The environment affects humans in numerous significant ways, impacting physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life through various environmental factors:
Health Impacts of Environmental Pollution
- Air pollution is a major environmental health hazard causing respiratory diseases, heart disease, asthma, and some cancers. Fine particulate matter in polluted air contributes to millions of premature deaths worldwide, especially in urban areas
- Water and soil pollution introduce toxic chemicals, heavy metals (like mercury, lead, cadmium), and microplastics into the food chain and drinking water, leading to adverse health outcomes including non-infectious diseases and poisoning
- Noise pollution from traffic and airports can cause hearing loss, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases
- Vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, low-income communities, and those in poor health are disproportionately affected by these environmental hazards
Effects of Climate Change
- Climate change acts as a "threat multiplier," exacerbating health risks by increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and storms. These events cause direct injuries, deaths, and mental health issues
- It disrupts food and water systems, increases exposure to infectious diseases (vector-, water-, and food-borne), and worsens social determinants of health such as livelihoods and access to healthcare
- Heatwaves and elevated temperatures also increase ground-level ozone pollution, which damages lung tissue and aggravates respiratory conditions like asthma
Environmental Stress and Well-being
- The environment influences stress levels, which affect brain function and the nervous and endocrine systems, impacting overall health
- Access to healthy environments, such as availability of parks, safe food, and clean water, supports better health outcomes and helps prevent conditions like obesity and developmental disorders
Broader Implications
- Environmental degradation and pollution contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and compound the burden of diseases globally, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the most
- The interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health calls for integrated approaches (One Health) to address these challenges effectively
In summary, the environment affects humans through exposure to pollutants, climate-related hazards, and access to healthy living conditions, which collectively influence physical health, mental well-being, and social equity
