Human interaction with nature

I am working as Head of Environmental Sustainability. I have worked in the Healthcare Risk Waste Industry previously and was involved in Health and Safety daily. Population health is “The health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group” where we as a community group want to force the Government to apply our Constitutional Rights that were legislated by them.

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Therefore, the goal of population health is to enhance the physical, mental, and social well-being of a specific group. Additional health outcomes may include aspects such as quality of life.

What is meant by a determinant? A determinant is any factor that could lead to or is associated with a health outcome. This can include environmental factors like your place of residence, behavioral factors such as your weight, or even genetic factors like your DNA composition. Epidemiology compares the risk in individuals with a certain risk factor to those without it. Now, let's examine the results of this study more closely to understand if there was a difference between the relative risk and the absolute risk.
 

Air Pollution 

Air pollution is made up of many kinds of gases, droplets, and particles that reduce the quality of the air. Air can be polluted in both the city and the country. A general-based landfill site that was permitted with a high hazardous landfill license in Midlands Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, became a huge factor to the whole Shongweni valley that consisted of red-listed amphibians, plants, trees, and butterflies. Shongweni Valley is a water-rich area with a heritage where the Boer and Zulu kingdom settle their differences.

In this region, the primary contributors to air pollution include ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene. These pollutants stem from a High Hazardous Landfill site. Notably, there was a significant increase in illness among the population during a particular month in 2015." From nose bleeds, headache, nausea, sinus problems, asthma, and dizziness. One child in the community died of asthma and one adult got cancer and miscarriage was reported. From the community forums, I heard that there are more cases of asthma and cancer reported over nine months than ever before.

We met with the municipality and the Landfill Site owners put our grievances forward and were looking for answers for solutions. Firstly, coming from an Environmental Management and Prosecution background I stipulated that legislation was not followed by National Government let alone the bad regulation and management of this highly hazardous contributor to human health. We as a community are going to get emissions tests done by an independent company and the polluter pays.

People can react very differently to air pollution. Some people may notice chest tightness or cough, while others may not notice any effects. Because exercise requires faster, deeper breathing, it may make the symptoms worse. People who have heart disease, such as angina (chest pain), or lung disease, such as asthma, may be very sensitive to air pollution exposure and may notice symptoms when others do not. Children and the elderly probably feel the effects of lower levels of pollution than adults. They also experience more illness, such as bronchitis and earaches, in areas of high pollution than in areas with cleaner air.

The health effects of long-term exposure to low to high levels of air pollution are currently being examined. The landfill site has done air emission tests that have a moderate level of carcinogenic effects on the population living in this area which is not acceptable even if the chances of 1 out of 50 000 may get cancer. This project is a perfect example of what I have learned from this Population Health Course and it gave me insight on industrial pollution that is unfortunately not regulated in South Africa.

People move to these outer areas of a city to avoid pollution and have a scenic view with huge stands where they can enjoy the environment and have a more relaxed lifestyle. To stay indoors, limit your activities or go to the doctor to talk about ways to protect yourself from air pollution is an absolute “No Go”. 

How does the Air Quality Index work?

Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value is, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. Although these Air Quality Standards are legislated in South Africa they are not regulated which is of great concern.

Studies indicate that some people become more sensitive in their mid-60s. However, the risk of heart attacks, and thus the risk from particle pollution, may begin as early as the mid-40s for men and mid-50s for women.

Ozone is a gas found in the air we breathe. Ozone can be good or bad, depending on where it occurs:

• Good ozone is present naturally in the Earth’s upper atmosphere—approximately 6 to 30 miles above the Earth’s surface. This natural ozone shields us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
• Bad ozone forms near the ground when pollutants (emitted by sources such as cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and chemical plants) react chemically in sunlight. Ozone pollution is more likely to form during warmer months.

What is particle pollution?

Particle pollution (also known as “particulate matter”) consists of a mixture of solids and liquid droplets. Particles come in a wide range of sizes. Those less than 10 micrometers in diameter (smaller than the width of a single human hair) are so small that they can get into the lungs, where they can cause serious health problems. These effects have been associated with both short-term exposures (usually over 24 hours, but possibly as short as one hour) and long-term exposures (years).

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. It forms when the carbon in fuels does not completely burn. Carbon monoxide levels typically are highest during cold weather, because cold temperatures make combustion less complete and cause inversions that trap pollutants close to the ground.

What is sulfur dioxide?

Sulfur dioxide, a colorless, reactive gas, is produced when sulfur-containing fuels such as coal and oil are burned. Generally, the highest levels of sulfur dioxide are found near large industrial complexes. Major sources include power plants, refineries, and industrial boilers. 

Sulfur dioxide is an irritant gas that is removed by the nasal passages. Moderate activity levels that trigger mouth breathing, such as a brisk walk, are needed for sulfur dioxide to cause health effects in most people. The main effect, even with very brief exposure (minutes), is a narrowing of the airways (called bronchi constriction). Long-term exposure to sulfur dioxide may cause respiratory symptoms and illness, and aggravate asthma. 

Volatile Organic Compounds

Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen react with the sun’s ultraviolet rays. There are according to the High Hazardous Landfill site too many VOCs would be expensive to measure.

Consider, for instance, the role of our government and states, which, due to lack of regulation, contribute to unnecessary illnesses and deaths among our population. As a community group, we are committed to uncovering evidence that will enable us to take sensible actions to effect change in these social and governmental determinants."