ch 15 and 16
DESCRIPTION
Ch 15 and 16TRANSCRIPT
!1
Environmental Health, Aging, and Death
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning – Most human poisonings in 2009—about 91%
—occurred in the home – Approximately 82% of poisonings were
unintentional, which included medication errors, bites and stings, food poisonings, and occupational mishaps.
– In 2009, poisoning occurred in children under the age of 6 approximately 68% of the time.
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning – Toxic plants – Ingestion of household cleaning products,
medications, and vitamins – Lead poisoning – Carbon monoxide poisoning
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning – Suspect poisoning and contact a poison
control center if a person: • Becomes ill suddenly with symptoms
affecting many systems of the body • Appears drowsy and indifferent • Exhibits bizarre behavior
– Call 911 if suspected poisoning victim experiences severe symptoms.
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning • Ingestion of Household Cleaning Aids, Medications,
and Vitamins – Children under 5 years of age are most in danger
from ingesting toxic household products. – Warning stickers are generally not effective. – Childproof packaging can be opened by children. – Store all dangerous household substances,
including medicines and dietary supplements in locked cabinets.
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning • Lead Poisoning
– Many sources of lead have been removed from the environment: leaded gasoline, leaded solder in food and beverage cans, and leaded paint.
– Leaded dangers still exist in poorly made ceramic dishes or pottery, car batteries, water pipes that contain lead-based solder, soil surrounding some roads and highways, and some pre-1978 paints in the interiors of older homes.
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning • Lead Poisoning
– Many cases of lead poisoning occur when older homes are remodeled.
– Children are extremely susceptible to absorbing lead through their digestive tract or lungs.
– Lead poisoning is associated with decreased intelligence, learning disabilities, impaired nervous system development, behavioral problems, and delayed or stunted growth.
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
– Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. • A by-product of incomplete combustion of
carbon-containing fuels such as oil, coal, wood, natural gas, charcoal, and gasoline
– Fires are a major source of carbon monoxide poisoning.
– Other sources include: automobile exhaust, malfunctioning furnaces, poorly ventilated kerosene, or gas space heaters
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Poisoning • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
– To lower CO poisoning risk: – Maintain and handle properly tools and
appliances that burn such fuels. – Properly vent stoves and furnaces. – Use charcoal grills and gas-powered tools only
in well-ventilated areas. – Install CO detectors.
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Inhalation of Asbestos Fibers – Asbestos was used in various products primarily
for its fire-resistant properties. • Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause
asbestosis as well as lung and stomach cancer.
– All asbestos-containing products have been banned by the EPA since 1996.
Environmental Health in and Around the Home
Inhalation of Asbestos Fibers – Primary danger is to people who live in homes
built between 1920 and 1978. – Danger exists when fibers become airborne. – To avoid danger:
• Do not disturb old products that contain asbestos.
• Hire only trained, certified professionals for asbestos removal.
Environmental Health in the Workplace
Exposure to and Inhalation of Other Toxic Chemicals – Inhaling heavy metal dust or fumes can cause a
variety of lung disorders, irritate the eyes and mouth, and damage the kidneys, brain and spinal cord. • Especially exposure to lead, mercury, and
manganese • Exposure may cause cancer
– OSHA regulates procedures in industries to protect the health of workers.
Environmental Health in the Outdoors
• Water pollution • Air pollution • Noise pollution
Environmental Health in the Outdoors
Water pollution – Water sources include aquifers, lakes, rivers,
and reservoirs. – Can be contaminated with:
• Pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, protozoans)
• Chemical waste from industry • Fertilizers and pesticides from farm run-off • Heavy metals such as mercury and lead
Environmental Health in the Outdoors
Water pollution – Monitoring of nation’s water supply is done by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). – To ensure its safety, 75% of American drinking
water is chlorinated. – Tap water can be tested for safety and treated. – Bottled water is not necessarily healthier to
drink than tap water.
Environmental Health in the Outdoors
Air Pollution – Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon
monoxide, ozone, and particulates in the air can threaten health.
– Two main contributors to air pollution are automobiles and coal-fired power plants that burn fossil fuels. • Use of small gasoline-powered machines
such as leaf blowers also contributes to air pollution.
Environmental Health in the Outdoors
Noise Pollution – Sound intensity is expressed in decibels (dB).
• Each 10 dB increase means a tenfold increase in intensity of the sound.
• Sounds at 50 dB or less are considered quiet or soft.
• Sounds at 80 dB or more are annoying and can be harmful over time.
– 40% of the population is exposed to enough noise to cause permanent hearing loss.
Aging
• Aging is the sum of all changes that occur in an organism during its life.
• Life span is the maximum number of years that members of a species can expect to live when conditions are optimal.
• Life expectancy is the average number of years that an individual who was born in a particular year can expect to live.
AgingEffects of Aging on Physical Health
– People begin to experience gradual decline in functioning of the body at about age 30.
– Signs of normal aging include: • Menopause (in women) • Delayed sexual responsiveness • Wrinkles • Graying and thinning hair • Loss of height • Presbyopia (the inability to see close objects
clearly)
Aging
Effects of Aging on Physical Health – Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Disorder of the eye resulting in distorted and blurry vision, often leading to irreversible blindness in older adults
– Cataracts • Clouding of the lens of the eye which impair
vision – Glaucoma
• Abnormal fluid accumulation in the eyeball, causing vision loss
Aging
Effects of Aging on Physical Health – Arthritis
• Group of disease involving inflammation of the joints
– Urinary Incontinence • The inability to control the flow of urine
Aging
Effects of Aging on Physical Health – Alzheimer’s Disease
• A common form of dementia –Characterized by memory loss, confusion,
loss of control over behavior and body functions
• Progressive condition that has no cure • Cause unclear, but some forms may be
inherited • Brain imaging can now detect signs of
shrinkage in the brain, a sign of Alzheimer’s
Aging
Effects of Aging on Social Health – Ageism is a negative bias toward the elderly.
• Results in mistrust and conflict between generations
– Elderly Americans • Can be a valuable social asset • Experienced consultants or advisors
Aging
Successful Aging – People who age successfully are independent,
socially active, and in good health. • Maintain healthy body weight
–Physically active people live longer than people who are sedentary.
– Having a positive outlook, maintaining good spiritual health, and engaging in social activities may also enhance successful aging.
DyingEmotional Aspects of Dying • Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified five emotional
stages that terminally ill people experience while dying. This model may be useful for understanding the complex emotions of dying people. – Denial – Anger – Bargaining – Depression – Acceptance
Dying
Terminal Care – Hospice is specialized care for patients with a
few months to live. • It is health care designed to give emotional
support and pain relief to terminally ill persons.
• Care may be provided at home or in a special center.
– Hospice staff also provides support for family members and grief counseling for survivors.
Death
Euthanasia and the Right to Die – The practice of allowing permanently comatose
or incurably ill persons to die – Active euthanasia
• Physician hastens death by giving an overdose of pain-relieving drugs that depresses breathing.
– Passive euthanasia • Physicians do not provide life-sustaining
treatments or withdraw such care.