Environmental hygiene covers all the practical prevention and control measures used to improve the basic environmental conditions affecting human health. Some of these environmental conditions include:
- Clean water supply
- Human and animal waste disposal
- Protection of food from contamination
- Provision of healthy housing, all of which are concerned with the quality of the human environment.
In layman’s terms, we can simply say that environmental hygiene means keeping our environment clean. In this article, we will be using these terms interchangeably.
The environment compasses not only the natural surroundings – the air, the water, the plants and animals used for food – but also shelter, modes of transportation, and all other products of technology, including pollutants and waste materials; all of which interact to affect health. Environmental considerations become increasingly important during these times of changing emphasis in the fields of energy, economics, and technology.
Inadequate routine cleaning of the environment has been implicated in the transmission of gastrointestinal, and respiratory illnesses and other diseases that use germs and viruses as vectors.
Why Environmental Hygiene Matters
Research has shown harmful pathogens such as Clostridium difficile, Staphylococci, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci can survive on surfaces for months, and they are just a few of the potentially disease-producing bacteria or viruses that can be transmitted to patients.
The length of time pathogens can survive on surfaces is a matter of concern when you consider how inefficiently those surfaces are cleaned.
Take for instance;
It is a fact that germs are everywhere e.g. on people, food, and pets. Germs can survive on environmental surfaces like floors, tables, door handles, and toys for a long period.
Viruses can be shed in large numbers in respiratory secretions and faeces, they can survive on surfaces for days, or in the case
of certain viruses such as norovirus (the virus responsible for winter vomiting illness), for weeks.
Hence maintaining good environmental hygiene is therefore a vital part of good infection prevention and control.
We cannot talk about environmental hygiene without mentioning some key terminologies. Here are some of the key terminologies which also are very focal in keeping our environment clean.
Key Terminologies
1. Cleaning:
Cleaning is a mechanical process (scrubbing) using detergent and water to remove food residues, dirt, debris, and grease.
Cleaning is essential in the prevention of infection. Normal cleaning methods, using household detergents and warm water are considered to be sufficient to reduce the number of germs in the environment to a safe level.
How to Clean
- Cleaning is best achieved using a general-purpose detergent and warm water, clean cloths, mops, and the mechanical action of wiping/scrubbing. The area should then be rinsed and dried.
- Thorough cleaning with detergents should remove all contaminants including dust, dirt, faeces, blood, pus, urine, other body fluids, and large numbers of germs.
Cleaning also involves sweeping, tidying up the environment, and proper waste disposal.
2. Disinfection:
This is a process that uses chemicals (disinfectants e.g. household bleach) or heat (e.g. dishwashers) to reduce the number of bacteria on environmental surfaces to a safe level.
Disinfectants are chemicals that will reduce the number of germs to a level at which they are not harmful.
The routine use of chemical disinfectants for environmental hygiene is not recommended as thorough regular cleaning with detergent and warm water is sufficient for most situations.
A disinfectant is recommended, however, in circumstances where there is a higher risk of cross-infection (e.g. During
outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness) or if there has been a spillage of blood, faeces, or vomit.
Disinfectants are potentially hazardous and must be used with caution and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Surfaces and items must be cleaned before a disinfectant is applied as most disinfectants are inactivated by dirt.
3. Clean air:
What is clean air?
Clean air is air that has no harmful levels of pollutants (dirt, dust, airborne microbes, and chemicals) in it which is essential to good health and a basic human need.
Since our environment includes the air we breathe, we must ensure that we breathe clean air.
Though there are air filters which promise us clean air, are best option is to reduce activities which can pollute the air in our environment.
Environmental hygiene involves practices and measures to maintain and improve the cleanliness and health of the environment. Here are 10 key terminologies related to environmental hygiene, along with brief explanations:
4. Sanitation:
Sanitation refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human waste and the maintenance of clean conditions. It encompasses practices such as proper sewage disposal, waste management, and hygiene promotion.
5. Waste Management:
Waste management involves the collection, transport, processing, recycling, and disposal of waste materials. Effective waste management is crucial for preventing environmental pollution and promoting public health.
6. Water Quality:
Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water. Monitoring and maintaining water quality is essential for ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water and preventing waterborne diseases.
7. Vector Control:
Vector control focuses on managing and reducing populations of disease-carrying organisms, such as mosquitoes and rodents. This is critical for preventing the spread of infectious diseases like malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis.
8. Air Pollution:
Air pollution involves the introduction of harmful substances into the air, leading to adverse effects on human health and the environment. Common air pollutants include particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
9. Hygiene Promotion:
Hygiene promotion aims to educate and encourage individuals and communities to adopt healthy hygiene practices. This includes proper handwashing, food safety, and personal hygiene habits.
10. Biohazard:
Biohazards are biological substances that pose a threat to human health or the environment. Proper handling and disposal of biohazardous materials are essential to prevent the spread of infections and protect ecosystems.
11. Cross-Contamination:
Cross-contamination occurs when harmful microorganisms or substances are transferred from one surface or source to another, leading to the spread of diseases. In environmental hygiene, preventing cross-contamination is crucial for maintaining a clean and safe environment.
12. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
PPE includes clothing and equipment worn to protect individuals from potential health and safety hazards. In environmental hygiene, PPE may be used to safeguard workers involved in waste management, pest control, or other activities that expose them to risks.
Understanding and implementing these key terminologies are vital for creating and maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.
In conclusion, to maintain good environmental hygiene, we have to do these three major things:
- Clean our environment regularly
- Disinfect the environment where necessary
- Sustain clean air in the environment
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