3. INTRODUCTION
A healthy environment is fundamental of life and
attention to the effect of environment on human health is
imperative, if we are to attain the goal of health for all.
Our physical environment is basic determinants of
health.
Environmental health refers to the state of all
substances, forces and conditions in an individual’s
surrounding that may exert an influence on health and
well being.
When environmental conditions are favorable , health
status is enhanced.
4. Terminologies
Health -Health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity.
Community health – it refers to the health status of the
members of community.
Health services – it refers to the permanent country wide
system of established institutions to cope up with various
health needs.
Health care – it refers to the medical, nursing, and dental
services provided to individual and communities for
promoting, maintaining, monitoring or restoring health.
5. Definition-Environmental health
World Health Organization: Environmental health is
defined as “those aspects of human health including
quality of life that are determined by physical ,
chemical, biological, social, and psychological factors in
the environment.
6. When environmental conditions are favorable, health
status is enhanced.
Adverse biological, chemical, physical, sociological
forces in environment, separately or in combination may
disrupt healthy life styles
7. Florence nightingale – Environmental
theory
Core concept of Nightingale’s theory is that of environment.
She emphasize more on physical environment than
psychological and social environment.
Environment is viewed as all the external conditions and
influences affecting the life and development of an organism
and capable of preventing, suppressing or contributing to
disease or death.
She emphasizes more on providing ventilation, light, clean
water, cleanliness and warmth so that reparative process
takes place.
8. Nightingale environmental concepts
MAJOR AREA OF
CONCERN
ELEMENTS
1. VENTILATION Fresh air-can be achieved through open windows. An outlet is
needed for impure air.
2. LIGHT Beds should be placed in such a manner as to allow the patient to
see out the window- the sky and sunlight.
3. WARMTH Guarding against the loss of vital heat is essential. Chilling is to be
avoided. Hot bottles and drinks should be used to restore the heat
4.EFFULIVA Sewer air is to be avoided .Fumigation and disinfections should be
used but the offensive substance is removed.
5. NOISE Intermittent sudden noise causes greater excitement than
continuous noise. Whispering or discussing a patients condition just
outside his or her room is cruel.
10. • Physical environment:
The basic environment compartments are physical in
nature and relate to such things as ventilation and
warmth.
These base factors affect one’s approach to all other
aspects of the environment.
A patients bed must be clean, aired, warm, dry and free
from odor.
One should provide an environment in which patient can
be easily cared for by others or self.
The entire room should be well ventilated.
11. • Psychological environment:
A negative environment could cause physical stress there by affecting
the patients emotional climate.
Therefore emphasis is placed on offering the patient a variety of
activities to keep his or her mind stimulated.
It has two components:
1.Communication
2.Advice
Communication should not be hurried, sit Infront of the patient, place
should be in the context of environment of the patient.
Do not Provide false hope and advice about their illness
12. • Social environment:
Observations of social environment are related to illness
and is essential to preventing disease.
Nurse must use observational powers in dealing with
specific case rather than be comfortable with data
addressing the average patient.
The patients environment not only includes the patients
home or hospital room but the total community
influencing the specific environment.
13. Environmental health hazards:
The environmental health hazards fall into four
general categories:
Biological hazards
Physical hazards
Chemical hazards
Psychosocial hazards
14. • Biological hazards:
Disease producing infectious agents in the environment
that are capable of entering the human body such as
virus, bacteria, or other microorganisms are
environmental hazards of biological nature.
Transmission by direct contact, contaminated water,
vector e.g. Food poisoning, respiratory infections,
communicable diseases etc......
15. • Physical hazards:
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanos and
accidents, noise, heat, vibrations, radiations, insects
rodents and certain type of equipment fall into physical
hazards.
E.g. 1. air temperature and humidity may be adversely
affected in industries that use blast furnaces,
2. Laundry equipment contributes health problems such as
respiratory disorders, dermatitis, G.I disturbances and eye
inflammations.
16. • Chemical hazards:
These include toxic agents such as polychlorinated
biphenyl, asbestos, lead and pesticides such as
insecticides, herbicides and rodenticides, industrial
wastes, emissions from motor vehicles.
Studies in animals indicate that these chemicals cause
severe chronic health problems, thus posing a serious
threat to human health. E.g. Cancer, silicosis, asbestosis
etc.
17. • Psychosocial hazards:
Stressors like violence, stress, substance abuse and
dependence are know threat to health of individuals
families and communities.
