Hazardous Waste, Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution - Research Paper Example

Qs 1:- a) List two driving forces that you feel are linked to the international transport of hazardous waste. The two forces that are linked to international transport of hazardous waste are 1. Economic Development 2. Technology Economic Development and Technology are two major driving forces behind the transport of hazardous waste. Technology drives the facilities running the infrastructure associated with the transport of hazardous waste. The more technologically advanced an organization, or the municipal authorities the more efficient will be the transport of hazardous waste. Economic development drives the importance associated and given to the transport of hazardous waste. b) List two key pressures that result from these driving forces (collectively or individually) that relate to the international transport of hazardous waste and explain how. 1. Production consumption 2. Waste release c) List two changes in the state of the environment that result from these pressures and explain how. 1. Natural Hazards 2. Resource Availability 3. Pollution Levels d) List two exposures that may change in response to these environmental changes and explain how. 1. External Exposure 2. Target Organ Exposure e) For each of the exposures, list one human health effect that is directly related to the change in exposure. 1. Well being 2. Morbidity 2. Outdoor and Indoor Air pollution (a) Distinguish acute and chronic effects of air pollution. Provide one example of each. Air pollution can bring about ill health and death. There are a myriad of factors that cause air pollution. Some of them are natural sources and some man-made sources. Some of the main man-made sources that cause pollution is various industries such as that of automobiles and power generation; tobacco smoke, combustion of fuels and heating. Air pollution can impact health in two ways; the short term effects and the long term effects it is not consistent in the way it impacts individuals across the board. Some individuals are more sensitive to air pollutants than others. Young children and elder people tend to suffer more from air pollution. Total Exposure to harmful chemicals help determine the extent to which an individual has been affected by air pollution. This means that overall duration of exposure and the concentration of chemicals should be kept into perspective. Acute effects of air pollution are short term effects of air pollution. These effects include irritation to the eyes, the nose, the throat and minor respiratory infections; for instance pneumonia and bronchitis. Some other symptoms include allergic reactions, nausea and headaches. Chronic effects of pollution are the long term effects of air pollution. These include respirator disease, heart disease, lung cancer and damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. Thus air pollution can have both acute and chronic effects on human health. The impact on health is varied. It can range from minor irritation of eyes and to the extremities of chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, death and heart diseases. It can particularly harm and cause acute respiratory infections in children. Adults can become victims of chronic bronchitis. Acute and chronic bronchitis can both lead to pre-mature mortality and reduced life expectancy. The overall impact and effect will of course depend on air pollution, the pollutant type and its concentration in air etc. Different people are affected by air pollution in different ways. It is said that poor people, who are malnourished, young and the very old genre of people are more at risk. In cities where pollution is heavy and poor mostly reside in heavily polluted areas, the risk of getting these diseases is higher. (b) For particulate exposure, distinguish in terms of size and point of deposition in the body: Non-inhalable fraction The non-inhalable fraction enters the body via the nostril and gets deposited on the nostril. Inhalation fraction The inhalable fraction get deposited enter the body via the nose or mouth. There size is plus minus 100 μm (in diameter) Thoracic fraction The thoracic fraction passes through the larynx and get deposited on the conducting airways i.e. the trachea, bifurcations and even the bronchial region. Their size in terms of diameter is 10 micrometer. Respirable fraction The reparable fraction gets deposited on the alveoli. It enters the deepest part of the lung and is also a part of the inhalable fraction. Its size in terms of diameter is 4 micro meter. c) List two major health outcomes associated with the use of biomass fuels in the developing world. Include the subpopulation group most affected for each. Biomass fuel comprises of varied chemicals which can have adverse health impacts. Many of these chemicals can be harmful to the health. Particulates and gaseous compounds for instance carbon monoxide, formaldehyde etc are included in this. Particulate matter is in itself very complex and is associated with a very wide range of health impacts. It has been repeatedly observed that particulate concentrations have risen wherever bio mass fuel was found to be burnt. The two major health outcomes associated with the use of bio-mass fuels are as following: 1. Acute respiratory diseases 2. Chronic respiratory Diseases Subgroups: Acute respiratory diseases have been repeatedly found in wild fire fighters. Various studies have been conducted on wild land firefighters which is an occupational group exposed to very high levels of bio-mass smoke. The studies clearly demonstrated a correlation between exposure and acute respiratory diseases. Chronic respiratory diseases on the other hand and can be