ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Environmental health is a branch of public health that focuses on how the environment, both natural and built, affects human health. It encompasses the study and management of factors in the environment that can cause illness or injury, aiming to create healthier living conditions for people. This includes identifying and controlling physical, chemical, and biological hazards in the air, water, food, and other environmental elements.

Key aspects of environmental health include: 

·         Identifying environmental hazards:

This involves recognizing potential risks like pollution, toxins, and other factors that can negatively impact human health. 

·         Assessing health impacts:

Evaluating the extent to which these hazards affect human health, including both immediate and long-term consequences. 

·         Developing preventative measures:

Implementing strategies to reduce or eliminate exposure to environmental hazards, such as improving air and water quality, regulating toxic substances, and promoting safe food practices. 

Examples of environmental health issues:

·         Air pollution: Exposure to pollutants in the air can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues.

     Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor

     environment by any chemical, physical or biological

     agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the

 at  Atmosphere. Household combustion devices

,     motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires

 a   are common sources of air pollution.

        

            Water contamination: Contaminated water sources can   lead    to various illnesses and infections.

      Common sources include:

                              Rocks and soil that naturally contain                     chemicals like   arsenic or radon.

                              Fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals              applied to land near the water.

                                Manufacturing processes.

                             Leaks from landfills or underground fuel                tanks.

                        Concentrated feeding operations

                 (large industrial animal farms)

           Exposure to toxins: Hazardous chemicals and substances in the environment can cause a range of health problems, including cancer, developmental issues, and neurological disorders.

These toxins can come from your environment, diet, lifestyle, products, and electromagnetic frequencies. Toxic overload happens when toxins and chemicals build up in your body and start to disrupt your system. Furthermore, the body can also produce systemic toxins, such as microbial toxins, in the intestine.  
          

            Climate change: Extreme weather events and rising   temperatures can exacerbate existing health problems and create new health challenges. 

     

      Climate change is a broad term encompassing long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation, and other weather patterns. It's not just about warming temperatures; it includes changes in rainfall, extreme weather events, and shifts in ecosystems. 

·         Noise pollution: Excessive noise can lead to hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and stress.

Noise pollution is commonly generated inside many industrial facilities and some other workplaces, but it also comes from highway, railway, and airplane traffic and from outdoor construction activities

 

Soil pollution:

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic substances.

It is a serious environmental concern since it harbours many health hazards. For example, exposure to soil containing high concentrations of benzene increases the risk of contracting leukaemia. An image detailing the discolouration of soil due to soil pollution is provided below.
It is important to understand that all soils contain compounds that are harmful/toxic to human beings and other living organisms. However, the concentration of such substances in unpolluted soil is low enough that they do not pose any threat to the surrounding ecosystem. When the concentration of one or more such toxic substances is high enough to cause damage to living organisms, the soil is said to be contaminated.

Thermal pollution:

·         Thermal pollution specifically refers to the alteration of water temperature in natural bodies of water, like rivers, lakes, and oceans.

       Causes:

The primary cause of thermal pollution is the discharge of heated water from industrial facilities, power plants, and other sources where water is used for cooling.