ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH
1.The Environmental System
Man-Environmental Relationship
2. Principles Of Environmental Control
3. Emerging Environmental Health Problem
4. Areas Of Environmental Health Concerns
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Ecology
- The study of the relationship between
organisms and their environment
Ecosystems
- These are interdependent natural systems
consisting of organisms and their
environment.
- All ecosystems consist of two
components:
Living or abiotic component
Non-living or the non-abiotic component
- Freshwater ecosystems
- Marine water ecosystems
Environment
- the sum total of an organisms external
conditions and influences which affect its
life and development.
Environmental health
- the aspect of public health that is
concerned with those forms of life,
substances, forces and conditions in the
surroundings of man that may exert and
influence on mans health and
development
Environmental Health Engineering
- branch of engineering which is concerned
with the protection of human populations
from the effects of adverse environmental
factors.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL
SYSTEM
LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEMS

RESIDUESAND WASTES

ENERGY nutritiveand non-nutritive

SOCIAL
BUILT ENVIRONMENT shelter (housing)
GEOPHYSICAL
air
land
water

SOLID
GASEOUS
LIQUID

HUMAN ACTIVITIES
RESIDENTIAL RECREATION
WORK
TRANSPORTATION- Noise, overcrowding

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
SITE AND LOCATION
BIOLOGICAL
CHEMICAL

- lack of privacy
- lack of opportunity for
social interaction
- lack of open space
- boredom
- stresses from work,
traffic

PHYSICAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL
SOCIOLOGICAL

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS

Access To Safe Water Supply
Disposal Of Human Wastes
Disposal Of Solid Wastes
Disposal Of Hazardous And Toxic Wastes
Air Pollution
Use Of Persistent Chemicals
Rapid Urbanization And Industrialization
Emerging Environmental Health
Problems
- lack of access to safe water supply
- inadequate sanitary facilities
- inadequate sanitary landfill
- toxic and hazardous wastes
- hospital waste
- expired drugs
- industrial slags
- chemical waste
- global warming
- chemicals
- rapid urbanization
NORMAL AIR IN THE TROPOSPHERE:
21% - OXYGEN 78% - NITROGEN
CO2 Cycle

 13,411 km. Coastline

1,123 M sq.km. of Sea Area
82% of provinces are in the coastline
zone
RIVERS
421 river systems
18 major river basins (drainage area is
1400 sq. km.)
Cagayan River is the largest (area is
27280 sq km)

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Soil Functions
- Soil provides a platform for the
activities of human society or landbased animals
- Soil provides the habitat for
decomposer organisms which have
essential role in the cycle of carbon
and mineral nutrients
- Soil acts a purifying filter on water
containing dissolved and colloidal
constituents

LAKES
72 natural lakes
Laguna De Bay is the largest
Lake Taal occupies a huge volcanic crater
Lake Lanao is the largest in Mindanao
WETLANDS (swamps, mangroves)
100,000 hectares freshwater swamps
Agusan Marsh
Candaba Swamp
GROUNDWATER
14% of total water resource potential
Estimated storage capacity is 1.22 million
cu m
50% of the population use groundwater
for drinking
Extraction is regulated by NWRB
2,200 mm annual average rainfall
11 Tropical cyclones average per year

Availability of Water
(MCM)

Total Water Demand

(MCM/year)
1996: 29,944
2025: 62,660 - 86,543

ground water: 20,200

surface water: 125,790
Total: use in the
145,990
water
Philippines

Agriculture
Industry
Domestic

Water Resources
MARINE WATER
7,098 islands

85.6%
7.3%
7.1%

Ecosystem Function
Producers
Consumers
Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores
Detritivores or Decomposers
LAND POLLUTION
Issues and Problems
- Mine Wastes And Tailing Disposal
- Siltation Of River Systems
- Heavy Metal Pollution
- Small Scale Mining
WATER POLLUTION
Four of the major river systems in Metro
Manila are biologically dead

