Which of the following is described as an environmental risk factor?

• A. Living near toxic waste disposal sites
• B. Sunbathing
• C. Heart disease
• D. Kidney disease

Answer: (A)

Environmental risk factors are conditions in the surrounding environment that increase the chance of health problems. Living near toxic waste disposal sites exposes people to hazardous chemicals through air, water, and soil, making it a clear environmental risk factor. Sunbathing is a personal behavior that increases risk for skin cancer due to UV exposure, so it’s a behavioral/lifestyle risk rather than an environmental exposure. Heart disease and kidney disease are health conditions, not environmental exposures, though they have their own set of risk factors.