Natural and Anthropogenic Health Hazards: A Deep Dive into Environmental Health Risks
2 Significant Natural Health Hazards on This Planet and Why
Volcanic Emissions
Volcanic emissions release harmful gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere, posing significant health risks. These emissions can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and other health complications.
Geological Hazards
Earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis are natural disasters that can cause widespread destruction and loss of life. Understanding geological hazards is crucial for developing early warning systems and implementing mitigation strategies.
Factors That Caused Metal Releases and Fish Kills in Finland
Agricultural drainage, the main source of heavy metals and acidic compounds, lowered water pH from 7 to 3, leading to fish kills. This highlights the detrimental impact of agricultural runoff on aquatic ecosystems.
Earth Scientist Examining Area for Hazards
To assess health risks, an earth scientist would:
- Check for the threat of landslides.
- Test soil and water for chemicals, such as excess fluorine, arsenic, and lead.
This phrase emphasizes the importance of diet in health. Magnesium (Mg), for example, is crucial for metabolic reactions and bone health. If dietary Mg is insufficient, the body may utilize Mg stored in bones, potentially weakening them.
Concern About Radioactive Strontium Uptake in Kids from Milk
Radioactive strontium (Sr) is chemically similar to calcium and can be deposited in bones and bone marrow upon ingestion, increasing the risk of bone cancer, particularly in children.
Assessing the Impact of Fluoride Uptake in Humans
- Fluoride Deficiency: Dental cavities are a noticeable effect.
- High Fluoride Doses: Can lead to skeletal deformation, mottled teeth, and embrittlement.
- Sufficient Fluoride Uptake: Results in healthy teeth.
What’s an Isotope?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. For example, oxygen-16 (O-16) is the most common oxygen isotope, while oxygen-17 (O-17) has 8 protons and 9 neutrons.
Isotopic Fractionation
Isotopic fractionation is the separation of isotopes based on their mass differences. While isotopes of an element share chemical properties, their physical properties, like density, can differ, leading to fractionation.
Example of Isotopic Fractionation
Centrifugation separates substances based on density differences, including isotopes. When a mixture is centrifuged, denser isotopes settle at the bottom due to centrifugal force.
Goldschmidt’s Geochemical Classification of Elements
This classification groups elements based on their preferred host phases within Earth:
- Lithophile: Commonly found in crustal rocks (e.g., lithium, sodium).
- Siderophile: Associated with Earth’s core (e.g., iron, cobalt).
- Chalcophile: Found in ores (e.g., copper, silver).
- Atmophile: Commonly found in gases (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen).
Radial Section of Earth
From the center to the surface: inner core, outer core, layer D″ (thin), lower mantle, transition zone (thin), upper mantle, crust (thin).
Location of Goldschmidt Elements in Earth’s Cross-Section
- Siderophile elements: Core
- Atmophile elements: Atmosphere
- Lithophile and chalcophile elements: Crust
Two Common Anthropogenic Impacts on Health
1. Mining
Mining activities can release harmful pollutants into the environment, contaminating air, water, and soil. This can lead to respiratory problems, heavy metal poisoning, and other health issues.
2. Power Generation
Power generation, particularly from fossil fuels, releases air pollutants and greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and respiratory illnesses.
Health Issues from Grinding Earth Material
Grinding earth material releases dust particles that can cause respiratory problems like chronic coughing. Additionally, it can release dangerous trace elements, potentially leading to cancer.
Two Health Impacts of Power Generation
- Acid Rain: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning coal react with atmospheric precipitation to form acid rain, harming ecosystems and human health.
- Respiratory Problems: Hazardous air pollutants from coal-fired power plants can cause respiratory illnesses, including asthma.
Types of Power Generation and Their Health Impacts
- Fossil Fuels: Air pollution (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter) can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
- Nuclear: Exposure to nuclear waste can increase cancer risk.
- Hydroelectric: Reservoir development can increase the risk of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria.
Half-Life and Health Risk Assessment
Half-life is the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay. A shorter half-life means less time for the substance to cause cellular damage, reducing the long-term health risk.
Geology and Waste Disposal
Geological factors are crucial in waste disposal as they determine the suitability of a site for containing waste and preventing contamination of groundwater and surrounding environments.
Vehicles as a Source of Hazardous Material
Vehicles, especially those powered by fossil fuels, emit hazardous pollutants, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and greenhouse gases, contributing to air pollution and health problems.
Health Effects of Compounds Used in Daily Life
Many compounds that improve our lives may have potential health risks. While the chances of negative impacts are often low, it’s essential to be aware of potential hazards and use such compounds responsibly.
Radioactive Waste Disposal in Nuclear Generation
- Low-Level Waste: Gloves, rags, and materials with minimal radioactive contamination.
- Medium-Level Waste: Irradiated materials that emit moderate levels of radiation.
- High-Level Waste: Spent nuclear fuel bundles with high radioactivity.
Age of Earth and Its Basis
Earth is estimated to be 4.6 billion years old, based on radiometric dating of zircon crystals found in Australia. The uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating method, which analyzes the decay of uranium to lead in these crystals, provides evidence for this age.
Evidence of Earliest Life and Dates
Fossils of microorganisms serve as primary indicators of early life:
- Heterotrophic anaerobic cells: 3.6 billion years ago
- Photosynthetic life: 2.5 billion years ago
- Aerobic life: 2.2 billion years ago
- Eukaryotes: 1.5 billion years ago
Evolution of Photosynthesis
- 3.4 billion years ago: First photosynthetic bacteria absorbed near-infrared light and produced sulfur compounds.
- 2.4-2.3 billion years ago: First rock evidence of atmospheric oxygen.
- 2.7 billion years ago: Cyanobacteria emerged as the first oxygen producers, absorbing visible light using various pigments.
- 1.2 billion years ago: Red and brown algae, with more complex cellular structures, appeared.
- 0.75 billion years ago: Green algae thrived in shallow waters, relying on chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Bioavailability, Bioaccessibility, Biopersistence, Biosolubility, Bioreactivity
- Bioavailability: The fraction of a substance absorbed into the bloodstream after exposure.
- Bioaccessibility: The fraction of a substance that can dissolve in body fluids and become available for absorption.
- Biopersistence: Resistance of a substance to breakdown or elimination from the body.
- Biosolubility: The extent to which a substance can dissolve in body fluids.
- Bioreactivity: The ability of a substance to interact with and potentially modify body fluids (e.g., pH, electrolyte concentration).
Natural and Anthropogenic Sources of Arsenic
- Natural Sources: Pyrite, arsenopyrite, and associated rocks and sediments.
- Anthropogenic Sources: Mining, petroleum production, coal combustion, wood treatment, pesticide use.
Fluoride in Diet
Foods rich in fluoride include asparagus, avocados, brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
Fluorine in the Environment
Fluorine occurs naturally in rocks, coal, and clay. Fluorides are released into the air through wind-blown soil.