...Environmental Hazards Tammy Winfrey 12/14/2014 Robert Davie A toxicant is any chemical that can injure or kill humans, animals or plants; a poison. A toxicant is usually used when referring to a toxic substance that is produced by, or a by-product of, man-made activities. Small amounts of chemical exposure (especially at vulnerable developmental stages) can have long term health impacts. Chemicals, such as heavy metals, Dioxin, and Bisphenol A; have been linked to cancer, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and more (Peeples 2012). . Ninety-nine percent of pregnant American women carry multiple man-made chemicals in their bodies, sharing them through the umbilical cord (Peeples 2012). Disease causing agents are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate within food chains. They transfer easily among air, water, and land, and span boundaries of programs, geography, and generations (epa.gov, 2012). Common toxicants include antimicrobials and biocides, and heavy metals like mercury, lead, antimony, arsenic and cadmium. Antimicrobial and biocides are used in plastics and textiles to kill microorganisms. These are aquatic toxins; some cause bacteria and fungi to mutate. Utilization of these compounds can expedite the evolutionary process leading to superbugs. The long-term effects of antimicrobials and biocides are unknown. Heavy metals are usually associated with wire insulation, solder, dyes and pigments. Toxins released...
Words: 406 - Pages: 2
...Environmental Hazards Paper Eric Houston ENV 100 8 September 2014 Wendy Armstrong In this paper I will be discussing what toxicants are and how they affect living organisms. I will also cover disease-causing agents and how they are transmitted. Last but not least I will go over how changes in the environment contribute to human diseases and are linked by human activities. Environmental hazards affect human population in many ways and we must be aware of the problems. Toxicants are man-made (synthetic) substances that present a risk of death, disease, injury, or birth defects in living organisms through absorption, ingestion, inhalation, or by altering the organism’s environment ("What Is Toxicant?", 2014). Toxicants are made by humans while toxins are produced naturally by living organisms. Examples of toxicants are pesticide, chlorine, asbestos, and mold. Toxicants can affect living organisms in many ways. One way that toxicants can affect living organisms is by killing off marine life. If the substance gets into the water it can cause fish and invertebrates to start to die. It can also include a change in the abundance, structure and variety of biological communities and habitats. The fish can also cause health risks to consumers of those organisms. The next things I will discuss are disease-causing agents. A disease causing agent is often referred to as a pathogen. A pathogen, such as a virus or a strain of bacteria can enter the body and cause a host of...
Words: 445 - Pages: 2
...This article is an overview of the reactions of most Nigerians to environmental hazards at construction sites, the effects of hazards and the safety controls put in place by the Nigerian government and other environmental agencies with the ultimate of reducing the risks associated with those hazards as low as reasonably practicable. Direct on-site observations were used to study the adherence of the construction sites workers to safety tips at Jehovah Witness chapel construction sites, Chelsea avenue, Abakpa Nike, Enugu, Immaculate Conception Parish Construction Site, Abakpa, 18 Felix Okoro Close (a 3-storeyed building construction site) Iji Nike, Enugu, and Ugbene II Road construction by J. Quarrison Nigeria Ltd. The results presented shows...
Words: 2811 - Pages: 12
...widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts. These impacts exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its resources. Disaster management is an effort of the people to either prevent disasters, mitigate the effects or recover from disasters. These disasters are either man-made, natural or acts of terrorism. If possible communities or disaster managers should try to prevent emergencies from occurring. However, if that is not possible, efforts and resources should be used to mitigate the effects and restore the position of the affected society. For effective disaster management, the following priority actions are to be considered. Action 1: Ensure that the disaster prevention is a local and national necessity with a strong institutional basis for implementation. Institutions that develop policy, legislative and institutional frameworks for disaster risk reduction and can track the progress through specificied and measurable indicators that have greater capacity to control risks. They are also able to manage widespread consensus for involvement and compliance with disaster risk control measures in all sectors of a society Action 2: Outline, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance pre-caution. The start of reducing disaster risk and promoting a culture of disaster resilience lies in the understanding of the hazards. The knowledge extends to the social, physical, the environmental and economic vulnerabilities to disasters...
