Environmental health includes all human interactions with their environment and the health consequences of those interactions. As the world's population is increasing rapidly, factors such as energy, land, food, and water availability and a minimum acceptable standard of living may eventually limit the human population.
The increase in air pollutants is particularly hazardous for children, older adults, and people with chronic health issues. Examples of outdoor air pollutants include smog caused by heavy motor vehicle traffic, stagnant air, and hot weather. Carbon dioxide and other types of natural gases act like a greenhouse around the earth, increasing the atmosphere's temperature. Human activities are the main reason these gases are rising, resulting in a changing climate. In addition, the ozone layer, which shields the earth's surface from the sun's ultraviolet rays, has thinned and has holes in some regions. Furthermore, indoor pollutants such as dust, tobacco smoke, and volatile organic compounds can trigger allergies and illness in the short term and chronic disease in the long term.
Concerns with water quality focus on hazardous chemicals released from industries and households, water shortages, and pathogenic organisms. However, sewage treatment plays a role in preventing pathogens from contaminating the available drinking water by dealing with hazardous chemicals and heavy metals.
Other environmental pollutants include the vast amount of garbage that humans produce and hazardous chemical pollutants, such as pesticides, asbestos, mercury, lead, and many household products. Recycling can help minimize solid waste disposal problems, but reducing waste by minimizing consumption is more effective. For hazardous materials, adequate handling and disposal are vital. Also, radiation can lead to chromosome damage, radiation sickness, cancer, and other health problems. Even persistent or loud noise can result in elevated blood pressure, hearing loss, and stress.
Recycling and recovery can help minimize the various emissions to air, water, and land, but eliminating emissions from the source is best. In addition, the environmental damage that occurs due to energy production and use can be reduced through energy conservation and the development of renewable energy sources.
Dr. Afaf Hassan
Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Safety
College of Health Sciences
Abu Dhabi University
References:
Insel, C., Roth, W.T. and Insel, P.M. (2024). Connect Core Concepts in Health (Eighteenth Edition). New York, USA: McGraw Hill LLC.