POLLUTION AWARENESS AND ACTIVISM
impact of pollution on people
Effects of air pollution depend on many different factors-- exposure, type of pollutants, preexisting health risks, and more. Smog, soot, and other particles from air pollution can aggravate people's eyes and throats and harm their lungs, especially those of children, the elderly, and people with conditions like asthma or allergies that put them at a health risk. Pollen and mold levels are also heightened by climate change, leading to increased asthma and allergy problems.
The effects of air pollution on people can be life-threatening. Pollution is leading to millions of deaths worldwide. About 4 in 10 Americans reside in counties that have hazardous amounts of air pollution. Worldwide, there are tons of people living near "polluting site[s]" such as industrial factories, and this proximity to sources of air contamination puts them at an increased risk for pollution-related health issues.
Certain areas are specifically targeted to become polluting sites. Historically, policies have aimed to keep white communities free of polluting sources like factories and instead build them in areas inhabited by people of color. This means that "in addition to the increased health risks that come from living in such places, members of these communities experience economic harm in the form of missed workdays, higher medical costs, and local underinvestment" as a result (nrdc.org).
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Exposure to air pollution can manifest both short and long-term effects in humans. Short-term effects consist of "illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis... [and] irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, and skin" as well as "headaches, dizziness, and nausea" (nationalgeographic.com). A person can endure long-term effects for years. These can sometimes be fatal and include "heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema" as well as "long-term damage to people's nerves, brain, kidneys, and other organs" (nationalgeographic.com). Effects of air pollution exposure often depend on the amount and type of pollutants, length of time exposed to them, and the individual's age and existing health conditions.
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Water pollution creates situations similar to these. Consuming polluted water can cause diseases such as cholera, giardia, and typhoid, and lead to even more severe health issues. Unhealthy water caused "1.8 million deaths in 2015" and "sickens about 1 billion people" annually (nrdc.org). Due to water polluted by garbage and plastic waste, individuals can absorb microplastics through seafood or their drinking water. This leads to inflammatory issues or problems with one's metabolism. Water polluted by sewage and wastewater may contain bacteria that spreads diseases including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, and dysentery, which are especially harmful to young children. Consuming water contaminated with chemicals can put individuals at risk for cancer and cardiovascular or kidney problems, as well as impact hormones, brain function, and immune and reproductive systems.
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Lower income classes of communities are often at an unfair disadvantage for water pollution-related effects as they are at a closer proximity to pollutive industries. However, this can impact even the most developed and highest class countries as accidents and illegal activities involving pollutants released into the ocean occur worldwide.
