Radon Health Dictionary

Environment and Health concerns those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment. The promotion of good health requires not only public policies which support health, but also the creation of supportive environments in which living and working conditions are safe, stimulating and enjoyable.

Health has driven much of environmental policy since the work of Edwin Chadwick in the early 1840s. The ?rst British public-health act was introduced in 1848 to improve housing and sanitation with subsequent provision of puri?ed water, clean milk, food hygiene regulations, vaccinations and antibiotics. In the 21st century there are now many additional environmental factors that must be monitored, researched and controlled if risks to human health are to be well managed and the impact on human morbidity and mortality reduced.

Environmental impacts on health include:

noise

air pollution

water pollution

dust •odours

contaminated ground

loss of amenities

vermin

vibration

animal diseases

Environmental risk factors Many of the major determinants of health, disease and death are environmental risk factors. Some are natural hazards; others are generated by human activities. They may be directly harmful, as in the examples of exposure to toxic chemicals at work, pesticides, or air pollution from road transport, or to radon gas penetrating domestic properties. Environmental factors may also alter people’s susceptibility to disease: for example, the availability of su?cient food. In addition, they may operate by making unhealthy choices more likely, such as the availability and a?ord-ability of junk foods, alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco.

Populations at risk Children are among the populations most sensitive to environmental health hazards. Their routine exposure to toxic chemicals in homes and communities can put their health at risk. Central to the ability to protect communities and families is the right of people to know about toxic substances. For many, the only source of environmental information is media reporting, which often leaves the public confused and frustrated. To bene?t from public access to information, increasingly via the Internet, people need basic environmental and health information, resources for interpreting, understanding and evaluating health risks, and familiarity with strategies for prevention or reduction of risk.

Risk assessment Environmental health experts rely on the principles of environmental toxicology and risk assessment to evaluate the environment and the potential effects on individual and community health. Key actions include:

identifying sources and routes of environmental exposure and recommending methods of reducing environmental health risks, such as exposure to heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, dioxins, etc.

assessing the risks of exposure-related health hazards.

alerting health professionals, the public, and the media to the levels of risk for particular potential hazards and the reasons for interventions.

ensuring that doctors and scientists explain the results of environmental monitoring studies – for example, the results of water ?uoridation in the UK to improve dental health.

National policies In the United Kingdom in 1996, an important step in linking environment and health was taken by a government-initiated joint consultation by the Departments of Health and Environment about adding ‘environment’ as a key area within the Health of the Nation strategy. The ?rst UK Minister of State for Public Health was appointed in 1997 with responsibilities for health promotion and public-health issues, both generally and within the NHS. These responsibilities include the implementation of the Health of the Nation strategy and its successor, Our Healthy Nation. The aim is to raise the priority given to human health throughout government departments, and to make health and environmental impact assessment a routine part of the making, implementing and assessing the impact of policies.

Global environmental risks The scope of many environmental threats to human health are international and cannot be regulated e?ectively on a local, regional or even national basis. One example is the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident, which led to a major release of radiation, the effects of which were felt in many countries. Some international action has already been taken to tackle global environmental problems, but governments should routinely measure the overall impacts of development on people and their environments and link with industry to reduce damage to the environment. For instance, the effects of global warming and pollution on health should be assessed within an ecological framework if communities are to respond e?ectively to potential new global threats to the environment.... environment and health

A radioactive metallic element that does not occur naturally in its pure form but is widely found in ores such as pitchblende, carnotite, and uraninite. Radioactive decay of uranium yields a series of radioactive products, including radium and radon. During the various decay stages, radiation is emitted. Uranium is also poisonous.... uranium

n. a radioactive metallic element that emits alpha and gamma rays during its decay into other elements. The gamma radiation was formerly employed in *radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer. Because *radon, a radioactive gas, is released from radium, the metal was enclosed in gas-tight containers during use. Radium is stored in lead-lined containers, which give protection from the radiation. Symbol: Ra.... radium

A branch of the brachial plexus. The radial nerve, one of the main nerves of the arm, runs from the shoulder to the hand. It controls muscles which straighten the wrist, and conveys sensation from the back of the forearm; the thumb, 2nd, and 3rd fingers; and the base of the thumb. The nerve may be damaged by a fracture of the humerus or by persistent pressure on the armpit.radiation The emission of energy (as electromagnetic waves) or matter (as particles) from unstable atoms, which turns them into a more stable form. Some types of radiation are harmful to life; other types are essential (for example, light and heat energy radiated from the sun). Even harmful radiation may be used for beneficial purposes; for example, in treatment by radiotherapy, the biologically-damaging effects of radiation are used to destroy cancerous cells.

Four significant types of harmful radiation are gamma radiation, X-rays, alpha particles, and beta particles. Gamma radiation and X-rays are types of electromagnetic waves, and are similar to more energetic forms of light. All 4 types cause damage by ionization – the waves or particles knock out electrons from atoms in the matter that they pass through, turning them into highly reactive ions. In the case of living tissue, the ions formed cause biological damage.

Radioactive substances that emit any of these types of radiation constitute a health hazard. However, alpha particles cannot penetrate the skin, so sources of alpha radiation are only dangerous if ingested or inhaled. Gamma radiation can travel large distances through many substances, and even distant gamma sources can pose a risk to humans.

Most sources of radiation are natural. Natural sources of ionizing radiation include cosmic rays from space, and radioactive minerals. In some areas, the gas radon, found in soil, rocks, or building materials, is a major source. Artificial sources of ionizing radiation include Xray machines, radioactive isotopes used in diagnosis and treatment (see radionuclide scanning), and nuclear reactors.

Less energetic types of radiation, such as ultraviolet light, may also cause biological damage by mechanisms other than ionization. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun does not penetrate the body deeply, but can damage genetic material in cells and may lead to skin cancer.

Other types of nonionizing radiation to which people are subjected are ultrasound, used in medicine for diagnosis and treatment, and radio waves that are generated during MRI. These techniques are not thought to have any adverse side effects. (See also radiation hazards; radiation sickness; radiation units.)... radial nerve