The world's population is facing a number of public health catastrophes as a result of environmental factors. Currently, environmental degradation is identified as the cause of 40% of all deaths worldwide. Environmental degradation, population growth, and the existing malnutrition of nearly 3.7 billion people worldwide are complicated elements in the ecology of growing diseases. They are caused due to some factors such as air pollution, inhaling asbestos dust, exposure to mercury pollution, passive smoking, poorly ventilated houses, and improperly sanitized water. Some of the diseases that are caused due to environmental degradation include Minamata, Itai-Itai, Yokkaichi Asthma, Pneumonoconiosis, Asbestosis, Emphysema, Silicosis, and more. This article will explain to you about Diseases Caused By Environmental Degradation which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Yokkaichi Asthma

• Yokkaichi asthma is the term used to describe cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, and bronchial asthma in people as well as various environmental changes.
• These are typically attributed to sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions that were visible as smog over the city of Yokkaichi in Japan, between 1960 and 1972.
• Large amounts of sulfur oxide were emitted during the burning of crude oil and petroleum, causing serious cases of disease among the local population.
• The refineries and petrochemical processing facilities that were constructed in the region between 1957 and 1973 are generally recognized as the causes of sulphur oxide pollution.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Yokkaichi Asthma

Itai-itai Disease

• Itai-itai disease was initially identified in Japan in the 1960s and is caused by exposure to cadmium (Cd), which is a result of human activities associated with industrialization.
• Osteomalacia with severe bone pain is a defining feature of Itai-Itai illness, which is also linked to renal tubular dysfunction.
• As the bone deteriorates, the discomfort becomes incapacitated, increasing the likelihood of fractures.
• Anemia, kidney failure, and coughing are among more consequences that might result in mortality.
• There has been a discernible increase in prevalence in postmenopausal older women.
• Itai-itai Disease is also referred to as ouch ouch disease.

*For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Itai-itai Disease

Blue Baby Syndrome

• Blue Baby Syndrome, sometimes known as Infant methemoglobinemia is a disorder where a baby's skin turns blue.
• Insufficient oxygen levels in the blood cause blue baby syndrome.
• Some infants are born with methemoglobinemia (congenital), whereas others develop it later in life (acquired).
• Normally, the heart pumps blood to the lungs, where it is oxygenated. The heart is used to pump the blood back throughout the body.
• Blood may not be properly oxygenated if the heart, lungs, or blood are not functioning properly. The skin turns blue as a result of this.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Blue Baby Syndrome

Pneumoconiosis

• The word "pneumoconiosis" refers to a group of interstitial lung diseases where interstitial fibrosis has developed as a result of dust exposure.
• The three most prevalent types are coal miners' lungs, silicosis, and asbestosis.
• Depending on the degree and severity, it may result in death within months or years, or it may never show symptoms.
• It is typically an occupational lung disease brought on by prolonged exposure to dust while working in the mining, textile industry, shipbuilding, ship repair, and/or shipbreaking industries, as well as in sandblasting, industrial jobs, rock drilling (for building pilings or subways), or agriculture.
• It is among the most severe occupational diseases in the world.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Pneumoconiosis

Asbestosis

• Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease brought on by breathing in asbestos fibers.
• Asbestosis is one of over 200 different types of pulmonary fibrosis, as well as an interstitial lung disease.
• Asbestos fibers never disintegrate once they enter the body, and the body has a very difficult time getting rid of them.
• Long-term contact with these fibers can result in lung tissue damage and breathing difficulties.
• Mild to severe asbestosis symptoms can occur, and they typically don't show up for many years after the original exposure.
• Asbestosis is commonly an occupational disease that affects workers in the asbestos industry due to their vulnerable exposure.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Asbestosis

Silicosis

• Silicosis is the most common among those who work in the quarrying, industrial, or construction industries.
• Silica (SiO2/silicon dioxide) is a crystal-like material that can be found in sand, rock, and quartz in large quantities.
• Shortness of breath, cough, fever, and bluish skin are all symptoms of this progressive lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of silica.
• It's one of the most common work-related ailments in the world. It has also been recorded in people who have had non-occupational exposure to silica dust from both industrial and non-industrial sources.
• Because free silica is odorless, non-irritant, and has no immediate health effects, huge levels of it may go unnoticed, but long-term exposure has been linked to pneumoconiosis, lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and other lung illnesses.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Silicosis

Emphysema

• Emphysema is the term used to describe the destruction of delicate lung tissue brought on by cigarette smoking and air pollution.
• The lungs' air sacs (alveoli) are harmed in those with emphysema.
• The air sacs' inner walls deteriorate and disintegrate over time, resulting in the creation of fewer, larger air gaps as opposed to more, smaller ones.
• Emphysema symptoms typically appear between the ages of 40 and 60, despite the fact that the lung damage that results from the disease develops gradually.
• Smokers of cigarettes and pipes are also prone to developing emphysema, although cigarette smokers are more likely to do so.
• The risk rises with time for tobacco consumption for all categories of smokers.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Emphysema

