| 2 August |
Why Smog is One of the Largest Public Health Hazards |
Our world has changed so much over the years. Life used to be much simpler and our environment used to be much easier to manage. We never really thought about protecting our environment or our health for that matter as it came to pollutants. Perhaps that lack of concern is what lead us to our current situation where pollution is a reality and often very difficult to control. One of the biggest pollutants that can cause a very real danger to people and the environment is smog. This combination of smoke and fog is quite easy to see in the air as it shows up as a sort of haze. If you have ever witnessed it or live within it, then you may want to consider what the real risks are of this pollutant.
Industry Hurting Us
Here’s what many people don’t realize when they see that thick smog in the air—it can actually hurt them. This combination of smoke and fog is often derived from industrial evolution. Though the industrial work is good for the economy, it most certainly isn’t good for our health. The smog is often the result of pollutants being released into the air and this starts to change the shape of the environment. Industry is doing what they have to do to make a profit, but often not recognizing that this comes at a cost of hurting people or our planet. Though there have been recent measures put in place to ensure that smog isn’t created as readily, in many cases the damage is already done.
It Can Hurt Our Health
Smog is something that many people take for granted if they live in an affected area. However as they breathe this polluted air in, they are hurting themselves. The ingestion of smog over time can cause respiratory problems. It can initially cause you to cough or have difficulty in catching your breath. If exposed to smog over a lengthy period of time, then the risks become much more real. In that instance, smog can cause the lungs to stop functioning properly. This can lead to serious health complications and in extreme cases for the lungs to shut down. What may start as a simple exposure can cause a lifetime of health problems if this goes on for too long.
It Damages Our Environment
What many people don’t realize is that smog can actually alter the environment that we live in after awhile. If left alone, smog can alter the pH balance of our rainwater and even the oxygen that we breathe in. It can also cause some serious damage as it is a pollutant that exists within the air and through time this can cause a serious strain on good old Mother Earth. So while we may not readily recognize the effects of smog, we must think of what it can do to our planet. Recent measures to protect against smog will hopefully ensure that the damage turns around and that our environment gets back to normal.
Mary Frederick enjoys blogging about helping people to obtain a master’s in public health.