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1 Environmental Health

Environmental Health

Prepared by: Jonathan J. Mikulski, Elise Wood, and Rich Castrataro

Prepared for: Dr. Laurie DiRosa

10/18/2013

Proposed Question


Do working professionals aged 25-35 have a well-rounded understanding of the direct correlation

between environmental and personal health?

Significance Statement

The stated topic is of significance to the entire to the entire country. Without an educated understanding

of how the health of the environment affects the human body, society will only continue to deteriorate physically

and environmentally. The choice to direct this toward the working professional age group of 25-35 was done so

purposefully. This range is close to the age of newly graduated and/or working people. Based on the results of the

pending survey, we will be able to determine if throughout their studies up to this point, they are learning about

this important connection and utilizing it in their personal life. If results show a strong understanding, it will be

clear that society has the knowledge, but isn’t being proactive in their approach to better health. If the results

show a weak understanding, it will show that proper fundamental knowledge is not being provided and that

society should implement a plan to incorporate the connection between environmental and personal health into

our current education system.

Abstract

As Americans reached the 21st century, many started to care more about their surroundings and self.

Importance is now being stressed on our health as human beings and the world we live in, or environmental and

personal health. Environmental health is the health factors or concerns of the natural or built environment that

one lives in. The environmental health of a few sometimes affects humankind as a whole. The environment and

people alike are still feeling the effects of the BP oil spill that happened in 2010. One example of this is the toxicity

levels that sea life experienced, undoubtedly effecting humans that consume seafood. (Tiffany, Jackie. 2013.)

Personal health identifies the efficiency of the mind and body. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined

health in a broader sense in 1946 as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely

the absence of disease or infirmity." Unfortunately, many Americans are undereducated as a whole on these

topics. Direct correlations between environmental health and personal health are being researched daily, but do


working professionals ages 25-35 have an understanding of these correlations? ("Frequently Asked Questions.”

2013.)

Air Pollution

One area that can affect the environment and humans alike is air pollution. Air pollution can be a

multitude of different pollutants such as chemicals, particulates, or biological materials. When these pollutants get

released it can cause substantial damage to our natural and built environment. One example of this pollution is

the use of the “slash and burn” method by farmers to clear land for agriculture; the burning process releases

carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributing to air pollution and global warming. (Gray, Irina., 2008.) Sadly,

this is just one subcategory of pollutants. There are six central categories of air pollution.

Ozone is one of the six air pollutants. When hearing the word ozone many think about the protective layer

around our planet, however, ozone is also a pollutant. Ozone is a very pale blue gas with an extremely pungent

smell. Ozone forms when sunlight brings together nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

that are produced by vehicular and factory exhaust systems. Ozone causes damage to mucus and respiratory

tissues in humans, and also tissues in plants. ("Ozone.", 2013.)

Particulate matter are very small pieces of solid or liquid matter associated with the Earth's atmosphere.

Most know the term referred to them as aerosol. Sources of particulate matter can be man-made, such as hair

products like hairspray or natural, like those found from the soot after a forest fire. Particulate matter can

negatively affect human health, individuals that have heart and lung disease are at risk of premature death. This

type of pollutant also have impacts on climate, which will be discussed later. ("Particulate Matter.” 2013.)

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas. In concentrations that are high, it is extremely

toxic to humans. Carbon monoxide is produced from the partial oxidation of carbon-containing compounds; it

forms when the oxygen present is too little to produce carbon dioxide, such as when operating a gas stove. Carbon

monoxide is also produced naturally by sources such as forest fires and volcanos. In humans, carbon monoxide will

reduce the amount of oxygen the blood can carry, concurrently reducing the amount of ATP or energy the body

can produce. ("Carbon Monoxide.” 2013.)


Nitrogen Oxide is a universal term for mono-nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 (nitric oxide and nitrogen

dioxide). Mainly produced at high temperatures, they form from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the

air during combustion. In cities or areas of high motor vehicle traffic, the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted into

the atmosphere as air pollution can be significant. Nitrogen Oxide can also be produced naturally by lightning

during severe storms. NOx can react to form particulates like smog and acid rain in the environment, posing

hazards, such as, asthma and bronchitis. ("Nitrogen Oxide.” 2013.)

