Environmental Health

ChE 150

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 Environmental Health
• addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological
factors external to a person, and all the related factors
impacting behaviours.

• encompasses the assessment and control of those

environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It
is targeted towards preventing disease and creating
health-supportive environments.

• excludes behaviour not related to environment, as well

as behaviour related to the social and cultural
environment, and genetics.
Ref: World Health Organization
Problems Affecting Philippine Coastal Zones
Source: Ecowatch for the Philippines and International Workshop, May 31-June 2, 2004, JL Business
Consultancy Inc.
 Problems affecting our land / coastal areas

Source:
Ecowatch for the
Philippines and
International
Workshop, May
31-June 2, 2004,
JL Business
Consultancy Inc.
Problems affecting our land / coastal areas
Problems affecting our land / coastal areas

Source: Ecowatch for the Philippines

and International Workshop, May 31-
June 2, 2004, JL Business Consultancy
Inc.
Water Quality Situationer
% of Rivers that are considered as sources of water
supply 36
% of groundwater that is contaminated with coliform
and needs to be treated 58
% of groundwater extraction that is covered by proper
permits 40
% of illnesses monitored over a 5-year period that is
caused by water-borne sources 31
% of Philippine population connected to a sewer
system 7%
Annual economic loss (health costs, fisheries and
tourism losses) caused by water pollution, in billions of
pesos 67
Investment required to put a sewerage infrastructure,
billion pesos 250
Solid Waste Situation at a Glance Source: Philippine Environment Monitor 2001

Solid Waste generated by households (tons/year) 10 million

Toxic and hazardous waste generated by industrial/commercial sector
(tons/year) 2.4 million
Hazardous and infections waste generated by hospitals (tons/year) 6,750
Urban- 70%,
Share of municipal waste generated that is collected Rural - 40%
Waste recycling and re-use as a percent of total waste generated in Metro
Manila 12%
Recycled material sold as a percentage of total waste gnerated in Metro
Manila 5%
No. of proper solid waste disposal sites
Landfills 1
Closed landfills 2
Dumpsites 17
No. of hospital waste incinerators 43
No. of hazardous waste treatment facilities 28

Share of municipal solid waste disposed in landfills and controlled dumps 2%

Share of hospitals with access to incinerators in Metro Manila 50%
Share of hazardous waste treated or recycled 5%
Per capita allocation in LGU's (range Php) 12-250
Share of solid waste management in LGU budget 1% - 2%
 Solid Waste

Elements of Waste Management:

1. Storage at the source
2. Collection Transfer
3. Transport
4. Disposal
 Air Pollution
• An air pollutant is any substance in air that could, in sufficient
concentration, harm humans, animals, vegetation, or material.
• Common air pollutants
– Total suspended particulates
• Fine particles (PM10) contribute to chronic bronchitis and respiratory
symptoms. Diesel engines emit a significant amount of fine particles
– Sulfur dioxide
• One of leading causes of respiratory problems
• Causes corrosion, can damage plants. Coal and oil-fired plants are
major contributors
– Nitrogen dioxide
• Creates smog, acid rain, nitric acid and harmful nitrate. Diesel
engines are worst offenders
– Ozone
• Formed by reaction of VOCs and NOx in the presence of sunlight
• Causes eye, nose, throat irritation, chest discomfort, cough
– Carbon monoxide
• Product of incomplete combustion. Motor vehicles are major source
– Lead
• Can damage vital human organs and affect the brain
• Has been decreasing since 1994 due to phase out of lead in
gasoline
Source: Philippine Environment
Monitor 2002
 Particulate Size and Health Effects
Particulate size and respiratory defense mechanism

Particle Size Description Mechanism

Over 10 m Coarse dust, fly ash Hairs at the front of the nose
(visible to naked eye) remove all particles over 10 m

2 to 10 m Fumes, dust, smoke Movement of cilia sweeps

particles mucus upward, carrying
particles from windpipe to mouth
where they can be swallowed
Less than Aerosols, fumes Lymphocytes and phagocytes in
2 m the lung attack some submicron
particles
Philippine Air Quality At A
Glance

Source: Philippine Environment Monitor 2002

Air Quality (TSP) Hot Spots
High Concentration Med Concentration Low Concentration
▪ Manila ▪ Mandaluyong ▪ San Fernando
▪ Quezon City ▪ Tuguegarao ▪ Legazpi
▪ Makati ▪ Butuan ▪ Tacloban
▪ Pasig
▪ Pasay
▪ Las Pinas
▪ Iloilo City
▪ Cagayan de Oro
▪ Zamboanga
▪ Cebu

Source: Philippine Environment Monitor 2002

 Environmental Health
Planning Considerations
• Health
• Economic
• Demographic and Land Use
• Social
• Aesthetic
• Resource Conservation
 Environmental Health
Methods and Technics
• Research •Enforcement
• Demonstration •Planning
• Education •Evaluation
• Standards •Incentives
•Systems Analysis
• Legislation
• Inspection