Living with the Earth: Concepts in Environmental Health Science

602 Pages·2002·22.327 MB·English

by  Gary S. Moore

FORWARD
Living with the Earth:Concepts in Environmental Health Scienceis a com-
prehensive, up-to-date reference work, consummately useful for environmental profes-
sionals and a must for anyone who has not been trained in the environmental field, but
whose work requires interaction with or management of environmental issues.
The book is an effective integration of science and policy and covers an
impressive breadth of topics. Its information is extremely timely and focuses on the
critical concerns of this decade and beyond. It explores the assaults on our increasing-
ly fragile ecosystem including: climate change; water consumption and management;
health effects from an array of environmental sources; and legal fundamentals and
compliance strategies. As a dynamic knowledge base, the work is an invaluable tool in
every stage of environmental decision making, management of natural resources,
reduction of pollution, and prevention of further environmental insult.
Every facet of life today has an environmental component. Living with the
Earthis one of the few books that can move the reader from basic science to practical
applications, offering better ways to protect our environment. In uncomplicated and
straightforward terms, this book provides its readers with a comprehensive resource to
understand how their decisions affect the environmental quality of our lives.
One of the most exciting features of the work is that it is web-enhanced. It
links the reader to a multitude of information sites with searchable databases that pro-
vide immediate access to up-to-the-minute environmental information. As a learning
tool and a decision making tool, the work is greater than the sum of its individual
parts, and will be a dynamic resource for decades. The Internet applications are user-
friendly and offer exciting learning experiences for readers of all levels of knowledge
and experience.These linkages provide a channel for sharing experiences and dissemi-
nating lessons learned across a universe of audiences and experiences. Eventually, this
system will be linked to sound and video, creating additional outreach opportunities
and applications.
Dr. Gary Moore has already made a significant contribution to the environ-
ment through his writing, his research, and most importantly through his dedication to
his students, whom he has imbued with a strong commitment to and respect for the
environment. His innovative approaches for management of environmental health pro-
grams have received national recognition. Dr. Moore is committed to the fact that the
better we understand our environment, the more proactively we can protect it. In his
latest work he provides a dynamic resource that will allow all of us to be better custo-
dians of our environment.
Steve Wassersug, Principal
Global Environment & Technology Foundation
7010 Little River Turnpike
Suite 300
Annandale, Virginia 22003
AUTHOR
Gary Moore,M.S.,Dr.P.H. is a fac-
ulty member in the Department of
Environmental Health Sciences in
the School of Public Health and
Health Sciences at the University of
Massachusetts. He has extensive
publications (over 75) in the area of
health effects from environmental
insults and has been awarded nearly
$1 million in grants and contracts
while at the University. Dr. Moore
developed and taught one of the
most widely attended courses on
campus (PH 160) featuring nutri-
tion, exercise and other aspects of health. He teaches several graduate level
environmental courses including courses on Air Quality Assessment (EnvHl
562); Environmental Regulations and Compliance (EnvHl 567); and
Environmental Health Practices (EnvHl 565).
Dr. Moore was nominated in December 1997 / January 1998 for the
University-wide distinguished teachers award (DTA) and the School-wide
award for excellence in teaching.
Dr. Moore was instrumental in obtaining grants to develop the
“Guidebook for Massachusetts Boards of Health”, which was released in
June, 1997. Presently, he is developing and providing certification and train-
ing courses for Boards of Health throughout the State of Massachusetts in
partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. He has also
written, illustrated and developed several complete environmental courses for
the Northeast Regional United States Postal Service.
Dr. Moore has also developed an extensive computerized professional
illustration capability including the use of computer generated 35 mm slides
with charting and picture graphics, use of CD-ROM technology, desk-top
publishing, and web-based capabilities.
Most recently, he has submitted proposals and achieved agreements to
develop a synchronous video presentation of his EnvHL 565 course on
Principles of Environmental Health to be transmitted by 6 band ISDN to the
Worcester campus as part of a credit-based curriculum for interns and other
students in the Worcester, Massachusetts area. The course is presently on-line
with synchronous videoconferencing and a web-site for asynchronous dis-
tance education Dr. Moore is committed to bringing the very latest technolo-
gies to the classroom and beyond for an exciting and animated learning envi-
ronment. He is also committed to providing the maximum learning experi-
ence and highest possible profile for his graduate students. Some of those
graduate students have contributed substantially to the preparation of this
book and are listed below.
