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CHAPTER 10

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE

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The term Environment is derived from French terms ‘virer (to turn) or ‘in/viron’ meaning to encircle; and denotes the interaction between natural surroundings and organisms including human beings. Thus, environment is the surroundings in which living and non-living things live, interact, grow and perish.

INTRODUCTION

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Definitions of Environment

“The term environment is used to describe, in the aggregate, all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturity of living organisms.”

—Douglas and Holland

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Environmental Health

The WHO has defined environmental health services as “those services which implement environmental health policies through monitoring and control activities. They also carry out that role by promoting the improvement of environmental parameters and by encouraging the use of environmentally friendly and healthy technologies and behaviors. They also have a leading role in developing and suggesting new policy areas.”

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COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

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IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

  • Reduce the Risk of Diseases
  • Enhances Quality and Length of Life
  • Limits Global Warming
  • Control Vectors and Rodents
  • Health Promotion

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN INDIA

  • Air pollution
  • Water pollution
  • Food and water shortage
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Industrialization
  • Urbanization
  • Sound pollution
  • Soil erosion

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