C3 Community Health And The Environment 800130

C3 Community Health And The Environment Hca 402environmental Hazard

Community Health and the Environment HCA 402 Environmental Hazard Analysis: Chose one (1) hazard (A-E) from the list below. Using primary sources, such as those listed below in the resource list, research, define, describe, and/or explain the hazard’s characteristics. Cite your specific source for each researched item in the reference column in APA formatting. Characteristics Define/Describe/Explain Reference Type of Hazard?

Related Legislation? Hazard Level or Classification? Hazard Relative Risk to Environment and Humans? Hazard Safety Requirements and/or Correction Action? Other interesting facts regarding your chosen hazard?

This paper explores the selected environmental hazard, providing a comprehensive analysis based on primary sources. The goal is to define, describe, and explain the characteristics of the hazard, examine related legislation, assess its hazard level and relative risk to both environment and human health, and discuss safety requirements or corrective actions. Through detailed research, this analysis aims to elucidate the significance of understanding and managing the hazard effectively for community health and environmental sustainability.

Paper For Above instruction

Among various environmental hazards, radioactive radiation—specifically, ionizing radiation—poses a significant threat due to its ability to damage living tissues and environmental systems. Ionizing radiation is characterized by its high energy capable of removing electrons from atoms, thus forming ions, which can lead to cellular damage and increased risk of cancer in humans. Its sources are both natural, such as cosmic rays and terrestrial radionuclides, and anthropogenic, including medical applications and nuclear industry activities.

Natural sources of ionizing radiation, such as cosmic rays from space and naturally occurring radioactive materials in soil and rocks, contribute to background radiation levels worldwide. The radiation emitted from these sources impacts both human health and ecological systems by inducing mutations, causing cellular damage, and increasing cancer risks (UNSCEAR, 2020). Human-made sources, on the other hand, include medical diagnostics like X-rays and radioactive isotopes used in cancer treatment, as well as nuclear power plant emissions and accidental releases, which can significantly elevate environmental radiation levels if safety protocols are breached (EPA, 2012).

Legislation governing ionizing radiation primarily includes the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) and regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which set permissible exposure limits, safety standards, and waste disposal procedures. The AEA established the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), tasked with regulating nuclear reactors and ensuring that radiation levels are within safe limits for both workers and the general public (NRC, 2021). Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces worker safety standards concerning radiation exposure. These laws classify ionizing radiation as a hazardous agent with strict limits to minimize risks.

The hazard's risk level is considered high, especially for populations near nuclear facilities or in the aftermath of nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl or Fukushima. The human health implications include increased risks of cancers (thyroid, leukemia), genetic mutations, and radiation sickness. Environmental impacts involve soil, water, and biota contamination, leading to long-term ecological disturbances. Consequently, safety requirements include robust containment measures, health monitoring, emergency response plans, and waste management protocols to prevent radioactive exposure and environmental contamination (WHO, 2016).

Correction actions involve rigorous decontamination procedures, radiation shielding, and waste disposal according to EPA standards to prevent bioaccumulation and environmental dispersal of radioactive materials. Continuous monitoring and risk assessments inform safety protocols, and public education enhances preparedness during radiological emergencies. The importance of adhering to these safety standards ensures minimized health risks and environmental protection (IAEA, 2017).

In conclusion, ionizing radiation remains a critical environmental hazard with profound implications for community health and environmental integrity. Its management requires a combination of strict legislation, technological safeguards, and ongoing research to mitigate risks effectively. Understanding its characteristics and potential hazards enables better protective strategies, ensuring safer environments for present and future generations.

References

  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (2017). Radiation Safety Standards. https://www.iaea.org
  • National Regulatory Commission (NRC). (2021). NRC Regulations and Licensing. https://www.nrc.gov
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2012). Radiation Protection: Nureg updates. https://www.epa.gov
  • United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). (2020). Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. https://www.unscear.org
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Health risks from exposure to ionizing radiation. https://www.who.int

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