Defining Problems and Their Context - Exposure Analysis - Research Paper Example

Defining Problems and Their Context - Exposure Analysis Recognizing Types of Latent Environmental or Human Health Problems Living in the industrialized world comes with its own set of both positive and negative aspects. The environment today is more polluted than ever, and this fact alone poses great health risks for humans. It is important to identify those environmental and human health problems that can cause great health concern for the community (Tickner, 2003). Some of these problems include low water and air quality due to pollution, unhealthy food, lead poisoning, poor and contaminated working conditions and inherent health conditions (Dederick, 2008).

Many people do not recognize that they are exposed to latent environmental and health problems and they only get to know of this exposure after it affects them directly. One of the reasons why many people tend not to realize some of the latent problems that surround them is lack of awareness (Tickner, 2003). For many people, water that comes from the tap is safe for drinking as long as it is clear. There is need to create awareness among members of the public about some of the underlying environmental and health problems that they are exposed to.

By bridging the existing information gap, people will have much of the information they need in order to evaluate some of the risks to their health and wellbeing. This is the best way to empower communities to live healthy lives and keep their environment safe. According to Tickner (2003), identifying the latent environmental and health problems will help minimize environmental degradation and also reduce the number of human health issues that emanate from the risks involved.Purpose and Importance Exposure Analysis FactorsExposure analysis is a branch of environmental science that is concerned with the activities that occur between contaminated environment and organisms of interest (Ott and Steinemann, 2007).

In other words exposure analysis is an evaluation of the process by which a population contacts some form of contamination. The purpose of this analysis is to identify how contaminants enter into the human body system so as to find ways to minimize the effects of such a contamination. Exposure analysts normally try to find out the source of a particular contaminant and they use the results to minimize any adverse health outcomes (Dederick, 2008). Exposure analysis is important as it enables people to know what they can do in order to reduce their exposure to contaminants that may cause adverse health effects (Ott and Steinemann, 2007).

For instance, an exposure analysis done on a nuclear plant can help in the identification of latent and obvious health risks of r individuals working within and living around the plant. Such an analysis could help in the identification of routes of exposure, and the results can be used to draw a plan to protect the population against any unhealthy contamination. Through exposure analysis factors, it is possible to determine the kind and amount of contaminants that an individual may have been exposed to.

Exposure analysis also helps in the identification of populations that are at risk of exposure. This is an important part of public health planning as it helps in the development of effective interventions and mitigating strategies (Dederick, 2008). ReferencesDederick, E.J. 2008. Methods in Exposure Analysis for Vulnerable Sub-populations. Baltimore, MA: Johns Hopkins University.Ott, W.R. and Steinemann, A.C. 2007. Exposure Analysis. London: Taylor & Francis. Tickner, J.A. 2003. Precaution, Environmental Science and Preventive Public Policy.

Washington, DC: Island Press.