Words: 532 - Pages: 3
...General Safety Guidelines 9 2.2 Eating, Drinking, and Smoking 10 2.3 Housekeeping and Maintenance 10 2.5 Spills and Accident Reporting 11 Spills 11 2.6 Accident Reporting 12 2.7 Audits 12 3.0 Standard Laboratory Control Measures 13 3.1 Hygiene Practices 14 3.2 Ventilation 15 3.3 Safety Equipment 15 3.4 Hand wash Stations 16 3.5 Eyewash Stations 16 3.6 Fire Extinguishers 17 3.7 Flammable Storage Cabinets 17 4.0 Emergency And Medical Procedures 18 4.1 Basic Emergency Response 18 4.2 Controllable Release 19 4.3 Injury and illness 19 Preface The nature of the tasks being undertaken at the Ballistics Unit of the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine presents a number of hazards. The risks associated with these hazards can be greatly reduced if appropriate precautions and practices are adhered to. To manage these risks, the Ballistics Unit has developed this general safety manual. The intent of this manual is to provide the guideline for the development and implementation of a comprehensive safety programme which will assist staff in maintaining a safe working environment. Responsibility for the development, implementation and enforcement of the general safety manual and comprehensive safety programme are the responsibility of the officer in charge of the Ballistic Unit. This individual is also responsible for providing the relevant resources in order to ensure the effective implementation of the safety programme. Helpful Telephone...
Words: 3808 - Pages: 16
...(Programs and training), an Environmental Manager (Physical plant, wastes and regulatory issues), 2 technicians (versed in IH and environmental sample and collecting and testing) and the IC. First, I will advise the IC to contact all necessary people to get additional resources rolling our way to assist in our recovery effort (American Red Cross, National Guard, electrical, and the water company). I will use the 3 elements to perform safe entry, safe clean up procedures, and hazard assessment by recognition, evaluation, and control. Anticipating and recognizing the need for “assuring access to fresh water and restoring safe sewage handling is an immediate public health need (Lister pg1)”. Power line damages and power outages increase the risk of hazards. My concern would be to prevent or control the spread of infectious diseases. I would make sure the team and all patients who entered the hospital would perform proper hand-washing techniques. I would advise my team to be careful with the water on the first floor. Many floods bring out snakes, other creatures and animals, and even insects that can be a hazard. I would order a team of two to go in and do a quick survey of the second floor to assess the damages. “The walk thru survey is an opportunity to observe the process, tools, equipment, and potential hazards (Nims pg 261)”. As the industrial Hygienist, I will “educate, train, inform, and advise the team at all levels, in all aspects of hazard communication (Nims pg...
Words: 919 - Pages: 4
...a number of major documents adopted during the Decade, including, in particular, the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World: Guidelines for Natural Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation and its Plan of Action, and the text below entitled "A Safer World in the 21st Century: Disaster and Risk Reduction". Both of these were endorsed at the Programme Forum on the International Decade held in Geneva from 5 to 9 July 1999, which also adopted the Geneva Mandate on Disaster Reduction. Learn more about the UN Resolutions and Reports on DRR A Safer World in the 21st Century: Disaster and Risk Reduction Introduction While hazards are inevitable, and the elimination of all risk is impossible, there are many technical measures, traditional practices, and public experience that can reduce the extent or severity of economic and social disasters. Hazards and emergency requirements are a part of living with nature, but human behaviour can be changed. In the words of the Secretary General, "We must, above all, shift from a culture of reaction to a culture of prevention. Prevention is not only more humane than cure; it is also much cheaper... Above all, let us not forget that disaster prevention is a moral...
