The Body Ecosystem Continuum - Term Paper Example

1 1. Name 2. Professor’s name 3. Class 4. Date 2 The Body Ecosystem Continuum Order ID - 432767 Introduction Emission of body wastes is as important as eating the right foods to be healthy. Body wastes are the bi-products of what we consume. Both these factors are dependant on each other in order to keep us healthy and free from disease. The systems that are involved in the intake of food, water and air, work in tandem with the systems involved in excreting the wastes from our body. If any of these fail to function in the right manner, then we become sick and may even contact deadly diseases. Hence, it is inevitable that great importance is given to the different systems that make up the human body. Our group had chosen this topic because we understood the importance of gaining a deeper insight into our body’s ecosystem and thereby understand the proper functionality of the various systems and know how to take care of them. Human wastes are bio-wastes and it is crucial that these are disposed off in the proper manner or they would become vectors of bacterial or viral diseases which could turn into serious health hazards. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, UNICEF and GWP (WHO/UNICEF 2000, GWP 2000) approximately 2.2 million people die each year due to diseases caused by contamination. This has posed a great challenge to the human race as a whole, and therefore our group felt that this topic was so important and decided 3 to get better enlightenment which could bring about an awareness on the subject of human wastes in relation to good health. In order to maintain a balanced ecosystem our body goes through a seven year pattern of replenishing itself by getting rid of all the wastes in the body. (The Human Body as an Ecosystem, web, 2013) These wastes comprise of human excreta, urine, sweat and other skin, hair and sexual wastes. The essential components to keep our body healthy are food and water. After the body absorbs the necessary nutrients, the wastes materials are flushed out through the different systems. Our body comprises of a complex network made up of the different organs such as the kidneys, lungs, sweat glands and the rectum which enable the body to get rid of waste materials. Hence, understanding the proper functioning of the organs and systems in our body would go a long way in helping us to keep away from harmful diseases. Waste Futures: A Hopeful Waste Portrait Wastes create an impact on the environment around us – some of it is good while others could be harmful. Therefore, understanding wastes and how they relate to the environment would be the first step to a cleaner future and healthier lifestyles. Body wastes are of different kinds. They include – 1) Sweat Wastes, 2) Excrement Wastes and 3) Hair Wastes. In this research, an attempt is being made to understand and evaluate the 4 different wastes of our body and to find out the detrimental impact their have on the environment around us. This research would serve to give us a better understanding on the subject and enable us to find solutions of disposal that do not impact on society but helps to build a healthier generation. Research Problem Human wastes claims lives due to the fact of poor sanitation. Research has it that these deaths occurred due to some of the most common diseases which are preventable. Research Rationale Research studies show that human waste is a slow killer that is made even worse by the failure to respond to poor sanitation and other health related issues. This situation calls for immediate action on the part of the Governments as well as the community to take steps to remedy the situation and ensure them of a better and cleaner future. Research Discussion Human wastes pose a great challenge to our society due to poor sanitation methods. This is especially evident in the developing countries and countries that are poverty stricken. For example, in their reports on sanitation, the WHO/UNICEF (2000) and GWP (2000) state that nearly half of the people in Asia do not have adequate sanitation. According to 5 the World Health Organization reports twice the number of people in countries like Indonesia, India and China are dying from diarrhoeal diseases as from HIV. Disposal of Body Wastes In a quest to keep our body healthy and in a state of well being, our body needs to flush out wastes from time to time. For example, sweat wastes contain harmful substances like urea, ammonia, sugars and salts that are sent out through the pores in our skin. Sweating takes place when the hypothalamus which forms an integral part of the brain, sends signals to the sweat glands when the temperature of our body needs to be regulated. In like manner, Excrement wastes such as excreta and urine need to be flushed out from time to time because they contain harmful substances like salts and urea that could be harmful to our body. After the food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the intestines where absorption takes place. The wastes are then sent out of the body through the rectum. Breathing is vital to life and clean, fresh air is crucial to the lungs that inhales and exhales the air in an exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon-di-oxide. Breathing in polluted air is harmful and therefore should be avoided because the lungs would get affected. Besides these, we have wastes from the male and female sexual organs which includes discharge of blood and semen from their respective organs while trying to maintain a 6 neutral balance to the body. Hair waste is another form of waste that is brought about by illness or by not maintaining cleanliness resulting in hair loss. Disposal of Wastes If we want to live in a healthy eco-system, it is crucial that all the wastes around us need to be disposed off in the right manner or we would be inviting diseases and epidemics. Some of the vital issues related to keeping our eco-system viable and healthy are cleanliness and hygiene, proper disposal of wastes