Discuss About The Respiratory Health Effects Of Particulate.
Environmental healthcare risk assessment of adverse effect of sulphur dioxide on respiratory and cardiac outcomes in elderly people living in lower socio economic status area and implementation of a sulphur control environmental policy.
Patient Problem and Population. Causes and health effects of sulphur dioxide among individuals particularly the elderly from low socio-economic status, people with asthma, bronchitis, cardiac arrest, lung and heart disease, the elderly, expectant mothers and children in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.
Various interventions have been put in order to aid in the management of the results of the environmental health risk assessment. While they seem promising and efficacious in decreasing pollution in the area, sulphur pollution continues to be high. The strategies include the introduction of technological solutions to prevent further sulphur air pollution (4). This ensures that the level of the pollution of the pollutant in reduced to a minimum level in Dhaka city. Previously,, the pollution level was to be decreased to zero. Nevertheless, the high costs related to this as well as lack of sufficient aids have made it impossible (14).
Outcome. There have been increases mortalities from diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, irritation of the skin, coughing and wheezing as a result of air pollution by sulphur. There is also high morbidity rates from the diseases that are caused by the pollution of the pollutant due to increased levels of sulphur dioxide (20).
Increased sulphur levels in Dhaka city, Bangladesh is related to adverse wellbeing outcomes as well as increased health care costs. Air pollution through Sulphur dioxide has risen dramatically over the years in numerous countries. It is particularly uncontrolled in Bangladesh, located in the continent of Asia. Studies have indicated that people with high socioeconomic status are not vulnerable compared to the individuals in the low economic status in the ratio 1:3 in every 50 elderly. Roughly 70% of the population present in the area has symptoms of wheezing, nausea, nose and skin irritation, shortness of breath and coughing as a result of sulphur oxide pollution. An estimated 15000 people also affected by sulphur dioxide. The elderly suffering from both cardiovascular and diabetic diseases, respiratory illnesses and children and pregnant women from low socio-economic status are the most affected population group because of the strong association between poor air quality and morbidity (20).
Many scholars have performed research on the cause of sulphur pollution in the area as well as the health effect. Approximately 70% of Sulphur air pollution is caused by industries that are involved in the combustion of fossil fuels that have some concentration of sulphur. Many cars in the area also emit some amount of the pollutant (2). As a result, the majority of the individuals in Dhaka city are experiencing severe health effects and hence leading to substantial health costs. There has been gradual increase of people affected by sulphur dioxide after the implementation of the environmental policy. This research was performed using a systematic review undertaken from 1994-2010 in Bangladesh to investigate the extent and impact of Sulphur pollution in the area. The information was fetched from present documents particularly in electronic databases and the websites of individual agencies (2).
There has been the increase in the mortality rates from myocardial infection among the elderly in Dhaka city. Increased cases of congestive cardiac failure and cardiac arrhythmia have also been associated to high sulphur levels in the area. The inhalation of sulphur pollutant has resulted to the disruption of the local inflammatory response. This predisposes patients with coronary atheroma to developing cardiac attacks (2).
The use of coal leads to increased sulphur levels in the area. The combustion of coal results in the production which combines with oxygen and hence releasing sulphur dioxide. This can be the prime source of sulphur pollution is produced in large quantities (19). This has developed high mortality rates among children less than six years. Although measures to curb sulphur pollution, the problems continue to be intense (7). This environmental health assessment investigates the conventional sources of sulphur pollution, the health effects associated with the pollutant, practical ways to solve the problem and the method of risk communication.
Environmental health risk assessment is a multidisciplinary health practice that is focused to predict health perils, evaluate exposure and outcomes. Environmental health risk assessment has four steps which include: hazard identification; dose response assessment; exposure assessment; risk characterization. Environmental health risk assessment is done for the motives of estimating levels of health risks and health status assessment.
