How Industries Are Affecting Public Health

Although industrial practices play a significant role in increasing public health standards, there are ways in which they adversely affect our health. Noise, air, and water pollution are major concerns of the modern world, especially when their implications are irreversible. Recent studies have shown that increasing water and air pollution levels contribute to a high mortality rate worldwide.

Many people suffer from fatal diseases by inhaling toxic fumes that emit from industrial operations. Meanwhile, industries that dispose of toxic waste materials into rivers and seas also have devastating repercussions. Apart from being harmful to aquatic life, these toxins become part of our food chain when we consume them. Consequently, our health is at stake, and we become victims of various illnesses. This article gives a deeper insight into how industrial operations adversely affect public health.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is one of the major culprits that negatively affect public health. Although many factors are causing air pollution, industrial activities are among the top three. While manufacturing operations are essential to survive in the modern world, it does come at a price. Harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and halocarbons emitted because of business operations pollute the air. They contaminate our breathing environment and contribute to global warming, respiratory diseases, and harming the Earth’s ozone layer.

So, how can we minimize the effects of these global catastrophes? One way of dealing with air pollution is to create public awareness about its harmful impact. To achieve this, mandating academic qualifications that emphasize improving public health is critical. Industrial employees can opt for online mph programs that aim to supply knowledge about environmental health and sustain it, without any need to compromise on their job to attend in-person classes.

Water Pollution

Many countries around the globe face water pollution. Water pollution occurs when industries neglect their corporate social responsibility. We all know that when industries conduct business operations, it results in the formation of waste products. These unwanted materials are thrown in the rivers and seas in large quantities. So, these water bodies get infected with toxic materials and other harmful substances that can be fatal for marine life and humans. Aquatic animals that live in these water bodies consume the contaminants, resulting in death. Others that survive become a part of our food chain when finished.

To deal with water pollution, local government should devise measures that discourage improper waste disposal by industries. Rather than throwing waste materials into water bodies, creating waste disposal sites is an effective way to tackle water contamination. Another way of dealing with water pollution is to make recycling plants that can recycle waste into fuel. China, Japan, and Germany are among those few countries that have successfully adopted this measure.

Noise Pollution

Recent studies have shown that prolonged exposure to noise pollution can decrease life expectancy. As the human population is increasing, cities are getting crowded. This means that we require more industries to fulfill our needs. We often associate industrial areas or busy roads with noise pollution. But we are not aware of the consequences of getting exposed to higher noise levels. New studies suggest that people living near industrial zones are at risk of developing high blood pressure, stress, and sleeplessness.

World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that to defeat this invisible enemy, creating social awareness about noise pollution is crucial. Overcoming noise pollution is a challenging task, but with adequate measures, it is possible. Integrating environmental studies at the basic and advanced levels can aid in developing public awareness about the consequences of noise pollution. Secondly, opting for alternative means of transport such as bicycles and electric vehicles can help reduce noise levels.

Radiation and Biochemical Hazards

As we are progressing towards the modern era, sophisticated techniques and equipment have become common. Countries are fighting for power and are making decisions to serve their interests. This includes a race for technological advancement and economic growth and an increase in global firepower. Several countries have successfully developed some of the most destructive weapons ever created, such as the Tsar Bomba, a nuclear bomb made by Russia.

Although most nations claim these weapons of mass destruction as a defensive measure, their production is alarming. The use of biochemical weapons and other advanced techniques have put some question marks on public health and safety. The Chernobyl incident is an eye-opener for those who wish to deal with these harmful substances. The only way to deal with such hazards is to collaboratively dump these weapons, once and for all.

While we see the dawn of the modern age, we expect prosperity in every aspect of life. Whether it be public health, scientific progress, economic expansion, or industrial development, we cannot neglect its downside. By addressing these threats through social awareness and articulating effective policies, we can ensure public health and safety.