The natural environment and human health: Beginning intersections with occupational science

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merrill Singer ◽  
Lynn Morgan
Author(s):  
Avi Brisman ◽  
Nigel South

Criminology must maintain relevance in a changing world and engage with new challenges. Perhaps pre-eminent among those facing the planet today are threats to the natural environment and, by extension, to human health and rights and to other species. A green criminology has emerged as a (now well established) criminological perspective that addresses a wide range of harms, offences, and crimes related to the environment and environmental victims. This chapter provides a review of green criminological work on climate change, consumption and waste, state-corporate and organized crimes, animal abuse, and wildlife trafficking. It also considers the strengths and weaknesses of current approaches to regulation and control.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 31-44
Author(s):  
Ryszard Kowalski ◽  
Edward Grott

Environmental education frequently referred to as ecological education, is commonly associated with the description and shaping of human relationships with the natural environment. It points to the examples of the anthropocentric transformation of nature and the consequences thereof. The deeper analysis leads to the conclusion that the existing emphasis on environmental education was on natural aspects while neglecting no less important social issues, including human health. !is article is devoted to demonstrating the interrelationships and dependencies of environmental education and preventive healthcare, from definition through to various activities and finally effects. !e article clearly promotes being active, highlighting the importance of being involved in the development of gardens, which are important both in terms of the protection of the natural environment, through the development and diversification of the landscape, and in the maintenance of the good physical and mental condition. In summary, the article puts forward the notion that is going through life, it is worthwhile to really care about one’s health and the natural environment, especially since one is dependent on the other.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
N. K. Rastanina ◽  
K. A. Kolobanov

Environmental protection is a complex ecological and economic problem, including the need to develop and implement a number of environmental protection measures to mitigate the negative impact of mining waste on all natural environment components and human health. In this regard, the study purpose was to assess the impact of Pb, Cd, Cr, and As compounds on the environment and health of the population of the Solnechny miner’s village. Based on the purpose, the following tasks were set: 1) review and systematization of literature data on the problem of technogenic dust pollution; 2) assessment of the mining industrial system as a source of ecosystem pollution with toxic elements within the closed mining enterprises impact areas; 3) development of proposals for mitigating the impact of mining activities on ecosystems and human health. The paper presents the findings of the study of the elemental status of children and adolescents living within the closed town-forming enterprise JSC Solnechny GOK impact area. The relationship between the level of technogenic pollution of the natural environment and the changes in the elemental status of the children was shown. A feature of the elemental status of the children in the study group was high content of heavy metals, including Pb, Cr, and As. Our research confirmed the data that a growing child’s body actively adsorbs compounds of toxic chemical elements. Deficiency and imbalance of microelements in the body can cause ecologically-related diseases in the child population. Individual and population carcinogenic risks (CR) caused by the As, Pb, and Cr pollution were calculated. In accordance with the acceptance criteria for the risk caused by exposure to the pollutants, the individual carcinogenic risk CR (Cr) = 1,05 · 10–3 belongs to the fourth range and is unacceptable neither for the population, nor for occupational groups. This is De manifestis risk, and when it is reached, it is necessary to carry out emergency curative measures to mitigate it. The individual risks CR (As) = 7,05 · 10–4 also exceed the acceptable level for the population. This level of pollution is subject to permanent monitoring, requires development and implementation of planned curative measures to improve the indicators of the human environment, one of which is the organization of the environmental monitoring system in the study area.


2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 671
Author(s):  
Eija Yli-Panula ◽  
Eila Jeronen ◽  
Eila Matikainen ◽  
Christel Persson

In the context of landscape, both the natural environment and the built environment can be linked with human health and well-being. This connection has been studied among adults, but no research has been conducted on young people. To fill this gap, this case study aimed to elucidate students’ views on landscapes worth conserving and the landscapes that affect and support their well-being. The participants (n = 538) were Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish students from grades 3–6. The students drew the landscapes they wanted to conserve. The drawn landscapes and the welfare-supporting features they contained were analysed using inductive and abductive content analyses. The students from all three countries preferred water, forest and yard landscapes. In the drawings of natural landscapes, the most recurring themes were sunrise or sunset, forest, beach and mountain landscapes. Physical well-being was manifested in the opportunity to jog and walk. Social well-being was reflected in the presence of friends, relatives and animals. Therapeutically important well-being-related spaces—the so-called green (natural areas), blue (aquatic environments) and white (e.g., snow) areas—were also depicted in the participants’ drawings. It can be concluded that the drawn landscapes reflect several values that promote students’ well-being.


BUILDER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. 52-54
Author(s):  
Przemysław Nowakowski

The choice of furniture does not only affect the comfort of one’s life or work space. Materials utilized in furniture production may contribute to the quality of chemical microclimate in rooms and have an influence on the users’ health. Plenty of substances used in the furniture industry have negative effects on human health. These effects are usually of low intensity. However, they occur over a long period of time and as a result they may even lead directly to permanent health problems. Consumer lifestyle boosts frequent changes in interior decoration. The changes include mainly replacing furniture and household appliances. The furniture industry offers a wide range of products to satisfy the growing needs of buyers. Mass production results in a significant increase in the exploitation of natural resources and (often) leads to degradation of the natural environment. The downsides of mass furniture production are usually considered only in terms of utilizing various resources. Producers, however, implement measures to reduce the consumption of materials and energy. Their aim is to cut the production costs and lower the final price of manufactured goods. Worn out furniture, produced from highly processed materials is not biodegradable. Such waste is a heavy burden on the natural environment. The paper describes „the life cycle” of furniture items and presents a critical analysis of raw materials and intermediate products used in the furniture industry in the context of sustainable development (the impact on human health and on the condition of the natural environment). It may serve as a means to promote pro-health and pro-environmental awareness. A thorough assessment of the furniture available on the market may facilitate in making conscious decisions which will also take into consideration additional technical criteria. The choice of furniture neutral for people as well as for the environment is not an easy task and often involves higher spending.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 40-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosław Chmielewski ◽  
Jarosław Pobereżny ◽  
Magdalena Florek-Łuszczki ◽  
Ilona Żeber-Dzikowska ◽  
Monika Szpringer

AbstractSosnowsky’s hogweed was brought to Poland as a silage plant for cattle in the mid-20th century from the Caucasus. It was grown mainly in National Farms. However, the hogweed quickly spread across the natural environment. It is a highly invasive plant and possesses strong burning qualities. Every year many people suffer from its burns. The hogweed is also dangerous for animals. Being an invasive species, it displaces natural plant species of the native flora. It can threaten the flora and landscape of a particular area. The aim of the article is to present the problem including the frequency of occurrence of Sosnowsky’s hogweed in Poland, to show the negative effects for human health and the methods to fight it in its habitat.


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