ENV H 311 - Exam #1
Environmental Health - Answer The study of environmental factors that affect or interact
with human health
Environment - Answer The physical space outside of our bodies
Environmental factors - Answer Includes toxic or injurious agents or conditions, or the
lack of agents or conditions necessary for health
Describe environmental health's role within public health - Answer The study of
environmental health is vital in protecting the health of the public as well as it is in
preventing any further harm caused by environmental toxins
The 4 steps of risk assessment - Answer 1. Hazard Identification
2. Dose-Response Assessment
3. Exposure Assessment
4. Risk Characterization
How is an environmental health risk assessed and how is the info managed and
communicated? - Answer 1. Identify the agent and what kind of agent it is (physical,
chemical, biological, or nutritional). Then, identify the agent's toxicity using a particular
method (chemical structure, short-term screening, chronic bioassays, or/and human
epidemiology).
2. Calculate how much of the agent is required to cause a toxic effect and predict the
exposure levels at which risk is likely to be unsignificant or nonexistent.
3. Identify the affected and most vulnerable/sensitive population and calculate the
amount, frequency, length of time and entry of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, dermal
absorption)
4. Figure out how bad the problem is based on steps 1-3. Should action be taken or
not?
5. Figure out what should be done about the environmental health risk problem by
weighing policy alternatives and selecting the most appropriate regulatory action
6. Figure out who and what should we tell about the problem. Message must be easy to
understand, clear statements and recommendations, and be culturally sensitive
Give an example of how risk perception influences the understanding of risk - Answer
For example, an individual does not see the risk of climate change because they do not
personally feel the effects of climate change and are privileged enough to not
experience the burden of climate change, but in reality comes with many problems,
especially in the long term.
List 4 components of good risk communication - Answer 1. Use uncomplicated
language (at about an 8th grade level when talking to general public)
2. Have clear statements and recommendations
Environmental Health - Answer The study of environmental factors that affect or interact
with human health
Environment - Answer The physical space outside of our bodies
Environmental factors - Answer Includes toxic or injurious agents or conditions, or the
lack of agents or conditions necessary for health
Describe environmental health's role within public health - Answer The study of
environmental health is vital in protecting the health of the public as well as it is in
preventing any further harm caused by environmental toxins
The 4 steps of risk assessment - Answer 1. Hazard Identification
2. Dose-Response Assessment
3. Exposure Assessment
4. Risk Characterization
How is an environmental health risk assessed and how is the info managed and
communicated? - Answer 1. Identify the agent and what kind of agent it is (physical,
chemical, biological, or nutritional). Then, identify the agent's toxicity using a particular
method (chemical structure, short-term screening, chronic bioassays, or/and human
epidemiology).
2. Calculate how much of the agent is required to cause a toxic effect and predict the
exposure levels at which risk is likely to be unsignificant or nonexistent.
3. Identify the affected and most vulnerable/sensitive population and calculate the
amount, frequency, length of time and entry of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, dermal
absorption)
4. Figure out how bad the problem is based on steps 1-3. Should action be taken or
not?
5. Figure out what should be done about the environmental health risk problem by
weighing policy alternatives and selecting the most appropriate regulatory action
6. Figure out who and what should we tell about the problem. Message must be easy to
understand, clear statements and recommendations, and be culturally sensitive
Give an example of how risk perception influences the understanding of risk - Answer
For example, an individual does not see the risk of climate change because they do not
personally feel the effects of climate change and are privileged enough to not
experience the burden of climate change, but in reality comes with many problems,
especially in the long term.
List 4 components of good risk communication - Answer 1. Use uncomplicated
language (at about an 8th grade level when talking to general public)
2. Have clear statements and recommendations
