Effects of environmental degradation on human health along with future consequences.

Introduction:

Environmental degradation and its impact on human health have been a serious global issue for the last few decades. Environmental degradation is both anthropogenic as well as non-anthropogenic. The two main reasons include the Industrial Revolution and a population explosion. There are mainly three main types of environmental degradation which are land/soil degradation, water degradation, and air degradation. WHO estimates anthropogenic factors contribute to a significant percentage of all environmental degradation in recent years with environment-related deaths contributing almost 23 % of global deaths (Prüss-Üstün et al., 2006).

Relationship between environmental degradation and human health: 

Human beings rely on the environment heavily for various resources as well as ecosystem-related services such as clean air, water, and food. There is an intricate relationship between human beings and the environment. A multitude of health-related problems occur due to environmental degradation because of disruption in essential services. Environmental degradation has immediate, short term and long-term effects on human health. Immediate effects are generally caused by air pollution affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. 

Current effects of environmental degradation on the human health:

Air pollution: Air pollution is a major environmental hazard and is attributed to in 2012, ambient air pollution was responsible for 3.7 million deaths, representing 6.7 % of the total deaths with About 88% of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. (WHO, 2014). Increasing levels of air pollution, driven by factors like industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, burning fossil fuel, and deforestation with an increase in greenhouse gases including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons have been linked to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. Inhalation of particulate matter and toxic gases can result in respiratory infections, asthma, lung cancer, and chronic illnesses. Recently studies in China, Italy, and the United States have shown an association between air pollution and the transmission of COVID-19 (Zhang et al., 2020). 

Contaminated water and waterborne diseases; water scarcity

Environmental degradation often results in water contamination by various means including industrial waste, agriculture runoff, and poor and improper/ unhealthy sanitation practices. In 2022, at least 1.7 billion people used a drinking water source contaminated with feces globally. Consuming contaminated water may result in individuals suffering from various waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and polio which are estimated to cause approximately 505 000 diarrhoeal deaths each year (Shayo et al., 2023). Depletion of freshwater resources and high salinity of water pose significant problems, especially for women and children in low-income countries.

Loss of biodiversity and emerging zoonotic diseases:

Degradation of the existing habitat and increasing human encroachment activities in the wildlife, transmission of zoonotic diseases is facilitated. biodiversity loss appears to increase the risk of human exposure to both new and established zoonotic pathogens. Multiple human-mediated environmental changes and activities have been found to be key drivers of zoonotic disease emergence, promoting the conditions in which zoonoses can emerge e.g. Ebola virus, SARS, and most recently Covid-19 pandemic (Keesing & Ostfeld, 2021).

Food security and malnutrition:

Environmental degradation causes disruption in the agricultural system heralding in decreasing yield of crops, food shortages, and resultant escalation of food prices. This contributes to malnutrition, both overnutrition and undernutrition having long-term impacts on human health. In recent years, in developing countries, the rapid growth of food production has also a concern for having a negative impact on the environment due to the overuse of various fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides (Subramaniam & Masron, 2021).

Future consequences of environmental degradation on Human Health

Climate change and extreme weather events:

Environmental degradation results in worsening climate change with a resultant increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and heat waves. These results in disruptions to food and water security, worsening air quality, the rise of vector-borne diseases, exacerbations of chronic disease, mental health stressors, and worker injury risks. It is estimated to cause almost 60,000 deaths per annum globally (Leal Filho et al., 2022). 

Environmental toxins and chronic diseases, cancers:

Continued environmental degradation makes human beings prone to continuous exposure to harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants. According to the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, exposure to toxic air, water, soil, and chemical pollution is the largest environmental cause of premature death, with an estimated 8.3 million deaths globally in 2017. Although much is known about the substances that result in environmental hazards impacting human health, many challenges exist due to various factors.  Overt dependence on substances and energy sources associated with toxins, difficulty in assessing the actual environmental impact, and vested interests of stakeholders are the prime factors. Neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been linked to various toxins including rotenone and permethrin used as insecticides. Studies in low-income countries have demonstrated an increase in infectious diseases attributed to environmental pollutants and the resultant poor immune status of people (Sarah et al., 2022).  According to an analysis published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 120 chemicals have been identified as “known” carcinogens; another 81 have been identified as “probable” carcinogens; and another 299 as “possibly” carcinogenic. Well-known carcinogens are asbestos, nickel, cadmium, radon, vinyl chloride, benzidine, and benzene. Besides, an association between endocrine and reproductive disorders with environmental toxins has also been noted (Cohen & Jefferies, 2019).

