POLLUTION THE SILENT KILLER AND THE WORLD’S GREATEST ENEMY

Term Paper
Submitted to
Mrs.Noralin A. Calil
Philippine Integrated School (PIS)Foundation Inc.
Bangon,Marawi City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Course

English for Academic and Professional Purposes
S.Y. 2022-2023

Submitted by
Al-rajeeh B. Gandamra

November, 2022

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 Introduction

Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials are

called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They can also be created by human

activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.

Many things that are useful to people produce pollution. Cars spew pollutants from their exhaust pipes.

Burning coal to create electricity pollutes the air. Industries and homes generate garbage and sewage that

can pollute the land and water. Pesticides chemical poisons used to kill weeds and insects seep into

waterways and harm wildlife living things from one celled microbe to blue whales depend on Earth’s supply

of air and water.

When these resources are polluted, all forms of life are threatened. Pollution is a global problem.

Although urban areas are usually more polluted than the countryside, pollution can spread to remote places

where no people live. For example, pesticides and other chemicals have been found in the Antarctic ice

sheet. In the middle of the northern Pacific Ocean, a huge collection of microscopic plastic particles forms

what is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Air and water currents carry pollution. Ocean currents

and migrating fish carry marine pollutants far and wide. Winds can pick up radioactive material accidentally

released from a nuclear reactor and scatter it around the world.

Smoke from a factory in one country drifts into another country. Pollution has significant impacts on

human health, the environment, and even on how some of the Earth’s systems, such as the climate, are

functioning. Pollution touches all parts of the planet. It is affecting our health through the food we eat, the

water we drink and the air we breathe. Approximately 19 million premature deaths are estimated to occur

annually as a result of the way we use natural resources to support global production and consumption and

which impact the environment. Pollution can take many forms, ranging from organic compounds and other

chemical substances to different types of energy. Some types of pollution are easily noticed, such as certain

forms of contaminated water, poor air quality, industrial waste, litter, light, heat and noise.

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 POLLUTION THE SILENT KILLER AND THE WORLD’S GREATEST ENEMY

I.How it Affects Our Health

A.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

•Respiratory •Asthma

B.Cancer

C.Skin

D.Eyes

II.Environmental Impact of Pollution

A.Ozone Layer

B.Global Climate Change

C.Acid Rain

D.Eutrophication

III.Cause and Source

A.Major source

•Power stations •Fertilizer Industries

B.Tires

C.Wildfire

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Health

Poor air quality leads to premature death, cancer, and long-term damage to respiratory and

cardiovascular systems. WHO estimates that environmental air pollution caused some 4.2 million deaths

in 2016, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused an

estimated 3.8 million deaths in the same period Progress has been made to reduce unhealthy air emissions,

an important step in creating a healthier environment? In particular, the Declaration of the Sixth Ministerial

Conference on Environment and Health (held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 15, 2017) includes a

commitment to “prevent and eliminate adverse effects on the environment and health, costs and inequalities

relating to waste management and contaminated sites, progressing toward the elimination of the disposal

and trafficking of uncontrolled and illegal waste, and the proper management of waste and contaminated

sites in the context of the transition toward a circular economy” (Sixth Ministerial Conference on

Environment and Health.

In this context, Manoalides et al. (2020) documented, through a comprehensive knowledge-based

analysis, modes and dynamics of air pollution and related impact on human health (at different systems

level) and suggests specific science to policy actions as valuable trajectories to sustainable solutions.

Perino et al. (2020) measured continuous trace gases and erosol (including NOx, SO2, O3, NMHC) organic

and inorganic pollutants on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) over the period 2016 2018 from two highly

polluted sites in southern Italy and offer original insights and understanding on the role of anthropogenic

emissions and particularly on mechanisms of ozone formation, also considering the WHO limits. Kim et al.

