Environmental impact on human health

Environmental impact on human health

1. Atmospheric pollution and respiratory diseases

Atmospheric pollution, which is a complex mixture of solid particles, gases and other pollutants, has a deep effect on human health, especially on the respiratory system. Sources of air pollution are diverse, including industry, transport, agriculture and household sources. The components of atmospheric pollution, such as solid particles (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), penetrate the respiratory tract, causing inflammation, irritation and damage to tissues.

  • Exact mechanisms:

    • Solid particles (PM): PM2.5, due to their small size, penetrate deep into the lungs, reaching the alveoli and falling into the bloodstream. This can lead to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and DNA damage. PM10, although they penetrate less deeply, also cause irritation of the respiratory tract and contribute to the development of respiratory diseases.
    • Ozon (O3): O3 is a strong oxidizing agent that damages the epithelium of the respiratory tract, causing inflammation and decrease in the function of the lungs. It also increases sensitivity to other air pollutants and allergens.
    • Nitrogen dioxide (No2): No2 causes respiratory tract irritation, enhances bronchial hyperreactivity and increases susceptibility to respiratory infections.
    • Sulfur dioxide (SO2): SO2 causes narrowing of the respiratory tract, making breathing difficult, especially in people with asthma.
  • Respiratory diseases associated with air pollution:

    • Asthma: Air pollution is one of the main factors of exacerbation of asthma, increasing the frequency and severity of attacks. In children living in areas with a high level of air pollution, the risk of asthma development is much higher.
    • Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD): Long -term exposure to contaminated air contributes to the development and progression of COPD, causing chronic inflammation and damage to the lungs.
    • Lung cancer: Air pollution, especially PM2.5, is a carcinogens and increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in non -smokers.
    • Respiratory infections: Air pollution weakens the immune system of the respiratory tract, increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
  • At-risk groups:

    • Children: The respiratory system of children is not yet fully developed, and they are more susceptible to the effects of air pollutants.
    • Elderly people: With age, the function of the lungs decreases, and older people are more vulnerable to the negative effects of air pollution.
    • People with chronic respiratory diseases: People with asthma, COPD and other respiratory diseases are especially sensitive to air pollution.
    • People living in areas with a high level of air pollution: Residents of large cities, industrial zones and areas with intensive traffic are most risk.
  • Measures to reduce influence:

    • Individual measures: The use of masks, installation of air cleaners, limiting the time spent in the open air during days with a high level of air pollution.
    • Public measures: The development of public transport, the transition to environmentally friendly energy sources, the introduction of more stringent environmental standards for industry and transport.

2. Water and disease pollution

Water pollution caused by industrial waste, agricultural drains, household waste and other sources poses a serious threat to human health. Contaminated water may contain a wide range of hazardous substances, including pathogenic microorganisms, heavy metals, pesticides, nitrates and organic contaminants.

  • Pathogenic microorganisms:

    • Bacteria: Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, E. coli.
    • Viruses: Hepatitis A, polio, rotavirus infection.
    • Parasites: Lambliosis, cryptosporidiosis, amoebiasis.
    • Exact mechanisms: The ingress of pathogenic microorganisms into the body through contaminated water causes infectious diseases that can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, fever and other symptoms. In severe cases, these diseases can be fatal, especially in children and people with weakened immunity.
  • Heavy metals:

    • Lead: It affects the nervous system, especially in children, causing a delay in development, a decrease in intelligence and behavioral problems.
    • Mercury: It affects the nervous system, causing neurological disorders, problems with coordination and memory.
    • Arsenic: Carcinogen increases the risk of developing skin cancer, lung, bladder and other organs.
    • KADMY: It affects the kidneys and bones, causing renal failure and osteoporosis.
    • Exact mechanisms: Heavy metals accumulate in the body over time, having a toxic effect on various organs and systems. They can violate enzyme systems, damage DNA and cause chronic diseases.
  • Pesticides:

    • Organochloride pesticides (DDT, Dildrin): They accumulate in adipose tissue, have an endocrine-destructive effect, increase the risk of cancer and disrupt the reproductive function.
    • Organophosphate pesticides: Inhibit acetylcholinersterase, causing neurological disorders, muscle weakness and paralysis.
    • Carbamate pesticides: Inhibit acetylcholinersterase, causing similar symptoms as organophosphate pesticides.
    • Exact mechanisms: Pesticides can enter the body through contaminated water, food and air. They have a toxic effect on the nervous system, the endocrine system and the immune system.
  • Nitrate:

