ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES What they are and what we can do to help

“ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM?” WHAT IS IT? It’s when pollutants or chemicals are released by humans into the environment and have negative effects on ecosystems and different species (animal and human). Pollution is any physical change to any sphere in the environment that changes it’s natural form

Different types of pollution… Can cause many diseases such as lung cancer, asthma and emphysema

Noise above 85 decibles could influence people’s sleeping habits which affect their mental capabilities One of the main pollutants – including nitrates, phosphates, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The effects of pollutants on peoples’ health… Some organic compounds and heavy metals are carcinogenic (cancer causing substances). These substances also negatively affect the ways people’s brains function (the nervous system). Pollution of water leads to diseases such as cholera, which can lead to death.

What are we doing to make pollution?

climate change? climate change? Ever heard of the GREENHOUSE EFFECT?

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT LONGWAVE RADIATION FROM THE SUN HITS THE EARTH, WHICH THEN GETS REFLECTED BACK OUT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AS SHORT WAVE RADIATION. LONGWAVE RADIATION FROM THE SUN HITS THE EARTH, WHICH THEN GETS REFLECTED BACK OUT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AS SHORT WAVE RADIATION. The short wave radiation cant make it through strange polluted air particles, and so gets reflected back towards the earth. The short wave radiation cant make it through strange polluted air particles, and so gets reflected back towards the earth. This heats the earth artificially This heats the earth artificially

What can we do to help? Recycling – paper, plastic, glass and tin waste Using environmentally friendly products Saving water – eg: putting a brick in the toilet cistern can save up to 1 litre per flush! Using less electricity – cook less energy consumptive meals Use biodegradable products. Eg: use wax wrap for school sandwhiches instead of cling wrap Grow your own vegetables Try to minimise fuel consumption by using cars less

Closing thought We all contribute to environmental health problems through the waste and pollution we cause. According to the World Health Organisation, as many as 13 million deaths can be prevented every year by making our environment healthier. We only have one planet earth. The solutions to these problems begin small, they begin with us!