6 consequences of pollution on health and society

The impact of pollution is felt in many ways and in the most unexpected ways.

All humans share everything on Earth with every living thing on the planet. Thus, no matter how far one living thing is from another, what impacts negatively on the planet potentially affects each and every species.

It is obvious that there are consequences of pollution on health and society.. Pollution in our environment is one of the agents that are negative for the ecosystems in which we live, having a significant impact on the lives of people and all living beings.

Main consequences of pollution for health and society.

Pollution is one of the world's major concerns because of its contribution to the destruction of the world as we have known it. It also has a serious impact on human health and the environment.

Most people think of industrial waste water pipes, oil spills or toxic waste containers left in the environment. Yet, the sources of pollution are generally more the sources of contamination are generally more subtle and the pollution more dangerous.

When we live in a pollution-free environment we have a better quality of life. There are different types of pollution, if air and water pollution stand out among all of them. Below we will see what are the main consequences of pollution on health and society.

1. Water poisoning

In addition to industrial waste and motor vehiclesThere are other sources of pollution closer to our activity than we think. Fertilizers used in our gardens, oil down the sink or used batteries that have not been recycled are examples.

During heavy rains, all the material can seep into the subsoil with the water, and can poison the ecosystems in which we live, affecting plants and animals. For example, water pollution ends up affecting marine life, which is one of our food sources.

Farm animals also cause many problems for the subsoil because of the waste from these animals. because of the waste from these animals. They can provide nitrogen or phosphorus by-products, as well as cations such as potassium or magnesium, which remain fixed in the subsoil and contaminate it, harming other species in the environment.

Bacteria, viruses and parasites are also biological agents that can contaminate water used for human consumption. Pathogens can come from human or animal fecal material due to inadequate water treatment.

2. Harmful food

Although not intentionally added, natural or chemical contaminants can be found in food. Their presence is mainly due to the result of various stages of production, processing or transport, as well as environmental pollution.

Due to environmental contamination some heavy metals can become part of our food. Their effects depend on the concentration in which they are found and are due to their natural presence or to contamination from polluting sources such as motor vehicle engines.

Arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium and aluminum are the main causes of environmental contamination in food in a natural way, but other metals and metals from global industrialization are also present.

3. High pollution in cities

The consequences of pollution affect the population as a whole in terms of health and also at the societal level, with the people most directly affected being those who live in cities. those who live in large cities are the most directly affected.. Coughing and wheezing are common symptoms observed in city dwellers.

It is estimated that 7 million people worldwide die each year from pathologies related to air pollution. In urban areas with a high concentration of population is where there is more pollution, from means of transportation, industry, heating systems, etc.etc.

In a city there is the emission of large quantities of gases that are harmful to our health. Scientifically it has been found a very close relationship between poor air quality in large cities and the increasing rate of diseases. Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases stand out, as well as other organic complications, cancer, low birth weight and complications in fetal growth.

4. Harm to physical exercise

Having polluted air is a cause for concern even if we want to take care of ourselves by doing physical exercise. When it comes to physical activity, it is always better to do it far away from air pollution sources. If we do not do so we can inhale many harmful particlesThe reason for this is that we need more breaths per minute in order to meet our body's high oxygen demands.

Thus, more pollutants can reach our respiratory tract, where they can remain thereafter.

If there is no possibility to go outside the city for sports, it is better to select areas and times with less pollution index. For example, the first hours of the morning are more suitable for exercise, since during the night there has been no traffic. There are also people who use masks with special filters, which allow them to exercise.This allows them to exercise wherever they want.

5. Development of diseases

Exposure to toxic substances, whether short or long term, has a toxicological impact on human beings, has a toxicological impact on living beings, and obviously this includes us as humans..

Of the types of pollution that are major risk factors, air pollution stands out. Diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, ventricular hypertrophy, autism, retinopathy or degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's have a higher incidence and progression if the person is exposed to this type of contamination. The immune system and the endocrine and reproductive systems are also damaged.

On the other hand, water contaminated by chemicals can also cause hormonal and reproductive problems, nervous system damage, liver and kidney damage and cancer. Exposure to water contaminated with substances such as mercury can lead to Parkinson's disease. can lead to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, heart disease, and even death at very high concentrations and even death at very high concentrations.

6. Species extinction

Pollution destroys ecosystems and causes food chains to destabilize, leading to the extinction of all types of life forms.

Bibliographic references:

• Díaz-Fierros Tabernero, F., Díaz-Fierros Viqueira, F. y Peña Castiñeira, F.J. (2000) Problemas y perspectivas de la sanidad ambiental. Cuadernos de Bioética, 9 (42), 169-176.
• Ferrer A, Nogué S, Vargas F. y Castillo O. (2000). Toxicovigilancia: una herramienta útil para la salud pública. Med Clín, 115, 238.
• Smith, K.R., Corvalan, C.F., Kjellstrom, T. (1999). How much global ill health is attributable to environmental factors? Epidemiology 10 (5), 573-84.
• Weiland, S.K., Husing, A., Strachan, D.P., Rzehak, P. y Pearce, N. (2004). Climate and the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema in children. Occup Environ Med, 61(7), 609-615.