilizers resulting from poor irrigation systems and the
improper disposal of wastes

Industrial Processes
Example: release of toxic substances from industry, poor mining
practices, oil and gas well leaks, and underground storage
tanks (Ex. Love Canal, NY et. al.)

Love Canal, New York

Soil Pollutants : Nuclear Wastes

Radioactive waste is generated by industry and

research facilities
Example: hospitals

Two types of waste

High- level waste (HLW)
Low- level waste (LLW)

Nuclear Wastes:
High-level wastes (HLW)

Highly radioactive
Remains radioactive for long periods of time
Found in nuclear reactor waste products and industrial
gauges
Disposal and storage is the responsibility of the federal
government in the United States
A typical High Level Waste (HLW) or
Spent Fuel (SF) disposal concept
includes steel canisters (1) containing
waste (2) placed in horizontal drifts (3),
surrounded by a clay barrier made up of
blocks (4) manufactured from highdensity compacted bentonite and
situated deep within crystalline rock.

Yucca Mountain
Ideal to build an underground
repository where wastes can
be stored several hundred
meters deep in solid rock
This site is far from urban
areas and is geologically
stable
If approved, could cost
between 30-50 billion dollars
Possibly operational by 2010
http://worldnewsvine.com/2010/08/gop-congressional-controlwould-open-door-for-yucca-mountain-nuclear-disaster/

Not in My Back Yucca

It seems like the good citizens of
Nevada would sooner elect an
orangutan as governor than let
the federal government fill Yucca
Mountain with radioactive waste.
Can't blame them, I guess, but
that spent nuclear fuel has to go
somewhere. What, then, are the
alternatives to stashing it beneath
Yucca Mountain?

Nuclear Wastes:
Low-level wastes (LLW)

Low to moderately radioactive

Emit radioactive particles under decay is complete
Found contaminated clothing, filters, and paper, some glass
item used for medicine, manufacturing, and research, resins,
radiation gauges, and smoke detectors
A low-level waste facility has been proposed for Pennsylvania
to isolate and store waste material

Indoor Pollution

Indoor Pollution

Common in households and pose potential health risks to

humans
Common household materials that are potentially hazards
include carpeting adhesives, paints, cleaning products, oils,
and pesticides
Potential harm from misuse and mishandled materials

Indoor Pollution: Reducing the Risk

Several ways to reduce the

risk of indoor pollutants
Read instructions carefully and
follow the material on labels
exactly
Use minimal amounts of
materials to accomplish the
task
Discard excess or unused
wastes according to the
manufacturers label
Remove household hazardous
waste by contacting a local
collection program for proper
disposal

Manufacturing Common
Household Cleaning Products

Common household cleaning items that pose potentially

dangerous health risks to humans include chlorine
bleaches, ammonia, and laundry detergents