evs ppt

ROLE OF IT IN ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH

A PRESENTATION BY:

ADARSH JAYAKUMAR AKHIL T.K ARUN MURALI HANIE SALIM NANDU RAJ

WHAT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ?

 Information Technology (IT) is the "technology" used for the study, understanding, planning, design, construction, testing, distribution, support and operations of software, computers and computer related systems that exist for the purpose of Data, Information and Knowledge processing.

Geographic information system

A geographic information system (GIS), geographical information system, or geospatial information system is any system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to location. In the simplest terms, GIS is the merging of cartography, statistical analysis, and database technology

The term describes any information system that integrates, stores, edits, analyzes, shares, and displays geographic information for informing decision making. GIS applications are tools that allow users to create interactive queries , analyze spatial information, edit data, maps, and present the results of all these operations.

Bhuvan, is a satellite mapping tool similar to Google Earth and Wikimapia. It was developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It offers resolution up to 10 metres. Bhuvan allows users to access, explore and visualize 2D and 3D image data along with rich thematic information on soil, wasteland, water resources etc in the Indian subcontinent. It allows visualization of AWS(Automatic Weather Stations) data in a graphic view and use tabular weather data of user choice . You can access the tool at http://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/.

GPS The Global Positioning

System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver.

THEMATIC MAP USING GPS

A thematic map is a map that focuses on the variety of geological and geographical phenomena .

The contrast between the both of them lies in the fact thematic maps use the base data as coastlines, boundaries and places, only as point of reference for the phenomenon being mapped. In general maps the base data as landforms, lines of transportation, settlements, and political boundaries are there for their own sake.

A GPS GENERATED MAP DEPICTING INDIA’S NATURAL VEGETATION

GPS WILDLIFE TRACKING

Using radio tags to study the physiology, behavior, and demography of animals

Telemetry- the transmission of information through the atmosphere usually by radio waves

Usually tracked by using radio collars ,harness attachment ,direct attachment or inserting chips

inside them

Effective to track endangered species

IT HAS ITS DRAWBACKS TOO……..

Environmental sustainability is a major global issue of the 21st Century........

Global climate change Air and water pollution Ocean degradation Depletion of non-renewable natural resources Human health and safety issues Toxic wastes Disposal of solid wastes Species extinction

… consuming non-renewablenaturalresources for manufacturing …

Manufacturing computers is materialsIntensive . The total fossil fuels used to makeone desktop computer weigh over 240kilograms, some 10 times the weight of thecomputer itself. This is very high comparedto many other goods: For an automobile orrefrigerator, for example, the weight of fossilfuels used for production is roughly equal totheir weights. Also, substantial quantities ofchemicals (22 kg), and water (1,500 kg) arealso used.

… during short product lives …

“gadgets” <6 months? Cell phones, PDA’s – 2 to 3 years Laptop Computers – 3 to 4 years Desktop PC’s – 3 to 5 years Servers and Network Gear – 3 to 5years Telephone Systems and PublicNetwork Gear – 5 to 7 years

… creating health human health issuesduring manufacturing and use …

and becoming toxic e-wasteat the endof useful life.

The Issue: Due to the breakneck speed of the

modern world at developing new electronics and discarding old ones, a huge problem is brewing.

The recycling procedures used in disposal centers in rural areas lead to toxic materials like lead to seep into the surrounding environment.

This practice occurs all over places like India, Pakistan, Singapore, and China.

Toxic Substances Present in E-waste

There are many harmful materials used in consumer electronics including lead, cadmium, mercury and plastics.

Effects of Toxins: Lead can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous

system, causing retardation and behavioral changes. Infants

and young children are particularly susceptible .

cadmium is particularly toxic to humans because it

accumulates in the human body and poses an environmental

danger due to both acute and chronic toxicity. Cadmium that

enters the system through the gastrointestinal tract resides in

human kidneys with a half-life of 10-20 years

Mercury is readily absorbed by the human body, ultimately

inhibiting enzymatic activity and leading to cell damage

Effects on surrounding environment

Large amounts of imported e-

waste material and process

residues never get recycled and

are simply dumped in open

fields; along riverbanks, ponds,

and wetlands; in rivers; and in

irrigation ditches.

Combating e-waste

Though e-waste is a persisting issue, efforts are being made around the world to combat e-waste dumping in countries like China.

Participating Countries

Governing Body

Initiative Date Adopted

167 countries of the UN (excluding Afghanistan, Haiti, and the US)

United Nations Environment Programme

Basel Convention: No transboundary movement of

hazardous waste

1989

The European Union

European Parliament

Reuse/recycle electronic

parts; manufacturers internalize take back/recycling

costs

2003

Japan

Ministry of the Environment,

Government of Japan

Home Appliance

Recycling Law: Home

appliance manufacturers must take back

and recycle end-use products

2001

Intended for OECD countries

Organization for Economic Co-operation

and Development

(OECD)

Environmentally Sound

Management of Waste: Reclaim

e-waste

2003

Programs combating E-waste

What can you do?

