Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
Open Access

A Note on Interactions between Humans and Their Physical Surroundings

Elena Tercero^{* *}Correspondence: Dr. Elena Tercero, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Email:

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Description

A variety of human activities have an impact on the environment, the interactions between humans and their physical surroundings have been extensively studied. The environment is a synthesis of the biotic (living organisms and microorganisms) and the abiotic (inanimate objects) (hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere).

Pollution is defined as the harmful substances into the environment that are harmful to humans and other living organisms. Pollutants are dangerous solids, liquids, or gases that are produced in higher-than-normal concentrations and degrade the quality of our environment.

Human activities harm the environment by polluting the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the soil in which plants grow. Although the industrial revolution was a great success in terms of technology, society, and the provision of numerous services, it also resulted in the production of massive amounts of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere that are harmful to human health. Without a doubt, global environmental pollution is regarded as a multifaceted international public health issue. This major issue is linked to social, economic, and legislative concerns, as well as lifestyle habits. Clearly, urbanization and industrialization are reaching unprecedented and alarming levels in our time. Anthropogenic air pollution is one of the most serious public health threats in the world, accounting for approximately 9 million deaths each year.

The entire aforementioned are inextricably linked to climate change, and the consequences for humanity can be severe in the event of a catastrophe. Climate change and the effects of global planetary warming have a serious impact on a variety of ecosystems, causing issues such as food safety, ice and iceberg melting, animal extinction, and plant damage.

Air pollution has a wide range of negative health consequences. Even on days with low air pollution, the health of vulnerable and sensitive people can be harmed. Short-term air pollution exposure is linked to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, respiratory disease, and a high rate of hospitalization (a measurement of morbidity). The increased risk of morbidity and mortality has been mentioned in national reports. These studies, which were conducted in a variety of locations around the world, show a link between daily ranges of Particulate Matter (PM) concentration and daily mortality. Climate change and global planetary warming may exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, increased hospitalization (a morbidity indicator) has been observed among the elderly and vulnerable individuals for specific reasons. Because fine and ultrafine particulate matter can invade the deepest parts of the airways and more easily reach the bloodstream, it appears to be associated with more serious illnesses.

Air pollution primarily affects those who live in large cities, where road emissions contribute the most to poor air quality. There is also the risk of industrial accidents, which can result in the spread of toxic fog, which can be fatal to the populations in the surrounding areas. Pollutant dispersion is influenced by a variety of factors, the most important of which are atmospheric stability and wind speed.

The problem is more serious in developing countries due to overpopulation and uncontrolled urbanization, as well as the development of industrialization. This results in poor air quality, particularly in countries with social disparities and a lack of information on sustainable environmental management. Due to low income, the use of fuels such as wood fuel or solid fuel for domestic needs exposes people to poor-quality, polluted air at home. It is worth noting that the above-mentioned energy sources are used by three billion people worldwide for their daily heating and cooking needs. Women of the household appear to be at the greatest risk of disease development in developing countries, owing to their longer duration exposure to indoor air pollution.

China is one of the Asian countries facing serious air pollution problems as a result of its rapid industrial development and overpopulation. Fine particles have been linked to an increase in lung cancer mortality in China.

Different types of interventions should undoubtedly be considered based on the magnitude of the public health impact. It has been reported that there has been success and effectiveness in controlling air pollution, particularly at the local level. Adequate technological means are used in light of the source, nature of the emission, as well as the impact on health and the environment. Schwela and Köth-Jahr discuss the importance of controlling both point and non-point sources of air pollution. Without a doubt, a comprehensive emission inventory must include all sources in a given area.

As previously stated, topography and meteorology should be considered in addition to the above sources and their nature.

Control policies and methods are frequently extrapolated from the local to the regional and then to the global scale. Air pollution can be dispersed and transported from one region to another located a long distance away. Air pollution management refers to the reduction or elimination of air pollutants whose presence in the air harms our health or the environment's ecosystem.