We dont inherit the Earth from our parents We borrow it from
our children. -Proverb- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
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1.List global environmental issues. What Youll Learn 2.Identify
the connection between population and the environment. 3.Discuss
facts related to families and children who are homeless. 4.Explain
why maintaining the ozone layer is important to health.
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5.Describe the greenhouse effect and global warming. What Youll
Learn 6.Identify ways to stay informed about environmental
issues.
Environmental Issues The environment includes all of the living
and nonliving factors that you interact with each day. Peoples use
of resources can affect the environment. When the quality of the
environment deteriorates, the quality of peoples health is
affected.
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Environmental Issues Some important global environmental issues
are population growth rate, global warming, the thinning of the
ozone layer, and the reduction in the amount of existing rain
forests.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Population growth rate
The growth in human population can affect the environment. The
availability of food resources and health resources, and the
declining mortality rate and increasing lifespan are factors that
contribute to the rise in population. As population grows, it
consumes more of Earths resources.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Population growth rate
If a country has limited economic resources, it may be difficult to
meet the needs of its people. Poverty is a condition in which a
person does not have sufficient resources to eat and live
healthfully. Malnutrition is a condition in which the body does not
receive either the energy nutrients or the balance of nutrients
required for optimal health.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Homelessness
Homelessness means having no permanent residence. Homelessness
affects many families every year. Families account for more than 40
percent of the nations homeless people. Unemployment, illness, or
domestic violence interfere with a family finding affordable
housing. Children who are homeless have an increased risk of being
homeless when they become adults.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Homelessness The
health-related problems of homelessness include hunger, poor
health, and high rates of mental-health problems, primarily anxiety
and depression. A lack of affordable housing is a major contributor
to homelessness.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Homelessness Ways to
help the homeless are to advocate within communities for jobs,
health services, and housing; volunteer at shelters for the
homeless; donate clothing, food, and furniture to homeless
shelters; and tutor homeless children in after-school
programs.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Thinning of the ozone
layer Ozone is a molecule that is made up of three atoms of oxygen
and is found in a layer of Earths atmosphere starting about ten
miles above Earth. The ozone layer is a protective layer of the
upper atmosphere that prevents most of the ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from the Sun from reaching Earths surface.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Thinning of the ozone
layer Too much UV radiation is harmful to living tissue and has
been associated with skin cancer, cataracts, and other health
conditions. A seasonal ozone reduction over the Antarctic is caused
by human-produced chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs.
Concerns over these effects have caused nations worldwide to phase
out the use of CFCs.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Reduction of rain
forests A tropical rain forest is a hot, wet, forested area that
contains many species of trees, plants, and animals. Rain forests
are located near the equator in Latin America, Africa, and Asia and
cover about 7 percent of the land on Earth. The vegetation in rain
forests produces oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of species in an area. Tropical
rain forests have a high biodiversity. About 25 percent of modern
drugs, including aspirin, medicines for heart ailments and
arthritis, and drugs used to treat leukemia originated in the rain
forests. If these species become extinct, these valuable sources no
longer will be available.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Deforestation
Deforestation involves cutting down the trees for timber or using
the land for growing crops. It takes 80100 years for deforested
land to fully regrow. As a result of deforestation, less oxygen is
released and less carbon dioxide is absorbed.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Greenhouse effect and
global warming The greenhouse effect is the emission of radiant
energy by gases in Earths atmosphere. The greenhouse effect helps
make Earth warm enough to sustain life. Data indicates that Earths
average surface temperature has increased by about 1F over the past
100 years. Global warming is an increase in Earths average global
temperature.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Greenhouse effect and
global warming At the same time Earths average temperature has
increased, the concentration of carbon dioxide in Earths atmosphere
also has increased, due primarily to the use of fossil fuels as an
energy source. Some evidence indicates that global warming might be
due to the increase in carbon dioxide in Earths atmosphere.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Ways Some People Try to
Help the Environment The following are ways individuals help their
communitys health. Save electricity: Using electricity puts gases
from fossil fuels into the air. Plant trees: Trees absorb carbon
dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Recycle: Recycling saves
natural resources. Using recycled paper means that fewer trees need
to be cut down.
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What to Know About Environmental Issues Ways Some People Try to
Help the Environment The following are ways individuals help their
communitys health. Buy recycled products. Some recycled products
are made with less energy than products made from new materials
each time. Buy products that help the environment. Certain
household appliances are built to use less electricity than
conventional appliances.
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Staying Informed There are many ways to stay informed about
environmental issues, including the Internet, radio, TV newscasts,
magazines, and journals.
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How to Stay Informed About Environmental Issues Environmental
agencies and organizations A regulatory agency is an agency that
enforces laws to protect the general public, including laws
established to protect the environment. There are international
environmental laws and national, state, and local environmental
regulatory agencies.
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How to Stay Informed About Environmental Issues State and local
agencies Each state has its own Environmental Protection Agency,
which is required to carry out the national environmental
regulations within the state. Like the federal EPA, state agencies
can fine individuals, companies, or organizations who pollute the
environment.
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How to Stay Informed About Environmental Issues Local
environmental agencies On the local level, a public health
department is the environmental regulatory agency. County and
community public health departments enforce environmental standards
and regulations and provide information on the environment.
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How to Stay Informed About Environmental Issues Federal
Agencies that Protect the Environment The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) reduces and controls environmental pollution. The EPA
also publishes information on environmental issues and
regulations.
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How to Stay Informed About Environmental Issues Federal
Agencies that Protect the Environment The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) oversees safety in the workplace
environment, and it sets and enforces standards for a safe and
healthy workplace. The National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) conducts research on health hazards in the
workplace.
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How to Stay Informed About Environmental Issues Nongovernmental
advocates There also are nongovernmental environmental
organizations that advocate for the environment, educate the public
on environmental issues, and organize projects to improve the
environment.
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Federal Acts to Regulate the Environment Act Clean Air
ActAllows the EPA to set standards for major air pollutants. A
pollutant is any harmful substance released into the environment.
Functions Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act Provides federal funding to clean up uncontrolled or
hazardous waste sites and oil and chemical spills.
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Federal Acts to Regulate the Environment Act Clean Water
ActSets regulations on wastes going into water and on the operation
of waste treatment plants; makes it illegal to release pollutants
in rivers, streams, lakes, etc. Functions Safe Drinking Water
ActProtects the quality of drinking water; sets standards for
owners and operators of public water systems.
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Federal Acts to Regulate the Environment Act Endangered Species
ActProtects animal and plant species threatened by extinction;
makes it illegal to remove an endangered species from its natural
habitat. Extinction is the death of all members of a species of
plant or animal. Functions A habitat is a place where an animal or
plant normally lives.
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Federal Acts to Regulate the Environment Act Natural
Environmental Policy Act Requires all government agencies to
consider and assess the impact on the environment before taking any
action that might affect the environment. Functions Toxic
Substances Control Act Authorizes the EPA to set standards for the
manufacture, use, transport, and disposal of toxic substances.
Occupational Safety and Health Act Sets a series of minimum safety
and health standards that all employers must meet.