Free Printable Worksheets for learning Environmental Health at the College level

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Environmental Health

Environmental health is the branch of public health concerned with how the natural and built environment affects human health. It encompasses a wide range of issues, including air and water pollution, hazardous waste management, food safety, climate change, and more.

Key Concepts

Environmental hazards: substances or factors in the environment that can negatively impact human health. Examples include air pollution, water contamination, and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Risk assessment: the process of identifying potential environmental hazards and evaluating their likelihood and severity of harm to human health.
Environmental justice: the fair distribution of environmental hazards and access to environmental resources and benefits, regardless of socioeconomic status or other factors.
Sustainability: using natural resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Major Topics

Air Quality

Major sources of air pollution: transportation, industry, and energy production.
Health effects: respiratory problems, heart disease, stroke, and more.
Strategies to improve air quality: reducing emissions from cars and factories, promoting alternative energy sources, and more.

Water Quality

Major sources of water contamination: industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage.
Health effects: gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and more.
Strategies to improve water quality: improving waste treatment facilities, reducing pollution from agriculture and industry, and more.

Food Safety

Major risks to food safety: pathogens (bacteria and viruses), chemical contamination, and physical hazards.
Health effects: foodborne illness, allergic reactions, and more.
Strategies to improve food safety: proper food handling and preparation, regular inspections of food facilities, and more.

Important Information

Environmental health hazards can have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and those with preexisting health conditions.
Addressing environmental health issues often requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving experts from fields such as medicine, engineering, and policy.
Individuals can take action to protect their own health, such as by reducing exposure to environmental hazards and supporting policies that promote environmental health.

Takeaways

Environmental health is a critical public health issue with a wide range of impacts on human health.
Strategies to address environmental health issues span multiple fields and require collaboration and cooperation among diverse stakeholders.
Awareness of environmental health hazards and individual action to reduce exposure can contribute to better health outcomes for all.

Here's some sample Environmental Health vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word	Definition
Pollution	The presence or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects. Examples: air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution.
Toxin	A poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms, including bacteria, animals and plants.
Contamination	The introduction or presence in a substance or environment of a substance which has harmful or undesirable effects. Examples: food contamination, soil contamination.
Biodiversity	The variety of life on earth, including the variety of living organisms, the genetic differences among them and the communities and ecosystems in which they occur.
Habitat	A place where plants, animals or other organisms live and grow in a particular environment.
Ecosystem	A community of living and non-living things that interact with each other in a particular environment.
Sustainability	The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Renewable	Refers to resources that are replenished naturally and can be used again, such as solar, wind, hydro or geothermal power.
Non-renewable	Refers to resources that cannot be easily or quickly replenished, such as fossil fuels.
Conservation	The preservation and protection of natural resources, such as forests, water, animals, and minerals.
Biodegradable	Capable of being decomposed by natural biological processes, typically plant or animal microorganisms, and therefore avoiding pollution.
Composting	Naturally breaking down organic matter, such as food and garden waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used to enrich soil, grow vegetables, flowers, and plants.
Pesticide	A chemical or biological substance that is used to kill or control pests such as insects, weeds, rodents, and plant diseases.
Carbon Footprint	The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, organization, event, or product.
Renewable Energy	Energy produced from renewable resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, and geothermal heat, which can be replenished naturally.
Fossil Fuels	A non-renewable energy source, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which is formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient organisms.
Greenhouse Gas	A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g. carbon dioxide, methane.
Deforestation	Clearing or removal of a forest or trees from a land for commercial or agricultural purposes, or as a result of mining, oil extraction, or urbanization.
Global Warming	A gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere due to the increased levels of greenhouse gases.
Ozone Layer	A layer of ozone gas in the Earth's atmosphere, protecting life on Earth by absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Here's some sample Environmental Health study guides Sign in to generate your own study guide worksheet.

Study Guide: Environmental Health

Introduction

Environmental Health is a branch of public health that focuses on the man-made and natural environmental factors that affect the health and well-being of humans. This study guide aims to assist students in reviewing the key concepts, theories and principles of environmental health.

Key Concepts

Environmental Exposure

Environmental exposure is the contact of individuals with various forms of physical, chemical, and biological substances in the environment that may have effects on their health.
Physical exposures include noise, radiation, and climate.
Chemical exposures include organic and inorganic substances found in air, water, soil, and food.
Biological exposures include infections and diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

Environmental Health Assessment

Environmental health assessment is a process of identifying, evaluating, and controlling environmental factors that can affect human health.
Environmental health assessment includes several components such as exposure assessment, health risk assessment, and hazard identification.
Health risk assessment involves estimating the probability that an individual will experience an adverse health outcome as a result of exposure to an environmental hazard.

Toxicology

Toxicology is the study of harmful effects of chemical, physical, and biological agents on living organisms.
It involves understanding the mechanism of toxicity, factors that influence toxicity, and methods for detecting and treating toxicity in humans.

Environmental Health Policy

Environmental health policy refers to the laws, regulations, and guidelines that govern and regulate the interaction between the environment and human health.
Environmental health policies are developed at federal, state, and local levels with the objective of protecting human health and the environment.

Principles and Theories

The Precautionary Principle

The precautionary principle is a decision-making tool that recommends caution in the face of scientific uncertainty about the potential harm of an environmental exposure.
This principle suggests that if an action or policy has the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus, the burden of proof falls on those who advocate the action or policy.

The Environmental Justice Principle

The environmental justice principle aims to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status, have the same level of protection from environmental hazards.
This principle recognizes that the communities that are most likely to be affected by environmental hazards are often those that are marginalized and have limited political power.

