Environmental Sanitation (ES)

• refers to all factors available in the environment affecting the health of the individual or population
• the Environmental Health Service (EHS) of DOH is responsible for:
1. Promotion of healthy environmental conditions & prevention of environmental related diseases through appropriate sanitation strategies
2. Promotion & implementation of sanitation programs through the Department of Health Field Health Units
3. Conceptualization of new programs/projects to contend with emerging environmentally related health problems
• regulated by PD 856: Comprehensive Sanitation Code of the Philippines

Factors Covered by Sanitation Code

Immediate Concern of PHN:

1. Food Sanitation
2. Garbage Disposal
3. Sources of Disease-PHN is concerned with eradication of insects, rodents, flies & mosquitoes & cockroaches
4. Toilet
• Two Considerations in constructing toilets:
1. Construct at a distance of 25-30 meters from identified source of water like deep well, faucet, etc.
2. Construct at a level lower than the source of water
• Role of RSI:
1. Locate the source of water
2. Construct a toilet for community use
5. Water Sanitation Potable-free from any particles that might cause illness to an individual Ways to make Water Potable:
1. Boiling: minimum of 3 minutes to maximum of 10 minutes for drinking
2. Sterilization: 30 minutes after the water starts to boil
3. Filtration: makes use of filter paper or cotton cloth to separate solid particle from liquid if water comes from river
4. Coagulation/Flocculation: uses aluminum crystal (tawas) that collects or absorbs particles from liquid part & becomes slimy In 1 gallon of water, drop tawas (the size of magi cubes) & allow to stand for 6-8 hours Initially, water appears to be cloudy then after 6-8 hours of standing, the water becomes clear
5. Chlorination: uses 100% pure concentrated chlorine bought from botika or given free by health centers To prepare stock solution (SS): in 1 liter drinking water, add 1 tablespoon of concentrated chlorine which is potent for 3-4 months To prepare the chlorinated water: in 2 ½ gallons of drinking water (10,000 ml=10 liters), add 1 tablespoon from the prepared stock solution & let it stand for 30 minutes to react with water
• 1 gallon=4 liters
• 10 liters is good for use of family of 5 & good for 3 days only
• On the 4th day, larvae are present to become mosquitoes that causes dengue so it’s not good for drinking
• Prepare chlorinated water everyday
6. Fluoridation: adding fluoride to prevent dental caries (primary significance) & whitens enamel of teeth ( 2nd significance)
7. Aeration: exposing drinking water in air to strengthen taste within 24 hours which is usually used in uphill areas where there’s less or no pollution

Beyond PHN Responsibilities:

6. Pollution: Water, Noise, Air: RA 8749-Clean Air Act=a program of DENR supported by MMDA (Smoke Belchers) & LTO (Emission Testing)
7. Plumbing: a responsibility of DPWH
8. Institutional Sanitation: establishments who employ professional prostitute requires license given by DOH from their employees
• DOH created a center that caters for STD Prevention which requires employees who are at risk to have a certificate that they are free from STD & monitored once in 6 months
• 4 C’s to prevent STD: Compliance, Counseling, Contact training & use of Condom
9. Hospital Waste Management: RA 4226-Hospital Licensure Act monitors the hospital license & proper management of wastes as well as renewal of license to operate
• Color Coding of Bin to keep Waste:
• Green : wet waste--- non pathological waste
• Black : dry waste---
• Yellow : infectious/pathological waste like blood, sputum, urine, feces & gauze
• Orange : toxic/hazardous waste
10. Ecological Solid Waste Management: RA 9003-the use of incinerator approved in 2000 but was implemented in 2003 because of lack of funding to purchase Dioxin: a toxic substance emitted from burning of solid waste when inhaled by a breastfeeding mother, her milk will be contaminated→ cancer of the blood of the child

Sanitary Ways of Treating Garbage as taught to the Population:

1. Segregation-separating biodegradable from non biodegradable
2. Collection-adherence to the proper collection time→ the City of Manila coordinates with Leonel Waste Management (a private firm which collects garbage) where the truck driver coordinates with the Barangay Chairman on the time they will collect garbage so don’t bring out garbage before the collection time
3. Dumping in official site: PD 825-improper waste (garbage) disposal→ fine of P1,000 & minimum imprisonment of 7 days
4. Burying-if area is accessible
5. Composting-has dual purpose:
1. Sanitary disposal
2. Compost is used as fertilizer