The Effects Of Nickel On Ash Toxicity

Pollution continues to pose an enormous threat to residents of urban cities worldwide. In the August 2008 Monthly Update, it is stated that approximately 800,000 deaths each year can be attributed to outdoor air pollution, making pollution the single most harmful environmental hazard to human health in urban areas (Kallman). The fact that pollution kills hundreds of thousands of people each year alone portrays just how dangerous living in these conditions can be. Kallman writes about a study which proves an increase in upper respiratory diseases, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, and low birth weights when exposed to air pollutants (August 2008: Monthly Update). These can be very serious diseases and complications which, when contracted, can lead to death or very serious illnesses. There

In Marietta, Ohio, a steel plant called Eramet has been pumping the air full of a toxic chemical called Manganese. The chemical is known to cause health problems, particularly damaging to neurochemical and motor function. When a study confirmed that manganese concentrations in the area were much higher than

Coal ash is a byproduct of burning coal in power plants and is composed mainly of aluminum and silicon oxides. This ash is commonly stored away in dump sites, only to leach out solutions of concentrated toxic heavy metals. Such issues are detrimental to the health of water systems, posing both a human and environmental health risk. However, there are solutions to this problem. Coal ash possesses unique chemical properties that allow for the remediation of other environmental concerns, such as the treatment of soil polluted with heavy metals, the removal of nutrients from wastewater, and the remediation of acid mine drainage in streams.

In Shreveport, LA, many residents suffer from respiratory issues that they believe are caused by the local refinery, Calumet (Moskowitz). Residents have suffered for generations losing family members to cancer that they believe is brought on by pollution that the refinery emits. Some residents suffer lesser but chronic health issues ranging from minor respiratory issues like asthma to blood clots in their lungs. “Calumet denies that its refinery is the cause of any of these health issues” (Moskowitz). Many chemicals that are released by refineries can cause respiratory problems, cancer, nerve damage, and in some cases even death. There is no absolute way to be sure that all health problems happening near Calumet are caused by the pollution that it emits, but it could be a contributing factor in worsening symptoms. A resident of Marrero, LA, a town south of Norco refining, stated that they could not leave their house due to excess levels of pollution triggering asthma attacks (Ludwig). Sulfur dioxide is a known chemical that can trigger asthma attacks, it is also one of the many harmful chemicals that can be released by refineries (Sturgis). Refineries will measure levels of emissions when there is a chemical spill, so they know almost exactly how much pollution they have emitted. Minor incidents are not always reported or are under reported, but they can have the same damaging effects on the environment and the overall health of the community (Sturgis). “LABB’s reports confirms what workers and residents have known for years-petrochemical companies to often skirt the laws for reporting serious incidents”

The next piece of evidence showing environmental determinants to health is the air samples taken from the African American community’s residents. Moreover, the air samples taken from the Norco residents living close to the refinery show higher levels of toluidine and benzene, known cancer and disease causing chemicals, than averages from the rest

Coal ash also contains selenium which is already needed in our body, but excess amounts can lead to impaired vision, paralysis, and even death. The ash contains a lot of lead, exposure to lead can cause numerous issues in your brain affecting your nervous system and can cause brain swelling. Arsenic which is found in the ash can be harmful, if ingested it can lead to nervous system damage and cardiovascular issues. If arsenic that is found in the ash is absorbed through the skin can cause skin cancer. Coal ash contain boron also can cause damage to the intestines and even death. The EPA is responsible for protecting the environment from these types of spills, but in the case of properly disposing the ash the EPA ruled that coal ash was classified as a non-hazardous material leaving it up to the companies to dispose of it as they want

(Hales & Corvalan 2006) document that indoor air pollution from solid fuel combustion in homes in the third world is attributed to 1.6 million deaths annually.