Kathleen Bell,M.P.H.
Kathleen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in
biology from Cornell University. Her work expe-
rience includes environmental claim manage-
ment. She received her Master of Public Health
degree in Environmental Health Science from the
University of Massachusetts School of Public
Health. Currently, Kathleen lives in New
England, where she enjoys hiking, running,
and skiing.
Christopher Landry,M.P.H.
Christopher received his B.S. in Biology from
the University of Alabama in 1993. As an under-
graduate Christopher was invited to serve as a
project supervisor for a Mexican mission. He
then went to El Salvador where he served as a
Water Sanitation Technician for the Peace Corps.
He received his Masters degree in Public Health
from the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst. Currently, Christopher is pursuing a
career as a Public Health Advisor to Latin
American countries.
Amy Tomasello,M.P.H.
Amy graduated from the University of Rhode
Island, Kingston,where she received her
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. She worked as
a consultant Pharmacist for a two years before
returning to school. In 1998 she received her
Master of Public Health in Environmental Health
Sciences from the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst. She resides in Massachusetts where she
enjoys outdoor recreational activities.
PREFACE
Intent of the Book
This book is a college level textbook for introductory courses in environ-
mental health and environmental sciences. It is suitable for both undergradu-
ate and graduate level courses for students of Environmental Health,
Environmental Sciences, Community Health Education, Epidemiologists,
Civil Engineers, Community Medicine, General Medicine, and Public Health.
It is also highly recommended for members of Boards of Health, Health
Officers and Health Inspectors, and citizens who are members of proactive
environmental groups such as Sierra Club, Public Interest Research Groups,
Clean Water Action, Environmental Defense Fund, and many others.
Synopsis of the Book
This book contains 13 carefully illustrated and narratively exciting chap-
ters on the subject of environmental health sciences. The contents are derived
from a core course Dr. Moore instructs at the University of Massachusetts
titled “Environmental Health Practices,” and this book incorporates both the
traditional concepts associated with environmental health, along with new,
emerging, and controversial issues associated with environmental threats to
human health. Emphasis is placed on biological, chemical, and physical
sources of pollution, and the methods of controlling or limiting those expo-
sures. Careful attention is paid to presenting a balanced view representing
opposing scientific views on major issues ranging from “The Greenhouse
Effect” to reproductive problems associated with endocrine disruptors.
Key Features
• A wide offering of instructor support materials including Powerpoint©
presentation slides in digital format, a web-enhanced course site, and an
examination (test) bank.
• Numerous author-created, detailed technical illustrations and pho-
tographs throughout the text and the web-enhanced course site.
• Anew chapter on emerging diseases including the most significant rea-
sons for their emergence, and the major etiological agents associated
with emerging diseases.
• Measures of population dynamics, the contrasts of various cultural
philosophies regarding "overpopulation," and the new problems of
“Underpopulation” in the developed nations.
• New developments in areas of:
- the emerging problems of asthma and associated air pollutants,
- the genetic basis of cancer and the roles of behavior and pollution
in cancer risk.
- the biology of genetics, mutation, and birth defects, and much more.
USING THE WEB-SITE
The web-site has been constructed to provide maximum usefulness for
the student and the instructor. The site has been actively tested by student use
and modified to meet student and instructor expectations. This is an ongoing
and dynamic effort, and you are encouraged to suggest improvements in the
web-site that would make it more useful and interesting. The site has been
designed to work with most popular browsers, and is fast-loading with most
images linked to text and selected for viewing by the user. This design is
intended to speed up the use of the site, and let users get to where they want
quickly without being overwhelmed by graphics that automatically load and
slow down the process. Future versions are planned that feature streaming
audio and some video clips.
