Land Pollution's Impact: Diseases And Health Hazards

Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surfaces, both above and below ground, due to the accumulation of solid and liquid waste materials that contaminate groundwater and soil. It is caused by human activities such as littering, waste washed ashore from boats, oil rigs, and sewage treatment plants, and the overuse of chemical fertilizers, among other things. This pollution has serious consequences for both the environment and human health, with an estimated 9 million premature deaths caused by pollution in 2015 alone. Diseases caused by land pollution include cancer, chronic respiratory disease, nervous system impairments, skin issues, gastrointestinal issues, and cardiovascular disease.

Cancer

Land pollution occurs when trash, compost, and other toxins are dumped on the land, contaminating or polluting it. This includes the accumulation of solid and liquid waste products, which contaminate groundwater and soil. Soil pollution is a form of land pollution that harms the soil's upper layer. Soil pollution can be caused by the overuse of chemical fertilizers, soil degradation caused by running water, and pest control measures.

Air pollution is a significant contributor to land pollution, and it poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world's population breathes unhealthy air. Air pollution is linked to approximately 1% of all cancer cases in Europe, and it causes about 2% of all cancer-related deaths. For lung cancer alone, air pollution is responsible for 9% of deaths.

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (PM) in outdoor air pollution as Group 1 human carcinogens for lung cancer. Studies have found a significant adverse association between PM2.5 and bladder cancer mortality.

In addition to lung cancer, air pollution may also contribute to bladder cancer and breast cancer. Furthermore, air pollution has been linked to poorer cancer survival rates, although more research is needed to confirm this association.

Soil pollution, a form of land pollution, can also increase the risk of developing cancer. This includes exposure to contaminated soil containing toxic chemicals, heavy metals, insecticides, and other poisonous substances. Soil contaminants such as asbestos and dioxins have been linked to lung cancer and other severe ailments. Soil pollution can also lead to birth defects and developmental issues in pregnant women exposed to toxic substances.

Overall, land pollution, including air and soil pollution, poses a significant risk to human health, and reducing pollution is crucial to lowering the cancer burden and improving public health outcomes.

Respiratory and lung diseases

Land pollution is a significant environmental concern that poses serious health risks to humans. It refers to the degradation and contamination of land surfaces, both above and below ground, due to the accumulation of solid and liquid waste products. One of the major health concerns associated with land pollution is the increased incidence of respiratory and lung diseases.

Air pollution can also trigger and exacerbate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. High pollution levels can cause asthma symptoms to worsen, leading to more frequent asthma attacks and hospital admissions. Additionally, air pollutants can irritate the airways, causing inflammation and aggravating lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Climate change is expected to intensify these issues by increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, amplifying air pollution levels, and further compromising respiratory health.

Long-term exposure to air and land pollution has been linked to the development of chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants present in soil and air can, over time, lead to severe lung ailments. For example, inhaling asbestos, a common soil contaminant, can result in lung carcinoma, parenchymal asbestosis, and pleural mesothelioma. Similarly, exposure to dioxins and arsenic, which can accumulate in the body through contaminated food and water sources, can contribute to the development of cancer.

Soil contamination, a form of land pollution, can also have detrimental effects on respiratory health. Soil pollutants, including chemicals and pathogens, can enter the body through inhalation of soil particles or ingestion of contaminated soil. This can lead to respiratory complications, especially in children who are more likely to come into close contact with soil during play. Additionally, pregnant women exposed to toxic substances in polluted soil are at risk of birth abnormalities and developmental issues in their unborn children.

Cardiovascular issues

Land pollution occurs when trash, compost, toxins, and other waste products are dumped on the land, contaminating and degrading the earth's crust and soil. This can be caused by human activities such as littering, industrial waste, agricultural activities, and waste from boats, oil rigs, and sewage treatment plants. Soil pollution, a form of land pollution, specifically refers to the harm caused to the upper layer of the soil.

The pollutants in the soil can enter the human body and cause a variety of health issues. Cardiovascular issues are among the most common health problems caused by land pollution. Air pollution, which is often caused by land pollution, is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in those who already have heart conditions. Outdoor particle pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), can increase the risk of cardiovascular events and has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.