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

• Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a group of diseases connected to a person's home or place of employment.
• The Sick Building Syndrome was first reported in the 1970s.
• The World Health Organization reported in 1984 that up to 30% of new and renovated buildings may have IAQ issues severe enough to result in health concerns.
• Poor indoor air quality is a major factor in sick building syndrome.
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system faults are usually identified as the root of sick building syndrome.
• The outgassing of some building materials, volatile organic compounds (VOC), mold, inadequate ozone exhaust ventilation, light industrial chemicals used inside, and inadequate fresh-air intake air filtration have also been suggested as other causes.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Conclusion

Our environment and health are directly related in very concrete ways. In fact, the first victim of environmental degradation is our bodies, which is one of the main reasons the nations work to preserve the environment. But the relationship is complicated and frequently challenged. We frequently lack the knowledge necessary to make important decisions because we are unaware of how our health is affecting the environment. Therefore viable and immediate actions must be taken in the wake of increasing diseases due to environmental degradation.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following diseases is commonly associated with deforestation?

A) Diabetes
B) Malaria
C) Hypertension
D) Osteoporosis

2. How does air pollution primarily affect human health?

A) By causing skin diseases
B) By leading to respiratory infections
C) By improving cardiovascular health
D) By enhancing immune function

3. Which of the following is a waterborne disease linked to environmental degradation?

A) Tuberculosis
B) Cholera
C) Measles
D) Hepatitis B

4. What is a zoonotic disease?

A) A disease transmitted from humans to animals
B) A disease that affects only plants
C) A disease that is transmitted from animals to humans
D) A disease caused by genetic mutations

5. Which of the following measures can help mitigate the health impacts of environmental degradation?

A) Increasing industrial emissions
B) Promoting deforestation
C) Enhancing public health infrastructure
D) Reducing biodiversity conservation efforts

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the impact of environmental degradation on public health. Provide examples to support your answer.

Answer: Environmental degradation significantly impacts public health through various pathways. Air pollution from industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust leads to respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Water pollution, resulting from the discharge of industrial waste and agricultural runoff, causes waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery. Deforestation disrupts ecosystems, increasing human exposure to disease vectors and leading to the spread of zoonotic diseases such as malaria and Ebola. Climate change, driven by environmental degradation, further exacerbates health risks by altering disease patterns, expanding the range of disease vectors, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Effective measures, including pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development practices, are essential to mitigate these health impacts.

Q2: Discuss the relationship between climate change and the emergence of new diseases. How can this be managed?

Answer: Climate change, driven by environmental degradation, plays a critical role in the emergence and spread of new diseases. Rising global temperatures and altered rainfall patterns expand the habitats of disease vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, increasing the transmission of diseases like malaria, dengue, and Lyme disease. Changes in weather patterns can also disrupt ecosystems, forcing wildlife into closer contact with humans and facilitating zoonotic disease outbreaks. Effective management requires international cooperation, robust public health surveillance, and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Enhancing ecosystem resilience, promoting sustainable land use, and improving healthcare infrastructure are key to addressing the health risks posed by climate change.

Q3: Evaluate the role of biodiversity conservation in mitigating health risks associated with environmental degradation.

Answer: Biodiversity conservation plays a crucial role in mitigating health risks associated with environmental degradation. Healthy ecosystems with diverse species act as natural buffers, reducing the spread of diseases by limiting the transmission of pathogens. For example, intact forests regulate the populations of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes and ticks. Conversely, habitat destruction and species loss disrupt these natural controls, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks. Biodiversity conservation also supports ecosystem services such as clean air and water, which are vital for human health. Strengthening conservation efforts, reducing habitat loss, and integrating biodiversity protection into public health policies are essential to mitigate health risks and promote environmental sustainability.

Previous Year Questions on Diseases Caused by Environmental Degradation

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following diseases is most likely to increase due to deforestation?

A) Diabetes
B) Malaria
C) Hypertension
D) Arthritis

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Deforestation leads to habitat changes that can increase breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to a rise in malaria transmission.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Critically examine the link between environmental degradation and public health. Suggest strategies to address the emerging health challenges."

Answer: Environmental degradation is closely linked to public health issues, as pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction lead to increased disease transmission, respiratory ailments, and waterborne diseases. Air pollution contributes to respiratory illnesses, while water pollution causes diseases such as cholera. Zoonotic diseases emerge due to habitat destruction, bringing humans into closer contact with wildlife. Strategies to address these challenges include strengthening environmental regulations, promoting sustainable development, investing in public health infrastructure, and fostering international cooperation to combat global environmental threats.