Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care

UNIT 38: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHUnit content1 Understand how humans can damage the environmentUrbanisation and population density: overcrowding, poverty, transport systems,energy systems, water supply, pollution, eg vehicle emissions, wasteaccumulationIntensification of agriculture: increased use of fertilisers/pesticides, geneticmodification of crops, soil erosion, monoculture, pollution of waterways,destruction of wildlife habitats, loss of biodiversityPollution of environment: air, water, land, noiseOther effects on the environment: eg nuclear power sources, increased nitratesin drinking water, carbon monoxide emissions2 Understand the effects of environmental change on healthEnvironmental change: change in land use, deforestation, desertification,grazing, different farming methods, genetic modification, use of pesticides,sustainable development, pollution, ozone depletionEffects of urbanisation: overcrowding, pollution, pest infestations, hygiene,disease, povertyEffects on health: physical health — communicable diseases, genetic diseases,cancer, nutritional health; mental healthRange: individual, local, regional, national, international470BN018467 – Specification – Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care– Issue 1 – February 2007 © Edexcel Limited 2007