Pollution
Effects of pollution on Human Health are extremely alarming. There are many diseases that can bring about a host of potentially fatal illnesses. From chronic bronchitis to lung cancer, air pollution has the potential to raise the risk of illness.
Air pollution and its link to the respiratory system is quite obvious. However, air pollution is also known to affect the circulatory system and the nervous system. When particular matter enters the nasal cavity, the lining gets irritated and the body may mistake it for an infection. This causes an inflammatory response, which can result in the exacerbation of any pre-existing conditions.
What are the Consequences of Pollution on Human Health?
Human health is also severely affected by particulates in the atmosphere. The particulates can cause nasal irritation and swelling. It can also cause a runny nose.
Air pollution is additionally linked to lung damage and limited lung function
Air pollution can also have an inflammatory effect on the heart – it can elevate blood pressure and aggravate pre-existing conditions of the heart.
The risk of death significantly increases with long term exposure to polluted air. For instance, people susceptible to heart diseases are at higher risk.
Most Causes of pollution are often mainly attributed to anthropogenic causes. This means humans are liable for causing pollution. Water pollution is often defined because of the introduction of pollutants into a body of water. These can cause detrimental effects on the organisms that live in the water body or interact with the water. However, the causes of pollution can occur from natural processes or phenomena too.
Causes and Effects of Air Pollution
The Burning of Fossil Fuel
When we burn fossil fuels, such as coal or oil, carbon monoxide gets released into the air and pollutes the air we breathe. When we inhale the toxic air, it deteriorates our heart’s ability to pump the oxygen and leads to various respiratory illnesses
Industrial Emission
When the industry doesn't follow the government regulations to curb air pollution, several pollutants get released into the air. From nitrogen oxide to carbon monoxide, these gases are harmful to human health. It can lead to irritation in the eyes, throat, breathing and more.
Wildfire
Today, climate change should be taken on priority as it is not just deteriorating the environment, but also causing population problems. Wildfires occur because of climate change, which causes smog, burns forest and causes damage. This also leads to difficulty in breathing, throat, and more.
Open Burning of Garbage Waste
Even today, open burning of garbage is a practice that is used in major cities. If we take the example of India's capital, Delhi, it generates about 9500 tons of waste every day and this gets burned, which leads to various health issues, such as liver issues, problems with reproductive functions, problems with the immune system, and more.
Use of Chemicals and Transportation
Use of chemical infused products and vehicle pollution can cause the release of harmful pollutants into the air. When vehicle pollution becomes excessive, it can create a hole in the ozone layer, which leads to smog and other various health issues.
Causes of Water Pollution
Water is able to dissolve many substances, hence it is called the universal solvent. This is an equivalent reason why pollution occurs easily. Following are the causes of water pollution:
Sewage and Wastewater
Many people put their waste directly into water bodies. Moreover, households may use septic tanks, which eventually infiltrate into the soil, causing pollution of groundwater which is not served by municipal treatment plants.
Industrial Effluents and Industrial Usage
Some industries may directly pump their untreated wastes into water bodies like rivers. Moreover, various industries also use water as a coolant, thereby causing pollution . Increased water temperatures can cause a reduction in the levels of oxygen; which can cause the death of fish and other organisms.
Eutrophication
Eutrophication is caused when large quantities of nutrients are introduced into a body of water, causing the rapid growth of algae. This can decrease the oxygen level within the water, rendering the fish unable to breathe. Moreover, this phenomenon also can introduce dangerous toxins into the water body, which may harm or kill most organisms, including humans
Deforestation
Deforestation can cause soil erosion. When these loose soil particles enter a water body, they will make the water murky. This can make the water very misty as it also has the capability to cause mechanical damage to aquatic organisms, (such as sand particles getting stuck in gills).
Agricultural Run-Offs
Agricultural run-offs include fertilizers and other chemicals which will make the water toxic. Moreover, some of these fertilizers can induce eutrophication.
Accidents
Accidents can involve events such as leaks and oil spills. Oil spills, in particular, are very damaging to the environment and aquatic life. It occurs when large oil tankers, barges or drilling rigs are involved in accidents. The most well-known oil spill was that of the troubled Horizon, which occurred on 20th April 2010.