    • Exact mechanisms: A high level of nitrates in drinking water can cause methemoglobinemia, especially in babies, which leads to a decrease in the ability of blood to transfer oxygen. Nitrates can also be transformed into nitrites in the gastrointestinal tract, which can react with amines, forming carcinogenic nitrosamines.
  • Organic pollutants:

    • Polychlorified bifeniles (PHB): They accumulate in adipose tissue, have an endocrine-destructive effect, increase the risk of cancer and disrupt the reproductive function.
    • Dioxins: They are formed during waste burning, have high toxicity, accumulate in adipose tissue, have an endocrine-destructive effect, increase the risk of cancer and disrupt the immune system.
    • Pharmaceuticals: They fall into water through wastewater, affect the endocrine system and can cause the development of resistance to antibiotics.
    • Microplastic: It pollutes water bodies, enters the human body through drinking water and food, and potentially has toxic effects.
    • Exact mechanisms: Organic pollutants can enter the body through contaminated water, food and air. They have a toxic effect on various organs and systems, including an endocrine system, immune system and nervous system.
  • At-risk groups:

    • Children: They are more susceptible to pollutants due to higher water consumption per kilogram of body weight and immature immune system.
    • Pregnant women: Pollutants can penetrate through the placenta and have a negative effect on the development of the fetus.
    • People with weakened immunity: More susceptible to infectious diseases transmitted through water.
    • People living in areas with poor sanitation: They are subjected to increased risk of infectious infectious diseases transmitted through water.
  • Measures to reduce influence:

    • Ensuring access to pure drinking water: Installation of water filters, boiling water, the use of bottled water.
    • Improving sanitation: Construction and maintenance of sanitary facilities, such as toilets and sewage.
    • Warm cleaning: Installation of wastewater cleaning stations to remove pollutants.
    • Control over industrial and agricultural drains: The introduction of more stringent environmental standards for industry and agriculture.
    • Limiting the use of pesticides and other chemicals: The transition to environmentally friendly agricultural methods.

3. Soil pollution and food poisoning

Soil pollution caused by industrial waste, agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, household waste and other sources can lead to pollution of food and food poisoning. Contaminated soil may contain heavy metals, pesticides, pathogenic microorganisms and other dangerous substances that can fall into plants, animals and, ultimately, into the human body.

  • Heavy metals: Heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, can accumulate in plants grown on contaminated soil. Eating these plants can lead to chronic poisoning with heavy metals, which can cause various diseases, including damage to the nervous system, kidneys and bones.

  • Pesticides: Pesticides used in agriculture can pollute the soil and enter the plants. Eating plants containing pesticides can lead to acute and chronic poisoning, causing neurological disorders, liver and kidney damage, as well as increasing the risk of cancer.

  • Pathogenic microorganisms: Contaminated soil may contain pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites that can enter the plants and pollute food. Eating polluted foods can lead to infectious diseases such as salmonellosis, esherchiosis and hepatitis A.

  • Other pollutants: Soil pollution can also be caused by other substances, such as oil products, polychlorified bipheniles (PHB) and dioxins. These substances can fall into plants and animals consumed, and have a toxic effect on the human body.

  • Exact mechanisms: Pollutants from the soil can enter the human body through:

    • Eating polluted plants and animals: Plants grown on polluted soil can accumulate heavy metals, pesticides and other pollutants. Animals feeding on polluted plants can also accumulate these substances in their fabrics.
    • Direct contact with contaminated soil: Children playing in contaminated soil can swallow the soil containing pollutants.
    • Inhalation of contaminated dust: Dust formed from contaminated soil may contain heavy metals, pesticides and other pollutants that may fall into the lungs when inhaled.
    • Drinking water pollution: Polluted soil can pollute groundwater, which are used as a source of drinking water.
  • At-risk groups:

    • Children: They are more susceptible to pollutants due to higher food consumption per kilogram of body weight and an immature immune system.
    • Pregnant women: Pollutants can penetrate through the placenta and have a negative effect on the development of the fetus.
    • People working in agriculture: Are exposed to increased risk of pesticides and other chemicals.
    • People living near industrial facilities and landfills: They are exposed to increased risk of heavy metals and other pollutants.
  • Measures to reduce influence:

    • Cleaning polluted soil: The use of soil cleaning methods, such as spelllessness (use of plants to remove pollutants from the soil), chemical processing and burial of contaminated soil.
    • Control over the use of pesticides and fertilizers: The transition to environmentally friendly agricultural methods, such as organic farming and integrated plant protection.
    • Improving sanitation: Ensuring the appropriate collection and disposal of waste to prevent soil pollution.
    • Soil quality monitoring: Regular monitoring of the quality of the soil to identify pollution and take measures to eliminate it.
    • Careful food processing: Washing vegetables and fruits before eating to remove the remains of pesticides and other pollutants.