and preventing contamination. a) Cleanliness and Hygiene In getting rid of the wastes that are expelled from our body, it is crucial to maintain utmost cleanliness and hygiene. Research has proved that as these wastes are removed from our body, it tends to rejuvenate itself every seven years with new cells taking the place of old cells. In fact, on-going research in this field by both scientists and researchers shows that embryonic cells can be used in treating some of the dreaded diseases such as cardio-vascular diseases, cancer and other diseases that are auto- immune. (Stem cell research, 2013) However, the first step in this direction is maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness of our body as well as our surroundings. Having regular baths and washing our hands before and after meals could prevent our food and water from contamination. Keeping the surroundings neat and clean and keeping pets and animals away from our 7 water sources could help in preventing water borne diseases like diarrhea and cholera. In a recent poll taken by readers of the British Medical Journal, (Mozynski P.2008) (BMJ) states that sanitation was voted as the greatest advancement in public health during the last century. However, though research studies have proved that morbidity has drastically reduced, yet, we have a long way to go in building a clean and healthy environment by improving the sanitary conditions. Proper Disposal of Wastes Waste and waste management poses a challenge to our present society. Though human beings are an integral part of the eco-system, yet they are much slower to respond to urban and rural wastes that are harmful to it. The rate of consumption has increased considerably as also the quality of life, but due to poor disposal and sanitation methods agencies are finding it difficult to cope up with the increase in wastes in the ecosystem. Consumption has increased but the technological disposal methodologies are facing huge problems due to the high volumes of wastes generated. Excess usage of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals have adversely impacted the eco-system. Urban and rural wastes have been described as “a nightmare” (Asomani-Boateng 2002).because it creates a negative impact on the health and well-being of humans. Disposal of wastes from tourism, recreation and other daily activities need to be 8 streamlined and disposed off in the proper manner in order to keep our eco-systems free from harmful substances that threaten the existence of human beings. Humanity is faced with the practical challenge of experiencing ‘pollution’ brought about by wastes, but they are slow to finding solutions that are not only economically viable but also socially acceptable. Governments and other Environmental agencies need to create awareness among the people about cleanliness of their surroundings, waste disposal and the detrimental factors that go with it. According to (Onibokun et al., 2000) the major stumbling block faced by waste management sector is conflicts related to provisions in the constitution. Preventing Contamination Preventing the contamination of food and water is a whole new challenge to human beings because of wastes that pollute them. Stringent steps should be put in place and latest technology should be used in the removal of contaminants that have an adverse impact on the eco-system. Water treatment plants monitoring water sources and carrying out maintenance and treatment of water sources would be a step in the right direction. The chief responsibility of providing safe drinking water according to the Safe Drinking Water Act lies with the U.S Environmental Agency (EPA) (Web, 2013) who carry out many programs for waste disposal and keeping the water sources free from contaminants, while making it safe for drinking. The EPA also works in tandem with other organizations in helping communities and water distributors 9 understand the importance of keeping water resources free from pollutants or contaminants. Conclusion This research study has thrown light on the importance of keeping ourselves, our homes and surroundings clean. Every human being has a right to leading a free and comfortable life that is safe from all pollutants and contaminants and we should be aware that the eco-system in which we live should be kept free of wastes if we are to enjoy a healthy life. It is an inevitable fact that if wastes are not disposed off in the right manner, it is bound to pollute the eco-system we live in and cause the spread of dreadful diseases. The need of the hour is a drastic change because of the fact that consumerism has escalated to a great degree and there is much advancement in the field of science and technology, but humans are slow to respond to this fact. References Asomani-Boateng, R, 2002: Urban cultivation in Accra: An examination of the nature, practices, problems, potentials and urban planning implications, Habitat International, 26(4), pp. 591–607 Mozynski P (2008). BMA says inadequate sanitation is a global crisis. Water Sanitation and Hygiene for the prevention of diarrhea. International Journal of Epidemiology. BMJ 2008;336:117. Onibokun, A.G., N.O. Adedipe, and M.K.C. Sridhar (eds.), 2000: Affordable Technology and Strategies for Waste Management in Africa: Lessons from Experience, CASSAD monograph series no. 13, Centre for African Settlement Studies and Development, Ibadan, Nigeria, 133 pp. EPA, Preventing Contamination of Drinking Water Resources. Retrieved from the web in Oct. 2013. www.epa.gov Research – Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Web. Retrieved on 11 Oct., 2013 www.stemcell.stanford.edu/research The Human Body as an Ecosystem. Rediscovering Biology. Infectious Diseases. Unit 5. Web. Retrieved on 11 Oct. 2013 www.learner.org/courses/biology/textbook/infect/infect_3.html WHO/UNICEF 2000, GWP 2000 as found in The Human Waste. A Report from Tear Fund and Water Aid. UK World Health Report 2001. as found in The Human Waste. A Report from Tear Fund and Water Aid. UK Read More