Causes and Effects of Noise Pollution
Man-Made Noise Pollution
Industrialization, poor urban planning, transportation and more lead to noise pollution. While slight noise can be okay for the human ears, when the noise goes from 30-140 dB it is very harmful for the humans. Right from headaches, problems with the vision, it can lead to various issues.
Environmental Noise Pollution
Environmental noise pollution is what occurs naturally. If it goes beyond 140 dB, it can adversely affect human health. Some of the examples of environmental noise pollution include thunderstorms, sounds from animals, and more.
FAQs on Effects of Pollution on Human Health
1. What are the major types of pollution that affect human health?
The main types of pollution with significant impacts on human health are:
- Air Pollution: Caused by the release of harmful substances like particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust.
- Water Pollution: Occurs when pollutants from industrial discharge, sewage, agricultural runoff, and oil spills contaminate water bodies.
- Noise Pollution: Results from excessive noise from transportation, industrial activities, and urban environments, measured in decibels (dB).
2. What are the primary effects of air pollution on the respiratory system?
Air pollution directly harms the respiratory system, leading to a range of health issues. Inhaling pollutants like particulate matter (PM) and toxic gases can cause:
- Irritation and inflammation of the nasal passages and throat.
- Reduced lung function and aggravation of conditions like asthma.
- Increased risk of chronic bronchitis and other long-term respiratory illnesses.
- In severe cases, long-term exposure can contribute to lung cancer.
3. How does water pollution specifically impact human health?
Water pollution poses a direct threat to human health, primarily through contamination. Key impacts include:
- Infectious Diseases: Sewage and wastewater can introduce pathogens into drinking water, causing diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
- Toxic Exposure: Industrial chemicals and heavy metals dumped into water can enter the human body through consumption, leading to poisoning, organ damage, and problems with reproductive functions.
- Eutrophication Effects: While indirect, the toxins produced by algal blooms in eutrophic waters can contaminate fish and water sources, harming humans upon exposure.
4. What is eutrophication and why is it a concern for human health?
Eutrophication is the process where a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, typically from agricultural runoff containing fertilisers. This triggers a rapid growth of algae, known as an algal bloom. It is a health concern because these blooms can deplete oxygen in the water, killing fish, and some algae can produce dangerous toxins that contaminate the water, making it unsafe for human consumption and harmful to anyone who consumes fish from that water body.
5. How can noise pollution, an often-overlooked pollutant, affect us?
While not a chemical substance, excessive noise pollution (typically above 85-90 dB) can cause significant health problems. The constant stress on the body can lead to physiological and psychological issues, including headaches, elevated blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. High-intensity noise can also cause permanent hearing damage.
6. Beyond the lungs, how does air pollution affect other organ systems like the heart and brain?
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from air pollution is small enough to enter the bloodstream after being inhaled. This can trigger systemic inflammation throughout the body. In the cardiovascular system, this inflammation can aggravate pre-existing heart conditions, increase blood pressure, and heighten the risk of heart attacks. There is also emerging evidence linking air pollution to effects on the nervous system, potentially impacting cognitive function.
7. Why is biomagnification considered a serious threat to human health?
Biomagnification (or bioamplification) is the increasing concentration of a toxic substance in organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain. For instance, a persistent toxin like mercury is absorbed by small aquatic organisms. When fish eat these organisms, the toxin accumulates in their tissues. When humans consume these fish, they ingest the toxin at a much higher and more dangerous concentration. This can lead to severe health outcomes, including neurological damage and developmental problems, as humans are often at the top of the food chain.
8. What is the difference in health impacts between particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants?
Both are harmful, but they affect the body differently. Particulate Matter (PM) consists of tiny solid or liquid particles that can be inhaled. Fine particles like PM2.5 are most dangerous as they penetrate deep into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream, causing systemic issues like heart and lung disease. Gaseous pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), primarily cause irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes and respiratory tract, leading to conditions like bronchitis and asthma.
9. Why are children and the elderly more vulnerable to the effects of pollution?
These two groups are more susceptible for distinct biological reasons. Children have developing respiratory and immune systems, making them less able to fight off pollutants. They also breathe more air relative to their body weight, increasing their exposure. The elderly often have pre-existing health conditions, particularly cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, which are easily worsened by pollutants. Their immune systems may also be weaker, reducing their ability to recover from pollution-induced stress.
