Health Impacts of Environmental Pollution

Everything around us—the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil of our food—plays a crucial role in shaping our health and well-being. But what if instead of only being a source of vitality, it is also posing serious health threats? More than 12 million people worldwide lose their lives every year due to exposure to unhealthy environments. So, what can we do to protect both the environment and ourselves?

Global development and expanding industrialization have been great contributors to several global issues; environmental pollution being one of them. In this article, we will explore the kinds of pollution and the impact it has on human health. Furthermore, we will also look at how organizations can mitigate these health impacts through ISO 14001.

What is Environmental Pollution?

Environmental pollution, often referred to as pollution, is the contamination or introduction of harmful substances or pollutants into the natural environment, and it poses a serious issue that affects the health and well-being of humans, animals, and plants. 

These pollutants can be in the form of solid, liquid, or gaseous substances, leading to adverse effects, such as disease, death, reduced biodiversity, climate change, and ecological imbalance. Pollution can be caused by various sources, including industrial activities, agricultural practices, transportation, household waste, mining, deforestation, and urbanization.

The Different Kinds of Pollution and Their Health Impact

Air pollution

Air pollution is caused mainly by the release of harmful gaseous pollutants into the atmosphere. The foremost human-made sources of air pollutants are transportation and manufacturing. Examples of air pollutants include carbon dioxide which is released from the combustion of fuel; benzene, which is found in gasoline; the chemical solvent used in dry cleaning facilities perchloroethylene, etc.

These pollutants are linked to various health issues, including heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases, as well as symptoms like reduced lung function, eye and throat irritation, and headaches. Chronic exposure to air pollution can also lead to premature death. As a matter of fact, according to WHO, in 2019, air pollution was estimated to have caused 4.2 million premature deaths globally. 

Water Pollution

Water pollution occurs when pollutants are released directly or indirectly into water streams without adequate treatment, causing physical, biological, and chemical changes. This kind of pollution is mainly caused by discharging chemical substances into freshwater streams, i.e., in cases of spills or leaks from oil and chemical containers.

The presence of pollutants in water can lead to adverse health effects, such as hepatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach aches; even reproductive problems and neurological disorders. Water pollution with heavy metals can also result in neurological disorders, and consumption of polluted water can further lead to developmental problems, especially in children.

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution, also known as land pollution, is the contamination of the land with hazardous and toxic chemicals. This kind of pollution is mostly caused by human-made actions, industrial activities, agricultural chemicals, and inadequate waste disposal. The most common chemicals involved in land pollution are petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals. 

These aforementioned pollutants possess the potential to induce a multitude of adverse effects on human health. These effects can range from mild symptoms, such as headaches, eye irritation, and skin rashes to far graver health conditions. For instance, elevated levels of lead in soil can lead to developmental impairments in the brains of young children. Conversely, exposure to mercury increases the likelihood of organ damage, including harm to the kidneys and liver.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is the presence of excessive, disruptive, or unwanted noise in the environment, often caused by sources like transportation, industrial machinery, and urban development. Prolonged exposure to noise pollution can lead to various health issues, including stress, hearing loss, and sleep disturbances.

Constant exposure to high decibel levels can lead to hearing loss, hypertension, sleep disturbances, and increased stress levels. It can also have a negative effect on mental health, leading to anxiety and cognitive impairments.

Light Pollution

The term light pollution refers to excessive, misdirected, or intrusive artificial illumination that disrupts the natural darkness of the night sky. It can have negative effects on wildlife, including birds and insects, as well as human circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.

Light pollution can disrupt the circadian rhythms of humans and animals, leading to sleep disorders, depression, and increased stress. It can also hinder the body's production of melatonin, increasing the risk of certain cancers.

ISO 14001 and Environmental Pollution

Organizations can play an important role when it comes to the environment. They might unintentionally harm it with various activities, such as industrial processes, improper waste disposal, excessive resource use, and neglect of environmental regulations. To mitigate their impact and protect the environment, they must prioritize sustainability and responsible resource management.

ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is a standard that assists companies in establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving their Environmental Management System (EMS).

While it primarily focuses on environmental performance and sustainability, it can indirectly help address the health impacts of environmental pollution. 

ISO 14001 can contribute to mitigating health impacts through:

• Risk assessment - ISO 14001 encourages organizations to conduct thorough environmental risk assessments. By identifying potential sources of pollution and their associated health risks, organizations can take preventive measures to reduce or eliminate these risks, indirectly safeguarding public health.
• Legal compliance - ISO 14001 emphasizes compliance with environmental regulations. Adherence to environmental laws helps in preventing pollution that can harm public health. Organizations that comply with ISO 14001 are more likely to stay within legal boundaries, reducing risks to health.
• Emergency preparedness - Part of ISO 14001 involves developing emergency response plans in case of environmental incidents. These plans can include provisions for responding to pollution events that may threaten human health. Having a well-prepared response can reduce the severity of health impacts.
• Communication and transparency - The standard promotes effective communication both internally and externally. This can include sharing information about potential health risks related to environmental pollution. Transparent communication can lead to quicker responses to health issues.
• Continuous improvement - ISO 14001 encourages a culture of continuous improvement in environmental performance. As organizations work to reduce their environmental impact, they indirectly contribute to reducing pollution and the associated health risks over time.
• Stakeholder engagement - Engaging with stakeholders, including local communities and public health organizations, is an integral part of ISO 14001. This involvement can help organizations better understand the concerns related to environmental pollution and health impacts and take corrective actions accordingly.
• Resource efficiency - By minimizing resource usage and waste production, organizations reduce the potential for pollution, which, in turn, can lower health risks in the community.
• Health and safety integration - ISO 14001 can be integrated with ISO 45001, the Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard. This integration ensures that health and safety aspects are considered in conjunction with environmental aspects, offering a more holistic approach to addressing health impacts.

In conclusion, the health impacts of environmental pollution are far-reaching and concerning. It is a shared collective responsibility to take action, not only for our own health but for the generations to come. To mitigate the harm, organizations can adopt sustainable practices, support clean energy initiatives, and advocate for stricter environmental regulations.

How Can PECB Help?

PECB offers ISO 14001 training and certification services for professionals seeking in-depth knowledge of the main processes of an EMS. This is ideal for project managers, consultants preparing organizations for EMS implementation, auditors leading EMS certification audits, and staff involved in the implementation of the ISO 14001 standard.

ISO 14001 and Environmental Management training courses offered by PECB:

• ISO 14001 Introduction
• ISO 14001 Foundation
• ISO 14001 Lead Implementer
• ISO 14001 Lead Auditor

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About the Author

Vlerë Hyseni is the Digital Content Officer at PECB. She is in charge of doing research, creating, and developing digital content for a variety of industries. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her at: content@pecb.com.