Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Common hazards in neighbourhoods - Coggle Diagram
Common hazards in neighbourhoods
What are hazards?
a process.phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, other health impacts, property damage, as well as social or economic consequences.
Can be classified as natural or man-made
Some examples of hazards include earthquakes and volcanic eruptions while examples of man-made hazards include traffic hazards
What are fire hazards and their impacts?
In urban neighbourhoods, fire hazards may occur in both residential and non-residential areas
Common causes include unattended cooking and faulty electrical appliances and wiring which can ignite nearby flammable materials, resulting in a fire
The impacts of fire hazards include
health impacts:
people may suffer from burn injuries if they are unable to evacuate in time, and severe burn injuries may lead to disabilities or deaths
high levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may be released and may cause headache, dizziness,weakness and confusion, and even leading to loss of consciousness and death. They can make it more difficult for people to escape a fire.
other irritants from a fire, such as acid gases, can permanently damage a person's respiratory system
smoke inhalation can cause breathing difficulties and suffocation, which may lead to death.
property damage:
fires can destroy commercial or residential properties which leads to economic losses as goods, furniture, and important documents may
be destroyed
further costs may also be incurred after the fire is over as money is required to repair and rebuild the properties that were damaged in the fire
air pollution hazards and their impacts
occurs due to the presence of contaminant or pollutant substances in the air that do not disperse properly and hence interfere with human health, welfare or produce other harmful environmental effects.
Some common cases include:
burning vegetation: Carbon dioxide and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere when vegetation burns, causing air pollution
industrial and motor emissions: increase in car ownership and usage led to an increase in air pollution hazards
health impacts:
Some of the negative health impacts of air pollution include respiratory infections, heart diseases and lung cancer.
Nitrogen dioxide is emitted in areas of high vehicle traffic
PM 2.5, also known as particulate matter such as soot, smoke, dust and liquid droplets measuring less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, may be produced in urban neighbourhoods.
these may lead to
high levels of exposure to nitrogen dioxide may lead to higher risk of asthma in children
It may also cause lung function decline in older adults as PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream and lodge deep in human beings
What are traffic hazards and their impacts?
Common causes include:
speeding
Red-light running
-Drink driving
These accidents are often caused by irresponsible motorists who put other road users and themselves at risk.
health impacts:
People may suffer serious injuries when involved in a traffic accident which may lead to disabilities or loss of life.
Elderly pedestrians and motorcyclists typically account for a high percentage of traffic accidents resulting in injuries or deaths