POLLUTION AND HUMAN HEALTH

🌿 Human Health and Global Pollution: How the World's entire Population is being Affected

 🩺 Breathe, breathe, breathe! till your last breath in this polluted world. 

Pollution is the biggest cause of health problems worldwide.It has become a silent killer. With every single breath we take,a single drop we drink,and every meal we eat,carries invisible toxins and no one can escape from this. Pollution from contaminated air,water and food,causes many complications like heart diseases, respiratory issues, neurological disorders and even cancer. Now, the main causes of the pollution are industrial emissions, vehicle exhaustion, deforestation, plastic waste and the negligence/ignorance by the people. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 99% of the world's population is breathing polluted air.

7 million people die every year just because of pollution. 

Today's world has become a breeding ground for diseases as our environment is extremely polluted. Our ecosystem is being damaged consistently and we are very close towards the end of mankind. Also, other species in the world are surviving pathetically and nearly towards extinction.

In this article, let's discover the causes,effects and preventive measures to protect our Earth and humanity as well.

☣️ What are the Causes of Global Pollution

1. Industrial Emissions

Industrial waste or emissions release many toxic gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide that are very harmful creating smog and acid rain. We humans are directly and indirectly affected with this emission as it damages the water,crops,soil, our lungs and other parts of our body. Negligence and ignorance by not following the rules and regulations for pollution control is worsening the environmental conditions globally. 

2. Pollution by Vehicles

Automobile Industries is expanding day by day,everyone wants to have his/her own vehicle. After all, it has become a status symbol too. These millions of vehicles release a very huge amount of exhaustion which has gases that contaminate the air. The exhaust gases release PM2.5 particles and these particles enter very deep in our lungs and bloodstream that increases the risk of COPD, Asthma and Heart attacks. 

3. Deforestation and Expansion of Urban Areas

Everyone wants facilities and prefers to live in a house that is closer to markets,offices,hospitals,schools,gyms etc. It is only possible by doing more urbanisation and development work.With these developmental activities we are losing our forests which are the main source of fresh air. We are decreasing the amount of oxygen and increasing the carbon monoxide by doing so. In fact,urbanisation also gives more
dust,debris,industrial waste and other polluting things to our environment that is so harmful and worsening the situation. Deforestation also destroys the homes and shelters of millions of birds that help to maintain a balance in our environment by acting as a vital agent of pest control,seed dispersal and pollination.

4. Pollution by Plastic and Chemical Waste

Today,our oceans are filled with plastic and chemical waste. Over 10 millions tonnes of plastic waste is thrown into the oceans every year that chokes marine life and destroys the aquatic food chains. The chemicals released by the Industries, contaminate the ground water and soil that is very harmful for our health. Plastic and chemical waste are reducing the life of species surviving in the oceans and indirectly it is a big problem for sea food dependants too.

5. Agricultural Runoff

After the rain or irrigation in farmlands,the flowing surface water carries pesticides, fertilisers and sediments into the river,lakes and oceans which is called agricultural runoff. The excessive use of chemicals in our farmlands brings chronic diseases like cancer and hormonal health issues as the water becomes so contaminated after the agricultural runoff. Later,the same contaminated water is used for many production activities.

6. Energy Production releasing Pollution 

Burning of natural gas,coal and oil for energy production,emits enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and methane. It also accelerates the climatic changes in our environment. Besides this,fossil fuels are still a big issue for greenhouse emissions. 

💔 Global Pollution Impact on Human Health

Pollution has remained an environmental issue so far but now, it has also become an worldwide emergency for our health. The lifespan in the world is shortening as the pollution is weakening the human body consistently. People are now suffering from many disorders,that will be more clear with the following segment. 

🫁 1. Respiratory Diseases

The main reason of most of the respiratory diseases like asthma,bronchitis, emphysema and cancer is just because of airborne pollutants. People living in urban areas and especially adults and children are the main victims of these diseases. 

❤️ 2. Cardiovascular Disorders

The particles in the polluted air enter the bloodstream and damage our blood vessels. Gradually, heart related problems arise that lead to strokes, hypertension and other complications. Millions of people without any genetic history are still suffering from such diseases just because of the polluted environment. 

🧠 3. Neurological Disorders

Industrial waste contains toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury. When these toxins are mixed with lakes,rivers and ocean water,the entire water is contaminated,and we are fully dependent on these resources. The same polluted water is among the main causes of neurological disorders like memory loss and developmental delays in children.

🧬 4. Cancers

Carcinogens are the main cause of cancer. These particles come from polluted air,water and soil. Tobacco smoke,asbestos,coal tar,benzene, alcohol, UV radiation and radon are some of the carcinogens that increase the risk of cancer.

