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Health Impacts of global enviromental change - Coggle Diagram
Health Impacts of global enviromental change
Ozone Depletion
Deplition of Ozone is a recent phenomenon and is caused by halogenated chemicals used in fridges, insulation and spray-can propellants. The chemicals react with and destory ozone molecules in the extreme cold of the polar stratosphere. The destruction of the ozone occurs mainly in late winter and early spring
The ozone layer filters out incoming solar ultraviolet radiation. If it becomes depleted more UV rays will reach the Earth, causing serious damage to humans, flora and fauna. Extended UV exposure has harmful impacts on human health such as increasing prevelence of skin cancers, cataracts and other eye diseases aswell as weakening immune systems leading to increased infectous diseases
Skin Cancer
most are caused by exposure to the sun. This may be long term exposure, or short term periods of intense sun exposure and burning
The UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells. Malignant melonoma rates have increased more than 5x since the mid 1970s, melanomas are more likely to affect old people and those from more affluebt areas. the ONS (office for national statistics) say that rates of this malignant melanoma skin cancer are highest in the south west and south east of England
Australia has the worlds highest rate of skin cancer, due to the predominatly light skinned population and tropical latitude with high levels of UV rays and a cultural emphasis on outdoor activities. 2 out of 3 australians will be diagonsed with skin cancer by 70 and around 2000 die from it a year
Cataracts
Eye damage that causes a loss of transparency in the lens and leads to cloudy vision and can eventually result in blindness
Different types with a number of factors in their formation, such as natural ageing, a result of diabetes, smoke from burning fuelwood and smoking aswell as poor nutrition (particularly a lack of Vitamin A)
Exposure to UV rays can can damage different parts of the eye, like the lens and cornea. Research shows this is a major risk factor in cataracts developing. They are the leading cause of blindness in the world
Increased ozone depletion means anyone who spends time outside is at risk of eye problems from UV rays, extent to risk depends on factors like:
Location - more at risk near equator with higher UV levels
Altitude - higher Uv at higher altitude
Time of day - Uv levels greater when the sun is high in sky, 10am - 2pm
Setting - Uv levels greater in wide open spaces especially when highly reflective surfaces such as snow or sand are present, urban areas have less exposure due to shade from buildings
Cloud cover doesnt significantly affect UV exposure and risk can still be high on overcast days, UV is invisible and can penetrate clouds
Sun glasses can help protect eyes with the only treatment being surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a clear one
a combination of variables means that those in rural areas in developing countries are disproptionalty affected
Climate change
more extreme weather events like storms
Higher temperatures, warmer days and longer / more heat waves
Increased concentrations of water pollutants and unhealthy air
Changes in temp and precipitation patterns could result in bigger spread of disease
greater frequency of disease epidemics following floods
traumatic, nutritional and psychological damage following population displacement from sea level rise or storms
can bring some localised benefits such as less winter deaths and more food production in some areas, overall it will be bad for health, WHO suggests between 2030 and 2050 approx 250k more deaths per year from malnutrtion, malaria, heat stress and diarrhoea
Thermal stress (heat waves and cold spells)
more heatwaves mean more dehydration, overheating and heatstroke
more smog (higher atmospheric ghg), water shortages, wildfires
Some areas have more winter deaths, others will get less