 Out of the 421 rivers in the country 50

WATER POLLUTANTS
rivers were polluted and 16 were
2. Environmental and Health Impact
biologically dead
Critical areas: Metro Manila, Southern
Turbidity
Tagalog and Central Luzon
Several beaches were polluted by organic
Diseases
wastes
Laguna Lake depth reduced from 7 meters
to 2.8 meters
Water Quality
Nitrogen and phosphorus load increased
by 10.8% to 24%
Laguna Lake BOD levels:
Accumulation
Suitable for fish production
12 of the tributaries high levels
Heavy metal contamination of inland
WATER-RELATED DISEASES
waters in Mindanao and Luzon :
- WATER BORNE
industrial sources - Metro Manila,
- WATER WASHED
Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and
- WATER BASED
Cebu
- WATER INSECTRELATED
mining sources - CAR and CARAGA
Pesticide pollution in rural areas is from
Economic Consequences
agricultural runoff
58% of ground water sampled is
contaminated with fecal coliform and needs
treatment
31% of illnesses monitored for a five-year
period were water-related diseases
Sources of Wastewater
- Domestic source
- Industrial source
- Storm water
- Agricultural runoff

Oxygen Depletion

Eutrophication

PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL
1. ISOLATION separation by distance
2. SUBSTITUTION use of alternative
materials, processes, and operations
3. SHIELDING use of barrier
4. PREVENTION
- Restriction of activities
- Immunization against diseases
- Use of prophylactic agents
5. TREATMENT
5.1 Destruction applicable to
biological hazards
5.2 Conversion of harmful substance
to less harmful ones
5.3 Removal of harmful substances
5.4 Dispersion and dilution
applicable to air and water pollutants

3. Plentiful since shortage will force

people to use doubtful sources.
4. Low in cost so that majority of the
population can afford to be
connected.

INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN WATER

SUPPLY
DENR
Principal environment and water
shed agency.
EMB
Enforces water quality and
effluent standards. Monitors
quality of surface water.
POTABLE and ADEQUATE WATER
DOH
Sets and monitors drinking
SUPPLY
water standards. Formulates
SOURCES: public water supply or
and implements sanitation
individual supply source
programs to address
Water usage and classification Level of
environmental and water
service
related diseases.
QUALITY:
- should meet requirements of
LWUA
Promotes and oversees the
PNSDW
devt. of provincial waterworks
- Health aspects
and sewerage; acts as special
- regular sampling and test
lending institution for local
- Treatment methods
water districts.
QUANTITY: 90 liters per cap/day min
NWRB Regulate the use of water
sources and does overall
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
coordination of water resources
Objectives of Water Supply System
management and development.
1. To supply safe and wholesome water to
DOST
Conducts research & devt.
consumers
programs with DENR for
2. To supply water in adequate quantity
prevention and abatement of
3. To make water easily available to
water pollution.
consumers so as to encourage personal
MWSS Responsible for water systems
and household cleanliness
in M.M. and its adjacent areas.
Wholesome water is one which is not
MWCI
Private firm serving the
polluted, free from toxic substances as well
waterworks and sewerage
as excessive amounts of minerals and
system of the eastern part of
organic matters that may impair the quality
M.M.
of water.
MWSI
Private firm serving the
Potable water/Safe water is one that is
waterworks and sewerage
suitable for domestic use and therefore
system of the western part of
safe to drink.
M.M.
LLDA
Regulates and controls the
REQUIREMENTS OF PUBLIC WATER
pollution of the Laguna de Bay
SUPPLY
region, including the sewage
1. Physically, chemically and
works and industrial waste
bacteriologically safe.
disposal systems.
2. Reasonably soft and neither scale
LGUs
Share responsibility in providing
forming nor corrosive.
basic services, including

enforcement of sanitation laws.

Water Supply and Sanitation
National- 13,923,267
Households with access to safe water
supply 10,817,911 (78.3%)
Households with sanitary toilet 9,649,470
(69.3%)
NCR-1,964,408
Households with access to safe water
supply 1,403,245 (71.4%)
Households with sanitary toilet 1,320,502
(67.2%)
Region IV-2,161,159
Households with access to safe water
supply 1,635,664 (75.7)
Households with sanitary toilet 1,534,696
(71.0)
WATER SOURCES
1. Groundwater portion of the rainwater
which has percolated into the earth to form
underground deposits and called aquifer
(water- bearing soil formations).
Groundwater as a source of water supply
can be extracted through the following:
Groundwater Sources
Shallow wells
Natural spring
Deep & artesian wells
Horizontal galleries
Infiltration galleries
a. Wells can be tapped by digging a hole
or sinking pipes into the ground and
installing water-drawing equipment.
Wells are classified according to the
following:
- Deep Well are wells with depths
greater than 20 meters constructed in
areas characterized by aquifers located at a
depth of more than 20 meters below
ground surface.
- Shallow Well are wells with depth
of not more than 20 meters and are
recommended for rural water supply
development, particularly level I and II
services.