Words: 2205 - Pages: 9
...1.0 INTRODUCTION Dr. Quarantelli is a widely known scholar of the social science of disasters. His first involvement in the area dates back to 1949 when he participated in the first disaster field studies in the National Opinion Research Centre (NORC) team. Quarantelli is also author and/or editor of 29 books as well as author of 101 chapters in books, 114 articles and 150 other publications mostly on disaster topics. The article chosen for this assignment was published in The Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management (JCCM), in December 1996. JCCM is a peer-reviewed academic journal that covers all theoretical and practical aspects relating to crisis management and published by Blackwell. 2.0 ARTICLE SUMMARY The article assumes two master trends, industrialisation and urbanisation. The author discusses the likely negative and positive affects that will emanate from these trends at some stage in the future. The first trend, industrialisation, with its ever increasing development of technology, is expanding rapidly and this article provides examples on the advances in both computer technology and bio-engineering. Governments, industry and societies have an ever increasing dependence, not only on computer technology, but the linkages to other technologies and massive networks that...
Words: 2337 - Pages: 10
... | |Lead IV Sampled? (Y/N) |Pre-Issue IV Date: | |Assignment Title: |Assignment Ref: 3a | |Hazards in settings | | |Issue Date |End Date: |Actual Hand-in Date: | | |Week beginning 01/12/2014 |Week beginning 26/01/2015 | | | |Unit/ AC |Assessment Criteria |Achieved |Evidence Location|Comments/feedback from assessor | |Ref | | | | | |P1 |Explain potential hazards and the harm |Yes/No | | | |...
Words: 3630 - Pages: 15
...protection equipment (how to wear, which equipment prevent which part of body). 3. Identifying hazards: - employer should inspect the workplace so that they could find out the hazards and take the appropriate action. 4. Worker should be informed to maintain 10 meters of distance from dangerous moving machines for example forklift. 5. Proper protection equipment should be of good quality so that workers can feel more safer while wearing equipment. Question 2 a) Types of Hazards as company is engaged in construction work. Physical Hazards * hazards such as lifting and pulling are sought of physical hazard which are common in construction sight. * Wet floors or slippery chemical on floor could lead to slip and fall. * Using handy tools like power tools etc. b) Angela must have studied about the workplace safety and there she may have learned or taught the correct or immediate action to take against any incident occurred at workplace. c) Angela can consult the external or internal source. External sources include websites containing information regarding safety example safeworkaustralia.com. She may consult with internal sources like safety officer or senior in charge at work place. d) Employer or the person who has been appointed to inspect the work place had the responsibility to conduct an identification of hazards before the job began. Question 3 a) I am currently working as a Assistant Manager in Red Rooster...
Words: 717 - Pages: 3
...To be able to explain why written emergency plans are drafted It is best to plan for the worst when it comes to an emergency. The HCF leaders duties is to develop a written disaster plan that explains the duties of staff and making this plan available to the staff for crisis preparation. To ensure that the safety and well being of patients are certain during emergencies. The development plan must be assigned to personnel who are familiar with the facility. Depending of the community and location. For example, California prepares for an earthquake, Florida for hurricanes, and Montana for snowstorms. It is also required by the Joint Commission to have the HCF to have a hazard vulnerability analysis under the EC 4.10. (Environmental Control). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations an National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and standards must also be taken into account as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response to biological and Chemical terrorism. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has also issued certain guidelines for design and construction of facilities in locations where there is a recognized potential for certain natural disasters. This plans must provide a process to: Initiate a plan HCF role with community-wide emergency response agencies, including who is in charge, Notify external authorities Notifying Identify and assign personnel during emergencies ...