(2020) studied risk factors correlated to outdoor air pollutant exposure (PM10, PM2.5, and NO2),

specifically in relation to cognitive impairment in elderly and gender-differentiated population of South Korea.

The preliminary results suggest higher adverse effects of outdoor air pollution on cognitive function in

women, indicating specific actions for prevention and intervention.

Stapleton et al. (2020) reported on a pilot study in 21 homes selected from the NIH funded cohort

residing in Iowa of current and former smokers, with and without a history of respiratory exacerbations. The

aim of the research was at assessing whether indoor air particulate collected from their homes would affect

in vitro bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and primary human airway surface liquid antimicrobial activity,
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identifying mechanisms in the development of respiratory tract infections, including bacterial growth, biofilm

formation, and innate immunity.

Herting et al. (2020) assessed a systematic review on the available literature on the evidence from

Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies on how early-life exposure responds to outdoor air pollution on neuro-

development. Correlations between pollutants and physiological brain features suggested that outdoor air

pollution may significantly affect structure and function of brain. Further air pollution-neuroimaging studies

are urgently needed in a developmental neuroscience perspective. Viegas et al. (2020) presented a

comprehensive study on the effects of mineral sulfurous thermal waters on lung epithelial-immune crosstalk

through the action of its main component, H2S as valuable inhalational.

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 Nitrogen oxide is a traffic-related pollutant, as it is emitted from automobile motor engines. It is an

irritant of the respiratory system as it penetrates deep in the lung, inducing respiratory diseases, coughing,

wheezing, dyspnea, bronchospasm, and even pulmonary edema when inhaled at high levels. It seems that

concentrations over 0.2 ppm produce these adverse effects in humans, while concentrations higher than

2.0 ppm affect T-lymphocytes, particularly the CD8+ cells and NK cells that produce our immune response.

It is reported that long-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can be responsible for chronic lung

disease. Long-term exposure to NO2 can impair the sense of smell. However, systems other than

respiratory ones can be involved, as symptoms such as eye, throat, and nose irritation have been registered

Gokhale J. (2007)

Multiple cardiovascular effects have been observed after exposure to air pollutants Bourdel T. (2017).

Changes occurred in blood cells after long-term exposure may affect cardiac functionality. Coronary

arteriosclerosis was reported following long-term exposure to traffic emissions Hoffmann B. (2007), while

short-term exposure is related to hypertension, stroke, myocardial infracts, and heart insufficiency. Ventricle

hypertrophy is reported to occur in humans after long-time exposure to nitrogen oxide (NO2) Leary J. (2014).

Particulate Matter (PMs), dust, benzene, and O3 cause serious damage to the respiratory system Kurt

O. (2016). Moreover, there is a supplementary risk in case of existing respiratory disease such as asthma

Guarniere M. (2014). Long-term effects are more frequent in people with a predisposing disease state.

When the trachea is contaminated by pollutants, voice alterations may be remarked after acute exposure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be induced following air pollution, increasing morbidity

and mortality Jiang X-Q. (2016). Long-term effects from traffic, industrial air pollution, and combustion of

fuels are the major factors for COPD risk.

As is known, skin is our shield against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and other pollutants, as it is the most

exterior layer of our body. Traffic-related pollutants, such as PAHs, VOCs, oxides, and PM, may cause

pigmented spots on our skin Dessinioti D. (2014). On the one hand, as already stated, when pollutants

penetrate through the skin or are inhaled, damage to the organs is observed, as some of these pollutants

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are mutagenic and carcinogenic, and, specifically, they affect the liver and lung. On the other hand, air

pollutants (and those in the troposphere) reduce the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation UVR in polluted

urban areas.Air pollutants absorbed by the human skin may contribute to skin aging, psoriasis, acne,

urticaria, eczema, and atopic dermatitis Dessioniti D.(2014).usually caused by exposure to oxides and

photochemical smoke.Exposure to PM and cigarette smoking act as skin-aging agents, causing spots,

dyschromia, and wrinkles. Lastly, pollutants have been associated with skin cancer.

