Introduction
Environmental health is an essential field that examines the interactions between humans and their surroundings. Its main objective is to control and prevent diseases, disabilities, and injuries that arise from the environment. A key aspect involves environmental factors, including the chemical, biological, and physical elements influencing our quality of life, health, and behaviors. The key message of my discussion is that we massively underestimate the risks and dangers of pollution on our well-being, and this issue remains largely ignored.
Sources and Escalation of Air Pollution
Firstly, I would like to state that the issue of air pollution is an alarmingly escalating concern. It arises from a multitude of natural and anthropogenic sources, with the latter intensifying rapidly since the onset of industrialization. Artificial emissions dominate the global scene, primarily driven by the combustion process. Burning fossil fuels and biomass for energy generation contributes significantly to this crisis.
In addition, outdoor combustion sources, including ground, air, and water transport, industry, power generation, and biomass burning, make up a large part of air pollution (“The Impact of Environmental Factors on Health,” n.d.). Activities such as controlled and uncontrolled forest and savannah fires, agricultural waste burning, and urban waste burning further exacerbate the situation. Pollution caused by the resuspension of surface dust and construction activities cannot be ignored.
Health Consequences of Poor Air Quality
Secondly, it is essential to note that the ramifications of such widespread pollution are dire. According to the World Health Organization (2022) report, more than 90% of people globally live in areas where the air quality is unhealthy, which is alarming. Poor air quality precipitates 4.2 million deaths annually (World Health Organization 2022).
Notably, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause, with ischemic heart disease contributing 38% of deaths, while strokes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause 20% and 43% of deaths, respectively (World Health Organization 2022). The toll on children’s health is especially severe, which is linked to increased mortality, cancers, otitis media, and asthma (World Health Organization 2022). Other illnesses include obesity, problematic lung function, brain development, adverse birth outcomes, and respiratory infections.
In addition, burning fossil fuels has seen a 66% rise in related deaths over the last twenty years. In fact, Patel (2022), a Washington Post reporter, points out that poor air quality was linked to one in six deaths globally. Thus, one can see how air pollution harms human health on multiple levels.
Soil and Water Pollution as Interconnected Concerns
Thirdly, I would like to state that air pollution is only part of a larger issue. There is also soil and water pollution, as outlined in the lecture slides, and both of these types are deeply concerning (“The Impact of Environmental Factors on Health,” n.d.). Soil pollution refers to toxic substances in the soil at levels that threaten humans, animals, and the ecosystem (“The Impact of Environmental Factors on Health,” n.d.). Conversely, water pollution denotes the contamination of bodies of water or groundwater by toxic substances, causing a decline in quality and posing a danger to all life forms (“The Impact of Environmental Factors on Health,” n.d.). Soil and water pollution carry significant threats because they can contain carcinogens, which are substances known to cause cancer.
Global Mortality Linked to Pollution
Fourthly, the pollutants have the potential to contaminate our sources of drinking water, introducing harmful contaminants into our system. Unfortunately, I have to say that the situation is far worse than we might imagine. According to the Washington Post, one in six deaths worldwide for five consecutive years was attributed to pollution, including soil and water contamination (Patel, 2022). The death toll amounts to 9 million people each year, which is a horrifying figure that surpasses fatalities from alcohol, drugs, malaria, road accidents, terrorism, and even war (Patel, 2022).
A breakdown of the deaths reveals that while air pollution is responsible for the majority at 6.7 million, water pollution contributes to 1.4 million deaths, which is still significant (Patel, 2022). An unexpected addition to these death toll numbers is lead poisoning, which claims nearly a million lives annually (Patel, 2022). Therefore, soil and water pollution are serious problems that should not be ignored.
Socioeconomic Disparities and the Worldwide Impact of Pollution
Lastly, I want to inform the listeners of the global socioeconomic factors. The alarming report highlights that over 90% of these deaths occur in middle-income and low-income countries (Patel, 2022). Thus, pollution remains the world’s most significant environmental health threat, leading to diseases and premature deaths. The Lancet Planetary Health journal affirms this grim reality, which shows a continuation of the death toll from 2015 to 2019 (Patel, 2022). Unfortunately, the significant pollution issue remains unaddressed despite its enormous impact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite the alarming figures, pollution does not receive the attention it deserves. It was pointed out that the issue of pollution remains largely ignored. The grave consequences of pollution, which take 9 million lives a year, should be a significant concern for everyone. Our actions can indeed make a difference for our planet. To ensure a healthier future, we must prioritize the reduction of air, soil, and water pollution.
References
“The Impact of Environmental Factors on Health.” n.d. PowerPoint Presentation.
Patel, Kasha. 2022. “Pollution Caused 1 In 6 Deaths Globally for Five Years, Study Says.” The Washington Post. Web.
World Health Organization. 2022. “Compendium of WHO and Other UN Guidance On Health and Environment.” Geneva: World Health Organization. Web.