Words: 268 - Pages: 2
...EPA regulates the use and disposal of chemicals in NSW using the following legislative instruments: * the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985 (EHC Act), which regulates chemicals of particular concern throughout their entire life-cycle, thereby minimising potential environmental impacts from hazardous chemicals and chemical waste in NSW * chemical control orders made under the EHC Act when chemicals or chemical wastes pose serious threats to the environment and there are particular challenges in their management - five chemical control orders are in place in NSW * the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 to regulate sites that are contaminated with chemical wastes that pose a significant risk of harm to human health and/or the environment * the Pesticides Act 1999 for regulating the use of pesticides after the point of sale and to promote the protection of human health, the environment, property and trade by minimising risks from pesticide use * the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act), which regulates, among other things, chemical pollution and wastes and establishes management and licensing requirements along with offence provisions to deliver environmental outcomes * the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2010 to regulate chemical air emissions from industry, wood heaters and motor vehicles * the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005, which manages waste storage...
Words: 1004 - Pages: 5
...Chapter 23 Haz Mat Study Guide Hazard Types TRACEM: Thermal, Radiological, Asphyxiation, Chemical, Etiological/Biological, Mechanical. Thermal Hazards Elevated Temperature Materials: In a liquid phase at or above 212'F, Intentionally heated heated at or above its liquid phase flash point of 100'F, In a solid phase at or above 464'F. Low Temperatures: Liquefied gases and cryogenic liquids (convert to liquids at or below -130'F) can freeze materials on contact. Radiological Hazards Types of Ionizing Radiation: Alpha (can be stopped by paper or skin), Beta (After traveling 20 feet, can be stopped by a layer of clothing or 0.08 inches of aluminum), Gamma (Can be stopped by 2 inches of lead, 2 feet of concrete, or several feet of earth), Neutron (More penetrating than gamma). Types of Contamination: External, Internal, and Environmental. Asphyxiation Hazards Asphyxiants: Prevent the body from absorbing oxygen. Simple Asphyxiants: Displace oxygen. Chemical Asphyxiants: Prohibit the body from processing available oxygen. Chemical Hazards Poisons/Toxins: Cause injury at the site where they contact the body, Neurotoxins produce systemic effects in the nervous system. Corrosives: Acids (pH less than 7), Bases (pH more than 8), can react violently when mixed with water. Irritants: Cause temporary but sometimes sever inflammation. Convulsants: Cause involuntary muscle contraction. Carcinogens: PVC, Benzene, Asbestos, Arsenic, Nickel...
Words: 1455 - Pages: 6
...ENVIROMENTAL HAZARDS An environmental hazard is any hazard that present a danger to a surrounding environment. Environmental hazards in the workplace can range from something as simple as cleaning products not stored properly to the improper handling of bodily fluids. Hazards can be categorized in five types: 1- Chemical 2- Physical 3- Mechanical 4- Biological 5- Psychosocial * WHY SHOULD WE EVALUATE THE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT? * When people are working in situations that suit their physical and mental abilities, the correct fit between the person and the work task is accomplished. People are then in the optimum situation for learning, working and achieving, without adverse health consequences, e.g. injury, illness. * WHAT WORK ENVIRONMENT FACTORS SHOULD BE ASSESSED? * When assessing the workplace environment, consideration should be given to individual human characteristics such as age, sex, experience, physical stature etc., and how well these human characteristics match the physical environment. Appropriate design of workplace environments will ensure that they accommodate a broad variety of human characteristics. * The four main categories of physical characteristic that need to be considered in the work environment are: 0 clearance, e.g. headroom...
Words: 1257 - Pages: 6
...SAFE HANDLING REQUIREMENTS IN THE LABORATORY Hazard Identification The Environmental Health and Risk Management has a standard to abide by that states liquids that are flammable, agents that are toxic, chemicals of a highly reactive nature, and radioactive substances must be used in a way in which there is no true hazard to worker or public health. It is said that chemical hazards are likely one of the most commonly seen in the laboratory setting. These include, electrical, radioactive, biological, mechanical and physical. Some of these hazards require prior approval as and that section can be found in this manual. It is imperative that you as an employee strive to prevent and avoid hazard when working in the laboratory. Labeling When...
Words: 1085 - Pages: 5
