Assignment Environmental Factors

Amelia Roses (UNC20215678) Bachelor of Science in Nursing ASSIGNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS 1. Explain how air pollution can lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. Answer: Air pollution, particularly from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and harmful gases like ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, can irritate the respiratory tract and cause inflammation. This can exacerbate asthma, lead to chronic bronchitis, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. 2. How can poor water quality affect public health, particularly concerning waterborne diseases? Answer: Poor water quality, often caused by contamination with pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, can lead to diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and giardiasis. Chemical pollution, such as heavy metals and pesticides, can also cause long-term health problems, including cancer and developmental disorders. 3. What is the relationship between climate change and the increased spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever? Answer: Climate change can affect the geographic distribution and active seasons of vectors like mosquitoes. Increased temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns can extend the transmission season and expand the areas where mosquitoes can survive and breed, thereby increasing the risk of spreading diseases like malaria and dengue fever. 4. Discuss the impact of water pollution on ecosystems and how this can affect human health. Answer: Water pollution can harm aquatic ecosystems by killing organisms essential to the food chain and ecosystem balance. Loss of biodiversity can impact human food sources and disrupt ecosystem services like water purification and disease control, ultimately affecting human health. 5. How can climate change affect extreme weather patterns, and what are the implications for public health? Answer: Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts. Health impacts include increased cases of heatstroke, weather-related diseases (like skin and eye conditions), mental health issues due to post-disaster stress, and diseases caused by disrupted water supply and sanitation systems. 6. What strategies can be implemented to reduce the impact of air pollution on public health? Answer: Strategies to reduce the impact of air pollution include reducing emissions from motor vehicles through the use of eco-friendly transportation, improving energy efficiency and using clean energy sources, enforcing strict air quality regulations, and increasing urban green spaces to absorb air pollutants. 7. Explain how environmental risk assessment can help in managing public health. Answer: Environmental risk assessment involves identifying and analyzing potential risks from environmental factors to human health. This aids in creating policies and preventive measures, such as pollution regulations, climate change mitigation programs, and improved water and waste management systems, to protect public health. 8. How can climate change affect food security, and what are the implications for public health? Answer: Climate change can affect food security by disrupting agricultural production due to changing weather patterns, increased pest and disease outbreaks, and reduced agricultural productivity. This can lead to malnutrition and increased incidence of nutrition-related diseases, as well as food insecurity impacting overall public health. 9. Discuss the health impacts of long-term exposure to air pollution in urban areas. Answer: Long-term exposure to air pollution in urban areas can cause various chronic health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and reduced lung function. Additionally, air pollution can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and decrease life expectancy. 10. What steps can individuals take to reduce health risks from pollution and climate change? Answer: Individuals can take steps such as using public transport or biking to reduce vehicle emissions, reducing the use of fossil fuel-based products, participating in and supporting greening and conservation programs, reducing energy consumption at home, and advocating for policies and initiatives aimed at reducing pollution and mitigating climate change.