The Sanitary Engineering Board Exam includes a vital section on Public Health Engineering, specifically focusing on Health Risk Assessment (HRA). This topic ensures that aspiring sanitary engineers can evaluate and mitigate risks associated with environmental exposures, protecting public health and safety. The review covers three essential areas:
1. Identification and Assessment of Health Risks
Health risk assessment involves identifying potential hazards in the environment that may affect human health. This includes chemical, biological, and physical contaminants found in water, air, and soil. Sanitary engineers must analyze exposure pathways, such as ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, to determine the risk level posed by pollutants. Understanding dose-response relationships and risk characterization is essential in assessing the severity of health impacts.
2. Methods for Evaluating and Managing Health Risks
Sanitary engineers must be proficient in qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods. Techniques such as toxicity testing, exposure modeling, and epidemiologic studies help determine potential health hazards. Risk management strategies include pollution control measures, sanitation improvements, and water treatment processes to minimize exposure to harmful substances. Engineers must also be familiar with conducting environmental impact assessments (EIA) and applying the precautionary principle in sanitation projects.
3. Public Health Policies and Regulations
A strong grasp of public health laws, environmental regulations, and sanitation standards in the Philippines is crucial. Engineers must understand policies such as the Clean Water Act, Environmental Code, and Safe Drinking Water Regulations to ensure compliance and effective risk mitigation.
SANITARY ENGINEER REVIEWER
Welcome to our Sanitary Engineer Reviewer. In this session, you'll have the opportunity to test your understanding of key concepts in Health Risk Assessment. The quiz consists of multiple-choice questions covering various topics. Pay close attention to each question and select the best answer. After completing the exam, check the video or the answer key and explanations at the last part.
Identification and Assessment of Health Risks Associated with Environmental Exposures
1. What is the first step in a health risk assessment?
A. Risk characterization
B. Hazard identification
C. Exposure assessment
D. Risk management
2. Which of the following is an example of a biological hazard in environmental health?
A. Lead in drinking water
B. Pesticide residues in food
C. Bacteria in untreated wastewater
D. Carbon monoxide from vehicles
3. What is the primary route of human exposure to heavy metals in contaminated drinking water?
A. Inhalation
B. Dermal absorption
C. Ingestion
D. Injection
4. Which of the following is NOT a factor in determining the severity of an environmental health risk?
A. Dose of exposure
B. Duration of exposure
C. Individual sensitivity
D. Public opinion
5. Which type of chemical hazard is commonly found in industrial wastewater and can cause long-term health effects?
A. Bacteria
B. Heavy metals
C. Pollen
D. Carbon dioxide
6. Which pollutant is most commonly associated with indoor air quality concerns?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Ozone
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. Sulfur dioxide
7. Which environmental exposure is most associated with respiratory diseases like asthma?
A. Noise pollution
B. Groundwater contamination
C. Airborne particulate matter (PM2.5)
D. Plastic waste
8. What is the primary health risk associated with prolonged exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water?
A. Liver failure
B. Skin cancer
C. Hypertension
D. Diabetes
9. Which of the following groups is most vulnerable to environmental health risks?
A. Young adults
B. Elderly individuals and children
C. Middle-aged workers
D. Healthy athletes
10. Which of the following pollutants is a major cause of waterborne diseases?
A. Nitrates
B. Pesticides
C. Pathogenic bacteria
D. Heavy metals
Methods for Evaluating and Managing Health Risks
11. Which step in health risk assessment determines how much of a hazard people are exposed to?
A. Risk characterization
B. Exposure assessment
C. Risk communication
D. Hazard control
12. Which statistical tool is commonly used in public health studies to determine exposure-disease relationships?
A. T-test
B. Regression analysis
C. ANOVA
D. Standard deviation
13. What is the most effective method for controlling health risks from industrial air pollution?
A. Installing air filters
B. Relocating affected populations
C. Reducing emissions at the source
D. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
14. Which approach is commonly used to assess the cumulative impact of multiple environmental hazards?
A. Dose-response assessment
B. Aggregate risk assessment
C. Single-exposure analysis
D. Community health surveys
15. Which regulation governs drinking water quality in the Philippines?
A. Clean Air Act
B. Philippine Environmental Code
C. Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW)
D. Solid Waste Management Act
16. What is the primary goal of risk communication in public health?
A. To inform policymakers only
B. To provide technical data to scientists
C. To educate and inform the public about health risks
D. To promote industrial activities
17. What is the key principle of risk management in environmental health?
A. Risk should be eliminated completely
B. Risks should be reduced to acceptable levels
C. Risk assessment is unnecessary
D. Public perception should dictate policy
18. Which of the following is a proactive approach to managing health risks?
A. Responding only after an outbreak occurs
B. Preventing exposure through regulations and controls
C. Treating affected individuals
D. Waiting for community complaints
19. Which risk assessment method is used to predict the impact of a pollutant on human health?
A. Hazard identification
B. Dose-response assessment
C. Epidemiological study
D. Risk communication
20. What is the most important factor in setting environmental exposure limits?
A. Cost-effectiveness
B. Public concern
C. Scientific evidence of health effects
D. Economic impact
Public Health Policies and Regulations
21. Which law in the Philippines governs the management of solid waste to protect public health and the environment?
A. Clean Water Act
B. Clean Air Act
C. Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
D. Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Act
22. Which agency is responsible for enforcing water quality standards in the Philippines?
A. Department of Agriculture (DA)
B. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
D. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
23. What is the primary goal of the Philippine Clean Air Act (RA 8749)?
A. Regulate air travel
B. Promote waste incineration
C. Reduce air pollution and improve air quality
D. Manage solid waste disposal
24. Which law sets drinking water standards to ensure safe and potable water for Filipinos?
A. RA 9003
B. PD 856
C. RA 9275
D. PD 1067
25. What is the main purpose of the Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223)?
A. Provide free healthcare services to all Filipinos
B. Eliminate private hospitals
C. Improve road safety regulations
D. Limit the number of healthcare workers
26. Which regulation governs the safe management of hazardous waste in the Philippines?
A. RA 9003
B. RA 6969
C. RA 8749
D. PD 1152
27. Which public health regulation requires food establishments to comply with sanitation and hygiene standards?
A. RA 9275
B. PD 856
C. RA 9512
D. RA 10068
28. Which agency is responsible for regulating and monitoring public health in the Philippines?
A. Department of Health (DOH)
B. Department of Transportation (DOTr)
C. Department of Agriculture (DA)
D. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
29. What is the primary goal of the Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275)?
A. Regulate drinking water prices
B. Prevent and control water pollution
C. Promote mining activities
D. Reduce deforestation
30. Which regulation promotes sustainable environmental education and awareness among Filipinos?
A. RA 9512
B. RA 6969
C. RA 9275
D. RA 10068
ANSWER KEY HERE