- Dug Well normally circular or

rectangular in shape, with a diameter
ranging from 1 to 1.5 meters.
b. Springs- spring water occurs when water
in water-bearing stratum reaches the
surface of the ground. Spring can be
developed by enlarging the water outlet
and constructing an intake structure for
water catchment and storage.
DISADVANTAGE OF GROUND WATER
SUPPLY
- not available for large consumers
- flow is uncertain
- water is usually harder than surface water
- pumping adds to the cost
- rich in mineral content
2. Surface water is a mixture of surface
run-off and groundwater. Surface sources
include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds and
impounding reservoirs.
Usually more turbid
Bacterial count is larger
Water quality is variable
Water temperature varies
Warmer than wells during summer
DISADVANTAGE OF METEORIC WATER
SOURCES
- varies from roof storage for individual
home use
- larger prepared catchment areas for
commercial use
- seasonal in occurrence
- water is corrosive
- rainwater is not sufficient to supply
requirements
IMPROVED DRINKING WATER (WHO
Definition)
Improved drinking water sources are
defined in terms of the types of technology
and levels of services that are more likely
to provide safe water than unimproved
technologies. Improved water sources
include household connections, public
standpipes, boreholes, protected dug wells,

protected springs, and rainwater

collections.
Unimproved water sources are
unprotected wells, unprotected springs,
vendor-provided water, bottled water
(unless water for other uses is available
from an improved source) and tanker truckprovided water.
WATER USAGE AND CLASSIFICATION
Classificati Beneficial Use
on
Class AA
Public Water Supply Class Uses of Water
I.
Intended for waters having
watersheds which are
uninhabited and otherwise
protected which require only
approved disinfection in order
to meet the PNSDW.
Class A
Public Water Supply Class
II.
For sources of water supply
that will require complete
Factors Affecting Per Capita Consumer
treatment (coagulation,
1. Climate
sedimentation, filtration,
2. Class Of Consumer
disinfection) in order to meet
3. Quality Of Water
the PNSDW.
4. Industries And Commerce
Class B
Recreational Water Class
5. Pressure In The Distribution System
I.
6. Metering The System
For primary contact
7. Sewage Facilities
recreation such as bathing,
8. Number Of Inhabitants
swimming, diving, etc.
9. Size Of Community
(particularly designed for
10.
Cost
tourism purposes).
Class C
1) Fishery Water for
propagation and growth of
fish and other aquatic
resources;
2) Recreational Water Class II
(Boating ,etc.)
3) Industrial Water Supply
Class I For manufacturing
processes after treatment.
Class D
1) For agriculture, irrigation,
livestock watering, etc.
2) Industrial Water Supply
Class II for cooling, etc.
WATER-RELATED DISEASES
3) Other inland waters
1. Water- Borne Diseases

- occur when the pathogen is in water

which is drunk by a person which may then
become infected
- Methemoglobinemia, Cholera, Botulism,
Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Dysentery,
Cryptosporidiosis, Minamata Disease
(mercury poisoning)
2. Water Washed
- a disease whose transmission will be
reduced following an increase in the
volume of water used for hygienic
purposes, irrespective of the quality of the
water.
- Trachoma, Cholera, Botulism, Typhoid,
Hepatitis A, Dysentery, Enterobiasis,
Ascariasis, Trichomoniasis, Trichuriasis,
Pediculosis/Scabies
Three Main Types
1. INFECTION OF THE INTESTINAL TRACT
2. INFECTION OF THE SKIN AND EYES
3. INFECTION CARRIED BY LICE
3.Water-Based
- Disease due to infection by parasitic
worms which depend on aquatic
intermediate hosts to complete their cycle
- Schistosomiasis, Chlonorchiasis,
Fasciolopsiasis
4. Water Insect Related
- Diseases transmitted by insects which
either breed in water or bite near water
- Malaria, Filariasis, Dengue
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
1. SOURCES AND DISTRIBUTION
2. WATER QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS
3. QUALITY STANDARDS
4. HEALTH ASPECTS
5. WATER TREATMENT

Hydrologic Cycle
Fluxes

WATER SUPPLY- LEVEL OF SERVICE

Level 1 (Point source) a protected well
or a developed spring with an outlet but
without a distribution system
89

Level 2 (Communal faucet system) a

system composed of a source, a reservoir,
a piped distribution network, and
communal faucets.
Level 3 (Individual household
connection) a system with a source, a
reservoir, a piped distribution network and
household taps.
LEVEL 1- POINT SOURCE
a protected well or a developed spring
with an outlet but without a distribution
system
Access to water supply facilities
Farthest user not > 250 m. from the point
source
1 Facility per 15 households
Generally for rural areas where houses
are scattered too thinly to justify a
distribution system