In order to lessen the amount of e-waste

being produced, individuals can do many

things:

1. Keep your old electronics longer

instead of replacing them.2. If discarding old electronics, be sure to

recycle them at a trusted recycling center.

3. Purchase efficient electronics that do not contain hazardous materials such as mercury and lead.

Using Information Technology to Improve Public Health

THE INTERNET:

Using the internet to reach large numbers of healthy people to prevent disease.

The 12th World Public Health Conference had several presentations that related to technology, particularly the internet and leveraging it to the benefit of public health.

TELEMEDICINE:

Telemedicine or telehealth is an application of information- and communication technology in medicine. It allows dissemination of medical knowledge and experience between separated partners even in isolated areas. Through internet connections, telemedicine allows exchange of diagnostic and therapeutic facts and know-how between non-experts and experts anywhere in the world

http://www.maneno.org/eng/articles/country/sudan/

The European approach

The Europeans have taken an approach to public health that is tied into the European Union.

They have created a commission with responsibilities for improving public health of all nations in the union.

Health – EU http://health.europa.eu

The official public health portal of the European Union

Health – EU Portal

6 Domains of Information My Health My Lifestyle My Environment Health Problems Care for Me Health in the EU

Brazil’s Approach

Rio de Janeiro E-Health Center

Links Family Health Groups in 9 regions of the country to the University Reference Centers to improve primary attention to health.

Aim is to connect 2700 Family Health Groups in the project

What is the Pan American Health Organization doing?

The Pan American Health Organization is another voluntary collection of countries that have come together for common interests. In this case they are again using internet technology to provide training in public health to students and practitioners in both rural and urban settings in all of these countries.

Virtual Campus of Public Health with campus nodes in:

ARGENTINA COLOMBIABRASIL CUBASPAIN MEXICO CHILE COSTA RICA PERU

On a global basis….

The World Health Organization is using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map disease-specific information and analyze it in relation to population settlements, surrounding social and health services and the natural environment.

MAJOR HEALTH HAZARDS ARE….

Repetitive Strain Injuries Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Eye Strains and Computer Vision

Syndrome Internet Addiction Stress and Depression Radiation

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a Repetitive Stress

Injury (RSI) caused when the median nerve is pushed by the flexor tendons inside the tunnel made up of the wrist bones, or carpals.

HOW?? The forearm flexor tendons and a few nerves pass

through a small tunnel formed by the wrist bones, or carpals, into the hand. As you move you hands and fingers, the flexor tendons rub against the sides of the tunnel, sometimes causing them to swell and push the median nerve. When the median nerve is pushed by the tendons, we feel pain

Reasons for CTS injury

Stress will increase muscle tension causing pain

Long hours in the keyboard, especially those that type more than four hours

Lack of circulation in the muscles that prevents nutrients and oxygen to reach the tissues

Inadequate rest and breaks Poor posture including the sitting, placement of

hands on the keyboard and proper height of the keyboard

Poor diet (lack of vitamins)

Eye Strain Eye strain is the single largest complaint of VDT

users causing soreness, irritation, blurred vision, redness, dryness and tenderness of the eyes.

Symptoms of Eye Strains Impaired vision, double vision and blurred vision Difficulty looking at one point for a period of

time Itchy dry eyes and discomfort while looking at

the VDT Headaches Eye fatigue that can have serious impact later in

life

Causes: Bad monitor resolution, flickering, or

glare at the monitor Poor lighting conditions in the

computer room Electromagnetic radiation emitted by

the VDT (UVA) Staring at anything for a long period of

time will cause blurred vision Loss of negative ions in the

atmosphere due to electrostatic charges on the face of the CRT

Eye Strain Treatment

Use your knowledge of ergonomics Take breaks when you feel strained Use your laptop when possible because

the monitor emits less radiation Adjust the brightness of your screen Wear protective eye glasses

Internet Addiction

Use Internet every day without days off Loosing track of time while surfing the

Net Staying home more loosing social

contacts Denial of high usage 51% of Internet addicts suffer severe

job impairment 58% get addicted within the first 12

months of Internet usage

Stress and Depression

Computer operators experience more stress than any other occupational group the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has studied

Other Computer Related Health Hazards

Back problems (pain) caused from the efforts of the muscle to hold your posture for long periods of time

Skin rashes that are caused from the static fields in front of the screen causing ions and pollutants in the air to become positively charged and attach themselves to your negatively charged skin (especially in low humidity)

Abnormal reproductive outcomes due to electromagnetic radiation's affects on biological functions and biochemical processes inside our cells

Cancer and leukemia Skin aging

FINALLY…….

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HAS ITS MERITS AND DEMERITS WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENVIRONMENT.IT DEPENDS ON THE WAY WE USE IT.