Oil pollution is causing cancer and other diseases. According to the text the oil might be damaging the health of those in its path. The text also states three studies show rising amounts of polluting chemicals in lakes and rivers near the oil sands. some cause cancer. According to http://www.dw.com/en/oil-boom-in-canada-health-and-environmental-damage-at-lake-athabasca/av-17437070 There is highly-toxic waste produced during the oil extraction process

A study evaluated the effects of soot on the lungs over a 16-year period, in which soot is the cause for many respiratory ailments and sometimes even death (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2002). 2. Addis realized that the process could use improvement, so he gathered the appropriate tools. a. The process of cleaning teeth consisted of placing a rag on their finger with soot and attempt to reach all 32 teeth in the mouth. b. Instead, he saved a chicken bone from a prior prison meal and received bristles from a prison guard.

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a response update to assess potential impacts to human and aquatic life (2014). The method the EPA employed was to analyze surface water and sediments for contaminants and compare those results to its screening levels. To assess impact to human health, the EPA compared the sediment data to health risk screening levels and compared drinking water samples to Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) as well as to other indicators. Overall, the EPA found those levels found in sediment data and water samples to not exceed human health screening levels and thus determined that there wasn’t significant risk to human health, although the EPA did recommend that people do not come in direct contact with coal ash as it could still pose health risks. These findings were consistent with that of Dr. Shea.

Repercussions of burning oil have arisen more progressively. The debatable topic of global warming holds burning fossil fuels responsible for higher temperatures in colder climates. An article by World Book explains why oil is so harmful towards the environment. As more cars are produced more pollutants are released into the atmosphere, those pollutants cause smog in larger manufacturing oriented cities as well as, acid rain. Factories, burning oil, dispose of the remaining chemicals into bodies of water rendering them unsafe to drink for both humans and animals alike (Hunt par. 1). Another article produced through World Book describes the

These include improving the extraction processing to lower exposure for workers and consumers, and also a main emphasis on the defence of the eco system. Nickel in small doses is essential for health. However, over exposure can be dangerous to human health with it showing a large correlation to the development of certain cancers, sickness, lung embolism, respiratory failure and other disorders. Legislations on packaging of products are also in effect allowing the consumer to be informed of the possible health effects. A limit on emission levels for various products have also been introduced, regulating the exposure to protect the

Air quality depends on the presence of chemical, physical or biological agents which influence the natural composition of the atmosphere. Wood smoke contains irritants, systemic toxins and carcinogens. Burning of wood for heating, cooking, and lightening results in exposure to such pollutants as fine particles and carbon monoxide (http://www.who.int/). It was also found that high amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in wood smoke, produce high levels of free radicals, DNA damage as well as inflammatory and oxidative stress response gene expression (Danielsen et al. 2011). There is consistent evidence that both ambient (outdoor) and household (indoor) air pollution cause upper (laryngitis, sinusitis) and lower (bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) respiratory diseases and other conditions, which can even be fatal. All family members are exposed to adverse effects of wood smoke, but the highest risk occur to women and young children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth. It was

Surgical smoke is generated during the cutting or coagulation of tissue by a wide variety of devices including laser, vessel sealing devices and electro cautery. Quantity of smoke generated is variable based on the amount of tissue, open or closed procedure, device utilized and functional temperature of the device. The contents of the smoke generated contain numerable volatile organic compounds. Several carcinogenic particles have been isolated in surgical smoke. Both viral and bacterial components have been identified in smoke particles. The size of particles in surgical smoke is predominantly smaller than 2.5µM. Inhaled small particles have known negative health effects. Smoke temperature was not identified as an evaluated vector of risk in the literature. The literature does not definitively link surgical smoke exposure to injury or disease. Preventing workplace exposure to tobacco smoke has reduced mortality. Operating room personnel are likely at risk from chronic exposure to toxins, small particle inhalation and possible infectious transmissions from smoke. Smoke evacuation systems can provide

Dermatologists have discovered abundant connections between's the strength of skin on the hands, face and neck with contamination and exhaust cloud. The intoxicants in the dirtied air and water obstruct the pores, not permitting the skin to inhale effectively.