Another exterior organ that may be affected is the eye. Contamination usually comes from suspended

pollutants and may result in asymptomatic eye outcomes, irritation, retinopathy, or dry eye syndrome.

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Environment

Air pollution is harming not only human health but also the environment in which we live. The most

important environmental effects are as follows according to Sharma A.(2012).

Ozone, as discussed previously, occurs both at ground level and in the upper level (stratosphere) of

the Earth's atmosphere. Stratospheric ozone is protecting us from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

In contrast, ground-level ozone is harmful to human health and is a pollutant. Unfortunately, stratospheric

ozone is gradually damaged by ozone-depleting substances (i.e., chemicals, pesticides, and aerosols). If

this protecting stratospheric ozone layer is thinned, then UV radiation can reach our Earth, with harmful

effects for human life (skin cancer) De Gruijl M. et al. (1993).and crops.In plants, ozone penetrates through

the stomata, inducing them to close, which blocks CO2 transfer and induces a reduction in photosynthesis

Tiwari S.(2009).

Global climate change is an important issue that concerns mankind. As is known, the “greenhouse

effect” keeps the Earth's temperature stable. Unhappily, anthropogenic activities have destroyed this

protecting temperature effect by producing large amounts of greenhouse gases, and global warming is

mounting, with harmful effects on human health, animals, forests, wildlife, agriculture, and the water

environment. A report states that global warming is adding to the health risks of poor people Manderson L.

(2019).

Acid rain is wet (rain, fog, snow) or dry (particulates and gas) precipitation containing toxic amounts of

nitric and sulfuric acids. They are able to acidify the water and soil environments, damage trees and

plantations, and even damage buildings and outdoor sculptures, constructions, and statues Sharma A.

(2012).

Haze is produced when fine particles are dispersed in the air and reduce the transparency of the

atmosphere. It is caused by gas emissions in the air coming from industrial facilities, power plants,

automobiles, and trucks.Sharma A.(2012).

Wildlife is burdened by toxic pollutants coming from the air, soil, or the water ecosystem and, in this

way, animals can develop health problems when exposed to high levels of pollutants. Reproductive failure
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and birth effects have been reported.Sharma A.(2012).

Eutrophication is occurring when elevated concentrations of nutrients (especially nitrogen) stimulate

the blooming of aquatic algae, which can cause a disequilibration in the diversity of fish and their

deaths.Sharma A.(2012).

Hence, air pollution has deleterious effects on both soil and water.Concerning PM as an air pollutant,

its impact on crop yield and food productivity has been reported. Its impact on watery bodies is associated

with the survival of living organisms and fishes and their productivity potential says Isaifan Z. (2018).

the environment is essential for human health through the provision and quality of air, food and water and

offering health-enhancing economic and recreational opportunities.

However, human activities such as transport, industrial processes, agricultural and waste management

exerts an increasing pressure on marine environment. Many knowledge gaps still significantly limit planning

of policies orienteered to a sustainable use of marine resources and environmental and human health

protection. The European Marine Board (2013) reported a global estimate of 250 million cases of

gastroenteritis from bathing in contaminated water, and 50,000–100,000 annual deaths caused by

infectious hepatitis.

The global burden of human disease caused by sewage pollution of coastal waters has been estimated

at four million casualties, annually. The knowledge about the behavior and ecotoxicity of pollutants

(including those of emerging concern) in the marine environment is particularly relevant given the complex

interactions among different matrices (sediments, seawater, atmosphere, and biota), and represents a field

of cutting-edge multidisciplinary science.

In this context, Ausili et al. (2020) presented a comprehensive view on the current status of monitoring

and recovery actions of highly industrialized coastal-marine areas in Italy, and provide quantitative

indicators to inform policies for restoring huge territory affected by pollution.

