Health effects of air and water pollutants are major environmental issues that need to be better understood and controlled in the United States and globally. This issue is so important for many reasons, but for this discussion it is being identified to give a voice to the urgency to the world to pay attention to how our environment is failing into a catastrophic level of decline because of these types of pollutants. In order to overcome the pollutants there needs to be a call to action. We need to bring these things into check which means their levels are in need of being lower. “Pollution can occur from natural causes or from human activities. Discussions about the effects of air pollution have focused mainly on human health but attention is being directed to environmental quality and amenity as well” (Air and Water Pollution, 2015, p. 1).
Here are a few informational facts that have contributed to deaths because of the two pollutants in question. By the time that it will take to you to read this paper, the pollutants’ effects will have caused about two thousand children around the world to die. Pollution is a problem throughout the entire world and does not have any respect for class or nationality. Air pollution, water pollution, and the wrecking of our soil are all part of a global problem that is destroying our planet’s population. During the last two centuries, air pollution concentrations alone has seen a threefold increase. The statists are trending towards an
This issue matters because there are people that are getting hurt from this pollution not to mention the damage pollution is doing to our environment. Inhaling pollution is very destructive to our health. “The study, in Circulation Research, found consistent relationships between
The concentration of pollution on Earth is rising at alarming rates as the burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase from human activities. Fossil fuels are burned to heat homes, power cars, provide electricity and in manufacturing. The high dependency on fossil fuels is increasing the rate of climate change “the industrial activities that our modern civilization depends upon have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last 150 years” (NASA). Human interaction and industrial manufacturing has almost doubled the amount of carbon molecules and toxins in the air. Fuel emissions and pollution in the environment are negatively effecting the health of those exposed to it, because the gas emissions contain a large amount of toxic
Most people have heard that air pollution is bad for the planet. That pollutants we put in the air are causing this thing called “Global Warming.” The information that sometimes gets left out is the impact of ambient air pollution to the health of humans. Ambient air pollution is outdoor pollution originating from industries, cars, and trucks. These pollutants can wreak havoc on the human respiratory system (Ambient air pollution). Respiratory conditions such as asthma, acute bronchitis, COPD, and pneumonia have been on the rise as ambient air pollutions have climbed. Laws have been introduced to help regulate the amount of pollutants produced, but they still are produced. The levels of these dangerous compounds even though regulated are still too high.
Background: There are many different types of pollution, some are more visible than others are invisible. Another way of looking at air pollution could be any substance that can interfere with the atmosphere or the well being to survive in that condition. There are two different types of pollution, primary and secondary pollution. The pollutants that are a direct result of the process can be called primary pollutants. An example of a primary pollutant would be the sulfur-dioxide emitted from factories. Secondary air pollution are the ones that are caused by the reactions of primary pollutants. Generally, any substance that is emitted into the atmosphere is considered air pollution.. Humans cause the majority of the air pollution by doing many different activities such as driving a car, traveling by plane, and even working at factories. Man-made sources of pollution are called anthropogenic sources, which means “cause by the people”. If we keep breathing the polluted air, it can make us sick. Humans can experience a wide range of health effects from being exposed to air pollution. There are short term and long term effects from exposure. . Short term effects include illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis, both of these affect breathing and lung function. Long term effects can last a lifetime. Long term effects include, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. Air pollution can also cause long term damage to nerves,
The government should have stricter pollution laws because air pollution is a huge influence to human health. Air pollution negatively affects all humans. One main concern that should be had should be that it causes lung damage in children. Recent studies have shown that air pollution can harm lung development in children and can contribute to early childhood asthma (Air Pollution Impacts on Infants and Children). This article detailed analysis of air pollution levels from low to high, and the different health effects at each level. At low levels can harm lung development in children and may contribute to asthma in children. Lung damage can kill children. If the government have stricter laws, they could prevent this
The idea that we, as a global community, are destroying the very earth we commonly share is something that takes time for people to fully understand. It takes research and a open mind to be knowledgeable about the environmental issues the human race is causing to planet earth, as well as the issues that it is causes to our personal health. Air pollution is a large problem that exists in the United States. However, the challenge that America faces is the inescapable necessities of modern life (driving to work, cooking food, etc.). These technologies are directly linked to air pollution and therefore affect our health and sustainability. BusinessDictionary.com defines air pollution as, “the condition in which air is contaminated by foreign substances, or the substances themselves.” Air pollution is something that is having a direct affect on Americans and their health. The United States must do two things: consciously take action in the way we live our lives, so that we do not contribute to the already existing problems we face; and find ways to live a life that is less contributive to the dilemma of air pollution to sustain a healthy and productive life.
