In: Nursing
1. Identify and describe several current environmental issues, and describe the federal laws and regulatory agencies that exist to protect the environment. 2. List organizations and global initiatives that protect the environment. 3. Describe the major sources of air pollution, and list strategies for minimizing their effects. 4. Analyze sources of water pollution, and list ways to protect water quality. 5. Describe the risks of noise pollution and methods for minimizing it. 6. Describe the elements of the visual environment and how they affect health. 7. List the common energy sources and describe how to conserve them. 8. Explain the benefits of recycling, and describe methods of waste disposal. 9. Discuss the impact of the natural environment on human health status, and list guidelines for protecting and preserving the environment. 10. Describe ways to become an effective health advocate for the environment.
Our environment consist of all flora and fauna, in other wors we can say that all the living and non living which exists naturally is called as environment. At present there are several environmental issues which are affecting the environment. Global warming has become major issue of the world, as ozone layer is depleting causing more adverse effect on our environment. Global warming has become an undisputed fact about our current livelihoods,our planet is warming up and we are definitely part of the problem. Content of carbon dioxide is increasing day by day , this is making our earth more warmer. Climate changes like global warming is the result of human practices like emission of Greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the oceans and the earth’ surface causing melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and also unnatural patterns of precipitation such as flash floods, excessive snow or desertification.
The main source of these increasing temperature is pollution. Pollution of air, water and soil require millions of years to recoup. Industry and motor vehicle exhaust are the number one pollutants. Heavy metals, nitrates and plastic are toxins responsible for pollution. While water pollution is caused by oil spill, acid rain, urban runoff; air pollution is caused by various gases and toxins released by industries and factories and combustion of fossil fuels; soil pollution is majorly caused by industrial waste that deprives soil from essential nutrients.
Air pollution is the main cause of global warming, all the fumes coming out of chemical industreis as well as toxic gases which pollutes the environment. Due to the air pollution the health of people getting worst. In one of the study of the World Health Organization estimates that every year, 2.4 million people die because of the effects of air pollution on health. Respiratory problems, allergy are much common due to air pollution. Solving the air pollution problem is a joint effort.
Making laws and regulation regarding pollution is one of the first way to decrease or control the air pollution. Many cities and countries that were once heavily polluted have substantially attained clean air mainly due to the institutionalization of anti-pollution laws.
Use of renewable sources will help to decrease the air pollution. Fossil fuels and coals are major cause of air pollution, renewable energy sources to produce power presents a practical solution to air pollution. Alternative energy sources include wind energy, geothermal energy, solar energy, and hydro-power. Raising awareness among peple such as use of biodegradable products etc.
Water pollution is major cause of scarcity of water. The specific contaminants leading to pollution in water are various organic and inorganic chemicals, wide spectrum of pathogens especially bacteria, fungus spore, cyanobacteria, actinomycetes, etc., and physical or sensory changes such as elevated temperature and discoloration. There are some organic compounds like cyanides, thiocyanides, phenolic compounds, fluorides, radioactive substances, etc. which are harmful for humans as well as animals. Organic water pollutants include detergents, disinfection byproducts found in chemically disinfected drinking water, such as chloroform, food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances, fats and grease, insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organic halides and other chemical compounds petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels, gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels, and fuel oil and lubricants, motor oil and fuel combustion by products etc. Industries should not be allowed to discharge untreated chemicals into the water bodies. There should be a mechanism to ensure that only harmless substances poured into rivers, lakes, and oceans.Underground water can be saved from pollution if the land not exposed to harmful pesticides and other industrial chemicals. The farmers should be encouraged for organic farming.The sewage pollutants are subject to chemical treatment to change them into non-toxic substances or make them less toxic.
There are many health problems due to the pollution, respiratory problems are common nowadays, allergies, skin rashes etc. There are serious health issue in the world due to pollution. Poluution also effects the agriculture, vegetation etc. Many artificial products are being used which leads to the serious health problem. Chnage in the environmental condition causes uneasiness for the elderly people. Asthama, dysentry, cholera etc has become common problem.