Sulfur dioxide is a toxic gas with a sharp, irritating smell. It is released naturally by volcanic activity and is a

potent global warming gas. In Earth's atmosphere, it exists in trace amounts of 1 part per billion by volume,

primarily as a pollutant commonly released by various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often contain

sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide unless the sulfur compounds are removed before

burning the fuel. Sulfur dioxide emissions are also a precursor to particulates in the atmosphere. Both of these

impacts are cause for concern over the environmental impact of these fuels. ("Sulfur Dioxide.” 2013.)

Lead is a chemical element in the carbon group. Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a

heavy metal and poor metal. Lead is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries, and bullets to name a few. If

ingested, lead is poisonous to animals, including humans. It damages the central nervous system often causing

brain disorders. Excessive lead also causes blood disorders in mammals. Like the element mercury, another heavy

metal, lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates both in soft tissues and the bones. ("Lead.", 2013.)

The Clean Air Act provides the principal framework for national, state, tribal, and local efforts to

protect air quality, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as people with asthma, children, and

older adults. EPA also sets secondary standards to protect public welfare. This includes protecting

ecosystems, including plants and animals, from harm, as well as protecting against decreased visibility and

damage to crops, vegetation, and buildings. Improvements in air quality are the result of effective

implementation of clean air laws and regulations, as well as efficient industrial technologies. Under the Clean

Air Act, EPA has a number of responsibilities, including: Conducting periodic reviews, reducing emissions,

ensuring air quality standards are met, reducing air pollutants, limiting the use of chemicals, and ensuring

that sources of toxic air pollutants that may cause cancer and other adverse human health and


environmental effects are well controlled and that the risks to public health and the environment are

substantially reduced. ("Air Pollution and the Clean Air Act.” 2013.)


Pollution is one of the biggest global killers, affecting over 100 million people. That’s comparable to global

diseases like malaria and HIV. Over one billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water due to air

pollutants. Five thousand people die each day due to dirty drinking water. People who live in places with high

levels of air pollutants have a 20% higher risk of death from lung cancer than people who live in less-polluted

areas. "11 Facts about Pollution.” 2013). While the causes of air pollution are numerous we as Americans can help

by choosing safer and healthier alternatives. Alternative fuels are fuels commonly referred to as replacement for

petroleum-based fuels like diesel and gasoline. They are considered “cleaner” in the sense that they yield

substantial energy supply with less impact to the environment. Some of these alternatives include CNG and

Biodiesel. CNG is a better alternative to diesel and gasoline because it is the cleanest burning alternative fuel

(therefore, less pollution and vehicle maintenance) and has higher heat content. Biodiesel is made from vegetable

oil or animal fats, an example of biodiesel is coconut methyl ester. The interest in biodiesel as an alternative fuel

for motor vehicles lies in its distinct qualities as being biodegradable and renewable. Compared with conventional

diesel, it has higher lubrication, burns cleaner because it is oxygenated and locks carbon dioxide in a closed circuit.

It can be used in any conventional diesel engine without any need for modification. Another plus factor for

biodiesel is that it can create new market opportunities for our farmers. ("Alternative Fuels: A Key to Reducing Air

Pollution.” 2013.)

Climate Change

Climate change/control is another huge environmental factor that is contributing to the deteriorating

health of the society. Many people might be aware of climate change or maybe have just heard the term used

before but never really thought much about it. Global climate change has many affects, some more severe than

others, that are impacting our health and most of these affects are poorly understood (Jessup, C. M., Balbus, J. M.,

Christian, C., Haque, E., Howe, S. E., Newton, S. A., & ... Rosenthal, J. P., 2013.) Global warming and extreme heat

has been found to be linked to increased risks of death and illnesses. There are health problems related to

increasing temperatures that most people probably aren’t aware of. Among elderly people, and people who don’t

have access to air conditioned environments have a greater risk of death due to cardiovascular and respiratory

disease (World Health Organization. 2013.) High temperatures also raise the levels of ozone which produce


pollutants that cause cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Urban air pollution causes about 1.2 million deaths

every year (World Health Organization. 2013.) Global warming is closely linked to other climate changes, such as

increases in the frequency of intense rainfall, more and increasingly intense heat waves, and rising sea levels

(Jessup, C. M., Balbus, J. M., Christian, C., Haque, E., Howe, S. E., Newton, S. A., & ... Rosenthal, J. P. 2013.)

