Physical Hazards

Physical hazards are environmental hazards which are not chemicals or elements or organisms, but those that you could feel or hear, i.e. those that can be detected by our senses such as temperature. Environmental temperature can cause serious health effects by increasing or decreasing the body temperature. The body temperature increases when we are in a hot environment such as hot tub and decreases when we are in a cold environment such as a mountain slope. Following are the factors that increases or decreases body heat.: Heat Balance Equation S=M+W+R+C+K+E S is the change of temperature in the body (loss or gain). M is the heat gained due to the metabolic process in the body (as a byproduct of metabolism). W is the heat gained from external work such as physical activity, which leads to contraction of muscles, producing heat. R is the radiant heat exchange rate (if outdoors – taking in warmth from sun, if indoors then no heat taken in). C is the loss of heat due to wind velocity. K is the conductive heat exchange rate (If in a hot tub – conduct heat from warm water, if fall into the sea – lose heat from the body due to cold environment) E is the rate of evaporative heat loss (amount of heat lost during jogging) The Exposure Table Environment Source Health Effects Heat stroke, Heat exhaustion, Dehydration (loss of fluid in the body), Heat syncope (sudden loss of consciousness related to dehydration), Heat cramps, Heat rash (prickly heat) Hot Environment Hot tub, Summer, Cold Environment Reduced blood flow to skin, Shivering, Frostbite, Raynaud’s Phenomenon (occurs in individuals Hill station, diving sensitive to cold environment - skin turns white and in sea, winter often painful. It is a reversible phenomenon, Hypothermia (body temperature becomes low - this can occur at less than 500 F) Would you rather be in an extremely cold or hot environment? Noise & Vibration We are constantly exposed to noise of varying degree in our day to day life. Exposure to noise could lead to serious health effects such as hearing loss. Vibration is the back-and-forth, side-to-side, and up-and-down motion of the body that starts from and returns to the same reference position. Exposure to vibration motion could occur at an occupational setting or during a pleasure trip in ship or car. The Exposure Table Hazard Noise Source Type Acute - a loud Loud noise- diesel engine noise room, chain saw, jet Properties Health Effects Frequency How often. Annoyance, distraction, interference with flyover, live rock and roll Chronic - long band, farm tractor. term exposure to hazardous noise level. Moderately loud passenger car, auto traffic near freeway, air conditioning unit, dishwasher, living room music, television, vacuum cleaner. Intensity how loud. Duration how long each time. oral, communication, cardiovascular disease, hearing loss. Quiet noise - Rustling leaves, normal conversation WBV (whole WBV - traveling in car, body vibration) Frequency truck, ship, or aero plane, The vibration is vibration of the building transferred to the Low during construction, entire body. traveling in a Vibration farming. ship. HAV (handsHAV - Using chain saw, arm vibration) High brush cutter affects only a part of the body. Performance degradation, tiring, reduced comfort, low back pain, HAVs – causes blanching of fingers, numbness, and tingling sensation on fingers Radio nuclides are materials, which produce radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles and beta particles. Depending on the level of exposure, radiation can produce adverse health effects. It can adversely affect individuals who are directly exposed as well as the children. Listed below are three radio nuclides, their source, the route of their entry into our body, and the health effects that they produce after they enter our body. To learn more about radio nuclides click on the link below. Radio Nuclide Uranium Source Underground uranium mining, sea water. X-ray targets, nuclear explosion. Route of Exposure Inhalation, ingestion Health Effects Acute Effects - burns, loss of hair, nausea, loss of fertility. Chronic Effects - shortness of breath, cancer of the mouth region, pharynx, and larynx or leukemia, physical deformities, and mental retardation in children of exposed parents. Radon Radium Basements of buildings and houses, sump holes, cracks in foundations and concrete floors, ground water( deep well). Inhalation, ingestion Radium forms when isotopes of uranium or thorium decay in Ingestion, the environment. inhalation It is in virtually all rocks, soil, and water at low levels. Lung cancer Lymphoma, bone cancer, leukemia and aplastic anemia Metals are the oldest toxin known to man. They are present in the rocks and ores. Rain water dissolves them and distributes them in the environment. We get exposed to them because we use them for various purposes. Health effects due to exposure to metals could range from skin lesions to cancer. Metals can be classified into four different groups. Major Toxic Metals These are the most toxic metals, which produce multiple health effects in us. Listed below are the more important major toxic metals. Metals Source of Exposure Combustion of coal and crude oil, cement Chromium manufacturing, tanning industry, toner of copying machine. Arsenic Volcanoes, contaminated drinking water ( leaching from soil), defoliant, was used as an insecticide, and herbicides. Health Effects Acute Effects - Dypsnea, coughing, and wheezing, skin burns, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Chronic Effects - Bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, nasal itching and soreness, human carcinogen Acute Effects - nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache. Chronic Effects - irritation of the skin, dermatitis, skin lesion hyper pigmentation, and Blackfoot disease (necrosis and gangrene). Inhalation causes lung cancer, ingestion causes skin, bladder and liver cancer. Acute Effects - headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, Death at high level of exposure. Lead Leaded gasoline, food and soil, toys, battery manufacturing plants Mercury Freshwater fish caught from contaminated waters, dental filling, fluorescent lights, and thermometers, Nickel Food, nickel containing jewelry, cooking utensils, stainless steel kitchens, and clothing fasteners, spark plugs, batteries. Chronic Effects - anemia in children, behavioral and learning disabilities, spontaneous abortion in pregnant women, low birth weight, hyperactive, cancercausing agent. tremors, inability to walk, convulsions, and even death at high doses, emotional changes, delayed onset of walking and talking in children. Acute Effects - Headache, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and irritability Chronic Effects - lung and nasal cancers Essential Metals With Toxicity Potential These are the metals which we need for our growth and development, but become toxic when taken more than what is required. Metals Iron Zinc Source of Exposure Mine, iron and steel workplace, during medical use. Health Effects Acute Effects - Vomiting, and ulceration of GIT, liver damage and renal failure. Chronic - diabetes mellitus, affects liver functions and cardiovascular effects. Foodstuff, water, and air, galvanized cans and utensils, and plastic pipes, Gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea, Inhalation could higher amount in seafood, cause fever, meat, whole grains, dairy products, and nuts. Acute Effects - irritation of the mucous membranes of lungs, pulmonary edema, severe bronchitis, and bronchial pneumonia. irritation of the mucous Food, drinking water, membranes of nose and throat, producing coughing, and metal industries, nosebleeds, indigestion and nausea, headaches, selenium-recovery Selenium processes, plastics, paints, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, irritability, chills, and tremors. enamels, inks, and rubber, antidandruff shampoos. Chronic Effects - discoloration of the skin, deformation and loss of nails, loss of hair, excessive tooth decay and discoloration, and lack of mental alertness. Metals with Toxicity Related to Medical Therapy These are the metals which are used to treat a number of human ills, but they produce toxic effects when they accumulate in the body. Metals Source of Exposure Health Effects Irritated eyes, skin, irritates Aluminum Gold the lung tissues and causes pulmonary fibrosis producing restrictive and obstructive lung diseases, affects GIT. Cooking utensils, used in dialysis fluid, containers. Seawater, during medical use, industrial use. Dermatitis,stomatitis Minor Toxic Metals Metals Barium Source of Exposure Paints, soap, paper, and rubber, water, X-rays Health Effects Gastroenteritis, muscular paralysis, lungs and causes pneumoconiosis.