ccea - as - health and social care - environmental factors - unit 3

8/2/2019 CCEA - AS - Health and Social Care - Environmental Factors - UNIT 3

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Factors Affecting Health & Well-Being

Environmental Factors


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Environmental Factors Impactof Geographical Location

Services are not distributed evenly throughoutthe country, and this is particularly true andchildren services.

Although most areas have the same provision,the number of GP's for example variesenormously across regions

This is called postcode lottery Private organisations are free to choose where

they practice and are therefore under noobligation to provide a particular type of service

where there is a need.


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People living in rural areas often have difficultyaccessing services because of the

Geographical location; this is particularly thecase, where they rely on public transport.

Public transport tends to be more easily

available, with more frequent services in areaswith high density populations.

Hospital and out patient appointments can bedifficult to reach if the patient lives in a rural

area.


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Physical Implications of Living ina Geographical Location

Pollution

Physical assault (high crime areas)

Respiratory illnesses

May not get treatment (in result of illnessesdeteriorating)

Some clients won't seek help (condition may be

left untreated)

Lack of sleep (caused by noise pollution)

Tired/exhausted (due to travelling)


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Psychological Implications ofLiving In a Geographical Location

Feel isolated, frustrated (not being able to getaccess, attend appointments)

Self-esteem (problems not being resolved) Feel angry (can't access particular services you

need, leading to stress)

Fear (needing urgent help/advice such as heartproblems)


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Social Implications of Living In aGeographical Location

Less money to go out (because they have spent it allon transport)

Less quality time with family/friends (may not be able

to afford the journey/journey may be tiring) Might lose/make friends (as a result of lack of

contact/may be others around them in the samecondition)

May withdraw themselves from society because of e.g.long distance

Social stigma (because of their location)

Rural areas more opportunity for leisure activities.


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Pollution

Pollution can be said to have occurred when theenvironment is negatively affected in some way.

It arises in many ways, from air pollution to land, waterand aesthetic (visual) pollution.

Many of these forms of pollution have the potential toeffect long term damage on both the environment andhuman health and well-being on a global and nationalscale.

It is argued that pollution should be monitored andmeasured to allow action to be taken to reduce theamount of all kinds of pollution.


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Types of Pollution

Noise

Air

Land

Water

Aesthetic (visual)


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Water Pollution

Water pollution can occur by -

* Sewage* Fertilisers on agricultural land* Pesticides on agricultural land and forests (which

run into the rivers etc. when it rains) Nitrates from fertilisers (farming) convert into nitrates

IN the body there is a link between nitrates andcancer. Dangerous to everyone but mainly children,

bottle fed babies & pregnant women. Pesticides (farming) may be contribution to breast

cancer. There is also a link with Non-HodgkinsLymphoma.


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Chemical (various)

Chemical discharges can be carcinogenic (buildup of toxins in the body) can increase the riskof cancers.

Bacteria such as camphylo bacteria can

cause gastroenteritis and diarrhoea.


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Air Pollution

Air pollution is what we say to describe ALL bad gasesin the air that we breathe and that are dangerous forus.

A lot of the things that make our lives morecomfortable such as cars, electricity and heatingcreate bad gases which make the air dirty.

The problem of air pollution started with the burning ofcoal in homes in factories. Dirty air is also calledpolluted air.

Air in the city tends to smell different from the air in thecountry this is because the exhausts from vehiclesgive off fumes or gases (which can poison you).


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The car exhausts eject a lot of bad gases,which create air pollution. These gases can be

very dangerous for children. Although the fuels are becoming cleaner it will

not be making that much difference becausethere are more and more cars.

There is less air pollution from coal, but today'smodern world still creates air pollution.

Today air pollution has not really fallen because

new bad gases are released in the air and thereare lots of them.

A lot of air pollution is the main cause of ACID

RAIN.


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Bad Gases - Carbon monoxide

Gases from vehicles

Carbon monoxide is a gas that pollutes the air,and is mainly released by cars and other

vehicles. It has no colour or smell. Health impacts -

* Can cause drowsiness by reducing oxygencarrying capacity of blood.

* Worsen angina* Possibly causes cancers* Impairs thinking


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Bad Gases Nitrogen Oxide Nitrogen oxides are emitted from vehicles like

cars and trucks

During rush hour periods a lot more is releasedin the air

Nitrogen oxide's are also emitted from powerstations these gases also make acid rain.

Health Impacts -

* Aggravate asthma symptoms* Increase the bodies susceptibility and viralinfection

* Reduction lung function can cause eye and

throat infection.


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Bad Gases - Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are produced when petrol is notfully burnt.

They are the cause of modern-day smog.

Health Impacts Similar to nitrogen oxide.


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Bad Gases - Particulates

Particulates are very small particles, like soot,dust and fumes that are released in the air

They are caused by vehicles, factories and

smoke from homes burning coal for heating. Health Impacts -

* Ears, eyes, throat infections* Respiratory problems e.g. Asthma


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Bad Gases Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur dioxide has no colour.

Most of it is released by power stations

It causes acid rain when mixing with water in

the air

Health Impacts -* Irritate ears, nose and throat

* Can cause respiratory problem e.g. bronchitis


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Bad Gases Home Environment

Indoor pollution is an issue that must be considered.

We spend a lot of time at home and it often doesn'tcross our mind that the air we are breathing may bepolluted.

Pollution inside our homes is called 'Indoor AirPollution'

Indoor pollution is usually very low, but a lot of things

can increase it. Fresh paint is a cause of indoor air pollution and so is

the burning of fuels such as coal & gas in heaters,stoves and ovens.


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Bad Gases Home Environment

Indoor pollution is an issue that must be considered.

We spend a lot of time at home and it often doesn'tcross our mind that the air we are breathing may bepolluted.

Pollution inside our homes is called 'Indoor AirPollution'

Indoor pollution is usually very low, but a lot of things

can increase it. Fresh paint is a cause of indoor air pollution and so is

the burning of fuels such as coal & gas in heaters,stoves and ovens.


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One of the main causes of indoor air pollution isSMOKING.

The poison in the cigarettes and tobacco canbe very dangerous for health. It can cause heartproblems, lung cancer & other lung cancers

Breathing in air which contains other people'ssmoke can cause you the same healthproblems for example lung cancer

To reduce indoor air pollution make sure the

room is well ventilated while painting/smoking.


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Bad Gases Noise & Aesthetic(Visual) Pollution

Noise pollution, from air traffic can disturbsleep

This can often impact on a person's health

Visual Pollution, rubbish untidy houses areclassed as visual pollution

All of these things can affect how a person

feels.

ccea - as - health and social care - environmental factors - unit 3

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