Environment Health
Jomana_2007
Daniels-WittQuri_HEAL3500Week12Lecture_Spring2018.pptxToxic Substances and Pesticides
Quri R. Wygonik, M.S.
HEAL 3500: Environmental Health
Spring 2018
4/2/18
Learning Objectives
By the end of today’s lecture, students should be able to:
Define the term toxic substance and provide examples
Define the term pesticide and provide examples
List the types of pesticides used outdoors and in homes and provide examples
Provide examples of specific chemical toxins found in common outdoor and indoor pesticides and describe human health impact
Explain the benefits to pesticide use in agriculture and other practices
Explain the dangers to pesticide use in agriculture and other practices
Describe pesticide particle drift and how to prevent contamination of nearby sensitive areas
Small Group Brainstorm!
Please get into groups of 3-4 and brainstorm the following question:
What are the advantages to using pesticides, even if they contain toxic substances?
Elect someone to share with the class
Toxic substances are hazardous to health and the environment
Toxic substance: any chemical or mixture that may be harmful to environment and to human health
Inhaled, swallowed, absorbed through skin
Naturally occurring toxins (poisonous substances coming from living organisms)
Certain plants like poinsettias, some wild mushrooms, berries
Toxic substances contained in most everyday household products synthetic (man-made)
Examples?
Non-toxic substances (safe to use, do not harm humans and the environment)
Examples?
There are several types of pesticides
Pesticide: any substance used to kill, repel, control pests (certain forms of plant or animal life)
Include several types:
Herbicides: destroy weeds, other unwanted vegetation
Insecticides: control wide variety of insects
Fungicides: prevent growth of molds, mildew
Disinfectants: preventing spread of bacteria
Compounds used to control mice, rats
Which of the following are pesticides?
Cleaners used to disinfect kitchen floor
Cleaning products used to remove mildew on bathroom tiles
Household plant sprays
Lawn and garden products to kill insects and weeds
Some swimming pool chemicals
Which type are each of these?
Many toxins/pesticides severely affect human health
DDT:
Affected organ systems: developmental, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, reproductive
Cancer classification: reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen
Use: (prior to 1972 ban, but still in some countries) insect control in agriculture and control of malaria vector
Methylene chloride:
Affected organ systems: cardiovascular, hepatic, neurological
Cancer classification: Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen
Use: paint stripper, found in aerosol, pesticide products
Many toxins/pesticides severely affect human health
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s):
Affected organ systems: dermal, developmental, endocrine, hepatic, immunological, neurological
Cancer classification: Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen
Use: coolants, lubricants in electrical equipment
Manufacturing of PCBs stopped in U.S. in 1977 because build up in the environment, can cause harmful health effects
Products made before 1977 that may contain PCBs:
Old fluorescent lighting fixtures, electrical devices containing PCB capacitors
Old microscope, hydraulic oils
Please review the ATSDR website for final exam preparation!
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website provided on blackboard
(Reading 3)
Use Health Effects of Exposure to Substances and Carcinogens tab on left hand side of Toxic Substances Portal for review
A list of a few will be provided on final exam review to focus on!
Important human health information!
There are benefits to pesticide use in agriculture and other practices
Only effective means of controlling disease organisms, weeds, insect pests
Consumers receive direct benefits from pesticides through wider selections and lower prices for food and clothing- Why/How?
Protect private, public, commercial dwellings from structural damage (termite infestations)
Contribute to enhanced human health by preventing disease- Why/How?
Which environment(s) involved?
There are benefits to pesticide use in agriculture and other practices
Used to sanitize drinking and recreational water
Used to disinfect indoor areas (e.g., kitchens, operating rooms, nursing homes), dental, surgical instruments
Pesticide industry also provides benefits to society (jobs and tax base provided by pesticide manufacturers, distributors, dealers, commercial applicators)
Which environment(s) involved?
There are dangers to pesticide use in agriculture and other practices
Acute poisoning from single or short-term exposure can result in death
Chronic impacts of long-term exposure to pesticides (pesticide residues in food, could also result in death)
Natural resources can be degraded (pesticide residues in storm water runoff enter streams, leach into groundwater)
Pesticides that drift from site of application can harm or kill non-target plants, birds, fish, other wildlife- Explain?
Mishandling of pesticides in storage facilities and in mixing and loading areas (soil, water contamination)
Which environment(s) involved?
Agricultural pesticide particle drift is a public health concern
Risks of pesticide particle drift:
Neighbors, field workers, the environment
Keeping pesticides on target:
Increases effectiveness of pest control
Reduces injury to non-target plants, domestic animals, wildlife that may be susceptible
Agricultural pesticide particle drift is a public health concern
Proximity of application site to sensitive areas is critical safety factor
Work in groups of 3-4 to brainstorm list of sensitive areas
Nursing homes
Subdivisions
Schools
Day-care centers
Parks
Playgrounds
Hospitals
Misapplication of pesticides:
Endanger public health , violate law
As public health, what do you suggest for controlling pesticide particle drift?
Work in groups of 3-4 to brainstorm strategies for controlling pesticide particle drift related to this scenario:
You are public health officials and you’ve been assigned to target a large-scale agricultural operation that is located directly adjacent to a public park where children play. You have been told of a recent contamination event at the park due to agricultural pesticide drift.
How would you:
1. Express importance of controlling drift to farm owners?
2. Control future drift events?
Management decisions to prevent pesticide drift
Allowing for buffer zones
Incorporating pesticides into the soil
Slowing the speed of the equipment
Altering application methods
Applying sprays near the target pest
Applying at lower pressure
Altering the time of application
How are they similar/different from what you suggested?
Case studies are great quiz/exam questions!
For Next Class
Review Toxic Substances and Pesticides materials on blackboard!
Participate in blackboard discussion post for current event points
No in-person class!
Copy and paste current event form with your answers to questions to a new discussion thread by the normal deadline, Provide feedback to two classmates