Conclusion

Environmental health is an important area of study that is crucial for protecting the well-being of individuals and communities. By understanding the key concepts, principles, and theories of environmental health, students can gain insight into the causes and effects of environmental exposures and how they can be prevented and managed.

Here's some sample Environmental Health practice sheets Sign in to generate your own practice sheet worksheet.

Environmental Health Practice Sheet

Define environmental health.
List three examples of environmental health hazards.
Explain the difference between infectious and non-infectious environmental hazards.
Identify the steps involved in a risk assessment.
What is the difference between acute and chronic exposure?
Describe the pathways by which environmental contaminants enter the body.
What are the main health effects associated with exposure to air pollution?
Identify three strategies for reducing exposure to indoor air pollutants.
Explain how climate change can affect human health.
Describe the role of environmental health professionals in protecting public health.
What is a Superfund site?
Describe the process for hazardous waste management from generation to disposal.
Identify three common types of water pollutants and their sources.
What is environmental justice and why is it important to consider when developing public health policies?
What is the National Environmental Policy Act and what is its purpose?
Explain how noise pollution can affect human health and well-being.
Identify three common environmental sources of lead exposure.
Describe the differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
List three ways in which individuals can reduce their environmental impact.
Explain the concept of the 3 R's of waste management: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Sample Practice Problem

Q: What is the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in protecting public health?

A: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting public health by setting and enforcing standards for air, water, and soil quality. The EPA also evaluates the potential health risks of new chemicals, pesticides, and other pollutants. The EPA works to ensure that the environment is safe for humans, animals, and plants. The EPA also works to educate the public about the importance of protecting the environment and the health benefits associated with doing so.

Environmental Health Practice Sheet

1. What is the purpose of environmental health?

A. To protect human health and the environment by identifying and reducing environmental risks.

2. What are the three main areas of environmental health?

A. Air quality, water quality, and land use.

3. What are the three main types of environmental pollution?

A. Air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution.

4. What is the primary goal of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

A. To protect human health and the environment by setting and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.

5. What are the two main types of environmental risk assessment?

A. Quantitative risk assessment and qualitative risk assessment.

6. What is an environmental hazard?

A. A physical, chemical, or biological agent in the environment that has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, and/or the environment.

7. What is the difference between an environmental hazard and an environmental risk?

A. An environmental hazard is a physical, chemical, or biological agent in the environment that has the potential to cause harm, while an environmental risk is the probability of harm occurring due to the presence of an environmental hazard.

Here's some sample Environmental Health quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Environmental Health Quiz

Below are ten problems related to Environmental Health. Provide your answers in the space provided.

Problem	Answer
What is Environmental Health?	{answer}
What is the difference between acute and chronic exposure to a toxic substance?	{answer}
List three examples of environmental hazards that can cause health problems.	{answer}
What is a dose-response relationship and why is it important in Environmental Health?	{answer}
Explain the difference between air pollution and water pollution.	{answer}
What are the four major categories of air pollutants and give an example of each.	{answer}
What is the Clean Air Act and what is its purpose?	{answer}
What is the Safe Drinking Water Act and what is its purpose?	{answer}
What is the difference between risk assessment and risk management?	{answer}
What can individuals do to reduce their exposure to environmental hazards?	{answer}

Good luck!

Environmental Health Quiz

Problem	Answer
What is the definition of environmental health?	Environmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health.
What is the purpose of environmental health?	The purpose of environmental health is to identify, assess, and control environmental factors that can adversely affect human health.
What are the three main elements of environmental health?	The three main elements of environmental health are air quality, water quality, and sanitation.
What are the four main types of environmental hazards?	The four main types of environmental hazards are biological, chemical, physical, and radiological.
What is the difference between environmental health and environmental protection?	Environmental health focuses on protecting human health from environmental hazards, while environmental protection focuses on protecting the environment from human activities.
What is the role of environmental health in public health?	Environmental health plays an important role in public health by identifying and addressing environmental hazards that can adversely affect human health.
What is the relationship between environmental health and sustainability?	Environmental health and sustainability are closely linked, as sustainable practices can help to reduce environmental hazards and protect human health.
What are the three main goals of environmental health?	The three main goals of environmental health are to protect human health, promote healthy lifestyles, and prevent disease and injury.
What is the importance of environmental health education?	Environmental health education is important as it can help to raise awareness of environmental hazards and their potential impacts on human health.

Environmental Health Quiz

Question	Answer
What is the primary goal of Environmental Health?	To protect human health and the environment by preventing or controlling disease, injury, and disability related to the interactions between people and their environment.
What are the three main components of Environmental Health?	1. Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance, 2. Environmental Risk Assessment, 3. Environmental Management and Policy.
What is the purpose of Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance?	To identify and monitor environmental hazards that may have an impact on human health.
What is the purpose of Environmental Risk Assessment?	To identify and evaluate potential risks to human health from environmental exposures.
What is the purpose of Environmental Management and Policy?	To develop and implement strategies to reduce or eliminate environmental risks to human health.
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?	A hazard is a potential source of harm, while a risk is the probability that a hazard will cause harm.
What is an environmental pollutant?	An environmental pollutant is any substance that is released into the environment and has the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment.
What are the four main categories of environmental pollutants?	1. Air Pollutants, 2. Water Pollutants, 3. Soil Pollutants, 4. Noise Pollutants.
What is the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?	The EPA is responsible for protecting human health and the environment by setting and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.
What is the purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?	OSHA is responsible for protecting workers from potential hazards in the workplace by setting and enforcing standards for workplace safety.