Republic of the Philippines

Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

Mid La Union Campus
COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES
City of San Fernando 2500 La Union Philippines
Telfax: 072 7004516 http://www.dmmmsu.edu.ph/gs

. . . designing

change!
Submitted by: Reyna Ann F. Pidot
MASE
Professor: Dr. Cynthia Eleanor Nisperos

Environmental Health
Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, including quality
of life, that are determined by physical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors in the
environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling,
and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the
health of present and future generations.
NRDC's Environment and Health Program has worked for over two decades to
safeguard families and communities by reducing exposures to toxic chemicals that cause
disease. And although we've seen substantial progress in public health over the past
generation, certain environmentally linked diseases, such as asthma, autism, and some
types of cancer have increased. Here are some environmental problems that are affecting
human health.
Healthy, Sustainable Food

From promoting sustainable agricultural practices to eliminating pesticides and

other harmful contaminants in food, NRDC is working to transition to healthier food
systems. Our Growing Green Awards honor those who successfully advance these goals.
We continue to step up the pressure on government agencies, such as the FDA and EPA,
to protect the safety of our food supply and consumer products, including working to
reduce mercury in fish, stopping the unnecessary use of antibiotics in livestock, and
reducing the use of dangerous pesticides.

Safe Drinking Water

Safe water is essential for health. NRDC is working to ensure that everyone has
access to clean and affordable drinking water, from cleaning dangerous toxins like
pesticides, hexavalent chromium, and rocket fuel out of our drinking water to replacing
deteriorating pipes and mains that run underneath our roads. We are also working to
address the impacts of global warming on drinking water and improve access to safe
water supplies internationally.

Global Pollution

Pollution from other countries contributes to our air quality problems and can
enter our food chain. Our Clean by Design campaign works directly with manufacturers
abroad to adopt environmentally sustainable business practices and green their supply

chain. We are also working with the United Nations on a treaty to reduce global mercury
use.

Air Pollution

Outdoor air pollution is associated with over one million deaths and countless
illnesses each year across the globe. We are working to clean up toxic hotspots including
major industrial polluters as well as dirty diesel transportation hubs. Our goal is for all
children to be able to play outside without fear of asthma attacks or stunted lung growth
-- and for all communities to enjoy safe and healthy air quality, eliminating the race and
income gaps in access to clean air.

Chemicals in Our Home

Our Take Out Toxics and Fix FDA campaigns are aimed at the most toxic
chemicals that surround us every day, from bisphenol A in food containers and baby
bottles and triclosan in hand soaps, to flame retardants in household furniture and
hormone disrupting phthalates in toys. By working to reform outdated laws and update
scientific assessments, we seek to restrict the use of toxic chemicals associated with
cancer, learning disabilities, and reproductive problems. We are also working to reduce
the use of toxic pesticides in homes to protect children and pets through Green Shield and
Green Paws. NRDC is focused on protecting children's health as well as the most
vulnerable among us.

Climate and Health

Climate change is one of the most serious public health threats facing the nation,
but few people are aware of how it can affect them. Check out our climate maps to
discover your community's vulnerability to climate-related events. NRDC is working
simultaneously to prepare for and help address the impacts of climate change, such as
worsening air quality, extreme heat, and more frequent extreme weather events. As we
work to stop climate change, we are also developing policies to minimize human
suffering.

Defending Scientific Integrity

Protecting health requires high-quality science that is free from conflicts of

interest. NRDC scrutinizes the qualifications of scientists appointed to key government
advisory boards to assure they are free from financial conflicts of interest and to uncover
biases. We have persuaded major scientific journals to improve disclosure of funding
sources when they publish studies. We defend independent scientists who are unjustly
attacked by polluting industries because their study results threaten a lucrative chemical
or product. We expose industry tactics to delay scientific assessments and regulation of
chemicals of concern.

Conclusion:
Environmental health risks are factors outside of the body that can affect a
person's wellbeing. Like the quality of their air, food and water supply or their
exposure to hazardous materials. Preventing or reducing the risk of illness, injury
or disease in the community is important for environmental health.
We need to reduce or eliminate the load of these dangerous chemicals in
our environment, such as mercury, lead, and certain manmade chemicals, have
been linked to cancer, birth defects and brain impairments in the products we buy,
the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink can help reduce the toll
of human disease and suffering.
References:
http://www.agius.com/hew/resource/envhlth.htm
http://www.nrdc.org/issues/
http://www.nrdc.org/health/default.asp