Occupational and environmental health

ENV-468 / 3 credits

Teacher: Vernez David

Language: English

Summary

This course looks at the relationship between our environment - both professional and general - and our health. What hazards are associated with physical, chemical and biological pollutants? How can we assess the risks and prevent them? What health issues are associated with climate change?

Content

This course covers the various stages of risk assessment (identification, evaluation, control) for pollutants frequently encountered in occupational and environmental environments. The properties of these pollutants, their pathways of entry or interaction with the body, their effects, their measurement, and the adequate control/prevention strategies are discussed over the course of the semester. Four main categories of pollutants are covered

- Chemical (gases, vapors, liquids

- Physical (noise, vibrations, thermal environment, non-ionizing radiations

- Physico-chemical (particles, fibers)

- Biological (bacteria, viruses, molds)

At the end of the semester, two cross-disciplinary subjects will be covered, drawing on the concepts covered earlier: the health effects of global warming, and the issue of environmental interventions (interventions in situations of environmental contamination/pollution).

 

 

Keywords

Risk assessment, work environment, environmental health, occupational health, exposure sciences, physical, chemical, biological pollutants

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

None

Recommended courses

Environmental chemistry, Analysis of pollutants in the environment, Analysis and management of industrial risks, Ecotoxicology

Important concepts to start the course

Understanding the physical and chemical properties of pollutants.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Identify the risks associated with pollutants in the environment
  • Characterize the different types of pollutants and their properties
  • Use simple risk assessment tools and methods
  • Select appropriately skills or methods to manage a particular risk
  • Assess / Evaluate exposure situations

Transversal skills

  • Make an oral presentation.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra lectures, group exercises and presentations

Expected student activities

Participate actively in the course and exercise session
Prepare and present a case study of a practical problem

Assessment methods

Presentation of a case study during the semester (in groups or individually, depending on the number of students) (1/3)

Oral exam (individually) (2/3)

 

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants No
Forum Yes

Resources

Bibliography

The Occupational Environment: its evaluation, control and management. 3rd ed. AIHA Press. 2011.
Environement et santé publique: fondements et principes. 2nd ed. Presses de l'EHESP, 2023

Ressources en bibliothèque

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Oral (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Oral (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Oral (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Oral (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Occupational and environmental health
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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