Pollution Related Syndromes and Their Reasons- Air Pollution, Water Pollution and Land Pollution

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  • A Syndrome can be defined as the collection of signs and symptoms associated with a specific health-related cause.
  • It is a characteristic combination of opinions, emotions, or behaviour.
  • A Syndrome can have more than one identifying feature or symptom.
  • For example, chronic fatigue syndrome is a neurological condition, diagnosed from a collection of symptoms in addition to the main symptom of post-exertional malaise.

Pollution and Syndromes

Air Pollution

Pollution and SyndromesPollution and Syndromes
PollutantsSourcesSyndromes
Particulate MatterBurning fossil fuels in vehicles, stubble burning, road dust etc.Affects Lungs and Heart, Coughing, Difficult breathing etc.
Ground-level ozonePhotochemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.Chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, congestion etc.
Carbon monoxideHousehold appliances like gas fires, boilers, open fires which use gas, coal or wood, running a car engine within a closed space etc.Headache, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea etc.
Sulfur dioxidesElectric power companies burning coal, Smelting of metals such as copper, zinc, lead, and nickel.Eye irritation, tract infections, coughing, mucus secretion, chronic bronchitis etc.
Nitrogen oxidesCombustion of fossil fuels, produced from nitric acid, welding and using explosives etc.Nausea, Headache, Difficulty breathing, Aggravation of respiratory diseases etc.
LeadPaint, Dust, Soil, Drinking water etc.Loss of appetite, Abdominal pain, Tired etc.

Water Pollution

Water PollutionWater Pollution
PollutantsSourcesSyndromes
Organic WastesDecay of animals and plants, waste and discharge from food processing factories etc.Toxins to aquatic life, Death of sea animals due to contaminated water etc.
PesticidesChemicals used to kill insects, weeds, fungi etc.Stinging eyes, rashes, blisters, blindness, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and death.
Radioactive Materials (Uranium, Thorium etc.)Mining, Power Plants, Natural Sources etc.Cancerous, Damage cells, respiratory and cardiovascular disease etc.
Sediments (Soil)Land erosion from farms and construction sitesIncreased prostate cancer, declines in sperm counts etc.
Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury, Arsenic)Household Chemicals, Industrial Discharges etc.Cancer, disrupt immune and endocrine systems.

Land Pollution

Land PollutionLand Pollution
PollutantsSourcesSyndromes
Untreated Human WastesHuman Sewages (Wastes, Plastics, Glass, Paper)Skin Diseases and Cancer
Harmful chemicals, such as uranium, being disturbed and released.MiningCancer, Diarrhea, Skin and Eye irritation etc.
Toxins washed during rainsLandfills and WastesDiarrhea, Skin diseases, Typhoid etc.
Use of pesticides and insecticides to protect cropsAgricultural chemicalsStinging eyes, rashes, blisters, blindness, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea and death.
Dirt and gravel, masonry and concrete, scrap metal, oil, solvents, chemicals, even vegetable matterIndustrial WastesDiarrhea, Stomach cramps, anxiety etc.