ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Basics of mathematics, physics, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology. English reading comprehension.
The final exam will consist in an oral (up to 9 students) or written (in the case of 10 or more students) test via 3 or more essay questions. The final score will be based on comprehension, capacity to apply theoretical concepts to real cases, autonomy of judgement, correct terminology and learning abilities.
The course aims at supplying the basics of hygiene and prevention at workplace and in other environments based on the risk assessment paradigm. The concepts of hazard, exposure, susceptibility, risk, outcome, prevention, protection will be explored.
The course is designed to provide an understanding of the following topics:
- hazard assessment (main chemical and physical properties, main health effects) for some key chemical, physical and biological agents;
- methodological approaches and strategies for exposure assessment for risk assessment purposes;
- the basic concepts lying behind chemical, physical and biological risk assessment and risk management aimed at protecting human health at workplace and in other environments.
Furthermore, the course is intended to provide a broad perspective of safety and prevention, ranging from the regulatory framework to the theoretical and practical aspects of risk assessment for the protection of human health and environment.
- Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Hazard, risk, exposure and health effects. Different approaches for human exposure assessment (environmental monitoring, biological monitoring, exposure modeling). - Basics of toxicology in the context of the development of exposure limits. 12h.
- Chemical risk: classification of risk factors (CLP), exposure assessment for chemicals and UNI EN 689, OELs and TLVs. Dermal exposure assessment. Gases and vapours, aerosols and fibres. Basic principles of sampling. 12h.
- Physical risk: noise, ionizing and non-ionizing radiations, microclimate. 6h.
- Biological risk: bacteria, viruses and fungi. Infectious potential, risk profiles. Basic principles of sampling. 2h.
- Occupational risk management. 2h.
- The National regulatory framework for the protection of environment and human health. 4h.
- Indoor air quality (IAQ). 4h.
- Control banding and IAQ modeling. 2h.
- Atmospheric pollution (particulate matter and gaseous key contaminants) and impacts on human health. 2h.
- Industrial atmospheric emissions. 2h.
A pdf booklet and lesson slides will be provided to the students (e-learning environment).
Recommended books:
- P.A. Bertazzi, I. Grappasonni. Igiene e Sanità Pubblica. Salute e Ambiente. Piccin Nuova Libreria. 2016.
- Lorenzo Alessio, Giuliano Franco G, Francesco Tomei. Trattato di Medicina del Lavoro. Piccin Nuova Libreria. Volume 2. 2015
Frontal lectures and use of the videoconference technology.
Students can ask for clarifications after each lesson. The lecturer is available by appointment (to be contacted by e-mail). The Office is located at the -1 floor, Via Valleggio 11, Como. Some key issues can be specifically discussed using the e-learning platform.