Feelings of wellbeing is altered by high level of noise,
overcrowding, or isolation, lack of adequate sources, or
opportunities for economic advancement.
E.g. Depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, DM, asthma etc.
18. • Environmental influence on health:
Toxic agents:
Asbestoses- linked to cause lung and G.I cancer.
Lead- interferes with blood formation and causes anemia. It also
cause kidney damage, birth defects, injury to CNS, poor memory,
hair loss, hypertension, etc.
Pesticides – pesticides residues are contact poisons and tend to
accumulate in fatty tissues in living organisms and remains in the
body indefinitely.
19. Air pollution:
Effects on health of individuals depend on the chemical properties
of the pollutant and size of particles, in turn affects the site of
deposition in the respiratory tract, adverse health effects from air
pollution may range from mild to severe. E.g. Mild irritation may
occur when larger particles are trapped in the upper respiratory
tree.
Severe respiratory problems may occur as a result of direct
absorption of pollutant such as carbon monoxide, from the alveoli
in to the blood.
The risk of developing cancer or a chronic pulmonary disease
increases with prolonged exposure.
20. Water pollution:
Health problems related to water quality involves
contamination of waterways with the microbial
pathogens found in human body wastes, faulty
sewage disposal.
Swimming pools , hot tubs, natural bathing
facilities like lakes, river, ponds are sometimes
dangerously polluted and provide a medium of
vector to flourish
21. Noise pollution:
Noise pollution is defined as any unwanted or undesirable sound
in the environment.
Its effects range from mildly annoying to psychologically and
physiologically debilitating.
Health problems resulting from noise pollution is temporary or
permanent hearing loss.
It also affects an individuals psychological and physical health
because it disrupts communication, sleep, and work
activities.
23. • Environmental issues:
Major issues
Population
Food production
Natural resources
Water
Forests
Wild life
Pollution
Global warming
Acid rain
24. Environmental protection act in India:
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974
The Environment Protection Act, 1986
The Hazardous Waste Management Regulations
25. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 has been enacted with
the objectives to provide for establishment of a National Green
Tribunal (NGT)
The main purpose is to effective and expeditious disposal of
cases relating to environment protection and conservation of
forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any
legal right relating to environment and giving relief and
compensation for damages to persons and property and for
matters connected therewith.
26. The Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1981
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
(the "Air Act") is an act to provide for the prevention,
control and abatement of air pollution and for the
establishment of Boards at the Central and State levels
with a view to carrying out to prevent air pollution.
27. The Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (the "Water
Act") has been enacted to provide for the prevention and control of
water pollution and to maintain or restore wholesomeness of water in
the country.
It further provides for the establishment of Boards for the prevention
and control of water pollution with a view to carry out the aforesaid
purposes.
The Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants into water bodies
beyond a given standard, and lays down penalties for non-
compliance.
At the Centre, the Water Act has set up the CPCB which lays down
standards for the prevention and control of water pollution.
28. The Environment Protection Act, 1986
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 (the "Environment Act") provides
for the protection and improvement of environment.
The Environment Protection Act establishes the framework for studying,
planning and implementing long-term requirements of environmental
safety and laying down a system of speedy and adequate response to
situations threatening the environment.
It is an umbrella legislation designed to provide a framework for the
coordination of central and state authorities established under the Water
Act, 1974 and the Air Act.
29. The Hazardous Waste Management
Regulations:
There are several legislations that directly or indirectly deal with hazardous
waste management. The relevant legislations are the Factories Act, 1948, the
Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, the National Environment Tribunal Act,
1995 and rules and notifications under the Environmental Act.
Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary) Rules, 2008,
brought out a guide for manufacture, storage and import of hazardous
chemicals and for management of hazardous wastes.
Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, were formulated
along parallel lines, for proper disposal, segregation, transport, etc, of
infectious wastes.
Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, aim at
enabling municipalities to dispose municipal solid waste in a scientific manner.
30. Nurses role in environmental health:
Assess the environment and detect hazards when they
exit
Provide information to individuals and groups on the
effects of environmental toxins and global hazards
Report serious environmental threats to appropriate
agencies
Develop and implement school based and workplace
wellness program
31. CONT…….
Aid in the formulation of public policy and legislation
involving the environment
Help prevent excessive exposure to immediate toxins
and larger, global hazards
Help facilitate behavior change in people e.g. Using
public transportation, recycling, planting co2 absorbing
trees.
