The West Bengal University of Health Sciences

Environmental Health

MPH (1st Semester) September–October Examination 2022 | Detailed Answers

1(a) Preparedness plan to manage flood as a block public health manager in a flood-prone block

🎯 Objectives

  • Prevent loss of life
  • Prevent outbreak of diseases
  • Ensure safe water, food and shelter
  • Provide timely medical care

📋 Preparedness Plan Components

  • Risk Assessment: Identify flood-prone villages, map vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women, elderly, disabled)
  • Disaster Management Team: Block-level rapid response team (doctors, nurses, health workers, ASHA)
  • Early Warning System: Coordinate with meteorological department, disseminate via mobile/loudspeakers
  • Medical Preparedness: Stock ORS, chlorine tablets, vaccines, antibiotics; mobile medical units
  • Water & Sanitation: Ensure safe drinking water, chlorination, temporary toilets in relief camps
  • Relief Camp Management: Shelters in schools/community halls, food, vector control
  • Disease Surveillance: Monitor diarrhoea, malaria, dengue, leptospirosis; immediate outbreak reporting
  • Health Education: Hand washing, safe food practices, avoid stagnant water
  • Coordination: Work with NGOs, Panchayat, district administration
  • Post-Flood Rehabilitation: Water purification, vaccination, psychological support

1(b) Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) & Prevention strategies for noise pollution

🏢 Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Definition: Condition where building occupants experience health problems related to time spent inside without specific identifiable illness.

Causes: Poor ventilation, indoor air pollution, chemical/biological contaminants, poor lighting/humidity

Symptoms: Headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dizziness, cough, skin irritation

🔊 Prevention Strategies for Noise Pollution

  • Engineering: Silencers, soundproofing, machine maintenance
  • Administrative: Restrict loudspeakers, zoning, limit night industrial operations
  • Environmental: Tree plantation, green belts
  • Personal Protective: Ear plugs, ear muffs
  • Legislative: Enforce noise control laws, monitor permissible levels
  • Public Awareness: Education on harmful effects of noise

2(a) Define BOD

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): Amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water under aerobic conditions over 5 days at 20°C.
Importance: Indicates organic pollution – higher BOD = higher pollution level.

2(b)(i) Presumptive coliform count

Principle: Coliform bacteria ferment lactose producing acid and gas.
Method: Water sample in lactose broth, incubation, gas formation indicates presumptive coliforms.
Importance: Indicates faecal contamination, helps assess drinking water safety.
Result: Expressed as MPN (Most Probable Number) per 100 ml.

2(b)(ii) Reverse Osmosis

Principle: Water forced through semipermeable membrane under pressure opposite to natural osmosis.
Uses: Removal of dissolved salts, arsenic, fluoride; drinking water purification.
Advantages: Effective purification, removes microorganisms/chemicals.
Disadvantages: Expensive, water wastage, maintenance required.

2(b)(iii) Radiation protection

Sources: X-rays, radioactive materials, nuclear industries.
Principles: Reduce Time, increase Distance, use Shielding (lead barriers).
Additional Measures: Dosimeters, periodic monitoring, proper waste disposal.
Health Hazards Prevented: Cancer, burns, genetic mutations, cataract.

3(a) Occupational health hazards of Beedi workers

⚠️ Hazards

  • Respiratory: Chronic cough, bronchitis, asthma, TB risk
  • Musculoskeletal: Back pain, neck pain, joint stiffness
  • Skin: Dermatitis, allergy from tobacco dust
  • Eye: Irritation, redness
  • Nicotine Toxicity: Headache, nausea, dizziness
  • Reproductive: Menstrual disorders, adverse pregnancy outcomes
  • Psychological: Stress, fatigue

🛡️ Preventive Measures

  • Ventilation
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Periodic health check-up
  • Ergonomic seating
  • Health education

3(b) Goals and strategies to mitigate global warming at national level

🎯 Goals

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Promote sustainable development
  • Increase renewable energy use
  • Protect environment and biodiversity
  • Improve public health

🌱 Strategies

  • Renewable energy promotion (solar, wind, hydropower)
  • Afforestation & prevention of deforestation
  • Energy efficiency (energy-saving appliances, fuel-efficient vehicles)
  • Pollution control (industrial emission control, clean fuel policies)
  • Sustainable transport (public transport, electric vehicles)
  • Waste management (recycling, composting, scientific disposal)
  • Climate policies & environmental laws
  • Public awareness on climate change

4(a) Chronic manifestations of mercury poisoning

🧠 Nervous System

  • Tremors
  • Irritability
  • Memory loss
  • Peripheral neuropathy

👁️ Sensory

  • Hearing loss, visual impairment, numbness

🫀 Other Systems

  • Gastrointestinal: Loss of appetite, weight loss
  • Renal: Kidney damage
  • In children: Developmental delay, mental retardation

Prevention: Industrial safety, monitoring food contamination, proper mercury waste disposal

4(b) Rain water harvesting

Definition: Collection and storage of rainwater for future use.
Objectives: Water conservation, groundwater recharge, reduce water scarcity.
Methods: Rooftop harvesting, surface runoff harvesting, recharge pits/wells.
Advantages: Increases groundwater level, reduces flooding, provides water during drought.
Limitations: Initial cost, maintenance required.

4(c) Bio-pesticides

Definition: Pesticides derived from natural organisms (bacteria, fungi, plants, animals).
Types: Microbial, plant-incorporated protectants, biochemical.
Examples: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), neem products.
Advantages: Eco-friendly, biodegradable, less toxic to humans.
Disadvantages: Slow action, short shelf life.
Uses: Organic farming, integrated pest management.

4(d) Incineration

Definition: Controlled burning of waste at high temperature to reduce volume and destroy pathogens.
Types: Municipal waste incineration, biomedical waste incineration.
Advantages: Reduces waste volume, destroys infectious organisms, generates energy.
Disadvantages: Air pollution, expensive installation, toxic ash production.
Precautions: Proper emission control, segregation of waste before burning.

📌 Key Takeaways: This paper covers essential environmental health topics – flood disaster preparedness, sick building syndrome, water quality indicators (BOD, coliform), water purification (RO), radiation protection, occupational health (beedi workers), global warming mitigation, heavy metal toxicity (mercury), rainwater harvesting, bio-pesticides, and waste management (incineration).