Problem

Health hazards of environmental pollution


Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Human exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants
Nature:

Pollution concerns related to human health cover all aspects of the physical environment -- air, water (rivers, lagoons and sea) and land, including the effects of climate change. Human activities which are sources of pollution arise from domestic, commercial, industrial and military sectors and their effects are influenced by various issues, trends and public sector programmes, such as safe water and food, management of waste, increasing use of chemicals in agriculture, and urbanization. Types of pollutants which are negatively impacting health include, litter, toxic chemicals, nuclear waste, lead, spoil from mining, food and water contaminants; and the polluting effects of over-population.

Incidence:

Estimates of human exposure are made at two levels. First level, based on the measurement of pollutant levels in environmental media (e.g. drinking water, food) and an assessment of intake from all exposure routes. Second level, based on measurement of chemicals or their metabolites in body tissues (e.g. adipose tissue, blood), secreta (e.g. breast milk) and excreta (e.g. urine, faeces), providing an indication of the integrated exposure to a pollutant. More indirect approaches involve monitoring associated indicators as opposed to the pollutants themselves ([eg] cigarette consumption).

In many developing regions, traditional environmental health problems are now exacerbated by emerging problems of pollution from industry and agriculture (Smith 1997). Chemical agents, particularly air-borne ones, are considered to be major factors in causing and worsening tuberculosis, bronchitis, heart disease, cancers and asthma.

Related Problems:
Tobacco smoking
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
GOAL 1: No PovertyGOAL 3: Good Health and Well-beingGOAL 7: Affordable and Clean EnergyGOAL 15: Life on Land
Problem Type:
C: Cross-sectoral problems
Date of last update
01.03.2021 – 17:32 CET