4. Noise pollution and health

Noise pollution, which is an undesirable or harmful noise, has a negative effect on human health, causing physiological and psychological problems. Sources of noise pollution are diverse, including transport, industry, construction, entertainment and household appliances.

  • Exact mechanisms: The noise affects the human body through hearing organs, causing a stressful reaction that activates the sympathetic nervous system and releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Long-term noise can lead to chronic stress, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular diseases and other health problems.

  • Physiological effects:

    • Hearing loss: Long -term exposure to loud noise can lead to damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, causing an irreversible hearing loss.
    • Cardiovascular diseases: Noise increases blood pressure, increases the heart rate and causes narrowing of blood vessels, increasing the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke.
    • Sleep disorders: Noise can break the dream, making it difficult to fall asleep, causing frequent awakening and reducing the quality of sleep. The lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, irritability, a decrease in concentration of attention and memory worsening.
    • Hormonal disorders: Noise increases the level of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to chronic stress, metabolic disorders and weakening the immune system.
  • Psychological effects:

    • Stress and irritability: Noise can cause stress, irritability, anxiety and depression.
    • Reducing concentration of attention and memory: Noise can complicate the concentration of attention and memorization of information, which can negatively affect the academic performance in school and performance at work.
    • Disorders of communication: Noise can complicate communication, especially in noisy places, which can lead to social isolation and depression.
  • At-risk groups:

    • Children: They are more susceptible to noise, since their hearing organs are not yet fully developed. Noise can negatively affect the development of speech, teaching and behavior of children.
    • Elderly people: With age, hearing decreases, and elderly people are more vulnerable to negative noise.
    • People working in noisy conditions: Employees of industrial enterprises, construction sites, airports and other noisy places are at increased risk of hearing loss and other health problems associated with noise.
    • People living near noisy places: Residents of large cities, areas with intensive traffic and industrial zones are at increased risk of noise.
  • Measures to reduce influence:

    • Reduced noise level: The use of noise -absorbing materials, the installation of noise -protective screens, restriction of the speed of traffic, the use of less noisy equipment and equipment.
    • Individual protection measures: The use of Berusha or headphones to protect hearing organs in noisy conditions, avoiding noisy places, creating a quiet atmosphere of the house and at work.
    • Legislative regulation: The adoption of laws and regulatory acts governing the level of noise and establish the requirements for noise protection.
    • Education and informing: Conducting educational campaigns to increase the knowledge of the population about the negative impact of noise on health and ways to reduce it.

5. Climate change and health

Climate change caused by human activities has an increasingly pronounced effect on human health, leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena, the spread of infectious diseases, and the deterioration of air and water quality, as well as to violation of food safety.

  • Exact mechanisms: Climate change affects human health through various mechanisms, including:

    • Extreme weather phenomena: Increase in temperature, droughts, floods, hurricanes and other extreme weather phenomena lead to injuries, diseases and death, as well as to the movement of the population and infrastructure disorders.
    • Distribution of infectious diseases: Climate change affects the spread of infectious diseases, such as malaria, denge, the fever of the Western Nile and Lyme’s disease, changing the areas of carriers and increasing the duration of the transmission seasons.
    • Deterioration of air and water quality: An increase in temperature contributes to the formation of ozone in the surface layer of the atmosphere, which can lead to respiratory diseases. Droughts and floods can pollute drinking water sources, increasing the risk of infectious diseases.
    • Violation of food security: Climate change can lead to a decrease in agricultural crop yields, which can lead to malnutrition and hunger.
    • Mental health: Extreme weather phenomena and other consequences of climate change can cause stress, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders.
  • Diseases associated with climate change:

    • Thermal blow: An increase in temperature can lead to a thermal impact, which is a life -threatening state characterized by high body temperature, dizziness, nausea and loss of consciousness.
    • Respiratory diseases: An increase in temperature contributes to the formation of ozone in the surface layer of the atmosphere, which can lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma and hobble.
    • Infectious diseases: Climate change affects the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria, deenge, the fever of the Western Nile and Lyme’s disease.
    • Aqueous diseases: Droughts and floods can pollute the sources of drinking water, increasing the risk of infectious diseases transmitted through water, such as cholera and dysentery.
    • Non -dubbing and hunger: Climate change can lead to a decrease in agricultural crop yields, which can lead to malnutrition and hunger.
    • Mental disorders: Extreme weather phenomena and other consequences of climate change can cause stress, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders.
  • At-risk groups:

    • Children: More susceptible to the effects of extreme weather phenomena and infectious diseases.
    • Elderly people: They are more vulnerable to the thermal impact and other consequences of fever.
    • People with chronic diseases: People with cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes are more vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.
    • People living in poor countries: They are exposed to increased risk of extreme weather phenomena, infectious diseases and malnutrition.
  • Measures to reduce influence:

    • Sitting the consequences of climate change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, increased energy efficiency.
    • Adaptation to climate change: Construction of resistant to climatic changes in infrastructure, development of early warning systems about extreme weather phenomena, improvement of health and food security systems.
    • International cooperation: Joint efforts to combat climate change, assistance to developing countries in adaptation to climate change.
    • Increased awareness: Conducting educational campaigns to increase the knowledge of the population about climate change and its consequences for health.

6. Urbanization and health

Urbanization, the process of increasing the share of the population living in cities, has a complex and multifaceted effect on human health. On the one hand, cities offer access to better healthcare, education and employment. On the other hand, urbanization is often associated with air pollution, noise pollution, lack of green zones, an unhealthy way of life and social inequality, which negatively affects the health of citizens.

  • Positive aspects of urbanization:

    • Access to healthcare: Cities, as a rule, have more medical institutions and qualified medical workers than rural areas, which provides the best access to medical care.
    • Access to education: Cities offer more educational opportunities, including schools, universities and vocational schools, which helps to increase the level of education of the population.
    • Access to employment: Cities offer more jobs than rural areas, which improves the economic situation of the population.
    • Access to cultural and entertainment events: Cities offer a wide range of cultural and entertainment events, which helps to improve the quality of life of citizens.
  • Negative aspects of urbanization:

    • Air pollution: Cities often face a high level of air pollution caused by transport, industry and household sources, which leads to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and other health problems.
    • Noise pollution: The cities are usually noisier than rural areas, which can lead to sleep disturbances, stress, irritability and other health problems.
    • Lack of green zones: Cities often suffer from a lack of green zones, such as parks and gardens, which negatively affects the mental and physical health of citizens.
    • An unhealthy lifestyle: The city lifestyle is often associated with unhealthy nutrition, low physical activity and alcohol abuse and tobacco, which increases the risk of chronic diseases.
    • Social inequality: Cities are often characterized by a high level of social inequality, which can lead to stress, depression and other health problems.
    • Overpopulation: Overpopulation can lead to the spread of infectious diseases, a lack of housing and a deterioration in sanitary conditions.
    • Availability of housing: The increase in housing prices can lead to the fact that people are forced to live in adverse conditions, such as crowded apartments and slums, which increases the risk of diseases.
  • Measures to reduce the negative impact of urbanization:

    • Improving air quality: The development of public transport, the transition to environmentally friendly energy sources, the introduction of more stringent environmental standards for industry and transport.
    • Reduced noise level: The use of noise -absorbing materials, the installation of noise -protective screens, restriction of the speed of traffic, the use of less noisy equipment and equipment.
    • Increase in green zones: The creation of new parks and gardens, landscaping of streets and roofs of buildings, preservation of existing green areas.
    • Propaganda of a healthy lifestyle: Information of the population about healthy diet, physical activity and the dangers of alcohol and tobacco, creating conditions for a healthy lifestyle, such as pedestrian and bicycle paths.
    • Reducing social inequality: Creation of jobs, ensuring access to education and healthcare, implementation of social support programs.
    • Cities planning: Development of plans for the development of cities that take into account the needs of the population and ensure sustainable development.
    • Ensuring affordable housing: Construction of affordable housing, rental rental, implementation of social rent programs.

7. Chemicals in the environment and health

Chemicals present in the environment, both natural and synthetic, can have a wide range of negative effects on human health. The effect of chemicals can occur through various paths, including inhalation of contaminated air, the use of contaminated water and food, as well as contact with contaminated skin.