LEVEL 2- COMMUNAL FAUCET SYSTEM

 a system composed of a source, a

reservoir, a piped distribution network, and
communal faucets.
Access to water supply facilities
Farthest house is not > 25 m. from
communal faucet system
4 to 6 households per faucets
Generally for rural areas where houses
are clustered

LEVEL 3- INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD

CONNECTION
a system with a source, a reservoir, a
piped distribution network and household
taps.
Access to water supply facilities
The house has service connection from
the system
One or more faucets per household
Generally for high-density built-up areas

The 2007 Philippine National

Standards for Drinking Water
DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.
2007 0012

B. Organic Constituents
Constituents
Aldrin & Dieldrin
Chlordane
DDT
Eldrin
Heptachlor & heptachlor
epoxide
Lindane
Methoxychlor
Petroleum oils & grease
Toxyphane
2,4-D
2,4,5-T

II. Standard Value for Biological Organisms

Constituent

Permissible Value

Total Count/ ml

10

99

Maximum Level (mg/l)

0.03
0.2
2.0
0.2
0.03
2.0
20.0
Nil
5.0
30.0
9.0
101

a. Same as in 2
b. Supplemented by disinfection
4. Removal or neutralization of taste, odor,
minerals, and dissolved gases
a. By aeration
b. By treating the water with
chemicals
c. By means of special equipment or
methods
5. Removal of hardness
a. By membrane filtration
b. By treating the water with
chemicals

Aeration
Aeration is the process by which gaseous
phase, usually air, and water are brought
into intimate contact with each other for
the purpose of transferring volatile
substances to or from the water.
Volatile substances oxygen, carbon
dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide and
methane.
Coagulation
Coagulation is a process of combining
small particles into larger aggregates.
Flocculation
Flocculation is the physical process of
producing contacts to form flocs.
Sedimentation
Sedimentation is the process of solidliquid separation using gravity settling to
remove suspended solids.
Type I settling out of discrete nonflocculent particles in dilute suspension.
Type II settling out of flocculent particles
in dilute suspension.
METHODS OF WATER TREATMENT
1. Removal of floating materials
2. Removal of suspended solids and color
a. By sedimentation
b. By coagulation
c. By filtration
3. Removal of bacteria

Filtration
Filtration processes are used primarily to
remove suspended particulate material
from water. Particulates removed may be
those in the water source or those
generated in treatment processes.
Particulates clay, silt, microorganisms,
colloidal and precipitates of iron and alum.

Disinfection of Water Supply

- Disinfection is used to control the spread
of communicable water borne diseases by
killing pathogenic microorganisms found in
drinking water.
Chlorination is the most widely
used disinfectant for water supplies
Effects required of a disinfecting agent in
water supply:
Bacterial effect the capacity to destroy
pathogenic microorganisms in a given
treatment process
Residue or remnant effect the ability to
disinfect water that is recontaminated in
the distribution system due to seepage of
pathogens into the pipes.
Precipitation
Precipitation Method by Lime Soda Ash
Process use of quick lime (calcium oxide),
hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) and
soda ash (sodium carbonate).
Ion-exchange Methods by Zeolite
Softeners use of synthetic zeolite
chemicals
Membrane Filtration Processes
Reverse Osmosis is a pressure driven
process
that retains all ions and passes water.
Electrodialysis is a process in which ions
are transferred through membranes from a
less concentrated to a more concentrated
solution as a result of the passage of direct
current.
Ultrafiltration is a pressure driven
process for fractionating and concentrating
solutions containing colloids and highmolecular weight materials.
WASTEWATER
USED WATER
WASTE IN LIQUID FORM CONTAINING
POLLUTANTS
composition of wastewater
99.99% liquid
0.01% solid

WATER POLLUTANTS
3. Treatment Option

Preliminary Tx

Biological TX
Ponds/Disinfection

Treated Efluent

Adsorption

Tertiary Treatment

Preliminary Treatment

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

CSlide
51

127

Tertiary Treatment
Dissolved inorganic
Reverse osmosis
Distillation
Oxidation of NH4+ to NO3- and
denitrification of NO3- to N2, both by
biological processes
Water Stabilization Pond