Students
The Web-site address is <http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~envhl565/>. You
will receive with this book a user ID and a password. These will be changed
annually. Once you connect with the site and enter the correct ID and pass-
word, the possible use of the site will be immediately obvious. The most use-
ful section to you will likely be the site location featuring A Book Study
Guide. This section features chapter by chapter detailed notes and associated
web-links with each chapter. Just scroll down to the chapter of interest, and
click on the highlighted chapter number (• View text with images, Chapter
1.html) will bring the detailed notes section for that chapter to your screen.
You may print these out directly. The associated figures for the chapter are in
full color and may be displayed by clicking on the highlighted figure number
(Fig. 1-1) These may also be printed for your use. These are copyrighted fig-
ures and are not to be used for electronic or printed distribution in any form
or manner without the publishers permission.
Associated with each chapter are links to web-sites that will take you to
some of the most useful sites maintained on that subject matter by the U.S.
government, international and national organizations, academic institutions,
and some private groups. You may take take a trip through the Amazon rain-
forest with both still and video images by entering the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration Site (NASA)at “Live from the Rainforest” under
the Chapter 1 web-links. If you want to know what industries close to your
home are producing and/or emitting hazardous chemicals, and the amount
and type of chemicals, enter the site called Scorecard Home. These and other
sites offer a wealth of information which the student is encouraged to
explore. There is also a number of searchable databases where you will be
able to enter and find most any environmental topic by keyword.
Instructor Materials
The instructor for this course will have all of the features available to the
student and will also have access to chapter by chapter Powerpoint© files
which they may download directly from the web-site. There are nearly 1,100
slides with more than 250 images in full color taken directly from the book.
The slides are based on the detailed course notes condensed from each chap-
ter. The Powerpoint©files may be shown using an LCD projection system in
combination with a computer, printed on transparencies, or sent to an a ser-
vice bureau for digital imaging to 35 mm slides. The digital files may be
modified by the instructor in Powerpoint©to meet his/her needs in the class-
room. I am also including in the instructor materials section a test bank of
exam questions on a chapter by chapter basis. The questions include multiple
choice, true and false, and short essay questions, The answers are supplied
along with the page numbers in the text where the answers may be found.
The test bank materials are in rich text format (RTF) which may be opened
with most any common popular word-processor. The instructor will also ben-
efit from the searchable databasesprovided as web-links to obtain the latest
information on environmental health topics. Additionally, I will also be pro-
viding a “hot-topics” section where new materials on important environmen-
tal issues will be placed, making the book and its associated web-site current.
The instructors are encouraged to contact me with information they believe
should be included in the “hot-topics” section, and recommendations for the
web-site they believe would increase its usefulness.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my wife Lucille for her unwavering support during my long periods
of absence from her side. She accepted my dedication to this project and kept
me fed and clothed in the interim. I extend sincere thanks to Chris Landry, a
graduate student in our department, for his excellent preparation of the text
on Chapter 8 titled Foodborne Illness. Kathleen Bell is another graduate stu-
dent in our department that wrote the majority of the text for Chapter 9 on
Water Quality, and Chapter 12 on Risk Assessment. Amy Tomasello, a third
graduate student, wrote some of the text for Chapter 5 on Toxicity and Toxins
and provided much needed proofreading for most of the book. These students
all benefited enormously from the experience, and grew in confidence and
capabilities. I provided instruction in the areas of writing and organization,
page layout, and graphic design. Each student took something of importance
with them. They are remembered in this book with pictures and text about
who they are.
Dr. John Edman, an entomology professor at the University of
Massachusetts provided the slides for most of the insects used in Chapter 6.
The pictures featuring African children, and scenes were provided by Marie
Kraus-Cote who spent several months in Africa assisting as an educator to
tribeswomen in producing cloth goods for market. Many of the pictures on
wildlife, wetlands, and biomes came from U.S. Government departments
including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and The Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA).
Students enrolled in my course EnvHl 565, Environmental Health
Practices, were instructed to submit articles on any of the subjects covered for
which they were required to review and provide a synopsis. Many of these
articles became the basis for information for the book. They also helped to
make recommendations and provide sources of pictures for the information to
be covered in the book and on the web-site.
I give special thanks to Maureen Porter Ecclestone, M.Ed. and George
Biggs who performed a final editing of the book using their keenly developed
editorial eyes sharpened by years of teaching experience at Hampshire
Regional High School in Westhampton, Massachusetts.