  • Types of chemicals:

    • Heavy metals: Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic.
    • Pesticides: Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides.
    • Industrial chemicals: Polykhlorized bifeniles (PHB), dioxins, furats.
    • Pharmaceuticals: Antibiotics, hormones, antidepressants.
    • Cosmetic ingredients: Phthalate, parabens, tricklosan.
    • Household chemicals: Whitening, cleaning funds, detergents.
    • Flammable organic compounds (los): Benzole, Toluol, xylol.
  • Exact mechanisms:

    • Toxicity: Chemicals can have a toxic effect on various organs and systems of the body, causing cell damage, impaired organs and the development of diseases.
    • Carcinogenicity: Some chemicals are carcinogens, that is, they can cause cancer.
    • Mutagenicity: Some chemicals are mutagenes, that is, they can cause mutations in DNA, which can lead to hereditary diseases.
    • Endocrine-destructive effect: Some chemicals are endocrine destroyers, that is, they can disrupt the function of the endocrine system, causing hormonal disorders and reproductive problems.
    • Allergenicity: Some chemicals are allergens, that is, they can cause allergic reactions, such as skin rash, itching, swelling and difficulty breathing.
  • Diseases associated with the effects of chemicals:

    • Cancer: Lung cancer, skin cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, blood cancer.
    • Respiratory diseases: Asthma, hobel, pneumonia.
    • Cardiovascular diseases: Ichemic heart disease, stroke.
    • Neurological diseases: Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, autism.
    • Reproductive disorders: Infertility, congenital defects.
    • Immune disorders: Allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases.
    • Endocrine disorders: Diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease.
  • At-risk groups:

    • Children: More susceptible to the effects of chemicals due to higher food and water consumption per kilogram of body weight and an immature immune system.
    • Pregnant women: Chemicals can penetrate through the placenta and have a negative effect on the development of the fetus.
    • People working in industry: They are exposed to increased risk of chemicals at the workplace.
    • People living near industrial facilities and landfills: They are subjected to increased risk of exposure to chemicals, polluting air, water and soil.
  • Measures to reduce influence:

    • Control over the production and use of chemicals: The introduction of more stringent environmental standards for industry, limiting the use of hazardous chemicals, the development and use of safer alternatives.
    • Cleaning polluted territories: The use of soil and water purification methods to remove chemicals.
    • Monitoring the quality of air, water and food: Regular monitoring of the quality of air, water and food to detect pollution with chemicals.
    • Information of the population: Providing information about risks associated with the effects of chemicals, and ways to reduce them.
    • Individual protection measures: The use of personal protective equipment, such as respirators and gloves, when working with chemicals, the selection of products that do not contain hazardous chemicals, ventilation of the rooms, washing hands before meals.

8. Ionizing radiation and health

Ionizing radiation, which is an energy capable of knocking electrons from atoms and molecules, can have a negative effect on human health, damaging DNA and other cellular structures. Sources of ionizing radiation include natural sources, such as space radiation and radioactive materials in soil and rocks, as well as anthropogenic sources, such as medical radiographs, nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.

  • Types of ionizing radiation:

    • Alpha particles: Heavy and positively charged particles with low penetrating ability.
    • Beta parties: Light and negatively charged particles with greater penetrating ability than alpha particles.
    • Gamma-rays: Electromagnetic radiation of high energy with high penetrating ability.
    • X -ray radiation: Electromagnetic radiation, which has less energy than gamma rays, but still able to penetrate through the tissues of the body.
    • Neutrons: Neutral particles present in the nucleus of an atom that can cause nuclear reactions.
  • Exact mechanisms:

    • Direct DNA damage: Ionizing radiation can directly damage DNA, causing mutations and cell death.
    • Free radical formation: Ionizing radiation can ionize water molecules in cells, forming free radicals that damage DNA, proteins and lipids.
    • Inflammation: The effect of ionizing radiation can cause inflammation, which can lead to damage to tissues and the development of diseases.
    • Weakening of the immune system: Ionizing radiation can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infectious diseases.
  • Diseases associated with the effects of ionizing radiation:

    • Cancer: Leukemia, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, bone cancer.
    • Cataract: The clouding of the lens of the eye.
    • Cardiovascular diseases: Ichemic heart disease, stroke.
    • Reproductive disorders: Infertility, congenital defects.
    • Radiation sickness: The acute state occurs when exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation, characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, bleeding and damage to the bone marrow.
  • At-risk groups:

    • Children: They are more susceptible to the effects of ionizing radiation, since their cells are faster.
    • Pregnant women: Ionizing radiation

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