EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON HEALTH
Pollution means introduction of contaminants to the environment which cause adverse effects. It can be in the form of chemical substances or as noise, heat or light.
MAJOR FORMS OF POLLUTION
Air pollution
Light pollution
Noise pollution
Soil contamination
Radioactive contamination
Thermal pollution
Water pollution
All the above forms have ill effects on nature and human health.
EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON HEALTH
The following are some of the reported effects of pollution on humans, causing not only physical disabilities but also psychological and behavioral disorders in people.
Effects of Air Pollution:
Adverse air quality cause many health hazards. Ozone layer is depleted due to the polluted air, which can cause skin diseases. Older people, children and infants are majorly exposed to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are at additional risk too.
We face the following listed problems -
- Reduced lung functioning, Asthma attacks, bronchitis, coughing, wheezing, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion
- Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth, and throat
- Reduced energy levels, Headaches and dizziness
- Disruption of endocrine, reproductive and immune systems
- Neurobehavioral disorders
- Cardiovascular problems
- Cancer
- Premature death
Effects of Water Pollution:
Water get polluted as a result of interaction between water and contaminated soil, as well as from deposition of air contaminants (such as acid rain).
Water borne illness is caused by drinking contaminated water or using untreated sewage water.
Diseases caused by polluted water -
- Typhoid, Amoebiasis, Giardiasis, Ascariasis, Hookworm
- Skin irritations and rashes, ear ache, pink eye
- Respiratory infections
- Hepatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach aches
- Cancer, such as prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Hormonal problems that can disrupt reproductive and developmental processes
- Damage to the nervous system
- Liver and kidney damage
- Damage to the DNA
Effects of Noise pollution:
Induces hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance.
Effects of Soil Pollution:
Contaminated soil can directly or indirectly (by inhaling soil contaminants which have vaporized) cause health problems. Soil pollution may also result from secondary contamination of water supplies and from deposition of air contaminants (eg. via acid rain). Since it is closely linked to water pollution, many effects of soil contamination appear to be similar to the ones caused by contaminated water.
Health illness caused by polluted soil -
- Causes cancers including leukaemia
- Neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system
- Also causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash
Exposure to Chemicals:
Chemical and radioactive substances can cause cancer as well as birth defects.
Side effects of Heavy metals (like Mercury & Lead) –
>In the womb, may cause neurological problems including slower reflexes, learning deficits, delayed or incomplete mental development, autism and brain damage.
> In adults, cause Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and even death.
Lead in soil is especially hazardous for young children causing developmental damage to the brain.
Mercury can increase the risk of kidney damage; cyclodienes can lead to liver toxicity.
Damage to people may be caused by fish foods coming from polluted water (an example is high mercury levels in fish).
Contamination of crops grown in polluted soil or vegetable crops grown/washed with polluted water brings up problems.
To know more about the latest update on this treatment protocol and treating centers offering the same as well as
for getting your reports reviewed, post a query