Devastating rainfall not only affects the environment, but it also affects surrounding communities as well.

Rising sea levels and increasing rainfall can destroy homes, medical facilities and other essential services. More

than half of the world's population lives within 60 km of the sea. This could cause people to move to different

living locations which could increase the risk of a different health effects like mental disorders and infectious

diseases. In terms of our environment, higher rainfall patterns affect the supply of fresh water. Not having enough

safe water can affect personal hygiene and increase diarrheal disease among the society which kills 2.2 million

people every year (World Health Organization. 2013.)

The infections that come along with changes in climate are very threatening and could become a severe problem

for our society. Climate factors can be responsible for changes in disease prevalence, distribution and intensity,

particularly in the case of vector-borne diseases and emerging diseases. Frequent and abundant rainfalls along

with increasing temperature will increase the development of infectious diseases (Mirski, T., Bielawska-Drózd, A.,

& Bartoszcze, M. 2012.) In the eastern United States climate change is associated with increasing precipitation

which can increase larval breeding habitats pathogens (Gallana, M., Ryser-DeGiorgis, M., Wahli, T., & Segner, H.

2013.) This then leads to an increase of the vector population and even more pathogen transmission. Changes in

climate can increase the length of transmission seasons of important vector-borne diseases and to alter their

geographic range causing them to spread beyond their origination. Due to increases in global temperature, tropical

insects can expand their territories to further (northern or southern) latitudes, and find living conditions at higher

altitudes that affect the transmission of local viral pathogens (Gallana, M., Ryser-DeGiorgis, M., Wahli, T., & Segner,

H., 2013.) Tick-borne diseases are another concern that rises from increasing heat. Lyme disease is the most

commonly occurring vector-borne disease in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. In the United States

there have been 15,000 to 20,000 cases registered each year (Gallana, M., Ryser-DeGiorgis, M., Wahli, T., &

Segner, H., 2013.)


Everyone is affected by climate change and its health effects. Some people however, are more susceptible than

others. Children, especially those living in poor conditions are highly susceptible to increasing diseases due to

climate changes. The elderly are also more likely to have cardiovascular or respiratory disease due to increasing

heat. Those who have preexisting conditions are also more likely to be affected by climatic changes. When it comes

to reducing climate change, many people have probably already heard of some of the way to help. Recycling, using

your water efficiently, living a “greener” lifestyle with transportation such as carpooling, spreading the word, and

educating younger generations about how to help climate change are among the ways to help eliminate this

growing problem (Dunlea, E. J., Geller, L., Kraucunas, I., McConnell, M. C., Mengelt, C., & Huddleston, N. F., 2011.)

Pesticides

Lastly, Pesticides are chemicals that farmers spray on their crops in order to prevent insects and animals

from eating and invading their fruits and vegetables. While this serves a purpose, there are risks that come with it

that effect the human individual. There is also a chance that pesticides can end up in the water system and effect

individuals that way as well. There are many different kinds of pesticides that are used such as Pyrethoid,

Organophosphate, Carbamate, and Organochlorine. There is also biopesticides that can be used that are different

from the chemical pesticides (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013.)

With pyrethoid pesticides, they are synthetic made pesticides derived from pyrethin, which is found in the

flower chrysanthemums. These pesticides can in fact be harmful to the individual’s nervous system (U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). Some names of pyrethoid pesticides are Sumicidin, Bida, Karate, Nurell,

and Selecron (Ngidlo, R. T., 2013.) The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the use of pesticides under the

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013.)

Exposure to pesticides can happen to the consumer that is ingesting the food product or the farmers that

are using the pesticides on their crops. It can be toxic if inhaled, ingested, or handled without proper precautions.

“The failure of farmers to use appropriate protective gears during spraying may have exposed themselves to the


risk of pesticide poisoning” (Ngidlo, R. T., 2013.) This can cause many issues with the individuals’ health that will be

further discussed.

