Environmental and

Occupational Hazards

CoP 2013
 Environment Definition
“The environment is all the physical,
chemical and biological factors
external to a person, and all the
related behaviors.”

(This definition excludes behavior not related to

environment, as well as behavior related to the
social and cultural environment, and genetics.)

World Health Organization. (2007).

WHO: Country profiles
of environmental burden of disease. Retrieved from:
http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
Environmental and Occupational
Factors
 Pollution of air, water or soil with chemical
or biological agents
 UV and ionizing radiation
 Noise, electromagnetic fields
 Occupational risks
 Built environments, including housing, land
use patterns, roads

World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
Environmental and Occupational
Factors
 Agricultural methods, irrigation schemes
 Man-made climate change, ecosystem
change
 Behavior – related to the availability of safe
water and sanitation facilities, such as
washing hands and contaminating food
with unsafe water or unclean hands

World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
 Factors Commonly Excluded
 Alcohol and tobacco consumption, drug abuse
 Diet
 The natural environments of vectors that
cannot reasonably be modified (e.g. in rivers,
lakes, wetlands)
 Natural biological agents, such as pollen in the
outdoor environment
 Person-to-person transmission in the
occupational environment

World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
 Environmental Risk Factors
Risk Factors Related Diseases
Outdoor air pollution Respiratory infections,
selected cardiopulmonary
diseases, lung cancer
Indoor air pollution COPD, lower respiratory
infections, lung cancer
Lead Mild mental retardation,
cardiovascular diseases

World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
 Environmental Risk Factors

Risk Factors Related Diseases

Water, sanitation, and Diarrheal diseases,
hygiene trachoma, schistosomiasis,
ascariasis, trichuriasis,
hookworm disease
Climate change Diarrheal diseases, malaria,
selected unintentional
injuries, protein-energy
malnutrition

World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
 Environmental Risk Factors

Risk Factors Related Diseases

Selected occupational
factors:
-- injuries Unintentional injuries
-- noise Hearing loss
-- carcinogens Cancers
-- airborne particulates Asthma, COPD
-- ergonomic stressors Low back pain

World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
World Health Organization. (2007). WHO: Country profiles of environmental burden of disease.
Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease2.pdf
Main Diseases Contributing to the Environmental
Burden of Disease for Total Population

World Health Organization. (2006). Preventing disease through healthy environments:

Towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease. Retrieved from:
http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/preventingdisease/en
 PHYSICAL
HAZARD

ERGONOMIC CHEMICAL
HAZARD HAZARD

BIOLOGICAL
HAZARD
 HAZARD

- any source of potential damage,

harm or adverse health effects
on something or someone under
certain conditions at work.
 WORKPLACE HAZARDS

Safety Hazards

 working conditions where harm to the workers is

of an immediate and violent nature
 result in broken bones, cuts, bruises, sprains,
loss of limbs, etc.
 the harm results in some kind of injury to the
worker
 associated with poorly guarded or dangerous
equipment and machinery
 WORKPLACE HAZARDS

Health Hazards

 working conditions which result in an illness

 exposure to dangerous substances or conditions,

such as chemicals, gases, dusts, noise etc.

 often, latency between exposure and disease

 Genetic Multiplicity of
factors exposure
Lifestyle
Duration of
Age exposure

WORK- Workplace
Workers’
Susceptibility Factors Physical
RELATED properties
Race DISEASE
Magnitude of
Gender exposure
Medical Timing of
history exposure
 Chemical Hazards

Routes of entry into the body

Inhalation Skin Contact

Ingestion
 Chemical Hazards

Routes of excretion

Gastro-intestinal Renal (urine) Respiratory Skin (sweat, hair, nails)

(feces) (exhalation)
LD 50 - Dose lethal to 50% of test animals
Threshold:
•point at which toxicity first appears
•occurs at the point where the body's ability to
detoxify or repair toxic injury has been exceeded.
Classification of Toxic Effects
 Local toxicity- occurs at the site of chemical
contact
 Systemic toxicity- occurs distant from point of
contact, may involve many organ systems
 Acute toxicity- occurs almost immediately
(hours/days) after an exposure
 Chronic toxicity- represents cumulative
damage to specific organ systems; occurs
many months or years to have recognizable
clinical disease
 Health Effects of Chemical
Hazards
 Renal Diseases
 Respiratory Diseases
 Skin Diseases
 Hematologic Diseases
 Cardiovascular
Diseases
 Neurologic Diseases
 Carcinogenic
 Teratogenic
 Effects Chemical Agent Industry/Process

Renal Diseases: Battery, chemical

acute/chronic renal Mercury, cadmium, industries,
failure chloroform pesticide
Respiratory Diseases:
Irritation, inflammation Solvents, ammonia Chemical industries

Pneumoconiosis Inorganic dust Mining, construction,

sandblasting, coal

Cancer Chromium Plating, metal refining

Blood Diseases:
Anemia Lead Battery mfg., lead
smelting

Aplastic anemia Benzene Solvent & soap mfg.

