BY- S M MUJAHIDUL ALAM DEPUTY MANAGER BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION FORMER HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL AND TOURISM, NHTTI

1. Hazards Related To The
Environment
TGTA/DTM

2. What is a health
hazard?
A health hazard is a warning against what could
potentially adversely affect one's health. It could
come in the form of a symbol if there is a slippery
floor i.e. a yellow 'witches hat' dropped in the
middle of the wet floor.
It could also be the notice on a packet of
cigarettes.......a warning that cigarettes can
seriously damage your health. And in a more
general sense, health hazards are anything that
could cause health problems for individuals or
groups of people.
We know what many of those hazards are, and
there are many that are unknown. It is expected
that some hazards will be harder to detect, and
sometimes harder to correct.

3. Factor
 Travel
 Sun
 Altitude
 Heat & Humidity
 Bathing
 Insects
 Other Animals
 Accidents

4. Weather Injuries
 Sunburn
 Frost nip
 Exposure
 Frostbite
 Heat Exhaustion
 Heat Cramps
 Heat Stroke
 Trench Foot

5. What Causes
Sunburn
You already know the simple explanation
behind sunburn. When your skin is exposed
to the sun for a period of time, eventually it
burns, turning red and irritated.
Under the skin, things get a little more
complicated. The sun gives off three
wavelengths of ultraviolet light:
UVA
UVB
UVC
UVC light doesn't reach the Earth's surface.
The other two types of ultraviolet light not
only reach your beach towel, but they
penetrate your skin. Skin damage is caused
by both UVA and UVB rays.

6. Sunburn Symptoms
• Minor skin redness and irritation, skin turns red about 2-6
hours after exposure and feels irritated and massive fluid loss.
Other common symptoms includes, Chills, Fever, Nausea or
vomiting or both and Flu like symptoms.

7. What to do ?
1. Act Fast to Cool It Down
If you’re near a cold pool, lake or ocean, take a quick dip to cool your skin, but only for
a few seconds so you don’t prolong your exposure. Then cover up and get out of the
sun immediately. Continue to cool the burn with cold compresses. You can use ice to
make ice water for a cold compress, but don’t apply ice directly to the sunburn. Or take
a cool shower or bath, but not for too long, which can be drying, and avoid harsh soap,
which might irritate the skin even more.
2. Moisturize While Skin Is Damp
While skin is still damp, use a gentle moisturizing lotion (but not petroleum or oil-
based ointments, which may trap the heat and make the burn worse). Repeat to keep
burned or peeling skin moist over the next few days.
3. Decrease the Inflammation
At the first sign of sunburn, taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such
as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, can help with discomfort and inflammation, says Dr.
Brackeen, who practices at the Skin Cancer Institute in Lubbock, Texas. You can continue
with the NSAIDs as directed till the burn feels better. You can also use a 1 percent over-
the-counter cortisone cream as directed for a few days to help calm redness and
swelling. Aloe vera may also soothe mild burns and is generally considered safe. Wear
loose, soft, breathable clothing to avoid further skin irritation, and stay out of the sun.

8. Frost nip
Frost nip is defined as the freezing of just
the top layers of skin tissue and involves
only a small area of a cheek, earlobe,
fingers or toes. The skin will be white,
waxy and rubbery. The affected area may
be frozen; treatment involves a gentle re-
warming by placing the affected area
against warm skin, or by blowing warm air
onto it.

9. Exposure
Contact of the cells of an organism with a substance or
radiation. This may involve contact with a substance or
agent by swallowing, breathing, or through the skin or eyes.

10. Frostbite
• This injury is the result of frozen tissues. The tissues become solid.
The skin will be white, waxy and solid. When re-warmed, swelling,
discoloration and severe pain will occur.
• The following pointers will aid you in keeping warm and preventing
frostbite when it is extremely cold or when you have less than
adequate clothing:
• Face: Maintain circulation by twitching and wrinkling the skin on
your face making faces. Warm with your hands.
• Ears: Twist and move your ears. Warm with your hands
• Hands: Move your hands inside your gloves. Warm by placing your
hands close to your body.
• Feet. Move your feet and twist your toes inside your boots.

