Health Issues Due To Environmental Contamination

Environmental contamination can take many forms. For instance the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the ground where we grow our food. All these contribute to health problems and a lower quality of life.

The air is a vital element in our health and is increasingly becoming contaminated. The air is the source of human life and its presence for more than five minutes can even cause death of permanent damage to our brains, permanently disabling it. But being a crucial component for mankind, we do not become aware of its importance and we often believe that it is infinite; that it purifies by itself and that what we incorporate into it does not affect or hurt us.

Air pollution harms our health in different ways, depending on different health issues, level of exposure and resistance. Pollution damages in different ways the health of individuals depending on their exposure to pollutants, their ability and their endurance. However, depending on these factors, the body responds to air pollution in three ways: The first is rejection through coughing or sneezing. The second is manifested through physical exhaustion. And the third is through the presence of various symptoms or specific diseases. One of the main harmful effects caused by air pollution, is the irritation of the eyes, due largely to the presence of ozone in the air and countless particles of dust.

Chemical pollutants in the air may cause dryness of mucous membranes, irritation and itching as well as several respiratory diseases, heart and blood vessel, decrease in the ability of the blood to carry nutrients and oxygen to the body, digestive disorders, problems with bones and teeth by fluoride, asthma, bronchitis, increase rate of bronchial cancer and pulmonary emphysema, cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, blood clots and stroke in adult people.

Cancer occurs when a cell or group of cells begins to multiply faster than usual. These cancer cells can affect the organs and tissues when spread. Over time, organs can no longer perform their normal functions. More than 8 million Americans have cancer. Substances in the environment cause some of these cancers: cigarette or cigar smoke, asbestos, radiation, chemicals, both natural and man-made, alcohol and sunlight. Is possible to reduce the risk of getting cancer, when you limit your exposure to these harmful agents.

Another disease that can be caused by air pollution and cigarette smoke is emphysema. Emphysema can destroy susceptible tissues of the lungs. When that happens, the lungs cannot expand and contract, as they should. This condition is known as emphysema and around two million Americans suffer from it. For these patients, every breath is extremely laborious. Even moderate exercises are hard to perform. Some people with emphysema have to breathe with the assistance of an oxygen tank.

Environmental contamination also affects heart disease. More than one in four Americans suffers

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