DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN HAZARD AND DISASTER
DISASTER
HAZARD
Definition: A hazard refers to a
potential source of harm, danger,
or adverse effects. It is a
condition, event, or situation that
has the potential to cause harm to
people, property, the environment,
or a combination thereof.
Nature: Hazards can be natural or
human-made, and they can vary in
terms of their likelihood of
occurrence and the severity of
their potential consequences.
Examples: Hazards include
earthquakes, floods, hurricanes,
chemical spills, infectious
diseases, air pollution, and
technological failures.
Definition: A disaster refers to an event
or series of events that cause
significant damage, destruction, loss of
life, and disruption to the normal
functioning of a community or society.
Occurrence: A disaster occurs when a
hazard interacts with vulnerable
populations and assets, resulting in
widespread impacts and the need for
emergency response and recovery
efforts.
Magnitude: Disasters are typically
characterized by the scale and severity
of their consequences, which go
beyond the capacity of the affected
community to cope using its own
resources.
Examples: Examples of disasters
include major earthquakes that cause
extensive infrastructure damage and
loss of life, severe floods that lead to
widespread displacement and
destruction, pandemics with high
mortality rates, or industrial accidents
resulting in significant environmental
contamination.
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PHYSICAL,
CHEMICAL, AND
BIOLOGICAL
HAZARDS.

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
ARE CHARACTERIZED
BY THEIR PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES AND THE
POTENTIAL TO CAUSE
INJURY OR HARM
THROUGH DIRECT BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
CONTACT OR
INTERACTION WITH
BIOLOGICAL
THE BODY OR
HAZARDS INVOLVE
PHYSICAL
STRUCTURES.. LIVING ORGANISMS
OR THEIR
PRODUCTS THAT
CHEMICAL HAZARDS HAVE THE
CHEMICAL HAZARDS POTENTIAL TO
ARE SUBSTANCES OR CAUSE HARM,
MIXTURES THAT HAVE INFECTION, OR
THE POTENTIAL TO DISEASE IN
CAUSE HARM OR HUMANS, ANIMALS,
ADVERSE EFFECTS OR PLANTS.
WHEN THEY COME
INTO CONTACT WITH
LIVING ORGANISMS,
PROPERTY, OR THE
ENVIRONMENT.B

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 CONTRAST

PHYSICAL HAZARDS ARE RELATED TO PHYSICAL

PROPERTIES AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR HARM
THROUGH DIRECT CONTACT OR INTERACTION.
CHEMICAL HAZARDS INVOLVE TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND CAN CAUSE HARM THROUGH EXPOSURE TO OR
INGESTION OF THESE SUBSTANCES. BIOLOGICAL
HAZARDS INVOLVE LIVING ORGANISMS OR THEIR
PRODUCTS AND CAN CAUSE HARM THROUGH
INFECTION OR DISEASE TRANSMISSION.
PHYSICAL HAZARDS PRIMARILY AFFECT THE BODY
THROUGH PHYSICAL CONTACT OR EXPOSURE,
WHILE CHEMICAL HAZARDS PRIMARILY AFFECT THE
BODY THROUGH CHEMICAL INTERACTIONS OR
TOXIC EXPOSURE. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS PRIMARILY
AFFECT THE BODY THROUGH BIOLOGICAL
PROCESSES, SUCH AS INFECTION OR ALLERGIC
REACTIONS.
PHYSICAL HAZARDS ARE OFTEN MORE IMMEDIATE IN
THEIR EFFECTS, WHILE THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL
AND BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS CAN BE ACUTE OR
CHRONIC, DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC EXPOSURE
AND INDIVIDUAL SUSCEPTIBILITY.

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