Problems caused by air pollution

There are numerous risks to human health from air pollution. Poor air quality can increase the risk of
developing or worsening a range of illnesses including:

 lung and breathing problems

 skin conditions
 central nervous system damage
 brain or liver damage
 cancer
 damage to eyes
 poisoning
 flu-like symptoms and nausea
 asthma

For example, construction workers may be at risk from inhaling cement dust, welders from breathing in
welding gases and carpenters from inhaling wood dust.

Substances such as grain dust or ozone can also pose a risk to human health. Ozone can collect in places
where equipment using electrostatic discharges is used, such as photocopiers and laser printers in offices.

By law, if an employee already has an illness such as asthma, you must make sure they're not exposed to
levels of air pollutants that are likely to bring on an attack or make an existing condition worse. You should
also remember that smoking is now banned in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in the UK.

Find out about illnesses and allergies caused by dust and fumes on the London Hazard Centre
(LHC) website - Opens in a new window.

Risks to the environment from air pollution include climate change from emissions of greenhouse gases
and the creation of larger holes in the ozone layer from emissions of ozone-depleting substances. Air
pollution affects the quality of rain, and increased rain acidity causes damage to buildings, land, fresh water
and sea water, wildlife and plants.

The effects of water pollution are far-reaching and affect not only the environment, but human
beings and animals as well.

Water pollution affects our oceans, lakes, rivers, and drinking water, making it a widespread and
global concern. Numerous diseases, health problems, and even fatalities have been associated
with water pollution.
Water is considered polluted when chemicals, pathogens, or contaminants are detected.  Human
beings have the most crucial impact on our water resources.  They also have the ability to control
or eliminate water pollution.

Causes of Water Pollution

Farmers often use chemicals to hinder bug infestations or other diseases from damaging or
ruining their crops.  They may also use chemicals to enhance the growth of their crops.  Either
way, these chemicals seep into the ground water or run off into lakes, creeks, or rivers, causing
water pollution. 

Farmland that is irrigated and treated with chemicals in the form of fertilizers or pesticides is a
major contributor to water pollution.

Industrial processes produce toxic waste containing heavy metals.  When heavy metals filter
into water, they are fatal to marine life.  Shellfish and fresh fish are staple menu items for people
around the world.

Humans are affected by the heavy metals ingested by the fish and shellfish, causing health
problems and sometimes death.  The heavy metals in water have also been linked to severe birth
defects, a damaged or suppressed immune system, cancer, fertility problems, and developmental
problems in children.

The construction industry is also at fault for contaminating our water resources with cement,
lubricants, plastics and metals. Rivers and lakes are also polluted from heavy silt or sediment
run-off from construction sites.
Major Effects of Water Pollution
The effects of water pollution are numerous (as seen above).  Some water pollution effects are
recognized immediately, whereas others don’t show up for months or years.  Additional effects
of water pollution include:

1) The food chain is damaged. When toxins are in the water, the toxins travel from the water
the animals drink to humans when the animals’ meat is eaten.

2) Diseases can spread via polluted water. Infectious diseases such as typhoid and cholera can
be contracted from drinking contaminated water.  This is called microbial water pollution.  The
human heart and kidneys can be adversely affected if polluted water is consumed regularly. 
Other health problems associated with polluted water are poor blood circulation, skin lesions,
vomiting, and damage to the nervous system.  In fact, the effects of water pollution are said to be
the leading cause of death for humans across the globe.

3) Acid rain contains sulfate particles, which can harm fish or plant life in lakes and rivers.

4) Pollutants in the water will alter the overall chemistry of the water, causing changes in
acidity, temperature and conductivity.  These factors all have an affect on the marine life.

5) Marine food sources are contaminated or eliminated by water pollution.

6) Altered water temperatures (due to human actions) can kill the marine life and affect the
delicate ecological balance in bodies of water, especially lakes and rivers.

Water pollution effects have a huge impact on our environment and health.  The delicate
balance between nature and humans can be protected, but it will take efforts on all fronts to
prevent and eliminate water pollution locally and globally.