11. Frostbite

12. Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is now more correctly known as exercise-
associated collapse and is a form of heat injury, which is less severe
than heat stroke. It usually occurs after the athlete has completed
an event.
• Symptoms of heat exhaustion
• Dizziness, Headache, Fainting, Nausea or vomiting, Muscle cramps,
Paleness, Excessive sweating
• Treatment of heat exhaustion
• Lay the individual on their back with the legs raised & Give the
individual a sports drink

13. Heat cramps
Heat cramps facts
 Heat cramps are intermittent, involuntary spasms of larger muscles that
occur in an individual who is physically active in hot weather.
 Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are collectively known
as heat-related illness. Heat cramps are the least serious of the three, but
still may be very painful and alarming.
 Heat cramps usually affect the major muscles that are being stressed in a
hot environment.
 Individuals at risk for heat cramps include those who work, exercise, or are
active in a hot environment.
 Individuals with impaired temperature control mechanisms, such as
infants, young children, and the elderly, are also at a greater risk of heat
cramps.
 Heat cramps are the earliest symptoms of a heat-related illness.

14. Heatstroke
• Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a life threatening condition, which requires immediate medical
attention. Exercise in hot climates, especially those with high humidity, is a
common cause of heat stroke. Dehydration is also another common cause of heat
stroke.
• Symptoms of heatstroke
High body temperature, high pulse rate, high breathing rate, confusion, aggression,
low blood pressure, unconsciousness and coma
• How is heatstroke treated?
Place the individual in a bath of cold water for 5-10 minutes. If a cool bath is not
possible, other options include spraying the individual with cold water from a
hose, and laying towels soaked in cold water over the body. Give the athlete a cool
drink (ideally sports drink containing electrolytes) and fan them to help with
evaporation of sweat.

15. Trench Foot
Trench foot, also known as fat foot, is a medical condition caused by
prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, unsanitary and cold conditions. It
occurs when feet are cold and damp while wearing constricting footwear.
Unlike frostbit, immersion foot does not require freezing temperatures
and can occur in temperatures up to 60° Fahrenheit. Immersion foot is
easily prevented by keeping the feet warm and dry, and changing socks
frequently when the feet cannot be kept dry.
a painful condition of the feet caused by long immersion in cold water or
mud and marked by blackening and death of surface tissue.

16. Hyponatremia
• Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia is also known as fluid overload.
This occurs in hot climates when the athlete consumes too
much plain water. It is important to keep stable and adequate
levels of sodium in the body to maintain blood pressure and
aid nerve and muscle functioning. Hyponatremia can also be a
result of severe burns, heart failure, and use of diuretics,
kidney disease and liver cirrhosis. Salt tablets and sodium
containing foods can be given for treatment.
• Symptoms of hyponatremia
Fatigue, Headache, Muscle weakness, Nausea, Vomiting,
Restlessness and Confusion

17. Dehydration in Adults
 Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the loss of body fluids,
mostly water, exceeds the amount that is taken in. With dehydration,
more water is moving out of our cells and bodies than what we take in
through drinking.
 We lose water every day in the form of water vapor in the breath we
exhale and in our excreted sweat, urine, and stool. Along with the water,
small amounts of salts are also lost.
 When we lose too much water, our bodies may become out of balance or
dehydrated. Severe dehydration can lead to death.

18. Causes of Dehydration in Adults
• Fever, heat exposure, and too much exercise
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination due to infection
• Diseases such as diabetes
• The inability to seek appropriate water and food (as in the
case of a disabled person)
• An impaired ability to drink (for instance, someone in
a coma or on a respirator)
• No access to safe drinking water
• Significant injuries to skin, such as burns or mouth sores, or
severe skin diseases or infections (water is lost through the
damaged skin)

19. Symptoms of Dehydration in Adults
• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth and swollen tongue
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)
• Confusion
• Sluggishness fainting
• Fainting
• Inability to sweat
• Decreased urine output
• Urine color may indicate dehydration. If urine is concentrated and
deeply yellow or amber, you may be dehydrated.

20. How to prevent heat injury
Participate in sports and exercise in the morning or
evenings if possible. Avoid exercising in the middle of the day
when the sun is at its strongest. Drink regularly throughout
and after the exercise to avoid dehydration. Do not wait until
you feel thirsty! Wear lightweight, light colored and porous
materials to exercise in. Take more breaks than normal when
exercising in hot weather.