Environmental Health I

1.As a result of completing the study course, students are able to do the following: • describe the importance of environmental health, principles, directions, tasks thereof; • describe indoor air microclimate parameters, indoor CO2 level as an indicator of air quality, types of ventilation and ventilation efficiency assessment techniques, lighting indicators; • name the levels of microclimate, indoor CO2 level, air volume, lighting indicators, which are determined by legislation or recommended in guidelines; • name the physical environmental factors of air, sources thereof, examples in the environment, possible impact on human health; • name the thermoregulation mechanisms of the human body depending on environmental conditions; • name the basic principles of environmental health policy and their importance in reducing chemical pollution; • describe air as an ecological component of the environment, name examples of pollution and preventive measures to reduce pollution; • describe analytical methods for determining chemical air pollution; • refer to the environmental air quality standards and guidelines of Latvia and the European Union according to the topics to be learned in the classes.

1.As a result of completing the study course, the student obtains skills to: • independently, critically analyse, apply ecological reasoning to justify one’s opinion and evaluate environmental health as a preventive branch of environmental science and medicine in preserving and strengthening human health; • determine and evaluate indicators of microclimate, CO2 level, ventilation efficiency, natural and artificial lighting, provide recommendations for improving conditions; • determine the main thermoregulation mechanisms of the human body depending on environmental conditions; • practically operate analytical equipment and perform analytical calculations in the determination of chemical substances in the air environment; • evaluate environmental policy measures and implement them to improve public health; • present one’s opinion on the problems of physical and chemical air pollution in Latvia and the world.

1.The acquired competence allows to: • see the connection between the state of human health and the conditions of the surrounding environment; • apply knowledge of the basics of argumentation, logic and rhetoric to analyse practical situations; • develop recommendations, measures to prevent or reduce harmful environmental risk factors, ensuring optimal interaction between the human body and the environment; • take responsibility and demonstrate leadership skills in cases where the interests of environmental safety, individuals or the society as a whole require it; • apply knowledge and skills in solving environmental health problems in one’s professional activities.