The main source of sulphur dioxide in Dhaka city Bangladesh includes the burning of fossil fuels both in power plants and industries. The withdrawals of metals from their respective ores and vehicles and ships that use fuel with massive levels of sulphur also lead to the increase of the pollutant. The largest cause of sulphur dioxide is from power stations that use coal. An estimated 50% of the overall annual releases entail the combustion of coal. The pollutant is generated primarily through the production of electricity by the use of fossil fuel combustion electrical energy stations (17). The pollutant is also used in the area for purposes of solvent extraction, for chemical preparations and refining. It is also used in food preservation as it has the potential of preventing bacterial growth. As a result, people in Dhaka city are more predisposed to inhaling the chemical leading to health issues.
Brick manufacturing is also widespread in Dhaka city. The overall release is estimated at 15,400 t of sulfur dioxide gas. The manufacturing of Brick is undertaken in at least six districts in October to March. This is attributed to the fact that the present innovation makes it hard to practice brick manufacture during the monsoon period. The highly populated area of Dhaka is mostly affected by these emissions. The effects of brick kiln releases in the area are excellent and ranges from 7-99 μg/m3 (3).
The Environmental Protection Agency in Dhaka city is charged with the duty of protecting the surrounding. It has overseen bigger control of the release of sulphur. The agency monitors the emissions from industries and power plants and puts into place appropriate intervention to prevent more pollution. The agency also provides licenses to the industries permitting only a certain level of pollution, which if exceeded; the individuals are heavily penalized or fined.
Adequate transport mechanisms that prevent sulphur pollutions from ships and vehicles have been put in place. Fuels that are sulphur free have been made cheaper in the area to ensure that people quickly adopt it. Standards that permit the production of sulphur to lower levels, particularly in the ships, have also been put into place (19).
Studies indicate that Sulphur dioxide can be dissolved making it easy for it to access the human body via the skin and as a result, it is quickly spread in the human body. High sulfur solubility also makes it rapidly absorbed in the upper respiratory tract (10). Sulphur is also environmentally continuous and hence making it hard for it to be broken down through biological, photolytic or chemical methods. As a result, the pollutants can easily bio-accumulate causing serious health outcomes to people and the surrounding (1).
The most challenging predicament faced by Bangladesh is air pollution which has known effects on individual health and the environment. Older people from low socio economic status are affected because they have limited balance, mobility and strength. They are very sensitive to the pollutants in the air increasing the rates of chronic illness. Sulfur dioxide has a slow effect on the health of individuals and hence they may not have the ability to notice it early. Some health outcomes that can be detected quickly enough include pain when coughing and breathing difficulties (8). Study has indicated an estimated 5.5 million people are affected yearly with slight cases which do not need urgent medication. Other negative results take longer to be known which in turn leads to the severity of the condition.
The leading cause of acute respiratory diseases is air pollution. A lot of people have been exposed to these diseases due to the exposure. The ailments, in turn, lead to death if not carefully treated. The gases produced from the industries have a durable outcome on a person such as severe cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Individuals in Dhaka city have to take care of what they inhale because of the harmful effects of sulfur which causes air pollution (18).
The association between the disclosure of the pollutants and its health effects need to be considered and necessary measures to treat the sufferers. Dose-response relationships can be for evaluation of the impact of sulfur pollution. Dose-response depends on age, genetics, socioeconomic conditions, the pattern of exposure and exposure. Individuals who suffer from respiratory diseases and other ailments caused by sulfur pollution are given doses that they can readily condone. If there is a presence of positive dose response, then the agent’s adverse effects have been intensified with a more significant dose. The total dose taken does not necessarily relate to the sum of the treatment given to the target organ (5).
Variability between sexes can determine the uncertainty of the dose response. Research has indicated that women are more vulnerable than men (5).They are easily affected by the chemicals found in the dose that they are given because they are unable to sustain themselves. After 5 ppm concentration of sulphur in the air men get the disease while women suffer after 3 ppm concentration of sulphur. Another factor that can affect the uncertainty of the dose-response is the continuation and the period of the exposure (11). An individual is exposed to the pollution for a more continued period of six years tends to adversely react to the dosage while those who have been affected for a shorter period can positively react to the dose (5). Therefore it is difficult to understand the certainty of the dose response.
