Environmental Health Threats

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to environmental health threats, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Household Air Pollution

Three billion people depend on solid fuel for cooking and heating, making poorer populations more susceptible.

Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution

Common effects include respiratory symptoms, with older and younger people being more susceptible.

WASH

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; related to diseases like diarrhea and vector-related illnesses due to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Ranked 3rd in low- and middle-income countries as a cause of death.

Costs of Environmental Health Problems

Disproportionately impacts poor communities, negatively affects productivity, and puts children at higher risk.

Cost-Effective Solutions for Ambient Particulate Matter

Promoting unleaded gasoline, low-smoke lubricants, and shifting to natural gas for public vehicles.

Key Environmental Health Burdens

Include household air pollution, ambient particulate matter pollution, and inadequate water and sanitation.

Diarrheal Diseases

Ranked 5th in causes of death in low- and middle-income countries.

Hygiene Promotion

The most cost-effective WASH investment, leading to a 33% reduction in diarrhea morbidity.

Improved Water Supply

Includes sources like house connections, boreholes, and rainwater collection to reduce diseases.

Household Air Pollution

Three billion people depend on solid fuel for cooking and heating, making poorer populations more susceptible.

Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution

Common effects include respiratory symptoms, with older and younger people being more susceptible.

WASH

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; related to diseases like diarrhea and vector-related illnesses due to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Ranked 3rd in low- and middle-income countries as a cause of death.

Costs of Environmental Health Problems

Disproportionately impacts poor communities, negatively affects productivity, and puts children at higher risk.

Cost-Effective Solutions for Ambient Particulate Matter

Promoting unleaded gasoline, low-smoke lubricants, and shifting to natural gas for public vehicles.

Key Environmental Health Burdens

Include household air pollution, ambient particulate matter pollution, and inadequate water and sanitation.

Diarrheal Diseases

Ranked 5th in causes of death in low- and middle-income countries.

Hygiene Promotion

The most cost-effective WASH investment, leading to a 33% reduction in diarrhea morbidity.

Improved Water Supply

Includes sources like house connections, boreholes, and rainwater collection to reduce diseases.

Sources of Household Air Pollution

Burning solid fuels like wood, charcoal, animal dung, and crop wastes inside homes for cooking and heating, often in unventilated spaces.

Health Risks Linked to Household Air Pollution

Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

Main Contributors to Ambient Particulate Matter

Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, power plants, construction activities, and open burning of waste.

Health Consequences of Unsafe WASH

Diarrheal diseases, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and neglected tropical diseases (e.g., trachoma, schistosomiasis).

Impact of Environmental Risks on Children

Children are disproportionately vulnerable due to immature immune systems, higher breathing rates, and closer proximity to ground-level pollutants, leading to increased disease burden.