Term Paper Due May 9 Thursday: Identify A Health, Human, Or

Term Paper Due May 9 Thursday1 Identify A Health Human Or Eco

Identify a Health, Human, or Ecological Topic for Analysis. Describe the topic and how it relates to the Course, Course Concepts, and/or principles. Analyze the Decision-Making Process (Human) or the Environmental (Ecological) application that is used for your topic. Explain the reason for your interest or analysis. Suggest what changes or recommendations should be made. Discuss whether you would try to influence your area of interest and why or why not, including how you might do so.

The paper should be 6-8 pages, typed in 12-14 point font, with a separate references page (scholarly sources using MLA, APA, or Scientific formats) and a title page. Possible topics include water or air quality (indoor), asthma, food safety, nutrition, GMOs vs. organic, obesity, drugs and addictions, poverty, housing, wastes, sanitation, food security, human hazards (radiation, pesticides), school dropouts, juvenile delinquency, crime, natural hazards (fire, flood, earthquakes), or disease epidemiology (Ebola, malaria).

Use science information/data/research to advocate for a particular interest group, show differences among experts, contrast positions, or analyze trade-offs. Consider how impacts or hazards are measured or assessed, e.g., cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, or ecological thresholds/indicators. Discuss the time frames for decisions, such as emergency responses, law enforcement, or planning processes. Evaluate the presence of environmental health strategies like health education, pollution prevention, design with nature, or environmental enhancement.

Paper For Above instruction

For this term paper, I have decided to analyze the issue of indoor air quality and its impact on respiratory health, with a focus on asthma prevalence among urban populations. This topic is highly relevant to environmental health and intersects with course concepts such as environmental risk assessment, public health decision-making, and environmental justice. Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a critical concern, especially in densely populated urban areas where pollution sources, building design, and socioeconomic factors converge to influence health outcomes.

Indoor air pollution stems from multiple sources, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by household products, mold, particulate matter from cooking and heating, tobacco smoke, and infiltration of outdoor pollutants. Poor IAQ can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma, which has seen a significant rise globally, particularly among children and low-income populations. The relationship between indoor pollutants and asthma aligns with course principles such as the precautionary approach, risk assessment, and health promotion strategies aimed at reducing exposure and improving health outcomes.

The decision-making process surrounding IAQ management involves multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, housing authorities, and community organizations. Regulatory frameworks such as building codes, air quality standards, and public health policies guide actions to mitigate indoor pollutants. Risk assessments often utilize epidemiological data linking pollutant levels to asthma exacerbations, informing thresholds for intervention. Analyzing these processes reveals how evidence-based policies are formulated, balancing health benefits with economic and practical considerations.

My interest in this topic arises from personal experiences and observations of disproportionate asthma cases in urban low-income neighborhoods. These areas often face compounded challenges of inadequate housing, limited access to healthcare, and lack of awareness about IAQ management. The social justice aspect underscores the importance of advocating for equitable policies that address environmental disparities and promote healthy living environments for vulnerable populations.

Recommendations for improvement include implementing stricter indoor air quality standards, promoting community education campaigns, increasing funding for housing improvements, and fostering collaborations between public health authorities and community groups. Strategies like 'Design with Nature'—integrating eco-friendly building materials, ventilation systems, and green infrastructure—can substantially reduce indoor pollution. Additionally, policies encouraging the reduction of outdoor air pollution can indirectly benefit indoor air quality by decreasing infiltration of outdoor pollutants.

Considering whether to influence this area further, I believe active engagement is necessary to advocate for policies that prioritize health, especially among marginalized communities. As an advocate, efforts could include community outreach, policy dialogue, and raising awareness about IAQ's critical health impacts. These actions contribute to creating healthier urban environments and reducing disparities in respiratory health outcomes.

References

• Brunekreef, B., & Holgate, S. T. (2002). Air pollution and health. The Lancet, 360(9341), 1233-1242.
• Cheng, M. H., & et al. (2020). Indoor air quality and asthma morbidity in urban settings. Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(7), 77001.
• World Health Organization. (2010). WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: selected pollutants. WHO.
• Janson, C., et al. (2001). Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and asthma in children. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 164(9), 1520-1524.
• Sandström, T., et al. (2008). Indoor air quality and respiratory health in children. Journal of Environmental Health, 70(4), 24-31.
• Moriske, H. J., & et al. (2014). Risk assessment frameworks for indoor air quality management. Journal of Environmental Management, 134, 76-88.
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2018). Indoor air quality and asthma control: A practical guide. EPA.
• Wolkoff, P. (2016). Indoor air pollution: health, risk, and mitigation. Environmental Science & Technology, 50(2), 892-904.
• Shaughnessy, R. J., et al. (2010). HVAC filters, air cleaning, and respiratory health. Indoor Air, 20(4), 233-245.
• Hwang, B. F., et al. (2017). Socioeconomic disparities in indoor air pollution and respiratory health. Journal of Public Health Policy, 38(3), 312-329.