Sources of Noise Pollution

Sound is measured in a unit known as decibels. Though there is no fixed particular decibel limit to decide
when sound becomes noise, it is understood that a continuously high decibel limit will constitute noise
pollution. Some areas do designate their own sound limits, which of course vary from one legislation to
another. In the United States, most states have a sound limit of 65 dB in the daytime and 55 dB in the
nighttime, applicable to the streets. Anyone crossing this limit would be causing noise pollution.

However, all these designated sound limits are too ambiguous, because most appliances we use in
factories as well in the household go much beyond the prescribed limits. The following are some of the
sources of noise pollution that we are quite familiar with, but generally ignore:-

 Appliances in the home such as mixer grinders, vacuum cleaners,

washing machines, etc. together cause a cumulative sound of about
87 dB. This itself is above the sound limits in most areas. On top of
that, if loudspeakers, television sets and music systems are used with
 high volumes, then we can well imagine how much noise pollution is
being created.
 Small factories using single unit machines would cause a sound of
about 98 dB and above. The sound will definitely go higher as the
number of machines increase.
 Airplanes cause the highest sound among all – 150 dB. But road
vehicles are also great contributors of noise pollution. These vehicles
include the trucks, buses, tractors, SUVs and even motorcycles and
most cars.
 Then there are lots of environmental sources of noise pollution that
cannot be ignored. Continuous noises are the most distressing. Noise
coming from sources such as dripping taps and ticking of clocks can
contribute to environmental noise pollution.

Effects of Noise Pollution on Health

Noise pollution can take a severe toll on human health in the long run. These effects will not become
apparent immediately, but there could be repercussions later on. The following is a list of the kinds of
effects noise pollution will have on human health after continuous exposure for months, and even years:-

 The most immediate effect is a deterioration of mental health. As an

example, people who are living too close to airports will probably be
quite jumpy. Continuous noise can create panic episodes in a person
and can even increase frustration levels. Also, noise pollution is a big
deterrent in focusing the mind to a particular task. Over time, the
mind may just lose its capacity to concentrate on things.
 Another immediate effect of noise pollution is a deterioration of the
ability to hear things clearly. Even on a short-term basis, noise
pollution can cause temporary deafness. But if the noise pollution
continues for a long period of time, there's a danger that the person
might go stone deaf.
 Noise pollution also takes a toll on the heart. It is observed that the
rate at which heart pumps blood increases when there is a constant
stimulus of noise pollution. This could lead to side-effects like
elevated heartbeat frequencies, palpitations, breathlessness and the
like, which may even culminate into seizures.
 Noise pollution can cause dilation in the pupils of the eye, which
could interfere in ocular health in the later stages of life.
 Noise pollution is known to increase digestive spasms. This could be
the precursor of chronic gastrointestinal problems.

Controlling Noise Pollution

Governments are making their efforts for controlling noise pollution, but we must appreciate the difficulty
of the task. Unless and until we take care of ourselves, the problems of noise pollution will always loom
large. Here are some ways in which we can make individual efforts at reducing noise pollution for
ourselves and for others:-

 We must constantly check up on the appliances we use at home.

Most of them have rubber insulations that act for soundproofing. But
over time, this insulation may wear out, and that is when the noise
pollution will begin. Keep track of which appliances need
maintenance, and replace insulations if needed.
 Growing trees is a very significant way in which roadside noise can
be curtailed. Trees act as buffers for absorbing the sound that is
produced on the streets and hence reduce noise pollution. That is the
reason why roads with trees on both sides seem to be more silent
and peaceful. Grow trees around your house if you can. It will protect
you from the noise on the streets. This will also help if you stay close
to an airport.
 Do not honk horns in your vehicles unless it is absolutely necessary.
We all know how easily traffic sound limits are trespassed when there
is a traffic jam. We might be desperate to get through, but honking
horns will not solve any issues. It will only add to the noise pollution.
 If you are working in a factory that has a lot of noise issues, make it a
point to wear earplugs and muffs. If you are the owner of the factory,
provide these things to your workers.