💭 5. Mental Health Decline

The consistent exposure of polluted air is directly linked with depression, anxiety and dementia as explained by some researchers and scientists. Polluted environments disturb mental health by reducing emotional wellness and people start feeling hopelessness. 

👶 6. Deteriorating Reproductive and Child Health

Pollutants like microplastics and toxins are present in umbilical cords and placentas among the patients suffering from infertility, birth defects and other developmental issues. It can be seen very often that women have more fertility problems as compared to the previous generations. Likewise, developmental problems in children are also very common nowadays. 

🌊 Economic and Environmental Loss

🌡️ 1. Global Warming and Climate change 

The rise in global temperatures,melting of ice caps and extreme weather conditions comes into existence because of excessive greenhouses,where gases are trapped. Scarcity of food resources, natural disasters and the migration from one place to another is triggered when these climatic changes and global warming deteriorate. 

🐠 2. Biodiversity Loss

Contaminated water is killing the aquatic species,an important source of human food. Likewise, it is quite disrupting for the birds and animals too. This results in extinction of many species due to habitat loss. With the harmful effects of pollution, the balance of nature is disturbed and human survival will be more complicated. 

💧 3. Degradation of Soil and Water 

The toxic industrial waste absorbed by the soil makes it infertile and contaminates the water as we know. Diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, Hepatitis are spread rapidly with the same contaminated water. The infertile soil makes the land useless for farming purposes. 

💰 4. Global Economic Loss

The Global health reports provided the data that is quite astonishing. Annual expenses on healthcare and lost productivity cost over $4 trillion just because of pollution. People living in poor countries and having a lack of resources suffer the most.They can't fight effectively with the consequences arising from pollution.  

 🌱 Preventive Measures: Collective Efforts to reduce Pollution 

In spite of the vast challenge,it’s not too late to maintain a balance. Let’s discuss some preventive measures to stop or lower the impact of pollution.

⚡ 1. Adapting Renewable Energy

Installing solar panels,small wind turbines,and hydroelectric power can lessen the dependency on fossil fuels and help to reduce the gas emissions. Improve energy efficiency by reducing overall energy usage at our homes and offices. 

🚴 2. GO Green by using Green and Clean Transportation

Try to use public transport, car pooling, electric vehicles, walking and cycling habits more to reduce the pollution in our environment. Most of the countries are now promoting the ‘Go Green’ projects and trends worldwide. The emissions from vehicles are controlled to some extent and in future it will be more effective with these moves.

🌳 3. Reforestation and Green Belts

Green belts in urban areas are the natural filters that are very useful for air purification. We can restore the ecological balance in our environment by planting more and more trees that release the oxygen and absorb the carbon dioxide. 

♻️ 4. (RRR) Concept : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

This 3R concept can minimize the waste from our environment. Use biodegradable products instead of single-use plastics.The process of recycling can help the economy in many ways too. This concept is among the best ways to lessen the pollution and make our planet a healthy place to live.

🧴 5. Responsibilities in Industrial activities 

Industries are the main agents spreading pollution in the environment.Thus,our Industries should adopt more advanced technologies,cleaner systems,equipment and machinery that is friendly with waste treatments. With such practices,both soil and water can be protected from contamination. 

💧 6. Conservation and Purification of Water 

Recycling of wastewater and harvesting from rain water is the best example of conservation. Although, 70% of earth is covered with water,still it is not forever and we have to use it wisely. The conservation and purification process reduces the pollution significantly. 

📚 7. Awareness for Environment

More and more public awareness programs and campaigns must be organised to provide better environmental education. Also these should be added in school curriculums to make the children eco-conscious humans from the early stage of life. Social Media influencers also have an important role in fighting pollution. By posting contents that provide a good knowledge of awareness for our environment,they can spread a good message to the society. 

🌐 8. Global Collaboration and Initiatives

A single effort can't make a big change but,the collective efforts in the form of collaboration can bring incredible changes. The Paris Climate Agreement is one of the best examples of international cooperation. Very strict laws must be enforced by the governments to monitor and control the industrial emissions or pollution by any means worldwide.

🌍 Conclusion: Our Health with the Earth’s Breath

Health is wealth,no money can buy it,only clean air,pure water,and fertile soil can give us good health and make this world a better place to live. Pollution is not only damaging these essential things but also making the world more suffocating for our future generations. 

Every single act of pollution we commit today,will bring a black tomorrow. Our health is directly connected with pollution and the link between the two is undeniable. Strong decisions for changes,action,responsibility,and accountability will help to fight the pollution easily. 

Let's heal the world and make it a better pollution free place to live. It will be a gift to our future generations. 

Thanks for reading, 

Have a nice day 😊.