de Kok, Theo : Maastricht University, The Netherlands
Guidotti, Tee : George Washington University Medical Center, DC
Summary
This comprehensive interdisciplinary text draws from the social sciences, the natural sciences and the health
sciences to introduce students to the principles and methods applied in environmental health. It presents an overview
of the basic sciences needed to understand environmental health hazards, including toxicology, microbiology, health
physics, injury analysis and relevant psychosocial concepts. It also presents a basic approach to risk assessment
and risk management. The first part of the book concentrates on broad issues, providing frameworks for the investigation
and management of environmental health problems. The middle section deepens the discussion of routes of exposure
(air quality, water and sanitation, food and agricultural issues). The final section addresses environmental health
from sustainable development themes (settlements and urbanization, energy, industry, and global concerns). The
final chapter focuses on ethical issues and action planning. Thus, the text aims to enhance knowledge, skills and
attitudes in environmental health.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Birth, Life, Death, and the Environment
Health and the environment
Historical Perspective
Basic requirements for a healthy environment
Measuring environmental quality, human exposure, and health impact
Pattern of illness throughout the world
Impact of environmental factors on health
Links between environmental and occupational health
Obstacles to and opportunities for resolving environmental health problems
Role of the environmental health professional
2. Nature of environmental health hazards
Hazards and risks
Biological hazards
Chemical hazards
Physical hazards
Mecanical hazards
Psychosocial hazards
3. Risk Assessment
The health risk assessment and risk management framework
Epidemiologic methods
Hazard identification in the field
Relationship between dose and health outcome
Human exposure assessment
Health risk characterization
Health in Environmental Impact Assessment
4. Risk Management
The approach to managing risk
Risk evaluation
Factors affecting the perception and acceptance of risk
Prevention and control of exposure
Risk monitoring and use of indicators
Special problems in managing environmental health risks
Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis of interventions
5. Air
Overview of air pollution
Common health effects of ambient air pollution
Health effects of specific air pollutants
Industrial air pollution
Air pollution and the community
6. Water and sanitation
Why water is essential
Water quality, sanitation, and health
Adequacy of freshwater supply to meet the world's needs
Drinking-water quality criteria
Drinking-water supply and monitoring
Sanitation
Contol of water pollution
Recreational water quality guidelines
Ensuring a safe and sufficient water supply
7. Food and agriculture
Health and nutrition
Foodborne diseases and food poisoning
Food quality criteria
Food quality assurance
Global food production capacity and food security
Environmental and occupational health hazards in agriculture
8. Human Settlement and urbanization
The nature and requirements of human settelments
Housing and health
Factors causing increased urbanization
Rural and economic social development
Urbanization and health
The "Healthy Cities" approach to prevention
9. Healthy and energy use
Human energy needs
Biomass fuels
Fossil fuels
Hydropower
Nuclear power
Alternative energy sources
Comparing risks
Priorities for action
10. Industrial pollution and chemical safety
Extent of industrial pollution
Public exposure from industrial sources
Hazards by industry
Major chemical contaminants of concern in the general environment and the workplace
The social context of occupational health and safety
Dimensions and types of occupational health problems
Industrial environmental accidents
Approaches to prevention
11. Transboundary and global health concerns
Health consequences of war
Ozone depletion and ultraviolet radiation
Climate change and the greenhouse effects
Deforestation and desertification
Biodiversity
Acid precipitation
Transboundary movement of hazardous waste
Disasters
Global chemical contamination
12. Action to protect health and the environment
From knowledge to action
Ethical principles that guide action on environmental health
Role of environmental health professionals
