EDS/MG/1031/09/20

MUTIE DERICK

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Impact of pollution on human health

Introduction
Pollution is the introduction of unwanted materials into the natural environment that causes adverse
change. Pollutants can be either unwanted substances or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution
can be point source or nonpoint source pollution. The point sources are easy to identify and control,
whereas the non-point sources are hard to control. The contamination of air, water, or soil by
substances those are harmful to living things.pollution that occurs due to the excessive, misdirected
artificial light produced by human activities that interferes with the natural darkness of the night sky is
known as light pollution. It causes adverse effects on the environment, human health, and the ability to
observe celestial objects in the night sky.presence of excessive, unwanted, or disturbing sounds in the
environment that can be harmful or disruptive to human health and wildlife is known as noise
pollution.The detrimental alteration of the temperature of a natural body of water, such as a river, lake,
or ocean, due to human activities thermal pollution.

Literature review

Types & Causes of Pollution

Air Pollution : refers to the presence of harmful or excessive substances in the Earth's atmosphere that
can have adverse effects on human health, the environment and climate. The burning of fossil fuels in
vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and airplanes, releases pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides
into the atmosphere.The combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas in power plants to generate electricity
releases pollutants like sulphur dioxide which causes global warming and acid rain which in turn causes
increased temperatures, droughts making it difficult for the animals to survive. Breathing this polluted
particle from the air result in disease such as asthma and cancer.
Water Pollution:It occurs due to several factors the industrial wastes dumped into the rivers and other
water bodies cause an imbalance in the water leading to its severe contamination and death of aquatic
species. Also spraying insecticides, pesticides on plants pollutes the ground water system and oil spills in
the oceans have caused damage to the water bodies. Eutrophication is another source for water
pollution. It occurs due to daily activities like washing clothes, utensils near lakes, ponds or rivers. This
forces detergents to go into water which blocks sunlight from penetrating, thus reducing oxygen and
making it inhabitable. Water pollution harms the aquatic animals and interferes with the entire food
chain by affecting humans depending on these. Water-borne diseases like cholera, diarrhea has also
increased in all places.
Soil pollution: Soil Pollution occurs due to incorporation of unwanted chemicals in the soil by human
activities. Use of insecticides and pesticides absorbs the nitrogen compounds from the soil making it
unfit for plants to get nutrition from. Industrial waste and deforestation also pollutes the soil. Since
plants can’t grow properly, they can’t hold the soil and this leads to soil erosion.

Noise Pollution: Noise pollution is caused when noise which is an unpleasant sound affects our ears
and leads to psychological problems like stress, hypertension, hearing impairment, etc. It is caused by
machines in industries, loud music, etc.

Radioactive pollution:. It occurs due to nuclear plant malfunctions, improper nuclear waste disposal,
accidents, etc. It causes cancer, infertility, blindness, and defects at the time of birth; can sterilize soil
and affect air and water.
Thermal/heat pollution: Thermal pollution is due to the excess heat in the environment creating
unwanted changes over long time period. Due to huge number of industrial plants, deforestation and air
pollution. It increases the earth’s temperature, causing drastic climatic changes and extinction of
wildlife. .

Effects of pollution on human health:

1.Environment Degradation: Environment is the first casualty for increase in pollution weather in air or
water. The increase in the amount of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to smog which can restrict
sunlight from reaching the earth. This prevents plants from the process of photosynthesis. Gases like
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of Oil spill may lead to
death of several wildlife species.
2.Human Health: The decrease in quality of air leads to several respiratory problems including asthma
or lung cancer. Chest pain, congestion, throat inflammation, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease
is some of diseases that can be caused by air pollution. Water pollution occurs due to contamination of
water and may cause skin related problems including skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution leads to
hearing loss, stress and sleep disturbance.
3.Global Warming: The emission of greenhouse gases particularly Carbon dioxide leads to global
warming which leads to melting of polar ice caps this increases the sea level and pose danger for the
people living near coastal areas.

4. Depletion of ozone layer: Ozone layer is the thin shield in the sky that stops ultra violet rays from
reaching the earth. As a result of human activities, chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons are released
into the atmosphere which contributes to the depletion of ozone layer.
5. Infertile Land: Due to consistent use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil may become infertile.
Plants may not be able to grow properly. Various forms of chemicals produced from industrial waste are
released into the flowing water which also affects the quality of soil.

Conclusion
Prevention of pollution is crucial to protect the environment. ways of preventing different types of
pollution includes.

Air Pollution:

Reduce emissions from vehicles and industries through cleaner technologies.

Use public transport or carpool to reduce individual vehicle emissions.

Promote green spaces and trees to absorb pollutants.

Water Pollution:

Properly dispose of household chemicals and avoid dumping them in drains.

Implement wastewater treatment systems.

Control erosion and runoff from construction sites.

Soil Pollution:

Practice responsible farming and avoid overuse of pesticides and fertilizers.

Manage hazardous waste disposal safely.

Monitor and remediate contaminated sites.

Noise Pollution:

Use noise barriers and insulation in urban areas.

Enforce noise ordinances and regulations.

Promote quieter transportation and machinery.

Light Pollution:

Use energy-efficient lighting and direct it downwards.

Shield outdoor lights to prevent upward glare.

Implement lighting ordinances and regulations.

Thermal Pollution:

Improve power plant cooling systems to reduce heat discharge.

Implement regulations to limit temperature increases in water bodies.

Promote energy-efficient technologies.

Radioactive Pollution:

Safely manage and store radioactive waste.

Implement strict regulations for nuclear facilities.

Monitor and report any radioactive leaks or incidents

References

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/pollution

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-pollution-types-causes-and-effects.php

https://www.theworldcounts.com