Essentials of environmental health. Enhancing your occupational health nursing practice (Part I).

1. The environment is a primary determinant of health status of individuals and communities. Environmental hazards are widespread and poorly understood. 2. The five parameters of exposure pathways for environmental hazards include source of contamination; environmental media and transport mechanism; point of exposure; route of exposure; and receptor population. Routes of exposure to environmental hazards include percutaneous (dermal); inhalation; ingestion, gastrointestinal tract; and transplacental. 3. Humans vary widely in their susceptibility to potential environmental hazards. The human response to environmental conditions varies with a variety of personal characteristics including age, weight, gender, nutritional status, psychological status, preexisting disease states, concomitant or previous exposures, and even behavior and lifestyle factors. 4. The unique knowledge and skills possessed by occupational and environmental health nurses make them an important resource for clients, community members, and other health care professionals.