Environment impact and health risk assessment - Essay Example

The problem of air pollution has increased rapidly since the onset of the industrial revolution. Factories, trains, automobiles, and planes produce tons of emissions that damage both the environment and effect the health of the general population. There is little doubt that the environment has been effected by the corrosive nature of air pollution, for example recent studies have shown that holes in the ozone layer has occurred over the Antarctic and Arctic. The effect on health is even more dramatic.

The 1952 London killer smog made headlines throughout the globe. It was estimated that air pollution caused about 4,000 deaths. Carbon monoxide emissions cause apathy, fatigue, headache, disorientation and decreased muscular coordination and visual acuity. Research is underway to assess the long-term effects of chronic exposure to low levels of air pollution most people are exposed to, especially in developed countries. There may well be a link between air pollution and cancer, birth defects, and genetic mutations.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia “Air Pollution: Effects” Acid Rain Acid rain (and snow) impacts the environment is several ways including water, land, infrastructure and forest ecology. In lakes and rivers, acidic precipitation lowers the ph level affecting fish and other aquatic life. It also facilitates the erosion of rocks and increases metal, mostly lead in the water. People who walk in and swim in water with a relatively low ph generally suffer no ill effects. Similar to water, acid precipitation lowers the ph in soil.

Some plants and crops are adversely affected by a low ph. In addition soil nutrients can leach out of the topsoil and into the groundwater and eventually into the water table. In the United States acid rain occurs virtually everywhere and is especially prevalent in industrial areas. The infrastructure is also affected by acid rain. Recently in the U. S. there have been numerous bridge and highway failures. One of the main causes is corrosion. Acid rain is a major contributor to this phenomenon.

Structures of cement, limestone and marble are also susceptible to weathering enhanced by acid precipitation. Acid rain damages trees especially at high elevations. Wildlife is affected negatively. Answers.com “how does acid” There are also negative effects on human health. The pollutants that cause acid rain are the culprits. Sulfur dioxide and nitric oxides cause a myriad of health problems in humans (and animals). The sulfate and nitrate particles are inhaled and can cause lung inflammation, asthma and emphysema.

Fortunately the Acid Rain Program is working toward reducing acid rain and lowering the mortality rate and hospital visits due to this pollution. EPA Home “Effects of Acid Rain” Global Warming Some people question whether there actually is global warming. It is my opinion that there definitely is. If nothing is done to stop this trend the results will be devastating and probably irreversible. Even the skeptics cannot argue that ice is melting at the poles. Continued melting will cause an increase in the sea level.

There will be other unpleasant consequences. The melting arctic tundra may be causing an increase in methane levels in the atmosphere. A mysterious spike in the methane level in the atmosphere was measured in 2007. Have you noticed the increase in severe storms? I have. Effects of Global Warming “Global Warming Effects”