Some of the effects of pesticides can harm your brain, weaken your immune system, cause cancer, lower

a males sperm count, cause kidney and liver failure, cause obesity, as well as upset intestinal balance (Rodale, M.,

2010.) Pesticides are known to cause some of the most common cancers such as “leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s

lymphoma, brain, bone, breast, ovarian, prostate, testicular and liver cancers” (Toxics Action Center). Although the

Environmental Protection Agency regulates the amount of pesticide that is used on crops, it is being noticed by

doctors that even small amounts of pesticide use are just as harmful as larger amounts (Rodale, M., 2010.)

Pesticides are not only found in field crops, they can also be found in our homes, parks, schools, and so on

(Toxics Action Center). With the rainfall, pesticides can end up in our water systems as well. “Pesticides can be

found in our air, our food, our soil, our water and even in our breast milk” (Toxics Action Center). While pesticides

are used to keep rodents, insects, and other pests away, it can be harmful on the good soil that the crops are

grown in (Toxics Action Center).

Not only does this occur in the United States, there are “an estimated 3 million cases of pesticide

poisoning occur every year, resulting in an excess of 250,000 deaths” (Karunamoorthi, K., Mohammed, M., &

Wassie, F., 2012.) Those numbers reflect the whole universe that is affected by pesticide poisoning. It is a

considerable segment of the 900,000 deaths by suicide yearly (Karunamoorthi, K., Mohammed, M., & Wassie, F.,

2012.) There can be other ways to save individuals to decrease this number. The number one way this can be done

is through education. If more individuals are aware of pesticides, they may be able to prevent illness and death. By

choosing to eat organic foods, the individuals’ health risks will be decreased as compared to eating foods

containing pesticides (Rodale, M., 2010). Also, if farmers were able to use traps instead of spraying their foods, this

could decrease the use of pesticides from rodents and can save lives. While pesticides serve a general purpose and

the government regulates it, it does not mean that it is good for the human body. There are other things that we

as individuals can ingest to decrease the consumption of these chemicals.


Even though Americans have begun to think about personal and environmental health, there is a long way

to go before we can eliminate the majority of pollutants and affects from our Earth. Preventing the climate from

making negative changes that affect the environment and ourselves is imperative to personal health. Education

and knowledge is the biggest factor in being able to make these positive changes, unfortunately, it is believed

many don’t have access to this information. Environmental health awareness and education can truly help in

cleaning up the world. Undoubtedly, these practices need to be taught early and often throughout early education

and college. With these steps in place, young, working class individuals ages 25-35 will be knowledgeable and can

convey the same positive message to their kin.

Proposed Methodology

In regards to the survey, it will contain 10-15 questions. The first four questions will be demographic in

nature (i.e. age, gender, occupation…). The remaining questions will switch between true/false and multiple choice

formats to keep the participant engaged. The questions will be quiz-like so that we will know what degree of

knowledge the participants have on the topic. Our plan of action will be to divide the surveys in stacks of 33, 33,

and 34. Each member of the group will receive a stack and be responsible for distributing the surveys out to the

proper control group. We will then compare all 100 surveys together as a group and record the findings. In pilot

surveys results showed an astounding lack of knowledge towards correlation between environmental and personal

health.


References

"11 Facts about Pollution." Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-pollution>.

"Air Pollution and the Clean Air Act." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 15 Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/>.

"Alternative Fuels: A Key to Reducing Air Pollution." Alternative Fuels: A Key to Reducing Air Pollution. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://emb.gov.ph/eeid/alternativefuels.htm>.

"Carbon Monoxide." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 09 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/carbon.html>.

Dunlea, E. J., Geller, L., Kraucunas, I., McConnell, M. C., Mengelt, C., & Huddleston, N. F. (2011). Responding to Climate Change: 'America's Climate Choices' Lays Out Options. Environment, 53(2), 18-32. doi:10.1080/00139157.2011.5545

"Frequently Asked Questions." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/>.01

Gallana, M., Ryser-DeGiorgis, M., Wahli, T., & Segner, H. (2013). Climate change and infectious diseases of wildlife: Altered interactions between pathogens, vectors and hosts. Current Zoology, 59(3), 427-437.

