Environmental Hazard

 Environmental hazards

When the sun is high, its rays can penetrate deep into the Earth's skin, damaging it in ways that cause long-term damage to humans and animals alike.

Environmental Hazards

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been working with communities around the country to provide information about how air pollution affects their health. The DOE has also published a fact sheet explaining what air pollution means for people and the natural environment and what steps people can take to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. For more information on this topic, go to https://www.energy.gov/airquality.

Air Pollution Causes Lung Illness

Air pollution causes many different types of lung problems. Some common ones are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma (or allergic rhinitis), emphysema, and lung cancer. To help prevent these diseases, people should avoid smoking, eat a healthy diet, and stay active. They should also wear protective clothing when out in the sun, keep their homes cool, and get regular medical checkups.

Air Pollution Effects on Animals and Plants

Air pollution can also affect plants and animals. Air pollution can lower oxygen levels in water and increase the growth of algae, which leads to dead zones. This can lead to fewer fish and other aquatic life. It can also harm crops and contribute to food shortages. In addition, air pollution from industrial processes can contaminate agricultural land and contaminate groundwater supplies. By reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, people can help protect animals and plants from air pollution.

Air Pollution and Its Impacts on Health

Air pollution comes with several consequences for human health. One is respiratory problems. People who live near polluting facilities or work near factories frequently have higher rates of COPD and asthma than those living elsewhere.

People living near sites where they live, work, and play have also been found to be at higher risk for developing cardiovascular conditions like heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Other aspects of air pollution include increased levels of toxic metals in the air and decreased visibility, making it harder to see pollution. Allergies and irritations such as respiratory infections can result. As a result, people with allergies need to be careful not to cross paths with animals that may carry airborne allergens.

Another consequence is eye- and brain-related illnesses such as headaches and dry eyes. People with allergies often have symptoms that mimic allergies such as hives, sneezing, or trouble breathing.  Chronic smog and smog-forming particles also known as PM (particulate matter) can aggravate existing respiratory problems. Smog is smoke emitted by burning fuel or biomass in large quantities.

Finally, air pollution may lead to certain cancers. Exposure to air pollution has links to lung cancer in particular, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cancerous tumors can form in the airways or air sacs, which are small cavities in the lungs. Tumors can grow in the airways and cause blockages with scar tissue. If this damage cannot be reversed, it can spread into nearby tissues and organs and cause a tumor called primary lung cancer. Additionally, secondary lung cancer can be caused by radiation exposure, especially if there is cancer in one or both lungs.

Air Pollution and Human Diseases

Air pollution can affect various human diseases. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AADB), air pollution increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. A study published in July 2009 in Proceedings of the US National Library of Medicine examined data on nearly 2 million adults in California, Oregon, and Washington. Researchers found that every year, between 2002 and 2008, the mortality rate among residents exposed to fine particulate matter increased compared to those not exposed. Those exposed to polluted air had an 11 percent higher risk of dying from any cause in 2008. On average, adult deaths from air pollution rose by 19% between 1998 and 2000. During the same period, total mortality attributable to air pollution was only slightly higher (12%) among non-smokers, compared with 14% among smokers. However, children under 6 years old were at greater risk, accounting for almost 70% of all fatal air pollution related to cancer and respiratory illness.

Additionally, air pollution can impair immune function, increasing the likelihood that you will develop or transmit infectious diseases. Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution can make it more likely that you will catch colds or the flu, as well as a variety of respiratory viruses, such as RSV, the common cold, and the common cold.

While air pollution and respiratory infections have some overlap, they are not linked. Research published in May 2009 in Science has shown that air pollution can trigger inflammation in the body and lead to the development of serious illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.

In addition, exposure to airborne pesticides can disrupt the reproductive systems of birds and mammals. Pesticides are made up of organic compounds that can be inhaled or eaten by animals and humans. Most of them are organic compounds and contain compounds that interfere with normal biological functioning. Many pesticides fall into two categories: active ingredients and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Active components can enter into the bloodstream and cause harm to the body. Persistent pollutants can remain in the body for weeks or months after they have been ingested. Because air pollution is associated with poor respiratory health, it may also be contributing to weakened immune systems, making it easier for pathogens to enter the body.