MECHANISMS FOR FAECAL

COLIFORM DIE-OFF IN WSP

EFFLUENT

Sunlight
Rapid
Photosynthesis High
DO

pH > 9

Photo-oxidation

Increased Pond
Temperature

Faecal
Bacterial
Die-Of
MATURATION POND

141

THE NEED FOR WASTEWATER

TREATMENT
protect receiving waters from faecal
contamination
protect receiving waters from oxygen
depletion and ecological damage
produce microbiologically safe eflluents
for agricultural and aquacultural reuse
MOT of Excreta transmitted diseases

Category I
non-latent, unable to multiply, low
infective dose
viruses, protozoa, enterobious,
hymenolepis
transmission foci: domestic, personal
contamination
control: improve domestic water supply,
health education, improved housing
Category III
- latent, very persistent, no
multiplication, no intermediate host
- geohelminths: ascaris, trichuris,
hookworm, strongyloides
- transmission foci: yard, field and crop
contamination
- control: treatment before land
application, provision of toilets
Category IV
- latent, persistent, intermediate
host(cow or pig)

transmission foci: yard, field and

fodder contamination
control: provision of toilets, treatment
before land application, thorough
cooking, meat inspection

Category V
- latent, persistent, able to multiply,
one or more intermediate aquatic
hosts
- all water based helminths:
schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis,
fasciolopsiasis
- transmission foci: contaminated
water
- control: provision of toilets, treatment
before discharge, control of snails,
cook fish and aquatic vegetation
Category VI
- insect-related diseases
- diseases transmitted by mosquitoes
which preferentially breed in polluted
water

1. Wastes must not contaminate any

drinking water supply.
2. They must not give rise to a public
health hazard by being accessible to
insects, rodents or other possible
vectors which may come into contact
with food or drinking water.
3. They must not give rise to public
health hazard by being accessible to
children.
4. They must not violate laws or
regulations governing water pollution
or sewage disposal.
5. They must not pollute or
contaminate the waters of any
bathing beach, shellfish- breeding
ground, or stream used for public or
domestic water-supply purposes, or
for recreational purposes.
6. They must not give rise to a
nuisance due to odor or unsightly
appearance.
EXCRETA DISPOSAL
I. PIT LATRINE
a. Conventional Pit Latrine
Common toilet facility in remote rural
areas
Consists of pit, squatting plate, foundation
& structure
Smells badly, breeding areas for insects
Children may be afraid of falling into the
pit

Complimentary Inputs
Improve water supplies (i, ii, iii & v)
treatment to kill/remove
Pathogens (ii, iii, iv & v)
b. Overhung Latrine
cooking of meat, fish & aquatic vegetables
(iv & v)
insect control (vi)health education (all
categories)

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE

DISPOSAL OF EXCRETA

c. Batch Compost Latrine

Interceptor tank per house

Regular emptying of vault
Transport of liquid fraction of sewage
Small-bore pipes: 3 to 4
Pipes laid in gardens or
sidewalks
Shallow excavation
Simple inspection units
Small decentralized tx stations

d.VentilatedImprovedPitLatrine
Important Actions in the Pit
Liquid portion of excreta seeps into the
soil
Solids are broken to simpler compounds
by biological digestion
Water is used only for hand washing or
cleaning floor

2. POUR FLUSH TOILET

Advantages:
- Inexpensive
- Long-term solution
- Use low volume water
- Can be upgraded to connect to sewer
-

Min. odor, insect and fly breeding

In-house location

3. SEPTIC TANK

ADVANTAGES OF SMALL BORE PIPES

1. Being smaller in size, sewers will be
economical
2. No risk of stream pollution
3. Quantity of sewage to be transported
is small less cost.
Simplified Sewerage System
Conveys black and gray water
Small-bore pipes: 4
Self-cleansing flow
Used in dense areas
Pipes laid in gardens and sidewalks
No deep excavation
Small or no pumping stations
Small decentralized tx plants

SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL

- Sewage disposal applies to the act of
getting rid of sewage by any method. It
may be done with or without previous
treatment of the sewage.
Three Categories of Sewer Systems
1. Settled Sewer System
2. Simplified Sewer System
3. Conventional Sewer System
Settled Sewerage System

ConventionalSewerageSystem
Transports gray and black water
Pipes follow roads/streets
Deep excavation
Protection against heavy traffic
Manholes give entrance to pipes
Pumping stations
Sewage treatment plants

Disadvantage of Combined System

- Bigger sewers involve large
excavation
- Dry weather flow being a small
amount would result to silting up due
to low velocity of flow
- Cost of pumping and treatment would
increase due to large quantity of
sewage
- Overflowing under worst condition
may endanger public health