Mental health impacts:

Escalation in environmental degradation has been associated with varying degrees of mental health issues in humans. Climate change, deforestation, and pollution have a negative impact on mental health as demonstrated in various studies. It is generally noted that individuals of low socioeconomic status or indigenous populations are in psychosocial distress (Wigand et al., 2022).

Displacement, migration, socioeconomic and health impacts:

Although migration can be an adaptive strategy to climate changes, migration due to environmental changes is complex and its impact differs variably on a multitude of factors having direct or indirect effects. The migrating or host communities may be subjected to the long-term effects of migration in geomorphological and population health contexts (Schwerdtle et al., 2018).

Multidimensional and disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations:

Climate changes and environmental degradation have resulted in explicit inequalities among the vulnerable and marginalized population compared to the affluent in exacerbating all health consequences. Limited economic and technological resources imply increased impacts on this population to cope with the risks of climate change (Khine & Langkulsen, 2023).  Environmental degradation has a significant effect in difficulty in addressing the poverty issues in the impoverished society and results in difficulty in achieving the desired goals. 

Socio-economic impact

Environmental degradation can have significant socioeconomic impacts. When the environment is degraded, not only agriculture, and farming but also other sectors including tourism are affected resulting in economic loss. Depletion of natural resources can disrupt the supply chain and increase prices of goods and services. In the long run, this results in a significant burden on healthcare expenditure which further continues the vicious cycle.

Mitigating the Effect of environmental degradation on human Health:

Climate change and environmental degradation have profound impacts on human health and need to be properly addressed in a multifaceted approach. Adopting a One Health approach, enhancing cross-sector, transboundary communication, as well as collaboration among multiple stakeholders is prudent in minimizing the risks related to environmental degradation. The severity of the health risks depends on the ability of the existing public health system to adequately intervene based on the local resources. 

To mitigate the existing and future consequences of environmental degradation, it is imperative to have early preparedness, develop climate resilient infrastructure and sustainable practices, use renewable sources of energy, reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, address pollution issues as well as public education, reinforcing controlling strategies, reforestation, crop rotation as well as reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.  Besides, it is essential to address environmental health disparities and risks.

Conclusion: 

Government Laws and policies should be developed and strictly implemented prioritizing both the environment and human health. International cooperation among different countries and partners is essential to achieve desired goals and its sustainability. A strong environmental education (EE) system with the responsiveness of humans towards nature for sustainability and environmental security is the need of time.

References:

Cohen, L., & Jefferies, A. (2019). Environmental exposures and cancer: Using the precautionary principle. Ecancermedicalscience, 13, ed91. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2019.ed91

Keesing, F., & Ostfeld, R. S. (2021). Impacts of biodiversity and biodiversity loss on zoonotic diseases. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(17), e2023540118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023540118

Khine, M. M., & Langkulsen, U. (2023). The Implications of Climate Change on Health among Vulnerable Populations in South Africa: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3425. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043425

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Prüss-Üstün, A., Corvalán, C., & World Health Organization. (2006). Preventing disease through healthy environments: Towards an estimate of the environmental burden of disease. World Health Organization.

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Shayo, G. M., Elimbinzi, E., Shao, G. N., & Fabian, C. (2023). Severity of waterborne diseases in developing countries and the effectiveness of ceramic filters for improving water quality. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 47(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-023-01088-9

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Wigand, M. E., Timmermann, C., Scherp, A., Becker, T., & Steger, F. (2022). Climate Change, Pollution, Deforestation, and Mental Health: Research Trends, Gaps, and Ethical Considerations. GeoHealth, 6(11), e2022GH000632. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GH000632

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