Pollution & Its Implications

Pollution & Its Implications: 

Pollution & Its Implications Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D. Public Health Scientist & Consultant 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 1

Definition of Pollution: 

Definition of Pollution Alteration of the environment Addition of detrimental substances to the environment A ddition of contaminants to a natural environment Addition of energy in any form to the environment 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 2

Definition of Pollutants: 

Definition of Pollutants Unwanted by-products of man’s activities Anything that pollutes or contaminates a natural environment 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 3

Types of Pollution: 

Types of Pollution Air pollution Water pollution Land pollution Noise pollution Light pollution 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 4

Air Pollution: 

Air Pollution Burning of fossil fuels Use of aerosols Use of chemicals Burring of organic and synthetic compounds Release of unwanted compounds into the environment 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 5

Water Pollution: 

Water Pollution Sewage Eutrophication Chemicals Radioactive waste Medical waste Household waste Industrial waste 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 6

Land Pollution: 

Land Pollution Pesticides Herbicides Other chemical wastes Acid rain Radioactive contamination Sewage Household waste Industrial waste 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 7

Noise Pollution: 

Noise Pollution Unwanted vibrational energy Greater than 80 dcb may cause discomfort Noted noise pollution health effects: High blood pressure Cardiovascular problems Respiratory problems Loss of hearing and hearing problems Immunological problems 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 8

Light Pollution: 

Light Pollution Excessive artificial lighting usually in one frequency band Greater than 320 Lux Glare Eye strain Difficulty in optical processing in the brain Confusion Fatigue and delusion 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 9

Global Warming: 

Global Warming An average increase in the earth’s global surface temperature to about 0.75 ⁰C Melting of polar ice caps Rising of sea levels Submerging of low lying areas Reclamation of land by the sea Destruction of habitats Loss of lives Displacement Despair and desperation 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 10

Pollution: Becoming a greater problem: 

Pollution: Becoming a greater problem Greater consumption of scare or depleting natural resources Consumption is far exceeding production and since petrochemicals are finite sources once used up there is no more Greater unitization of resources would lead to an escalating pollution problem globally. 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 11

Emerging Pollution Health Problems: 

Emerging Pollution Health Problems Respiratory problems C ardiovascular problems Immunological problems Endocrinological problems Reproductive problems Birth defects All these emerging health problems mean more pain and suffering with commitment shorter life span and compromised quality of life 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 12

Pollution: A Real Threat to Ecological Stability: 

Pollution: A Real Threat to Ecological Stability Plundering the environment of its resources Disruption of the Interdependence of organisms in the food chain creates a real threat to human survival Destruction of viable forest retards the efficient removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and contributes to pollution People migration within and to other courtiers lead to pollution Animals and human alike are beginning to live shorter lives and are afflicted by more diseases than before 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 13

Economic Factors and Pollution: 

Economic Factors and Pollution Increased medical insurance claims Increased down time of workers Expensive maintenance costs Death and destruction of farms (animal and crops) Expensive pollution control measures Potential threat to World Peace 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 14

Socio-Pollution Problem : 

Socio-Pollution Problem Population Growth-It is estimated that there is now 8.0 billion people on planet Earth. As the population continues to grow exponentially, there would be a greater demand on resources eventually leading to severe competition and destruction of plants and animals Industrialization-As developed and developing countries are racing towards self-efficiency and industrialization and expansion of their global economies they are inevitably producing more and more carbon dioxide Governance and Politics-Countries Worldwide seem to have varying levels of ineffective political will to bring about real and meaningful changes to the environment 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 15

Cultural Influences & Pollution: 

Cultural Influences & Pollution Norms Values Beliefs Attitudes Bahaviour Education Status Affiliation 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 16

References: 

References Morgan, T.M. 2003. Environmental Health, 3 rd ed. Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont California Miller, T. 1988. living in the Environment, 5 th ed. Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont, CA Martin, W.F. Martin, J.F. and Prothero, T.G. 1987. hazardous Waste Handbook for Health and Society. Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, MA 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 17

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Thank You 1/24/2012 COPYRIGHT (C) 2012 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron 18