Now That You Have Understood The Impact Of Environmental Fac

Now That You Have Understood The Impact Of Environmental Factors On Hu

Now that you have understood the impact of environmental factors on human health, create a 7 to 10 page Microsoft Word document addressing the following questions: Describe three waterborne diseases and suggest methods for their prevention. Provide one example of a toxic chemical that may enter the public water supply. Describe some of the health effects attributed to toxic chemicals present in drinking water. What health hazards are associated with uncontrolled and older waste sites in the United States? Describe the processes through which hazardous solid wastes can affect human beings. Compare and contrast the current methods for treating sewage with those used in the Middle Ages. Historically, what factors spurred the development of today's sanitary sewage systems? Describe the stages for processing sewage. At what stage of processing is it permissible in the United States to dispose of wastewater from sewage into waterways? What health-related considerations relate to the use of recycled water? What level of processing is required for wastewater to be recycled? Describe some of the uses of recycled water. Even though workers in professional occupations typically are not exposed directly to hazardous agents, they are prone to occupational illnesses. What hazards and associated illnesses predominate in professional occupations? What interventions would you propose to mitigate these hazards? Support your responses with reasoning and examples. Cite any sources in APA format. No plagiarism.

Paper For Above instruction

Environmental factors play a critical role in influencing human health, necessitating comprehensive understanding and intervention. Among these factors, water quality, waste management, and occupational hazards are paramount. This paper explores three waterborne diseases, their prevention, chemical contaminants in water, waste site hazards, sewage treatment processes, recycled water use, and occupational health risks in professional settings, supported by current scientific evidence and historical context.

Waterborne Diseases and Prevention Strategies

Waterborne diseases remain a significant public health concern worldwide. Three notable diseases include cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A. Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, results in severe diarrhea and dehydration. Prevention primarily involves ensuring access to clean drinking water, effective sanitation, and hygienic practices such as handwashing with soap. The use of water treatment methods like chlorination and filtration significantly reduces cholera transmission (WHO, 2017). Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria, spreads through contaminated water and food. Vaccination, safe water practices, and proper waste disposal are essential prevention measures (Crump & Mintz, 2010). Hepatitis A, a viral infection, transmits via contaminated water, emphasizing the importance of sanitation, vaccination, and personal hygiene (Markowitz & Alter, 2018). Implementing community-wide water treatment and sanitation infrastructure are vital for controlling these diseases.

Toxic Chemicals in Public Water Supplies

A prominent example of a toxic chemical entering public water systems is lead. Lead can leach into water from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures. The health effects associated with lead exposure include neurological damage, developmental delays in children, hypertension, and kidney dysfunction (CDC, 2012). Chronic exposure to low levels of lead can impair cognitive development, particularly in children, emphasizing the need for vigilant water quality monitoring and infrastructure updates to prevent lead contamination (Lanphear et al., 2018).

Health Hazards of Uncontrolled Waste Sites

Uncontrolled and older waste sites in the United States pose significant health risks due to the potential release of hazardous substances into surrounding environments. These sites may contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or radioactive materials that threaten groundwater, soil, and air quality. Exposure to contaminants from waste sites can result in cancers, respiratory illnesses, neurological effects, and reproductive problems (EPA, 2020). Contaminated groundwater can lead to ingestion of harmful chemicals, while airborne toxins can cause respiratory and neurological illness. Addressing these hazards requires cleanup initiatives, land use controls, and ongoing monitoring to protect community health.

Impact of Hazardous Solid Wastes on Human Health

Hazardous solid wastes, including industrial waste, electronic waste, and medical waste, can adversely affect human health through various pathways. Improper disposal can lead to soil and water contamination, which upon human exposure causes skin rashes, gastrointestinal illnesses, neurological effects, and increased cancer risk (BSI, 2019). Waste burning releases toxic ash and dioxins, leading to respiratory illnesses. Proper management involves secure landfilling, recycling, and treatment to minimize health risks associated with hazardous waste.

Sewage Treatment: Past and Present

Medieval sewage management relied predominantly on rudimentary drainage and cesspools, often resulting in environmental contamination and outbreaks of waterborne diseases. In contrast, modern sewage treatment incorporates multiple stages—primary, secondary, and tertiary—aimed at removing solids, organic matter, and pathogens. The development of these systems was driven by increased urbanization, understanding of disease transmission, and technological advances in microbiology and engineering (Huang, 2015). Primary treatment involves sedimentation to remove solids; secondary treatment uses biological processes like activated sludge to degrade organic matter; tertiary treatment further purifies water for reuse or safe discharge. In the U.S., wastewater can be released into waterways after secondary or tertiary treatment, depending on specific regulatory standards set by the EPA (EPA, 2019). This process ensures minimal health risks while enabling water reuse and environmental protection.

Use and Processing of Recycled Water

Recycled water undergoes rigorous processing, typically including filtration, disinfection, and advanced treatments such as microfiltration or reverse osmosis, to ensure safety for intended uses (Foster et al., 2019). The purpose of recycling is to supply water for agricultural irrigation, industrial processes, groundwater recharge, and landscape irrigation, reducing dependence on freshwater sources. Health-related considerations include the removal of pathogens, chemical contaminants, and emerging pollutants, which could pose risks if not adequately treated (Xenarios et al., 2021). The level of treatment depends on the end-use; for unrestricted reuse, water must generally meet drinking water standards, while for irrigation, fewer purification steps may suffice. Proper treatment minimizes health hazards and ensures water safety across applications.

Occupational Hazards in Professional Occupations

While many professionals are not directly exposed to hazardous agents, they remain vulnerable to occupational illnesses related to environmental hazards. Hazards include chemical exposure, ergonomic stressors, and psychosocial factors. Healthcare workers risk exposure to infectious agents; laboratory personnel handle hazardous chemicals; office workers may experience musculoskeletal disorders and mental stress. Common illnesses include respiratory conditions, repetitive strain injuries, and psychological stress-related disorders (NRCC, 2018). Prevention involves implementing safety protocols, personal protective equipment, ergonomic assessments, and stress management programs. Such interventions are vital to safeguarding health and maintaining productivity in professional environments.

Conclusion

Understanding environmental factors impacting human health is essential for developing effective prevention and management strategies. From waterborne diseases to waste management and occupational hazards, comprehensive approaches rooted in scientific evidence and technological advances can significantly reduce health risks. Continuous monitoring, infrastructure improvements, and occupational safety protocols are fundamental to achieving healthier communities and sustainable environments.

References

• CDC. (2012). Lead poisoning prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/default.htm
• Crump, J. A., & Mintz, E. D. (2010). Global trends in typhoid and paratyphoid fever. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 50(Suppl 2), S162–S167.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019). National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Writers’ Manual. EPA 833-B-12-002. https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-permits-and-permit-writing
• EPA. (2020). Superfund Program. EPA.gov. https://www.epa.gov/superfund
• Foster, T. M., et al. (2019). Water recycling and reuse: Challenges and benefits. Water Environment Research, 91(12), 1574–1582.
• Huang, C. (2015). Evolution of sewage treatment: From ancient to modern methods. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 141(4), 04014045.
• Lanphear, B. P., et al. (2018). Low-level lead exposure and children’s intellectual development: The importance of exposure timing. Environmental Health Perspectives, 126(7), 077008.
• Markowitz, L. E., & Alter, H. J. (2018). Hepatitis A virus infection. The New England Journal of Medicine, 379(15), 1467–1476.
• National Research Council of Canada (NRCC). (2018). Occupational health in professional settings. NRCC Publications.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities: Practical steps. WHO Press.