The American Heart Association reports that someone dies from cardiovascular disease every 40 seconds in the United States. Air pollution exposure is a contributing factor to this alarming statistic. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease include male sex, older age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low HDL, and smoking. However, air pollution exposure, especially from outdoor particle pollution, can exacerbate these risk factors and contribute to the development of cardiovascular issues.

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of hospitalizations for serious cardiovascular events. These events can include coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, heart failure, stroke, and sudden cardiac death. Additionally, air pollution has been associated with coronary artery calcification, which can restrict blood flow to the heart and increase the likelihood of cardiovascular episodes.

It is important to note that the risk of cardiovascular issues from particle pollution may be smaller for individuals who are not already susceptible to heart conditions. Nevertheless, understanding the link between land pollution and cardiovascular health is crucial for effective prevention and management of heart-related issues.

Nervous system damage

Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surfaces, both above and below ground level, due to human activities. It is caused by the dumping of trash, compost, and other toxins, which contaminate the land and pollute the soil, groundwater, and surface water. Soil pollution, a form of land pollution, specifically refers to the harm caused to the upper layer of the soil.

One of the diseases caused by exposure to contaminated soil is nervous system damage. This is often caused by the presence of lead (Pb) in the soil, which can be especially harmful to children. Lead levels in urban air are also elevated due to automobile emissions, and air pollution can cause diverse neurological disorders.

The exact mechanisms of how air pollution affects the brain are not fully understood, but several lines of evidence point to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, glial activation, and cerebrovascular damage as potential primary pathways. In addition, ambient air pollution is suspected of being a neurotoxicant, and mounting evidence from human epidemiological and animal studies suggests that it may negatively affect the central nervous system (CNS) and contribute to CNS diseases.

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have been observed in several neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to their progression and etiopathology. For example, neuronal cell damage caused by fine dust can lead to permanent brain damage or neurological disease in adulthood. In addition, exposure to particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) has been associated with hospitalizations for vascular dementia.

Furthermore, systemic inflammation arising from the pulmonary or cardiovascular system can affect CNS health. This can occur when inhaled ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) enters the CNS through the olfactory nerve or the vascular interface of the blood-brain barrier, which may be rendered more permeable by higher levels of peripheral oxidative stress and inflammation.

The risk factors for contracting diseases caused by land pollution depend on the route of exposure, the time of exposure, and the age of the individual. Children, for example, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of soil pollution since they are often in closer proximity to the soil when playing.

Birth defects and developmental issues

Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surfaces, both above and below ground level, due to the abnormal and excessive concentration of toxic substances. It is caused by human activities such as littering, waste from boats, oil rigs, and sewage treatment plants, as well as mining, intensive urbanization, and nuclear waste. These activities contaminate the soil with toxic chemicals, heavy metals, insecticides, and other poisonous substances, which can have detrimental effects on human health.

Pregnant women exposed to toxic substances and air pollution are at risk of giving birth to children with abnormalities or developmental delays. Soil and air pollutants can enter the human body through various passages, leading to dangerous consequences. The risk of birth defects is higher during the first three months before pregnancy and during the first and third trimesters. Exposure to pollutants like SO2, NO2, and PM10 has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects, congenital heart disease, cleft palate, and digestive system abnormalities.

In a study conducted in four cities in Hunan province, China, from 2014 to 2016, the risk of birth defects related to SO2 exposure in the first three months before pregnancy was between 1.191 and 1.566. During the first trimester, the risk increased to between 1.104 and 1.348. Similarly, the risk of birth defects associated with NO2 exposure before pregnancy was 1.285, and during the first trimester, it ranged from 1.280 to 1.380.

Additionally, land pollution can lead to low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction. A study by Jedrychowski et al. found that pregnant women exposed to fine particulate matter (PM 25) were more likely to have children with low birth weight and reduced head circumference. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is also associated with low birth weight, placental problems, preterm delivery, and spontaneous abortion.

The effects of land pollution on birth defects and developmental issues are not limited to the prenatal stage. Children who play on polluted soil may accidentally swallow soil particles, exposing them to toxic substances. Long-term exposure to contaminated soil can result in nervous system impairments, skin issues, and an increased risk of cancer.

Understanding the risk factors and the impact of land pollution on birth defects and developmental issues is crucial for effective prevention and management. Addressing land pollution and reducing exposure to toxic substances can help mitigate the potential health risks associated with birth defects and developmental delays.

Frequently asked questions