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Environmental harm to Health - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Taking preventive action despite uncertainty
      - Shifting burden onto proponents to demonstrate safety
      - Exploring alternatives
      - Public Participation in decision making
    - - Absence of evidence of harm is not the same thing as evidence of the absence of harm.
- - - - Sets limits for pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), lead (Pb), and benzene (C₆H₆).
      - Only a few are regulated in SA policy (8 NAAQS’s)
    - - Defines allowable emissions from various sources, including industrial facilities, vehicles, and other sources of pollution.
      - Activities that are likely to cause significant air pollution are classified as “listed activities” and require an Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) to operate.
    - - AQMPs Strategies
        
        Public awareness campaigns
        
        Technology upgrades
        
        Emission reductions
        
        Monitoring and Evaluation
    - - A priority air-shed area is a designated geographic region identified by the government as having significant air quality issues that require targeted management and intervention to protect public health and the environment.
      - Purpose - To concentrate regulatory efforts and resources in areas where air pollution levels are critically high.
  - - - Once PM2.5 particles reach the alveoli, they can enter the bloodstream. This can cause systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, contributing to cardiovascular diseases.
      - Studies, such as those published by the American Heart Association, have shown that exposure to PM2.5 is linked to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, and heart failure.
      - PM2.5 particles are small enough to bypass the natural defense mechanisms of the respiratory system, such as the cilia and mucus in the nasal passages and bronchial tubes. They can reach the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
      - Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can lead to chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
      - Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes are more susceptible to the adverse health effects of PM2.5.
      - PM2.5 can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to cellular damage in various organs, including the lungs, heart, and brain. This can disrupt normal cellular functions and lead to chronic health conditions.