2023
Human Biomonitoring
Name: Human Biomonitoring
Code: BIO13895L
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Biological Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
This is an optional unit directed at the 3rd year of Human Biology. It aims to endow students with nuclear knowledge for a Biological Sciences Professional, by creating, given the current state of events, a strong collective and individual identification with the subject matter.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Define the major sources of biological, chemical and physical agents found in water, air, soil, and food.
Identify major current and historic environmental health hazards, and describe the various approaches to identifying and studying these hazards.
Understand chemical and pathogen routes of exposure, toxic mechanisms of action, and the link to human health impacts.
Understand the collection methods, validation and application of human biomonitoring data.
Describe the role of Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Risk Communication paradigms in the prevention, detection, management, control, and removal of hazardous agents present in human environments.
Understand the existing national and international regulatory framework and policy for controlling environmental agents.
Define the major sources of biological, chemical and physical agents found in water, air, soil, and food.
Identify major current and historic environmental health hazards, and describe the various approaches to identifying and studying these hazards.
Understand chemical and pathogen routes of exposure, toxic mechanisms of action, and the link to human health impacts.
Understand the collection methods, validation and application of human biomonitoring data.
Describe the role of Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Risk Communication paradigms in the prevention, detection, management, control, and removal of hazardous agents present in human environments.
Understand the existing national and international regulatory framework and policy for controlling environmental agents.
Contents
Introduction to Environmental Health and Human Biomonitoring.
Overview of biological, chemical and physical environmental factors
Exposure Assessment.
Linking Exposure to Health.
Effects-Dose-Response.
Toxicology and Environmental disease.
Air Pollution.
Case study: Exposure to Diesel Exhaust.
Built Environment.
Case study: Indoor pollution (fungi, chemicals) and Health Risk.
Water Pollution.
Case Study: Pharmaceuticals, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and Nanomaterials in the aquatic medium.
Hazardous Waste.
Case Study: e-waste.
Climate Change and Global Health.
Case study: Zoonotic Diseases- the transference of microbiological agents between animals and man.
Food Safety.
Case Study: Somethings Fishy- Mercury in my Seafood.
Biomarkers: utility, classification and application.
Risk Assessment and Management.
One Health and the Ecological Model in Human Health.
Overview of biological, chemical and physical environmental factors
Exposure Assessment.
Linking Exposure to Health.
Effects-Dose-Response.
Toxicology and Environmental disease.
Air Pollution.
Case study: Exposure to Diesel Exhaust.
Built Environment.
Case study: Indoor pollution (fungi, chemicals) and Health Risk.
Water Pollution.
Case Study: Pharmaceuticals, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and Nanomaterials in the aquatic medium.
Hazardous Waste.
Case Study: e-waste.
Climate Change and Global Health.
Case study: Zoonotic Diseases- the transference of microbiological agents between animals and man.
Food Safety.
Case Study: Somethings Fishy- Mercury in my Seafood.
Biomarkers: utility, classification and application.
Risk Assessment and Management.
One Health and the Ecological Model in Human Health.
Teaching Methods
Lectures will be centered in oral exposure supported by audio-visual media, with constant stimulation of students participation and the presentation of case-studies, based in scientific papers.
Theoretical-practical classes will consist on the introduction of state-of-the-art papers previously prepared by the class. These papers will be presented by a group of students which will be in charge of stimulating discussion by formulating specific questions (moderated by the teacher).
Evaluation (maximum of 20 points):
Theoretical (15 points- 75%) Average of two tests or a final exam.
Evaluation of the paper presentation, the dynamics imparted to the discussion and the quality of the questions used to do so (4 points 20% - lack of the paper presentation will imply failure in the course).
Evaluation of the case-study preparation and commitment to the discussion (answering the specific questions) (1 point- 5%).
Theoretical-practical classes will consist on the introduction of state-of-the-art papers previously prepared by the class. These papers will be presented by a group of students which will be in charge of stimulating discussion by formulating specific questions (moderated by the teacher).
Evaluation (maximum of 20 points):
Theoretical (15 points- 75%) Average of two tests or a final exam.
Evaluation of the paper presentation, the dynamics imparted to the discussion and the quality of the questions used to do so (4 points 20% - lack of the paper presentation will imply failure in the course).
Evaluation of the case-study preparation and commitment to the discussion (answering the specific questions) (1 point- 5%).
Teaching Staff
- Ana Catarina Almeida Sousa [responsible]
Certificações