Skin Diseases:
Allergic/contact Plastic epoxides Plastic, varnish
dermatitis

Acne Cutting oils, grease Machine-tool

operators
Skin Cancer Arsenic, tar Petroleum refinery
Liver Disease:
Acute liver toxicity Carbon Cleaning fluids, dry
tetrachloride cleaners
Liver cancer Vinyl chloride Plastics & vinyl
chloride mfg.

Cardiovascular Disease:
Hypertension Lead, Cadmium Battery mfg. &
recycling
Atherosclerosis Carbon disulfide Degreasing, dry
cleaning
Arrythmias Fluorocarbon, Refrigeration, solvent
trichloroethylene workers
 Physical Hazards
 Noise

 Vibration

 Extreme Temperature

 Illumination

 Radiation
 Types of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

 Temporary Threshold Shift (auditory

fatigue)
– temporary loss of hearing acuity after
exposure to loud noise
– recovery within 16-48 hrs

 Permanent Threshold Shift

– irreversible loss of hearing
 NOISE

Early Signs of Hearing Loss

1. Difficulty in understanding spoken words in a
noisy environment
2. Need to be near or look at the person speaking
to help understand words
3. Familiar sounds are muffled
4. Complaints that people do not speak clearly
5. Ringing noises in the ears (tinnitus)
Other Harmful Effects of Noise

• Hypertension
• Hyperacidity
• Palpitations
• Disturbs relaxation and sleep
 Physical factor which affects man by
transmission of mechanical energy from
oscillating sources

 Types
– Segmental vibration
– Whole body vibration
 Segmental Vibration:
• Health Effects:
—Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
—tingling, numbness, blanching of fingers, pain
—changes in sensory perception which can lead
to permanent numbness of fingers, muscle
weakness and, in some cases, bouts of white
finger
Whole Body Vibration:

 Health effects:
–Fatigue
–Irritability
–Headache
–Disorders of the spine
 Sources of heat stress:

– Natural Conditions
– Hot work processes related to furnaces,
boilers and engine rooms
 Health Effects of Heat Stress
Disorders Clinical features
Prickly Heat (Miliaria Pruritic rash
rubra)
Heat cramps Cramps in the body,
usually legs
Heat exhaustion Dizziness, fainting attack,
blurring of vision, cold,
clammy and sweaty skin
Heat stroke Cyanosis, muscle
twitchings, disorientation,
delirium, convulsions
 EXTREME TEMPERATURE

 Sources of Cold Environment:

– Ice plants and freezers in the food

industry
 Health Effects of Cold Temperature
 Frostbite: reddening of skin,
localized burning pain and
numbness. Fingers, toes, cheeks,
nose, ears are most susceptible.

 trench foot or immersion

foot: numbness, pain,
cramps, ulceration and
gangrene.
 ILLUMINATION

Recommended Illumination Levels

Area of Operation Min Lighting Level (lux)

Cutting Cloth  2000

Fine machining
Transcribing handwriting 1000
Drafting
Welding 500
First Aid station
Lunch Room 300
Rest Room
 Inadequate Illumination

Health Effects
– Visual Fatigue
– Double Vision
– Headaches
– Painful irritation
– Lacrimation
– Conjunctivitis
 RADIATION

Types Sources Health Effects

Ionizing X-rays Cancer, congenital
Gamma rays defects, death

Non-ionizing Ultraviolet skin redness, premature

skin ageing, and skin
cancer
Infrared corneal and conjunctival
burns, retinal injury,
cataract
Laser Skin and eye problem
 BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

VIRUSES FUNGI

BACTERIA PARASITES
 Selected Infectious Diseases and
Occupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Colds, influenza, scarlet May be contracted anywhere
fever, diphtheria, smallpox
Tuberculosis Silica workers, people
exposed to heat and organic
dusts, and medical personnel
Anthrax Animal handlers and
handlers of carcasses, skins,
hides, or hair of infected
animals, including wool
carpet processors and
handlers.
 Selected Infectious Diseases and
Occupations