D’Agostino et al. (2020) reported on the environmental status of contamination by persistent and

emerging contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers,

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etc.) from a highly contaminated site in southern Italy, and offer new approaches to estimate cancer and

non-cancer human health risk due to dermal absorption from contaminated seawater and/or ingestion of

contaminated fish. Mekni et al. (2020) examined a mixture of legacy (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and

emerging contaminants, such as halogenated (norbornenes (HNs)) and organophosphate (OPFRs) flame

retardants, in sediments and samples of eel (Anguilla anguilla) from the Tunisian Bizerte Lagoon.

Chemical behavior at the environmental interfaces has been explored and health risk associated to

the consumption of eel has been estimated, offering original methodological approaches to evaluate

impacts by new classes of pollutants in the marine environment. Simmons et al. (2020) reported on a bead-

based salivary IgG antibody multiplex immunoassay to determine and quantify infections from

environmental exposures to six waterborne pathogens. Results refer to a wide spectrum of 2,091 study

participants at Boquerón Beach, Puerto Rico during the summer of 2009 and show how simultaneous

infections could affect human health, in synergistic and/or antagonistic interactions. Combined to water

quality studies, environmental microbial pathogenesis provides valuable risk assessment tools in estimating

exposure potential and facilitating the development of disease surveillance and screening tool

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Source

It is known that the majority of environmental pollutants are emitted through large-scale human

activities such as the use of industrial machinery, power-producing stations, combustion engines, and cars.

Because these activities are performed at such a large scale, they are by far the major contributors to air

pollution, with cars estimated to be responsible for approximately 80% of today's pollution said by Schuetzle

M. et al.(1994).Some other human activities are also influencing our environment to a lesser extent, such

as field cultivation techniques, gas stations, fuel tanks heaters, and cleaning procedures.as well as several

natural sources, such as volcanic and soil eruptions and forest fires.

Wildfire have a great impact on the physical environment including land cover,

biodiversity, climate change, forest ecosystem, and socio-economic system of affected

countries. The loss caused by a forest fire is difficult to quantify but an estimate by the

economy and environment group has estimated the cost of damage from the Southeast

Asian fires. It cause air pollution and depletion of ozone stratum says Kumar S.(2020).

according to WWF taking down trees means they’ll release back into the atmosphere the CO2 they

were keeping. Secondly, fewer trees available means reducing the planet’s overall ability to capture and

store CO2. Both these effects negatively contribute to the greenhouse effect and to climate change. As a

matter of fact, while food and agriculture account for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation is

estimated to be responsible for 10-15% of all anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

Almost 2,000 times more particle pollution is produced by tyre wear than is pumped out of the exhausts

of modern cars, tests have shown.

The tire particles pollute air, water and soil and contain a wide range of toxic organic compounds,

including known carcinogens, the analysts say, suggesting tire pollution could rapidly become a major issue

for regulators Carrington D. (2022).

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The tests also revealed that tires produce more than 1tn ultrafine particles for each kilometer driven,

meaning particles smaller than 23 nanometers. These are also emitted from exhausts and are of special

concern to health, as their size means they can enter organs via the bloodstream. Particles below 23nm

are hard to measure and are not currently regulated in either the EU or US Carrington D. (2022).

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Conclusion

To conclude this speech, I want to say that every kind of pollution has a negative impact on the
environment, animals and human lives. We as humans should take important steps for a better future.
Pollution is a big problem now. A lot of people think that they don`t pollute because they don`t throw trash
on the floor, but this is just one little part of pollution. Pollution is any damage that we cause to the
environment and nobody can live without polluting our planet. All type of pollution has their kind of negative
impact on our environment. The lives of humans and animals get impacted due to this. It is our responsibility
to take various initiatives to protect nature.

We need to fight against pollution to take steps towards a better tomorrow. If we don't stop it now, our future
generation will be I'm great danger. Kill pollution or it will kill you. Also, we need to do our best and save
mother earth.

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