It is estimated that 6.5 million people die from air pollution every year. When gases, smoke, or dust particles enter our atmosphere in ways that become harmful to plants, animals, and humans it is called air pollution. Now, some air pollutions occur naturally for example during forests fires or volcanic eruptions, but the air pollution caused by human activities has become more prevalent and serious. The burning of fossil fuels, from coal-fired power plants and vehicles, causes smog and acid rain which includes particulate matter such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide that are released into the air.Air pollution has also become a global issue that has been taken more seriously every year. In the United Nation’s 2015 plan for Sustainable Development, air quality was mentioned three times. Most notably was this following indicator: “ Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution”. Ambient air pollution is just another way of saying outdoor air pollution that is usually caused by what I mentioned earlier—fossil fuel burning and vehicle emissions. Many of these deaths were a result of strokes, cardiovascular diseases, and lung cancer. The small particles of pollutant are called PM 2.5 which can harm the lungs if it is ingested to potentially cause these deaths along with asthma. Many countries are dealing with air pollution, but two countries of note are the United States of America and China. Although, both the United States and China are suffering from air pollution, there are clear differences in how it affects these nations and their desire to address these problems.
Air pollution has been around for centuries now, but it has not been until recently that it has become an issue. Air pollution is a problem that is more severe than the general public understands it to be for several reasons. I chose this topic because its effects on the health of the general public have become more prevalent over the years. It has become a concern to me because my health is affected as well. Not only does it impact our health and well-being, air pollution is causing multiple environmental disturbances, including contributing to global warming and global dimming.
(Attention Getter) When people think about air pollution, they usually think about smog, acid rain, and other forms of outdoor air pollutants. But did you know that air pollution can exist inside homes and buildings? In the article “Air Pollution Fatalities Now Exceed Traffic Fatalities by 3 to 1”, Bernie Roberts (2002) says that 70,000 people die each year from the effects of air pollution. This outrageous number of people dying is because of human activities that release substances into the air that cause health problems. (Credibility & Relevancy) Nobody wants to die because of polluted air, and this wish is shared by most
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 7 million premature deaths annually are linked to air pollution. Air pollution is described as “a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air” (“Air Pollution” MedlinePlus). This form of pollution mainly occurs from the burning of fossil fuels, noxious gases from vehicles, manufacturing chemicals, ground-level ozone (a reactive form of oxygen and a primary component of urban smog), and tobacco smoke (“Air Pollution” National Institute...). These emissions suspend deadly particles around in the air that can remain in the environment for long periods of time. People exposed to high levels of air pollutants may experience “burning in their eyes, an irritated throat, or breathing difficulties” (“Basic Information”). Moreover, this pollution can lead to serious, long-term health concerns including accelerated aging of the lungs, lost lung capacity, decreased lung functionality, and developed diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer (“Health Effects”). Air pollution poses a threat to the majority of Earth’s population due to the fact that the average adult breathes in 3,000 gallons of air everyday (“Basic Information”).
Air pollution is considered the presence of a harmful substance in the air. “All aerobic biological system use oxygen as an essential part of their physiological cellular metabolic processes (Valavanidis et. al 2013).”With the inclusion of oxygen within our biological systems come complications. More specifically, air pollution has been deemed hazardous to human health. Air pollution is a complex and abundant mixture of pollutants. The combination of matter includes particulate matter, chemical substance, biological materials as well as particles that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. Regardless the type of particles it consists of, particulate matter is associated with triggering serious health complications. There is an upsurge in awareness of adverse effects on health due to both acute and chronic exposure to particulate matter. Furthermore, epidemiological as well as toxicological studies continue to discover a correlation between particle pollution and mortality. The objective of this paper is to discuss particulate matter and address the health problems it can manifest.
Major air pollutants are directly released into the atmosphere and might affect both directly or as precursor of secondary air pollutants.
Air pollution remains one of the most urgent and serious problems facing the world today. Research studies conducted in the past have clearly indicated that in addition to harming the environment, the effects of air pollution on human health are particularly adverse. In this text, I discuss air pollution, its causes, and effects. Further, I propose solutions that could be embraced to rein in the problem of air pollution.
Air pollution affect many of the critical human body systems that are important for life. The pollutant in the air kill seven million people a year. In 2012 an estimated 7 million people died due to air pollution globally and 80% of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (Khullar). Air pollution is very deadly and should be treated with more priority because it is very deadly. Air pollution can kill in many ways but one of the worse is it causes can increase the chance of getting cancer. The people who are exposed to toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations and durations may have an increased chance of getting forms of cancer (EPA). It also can affect other body systems in humans. The smog from air pollutants can irritate the eyes and throat.. It is especially dangerous because they can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream and
These pollutants have all been linked to cancer and other illnesses in the American population (Duhigg). Unfortunately, the issue of pollution has become politicized in our country, with some businesses finding their profits in jeopardy if tight pollution regulations are put, or kept in place. While there is a segment of society that does not believe this issue worthy of adequate funding and attention, the data does not support their beliefs. The increased incidence of illness in relation to water pollution is an unsettling fact that demands attention.