There is a concern about the safety of the population in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka city. Agents causing the respiratory diseases due to sulphur air pollution depend on the immune system of the people. Research has indicated that a large number of people living in Dhaka city have a low immune system because of low socioeconomic status. Exposure of high concentration of sulphur leads to respiratory and cardiac diseases which determine dose response of an individual.
Exposure to sulphur agents in the surrounding can give a broad range of severe effects. Dhaka city has been extremely exposed to sulphur air pollution for over a decade as a result of industrial actions present in the area and the increased number of the motor vehicles that cause overcrowding particularly in the evening and morning producing sulphur which exposes individuals to a great danger (8). Sulphur disclosure occurs on daily basis. Inhalation is the significant route of exposure to sulphur dioxide. Sulphur dioxide respiratory irritation causes shortness of breath, sneezing, wheezing, a feeling of suffocation and sore throat. Exposure to high concentration of sulphur causes Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS) induced types of asthma.
Children are more vulnerable because of their smaller diameter of their airways. Short term exposures to high sulphur levels can be life-threatening and is considered dangerous immediately to health and life. Long term exposures can take some time, for example, three months for a person to notice it. Elderly women particularly in low socioeconomic status tend to be affected by sulphur dioxide and also some of them due to genetic reasons (12). Suitable measures of exposure assessments can enhance the capability of the government to evaluate the negative consequences of sulphur (13). Individuals exposed to sulphur face adverse effects, therefore, they are unable to get quality treatment and healthcare services hence increasing the severity of the ailments.
Exposure to sulphur poses a great risk to the citizens of Bangladesh particularly the children and those who live in the streets which is highly populated. Sulphur is a dangerous chemical to the environment. Sulphur affects 70% of the population in Dhaka city. Many chemicals inclusive of sulphur increase the chances of the population to be infected by respiratory diseases. The risk of deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases increase with age. 56% of deaths occurs annually in Dhaka city. Health outcomes varies depending on the concentration of sulphur. It causes breathlessness, sneezing and wheezing and due to overcrowding, they are highly exposed to sulphur dioxide. Therefore the government needs to create awareness about safety measures that can be implemented for the well-being of the citizens of Bangladesh (13).
Exposure to sulphur varies in different environments and surroundings since the economic status of people is different. Those who are poor cannot have the opportunity to get the education about their health (15). Sulphur has both short-term and long-term consequences. It is considered as an outdoor pollutant which kills approximately 3.3 million people.
Risk communication strategy is vital in providing information about the risks involved in sulphur and engaging the public. It is essential to ensure that the public is willing to listen and take into account the information about their well-being. It is crucial for public health response that is comprehensive. The local goal of Bangladesh is to reduce the number of sufferers that is caused by sulphur exposure. To achieve this, the department of health and the government need to work together to educate the public about the causes and the effects of sulphur. There must be reports about the individuals affected and their treatment (9).
The public will be interviewed to measure their ability to take care of the environment and discuss primary measures to improve the quality of the air they inhale. The population is consulted and possible positive outcome is likely to be present if the government chooses to listen to the outcry of the public. The community is urged to be open and present their grievances to have a proper risk communication process. Recognition of the concerns of the people is vital as it helps in coming up plans which decrease the existence of the risk (6). Both the local directors and environmental health professionals can give more details on the predicaments that have been presented.
Both non-governmental organizations and the government will be able to clearly understand the nature and the content of the risk communication to provide both short-term and long-term clarifications that can be of great importance to the community. The objective will be achieved with the help of the city. The government has provided quality healthcare services and ensured that proper treatment is given to the sufferer. It has also reduced the population by providing homes for the homeless and providing measures to curb excess sulphur emission.
In conclusion, sulphur has adverse both long term and short term of effects on health. Sulphur exposure has led to increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh and should be reduced to protect the health of the people.
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