found in women and children exposed to long hours of heating. d) What is the “energy ladder”? Diagram and explain it. Introducing renewable energy is not that easy especially in poor households. It can be demonstrated via a graphical description of development of poor households in relation to household income levels and house hold carbon intensity. The final curve can be defined as the energy ladder. The steps of the ladder shown below comprise of four steps in income level and carbon intensity. They also explain the entire process of fuel substitution with rising consumption and income. The curve represents this process in the form of a continuous timeline. The energy ladder shows that there are two stages in the process of rising incomes and energy use which can cause problems in terms of climate change and resource depletion. They are as following:- 1. Poverty Trap: The first stage is the poverty trap stage. In this stage the households do not have sufficient cash income. They are hence compelled to put traditional biomass to use in an unsubstantial way. They lack the resources to move towards fossil fuels or to make use of bio mass in a more sustainable way. 2. Finance Trap: The second stage is the finance trap stage. In this stage, the households have moved beyond the poverty trap. They are expanding their horizons and their dependence on fossil fuels in a progressive way. They have a dearth of financial resources however to make local investments in renewable options against subsidized fossil fuels. Task 3 3. Energy and development [This question integrates different kinds of information to which you’ve been exposed in the course. You will not find a single “answer” in the notes somewhere.] You are a senior governmental energy advisor in a developing country without fossil fuel reserves but several major rivers, some agricultural development, and large forested areas of sensitive biodiversity. Your prime minister has asked you to prepare recommendations on future energy development trajectories for the country. To help organize your thoughts and provide an initial briefing, you have decided to develop a table comparing the (1) environmental (2) health and (3) economic impacts of different means of meeting current and future energy needs. Complete the table. You should include two impacts in each block, positive or negative. Recommendation Environmental Health Economic 1. Agriculture Based Liquid Fuels The rate of combustion is less and uniform which makes them more environment friendly. However if the combustion is incomplete they will leave behind an unpleasant odor. If fuel is made from algae, then waste can be cleaned up by processing nitrogen from water and carbon dioxide from power plants. Health risk and hazards are high if the fuels are inflammable and combustible This will be relatively cheap because the economy is agriculture based. There will be no import costs and all the fuel will be home produced. It will not only resolve the quest for energy but will help save reserves for future too Imported Coal Coal is not at all environment friendly. The damage done to the environment is irreversible. Burning coal makes way for acid rain, causes pollution and is harmful for the lungs. It destroys the natural habitat of animals. Coal is very harmful for the lungs and can cause respiratory diseases. It is a non-renewable source of energy; it won’t last forever. The transportation costs of coal are relatively high. Storage costs are also high. Advantages: It’s easily available It’s inexpensive Large amounts of electricity can be produced using coal at one place. Hydro electric It is environment friendly. There are minimal environmental concerns. No radioactive waste produced There are no health concerns as water is used to generate electricity. Dams and barrages are needed to be built. It is expensive to construct dams. Dams can be used to reserve water for future needs. This type of electricity generation is not dependent on fuels which bring down its costs immensely. Renewable source of energy Disadvantage: The costs of construction of dams are high. Colossal damage in case the dam breaks. (How to Power the world.com) 4. Urbanization For each of the following five factors, describe the way in which they are better or worse for the poor in an urban environment compared to a rural setting. Remember that you are focusing on the poorest segments of society. • Indicators of child health and nutritional status Indicators of child health and nutritional status are for better for the poor in an urban society. They will ensure that the poor are well informed and aware of their nutritional capacity, constraints and are taking all the necessary measures to stay healthy and fit. This will ensure that child mortality rate is in check and the children are well nourished and healthy. • Access to health care facilities and medicines Access to health care facilities and medicines is for the better of the poor of the urban cities. It will ensure that they are healthy, fit and access to have proper medical care at all times. • Economic opportunities Economic opportunities should also be provided to them. Economic opportunities will keep them financially empowered to afford quality health care and to fend for a better living for themselves. • Availability of drinking water (think about quantity and quality) Quality drinking water should be available and be provided to them. Water is very important for a healthy and sustainable living. Tap water should not be provided to them as it paves way for more diseases. The drinking water provided to them should be refined and be superior in quality. Works Cited "How to Power the world.com." Disadvantages of Hydro-electric energy. 21 12 2010 . Read More