Gray, Irina. "Environmental Pollution and Tropical Rainforests." Environmental Pollution and Tropical Rainforests. N.p., 2008. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/Environmental-Pollution-Tropical-Rainforests.html>.

Jessup, C. M., Balbus, J. M., Christian, C., Haque, E., Howe, S. E., Newton, S. A., & ... Rosenthal, J. P. (2013). Climate Change, Human Health, and Biomedical Research: Analysis of the National Institutes of Health Research Portfolio. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(4), 399-404. doi:10.1289/ehp.1104518

Karunamoorthi, K., Mohammed, M., & Wassie, F. (2012). Knowledge and Practices of Farmers With Reference to Pesticide Management: Implications on Human Health. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 67(2), 109-116. doi:10.1080/19338244.2011.598891

"Lead." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 03 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/lead.html>.

Mirski, T., Bielawska-Drózd, A., & Bartoszcze, M. (2012). Impact of Climate Change on Infectious Diseases. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 21(3), 525-532.

Ngidlo, R. T. (2013). Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers on Soil, Tail Water and Groundwater in Three Vegetable Producing Areas in the Cordillera Region, Northern Philippines. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 3(4), 780-793.

"Nitrogen Dioxide." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 03 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/nitrogen.html>.

"Ozone." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 03 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/ozone.html>.

"Particulate Matter." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 03 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/pm.html>.

Rodale, M. (2010). 15 WAYS TO CHANGE THE WORLD (and your life)... ONE APPLE AT A TIME. Men's Health (10544836), 25(3), 113-138.


"Sulfur Dioxide." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 03 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/sulfur.html>.

Tiffany, Jackie. "Health Effects from British Petroleum Oil Spill." BP Oil spill. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/bp_oil.html>.

Toxics Action Center. (n.d.). The Problem with Pesticides. Retrieved from http://www.toxicsaction.org/problems-and-solutions/pesticides

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2013, September 30). Pesticides. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/

World Health Organization. (2013) Climate Change and Health. Retrieved from <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/index.html>.


Rowan UniversityEnvironmental Health Survey

Dear Participant:

Thank you for taking the time to complete the following survey! As a consumer health student at Rowan University, we were asked to complete a research project on the topic of environmental conditions and its effect on our health. We are inviting you to participate in the research study by completing the following survey. The following questionnaire contains 14 questions and should take no longer than five minutes to complete. All of the answers you provide will be kept completely anonymous and confidential. In order to achieve this level of confidentiality we are asking that you do not provide us with your name, or any further information not asked within the survey itself. Please be sure to answer the questions to the best of your ability. Once you are finished, please return the survey to the student coordinator. Thank you again for your time and participation.

ABOUT YOURSELF:

1. Age Group: 20-25 26-35

2. Gender Male Female

3. Level of education you have completed: High School Diploma Associates Degree Bachelor’s Degree Higher

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?4. A healthy environment is essential for a healthy population TRUE FALSE 5. Indoor and outdoor pollution can cause lower respiratory tract infections TRUE FALSE 6. Climate conditions strongly affect water-borne diseases TRUE FALSE 7. Diarrheal disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in children under five TRUE FALSE 8. Increased exposure to pesticides has been linked to the formation of various forms of cancer such as breast, brain, and prostate cancer. TRUE FALSE

FLIP PAGE CHECK ALL THE APPLY9. In which ways can someone help eliminate the ingestion of pesticides and other chemicals?

Only eat certain fruits and vegetables


Stop eating fruits and vegetables Buying locally grown food Thoroughly washing food

10. Heat exposure can aggravate several chronic diseases, including: Cancer Cardiovascular disease Diabetes Common Cold

CHOOSE ONE

11. Do you believe air pollution and tainted water are shortening the lives of young children ages 3-10? YES NO

12. Do you believe climate change also has indirect health impacts? (Ex: food contamination, water pollution.)

YES NO

13. Do you believe that the health of our environment is deteriorating?

YES NO

14. I feel as though I have a complete understanding of how the environment affects my health and the health of those around me:

Strongly Agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree

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