Page 56 - Health & Physical edu- 8

Unit Environmental Health

7

Environment refers to/ can be defined as the physical, biological, chemical and social
aspects around us. Environment consists of air, water, land, rivers, forests, etc. Our
health is affected if such elements around us get polluted. The environment needs
to be neat and clean (fresh) and well managed for our good health. Environmental
health, therefore, is the relation between environment and our health.

Water-borne Diseases

The contamination of unwanted and harmful elements in the water which reduce
its quality is called water pollution. Our health is affected if we use polluted water.
Sometimes, visibly clean water may also contain harmful bacteria and germs that
cause various diseases. Water may get polluted when human excreta and other dirty
substances get mixed to it. Diseases like cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, etc.

are transmitted through the polluted water.
Preventive Measures of Waterborne Diseases

a. We should drink water after boiling, filtering and making germ free using
chemical methods.

b. The resources of drinking water should be kept safe.

c. Cattle grazing and disposing of waste materials should be forbidden in the
sources of drinking water.

d. Human excreta should be disposed only in the toilets.

e. Food items should be consumed after cleaning them properly.

Methods of Water Purification

Water becomes polluted when the waste materials disposed by us get mixed to it.
Taking a bath and washing clothes also cause water pollution. Water can be polluted

not only by human and animal activities but also by some natural processes. The
52 Health & Physical Education, Class-8