Agent / Disease Occupation

Ringworm (in horses, Pet shop salesmen,
cattle, deer, pigs, cats, stockmen, breeders of
dogs, birds) cats and dogs, and
other animal handlers
Tetanus Farmers (spores in
soil) or anyone in
contact with manure.
 Selected Infectious Diseases and
Occupations
Agent / Disease Occupation
Psittacosis (in parrots, Pet shop personnel,
parakeets, pigeons, ducks, gardeners, housewives,
turkeys, chickens, etc.) veterinary surgeons, and
researchers.
Hookworm Miners, agricultural
laborers, planters of sugar,
tobacco, tea, rice and
cotton, and brick and
tunnel workers.
Selected Infectious Diseases and
Occupations

Agent / Disease Occupation

Rabies (e.g. dogs, Veterinarians, letter
bats, rats, pigs, cats) carriers, laboratory
research workers,
agricultural workers.
Fungus Farmers, outdoor
workers, animal
handlers
 ERGONOMICS

Human Biological Science

+
Engineering Science
____________________________________
MAXIMUM SATISFACTION AND
INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
“ fitting the job to the worker”
 ERGONOMICS
the task
(job content &
context)

the the
organization tool

the the
environment workstation
 ERGONOMICS
 Goal
– to reduce work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) developed by workers

 MSDs are injuries and illnesses that affect

muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints or
spinal discs.
 ERGONOMICS

Common Symptoms of MSDs

 Painful joints
 Pain, tingling, numbness in hands, wrists, forearms,
shoulders, knees and feet
 Shooting or stubbing pains
 Swelling or inflammation
 ERGONOMICS

Common Symptoms of MSDs

 Fingers or toes turning white

 Back or neck pain
 Stiffness
Risk Factor: ERGONOMICS

Static
posture
Risk Factor: ERGONOMICS

Forceful exertion

Extreme range of motion

Risk Factor: ERGONOMICS

Repetitive movement
Awkward posture
 STRESS

The harmful physical and emotional responses that

occurs when the requirements of the job do not
match the capabilities, resources or needs of the
worker.
 STRESS
Manifestations of Stress

PSYCHOLOGICAL PHYSIOLOGICAL BEHAVIORAL

 Fatigue  Heart rate  Drug use
 Anxiety  Blood pressure  Alcohol intake
 Tension  Indigestion  Heavy smoking
 Irritability  Impulsive emotional
 Depression behavior
 Boredom
 Poor work & family
 Inability to
concentrate relationship
 Low esteem  Social isolation
 Family
abandonment
 Sleep problems
 MONITORING

• Systematic, continuous, repetitive health-

related activities that should lead to
corrective action

• Types of monitoring
1. Ambient / Environmental
2. Biological
3. Medical Surveillance
BIOLOGICAL
MONITORING
 Biological Monitoring

 Measurement of a substance, its metabolites

or its effects in body tissues, fluids or exhaled
air of exposed person

 Assess exposure and health risk of workers

 Complements exposure assessment by air

sampling
 MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE
 Medical Surveillance

 Identify cases

 Analyze Trends and Patterns in the Workforce to

Guide Prevention Efforts

 Meet Regulatory Requirements

 Medical Surveillance
 Know the hazard - How worker is exposed
- How worker is affected

 Characterize the hazard - Exposure levels

- Exposure duration

 Know the worker - Susceptibilities

 Obtain information on - Directed towards specific

medical examinations organ system

 Analyze Medical Data - Disease, recovery, rehab

- Effectiveness or failure of
control measures
 PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

Monitoring Activity Workplace-Related Events Health Effects

Exposure at the workplace None

Environmental monitoring - Chemicals
- Physical agents

Biological monitoring and Biologically significant exposure Early

surveillance - Chemicals absorbed
- Early (reversible) changes

Treatment and surveillance Clinical diagnosis

- Morbidity - measurable health effects
Late
- Mortality

End effects
- diseases
- unfavorable events (spontaneous
abortion)
 Barriers/Challenges
 Changing the environment is a BIG job
 Economy and life-styles
– Energy sources (coal, oil)
– Workplace is neglected
– Use of automobiles
– Common goods (paper, plastics, chemicals), etc.
 Global interdependence/economic
advancement/lack of regulation
 Climate change
 Too much hygiene??
 International Resources for
Environmental Health
 WHO: Public Health and Environment
 UNEP: United Nations Environment Program
 European Environment Agency
 Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development, Environment Directorate
 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Non-Governmental Organizations
 Amnesty International
 CNIE - Committee for the National Institute for the Environment
 Environmental Defense Fund (Provider of the chemical
information service, Chemical ScoreCard)
 Greenpeace
 Indigenous Environmental Network
 Sierra Club
 Envirolink Library - alphabetical list of organizations at Envirolink
 Institute for Global Communications - The EcoJustice Network
 Clean Water Fund
 Center for Health, Environment and Justice
 Environmental Working Group