The Environment and Human Health - Coursework Example

This can lower the concentration of oxygen to a level that is immediately dangerous for human health; (2) Frostbite. Solid carbon dioxide is always below -78 oC at regular atmospheric pressure, regardless of the air temperature. Handling this material for more than a second or two without proper protection can cause serious blisters, and other unwanted effects. Carbon dioxide gas released from a steel cylinder, such as a fire extinguisher, causes similar effects; and (3) Kidney damage or coma.

This is caused by a disturbance in chemical equilibrium of the carbonate buffer. When carbon dioxide concentrations increase or decrease, causing the equilibrium to be disturbed, a life threatening situation may occur” (Lenntech, 2009, par. 29). b. Environmental Impact of Tire Discard The Tire Conversion Technologies (2008) indicated that the environmental impact of discarded tires range from “the aesthetic (ugly piles of tires stockpiled on a parcel of land) to the hazardous (potential for fire and toxic chemicals from smoke) to public health concerns (carelessly discarded tires are an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes)” (par. 1). .

However, if recycled, tires are proven to be beneficial to the environment as it has been validated to give at most seven times carbon reduction and therefore reduce greenhouse gas emissions. c. Chinese to Attempt to Control High Air Pollution in Beijing for 2008 Olympics Howard (2008) reported in The Daily Green in his article entitled “China’s Olympic-Sized Clean Air Plan” that “Beijing is further cracking down on pollution by yanking cars off the roads, expanding mass transit and staggering work hours” (par. 1). Details from the report indicated that of 3.

3 million private car owners in the city, scheduling depending on the last digit of the owners’ plate numbers would be allowed on the road alternately, odd or even. Working hours for employees have been staggered and more public buses, totaling an additional 2,000 would ply the city, in conjunction with “improved bus routes, extended the hours of operation for mass transit, opened a new subway and light-rail line and banned the dirtiest freight trucks. Also, many of the buildings for the Olympics are being built with green features” (Howard, 2008, par. 4). The report confirms the acknowledgement of the China government and the Olympic promoters for the need to control high air pollution in Beijing and therefore resorted to drastic and immediate methods to curb pollution, hopefully, not only in the short term, but in the long run. 2. a.

International and Intranational Water Conflicts A report authored by Shamir, a contribution from UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme to the World Water Assessment Programme contained relevant information that provides examples of international and intranational water conflicts. One conflict exists between India, Nepal and Bangladesh