Ever wondered how improper removal of waste can harm your health and the environment? With the busy lifestyles that we’re leading nowadays, many people do not pause to consider the long-term impact that their buying choices and waste removal habits can have on themselves and others. However, you must understand the adverse effects that poor waste disposal habits can have on your health and the environment and educate others about it:
Land Contamination
Soil contamination is a major problem affecting the environment and, ultimately our health. Bad waste disposal practices are the leading cause of this problem. When waste is dumped in landfills, it can start spewing dangerous chemicals that can affect the quality of the local soil and, as a result, our health.
For instance, we throw away plastic bottles without giving it another thought. What many don’t realize is that plastic bottles can eventually degrade into dangerous toxins like DEHA, which are known to be highly carcinogenic. These substances can also lead to serious liver damage and harm the nervous system, among other health conditions. Soil contamination can also harm the wildlife and flora in that long run. It can also get carried over long distances through rainwater.
Instead of dumping electronic waste, batteries, plastic bottles and metal items in the trash, find out if your local recycler accepts them for recycling.
Atmospheric Contamination
Paper and plastics are often burned as a means of disposal due to which they release harmful gases, chemicals and toxins into the environment. The resultant air pollution can cause damage to your health as well as the environment. Hence, it is necessary to recycle as much you can so that a minimum amount of waste is burned for disposal.
Besides, as trash disintegrates in landfills, it starts releasing methane and other harmful gases that eventually make it into the atmosphere and harm the environment. Rotting rubbish can also give off dioxins, which is a powerful carcinogen and neurotoxin.
Water Contamination
Instead of pouring bleach, acids and other harmful chemicals down the sink, make sure that you dispose them off properly, according to safety guidelines in approved containers. These guidelines help to protect the water supply against contamination from these harmful liquids.
Even in landfills, decomposing waste and liquids can eventually seep into the groundwater from where they can enter our water supply. Its effects can be disastrous for households and agricultural land that eventually make use of this contaminated water.
Contaminated groundwater can also harm marine life greatly. Humans who consume fish contaminated this way may also suffer serious health consequences. Poisoned groundwater can possibly harm corals upon which various kinds of marine life depend, thus damaging the delicate marine ecosystem extensively.
Consequences for Human Health
The effects of improper disposal on human health can be particularly severe for those living near landfills and other heavily polluted disposal sites. Those who have to work at these landfills and dispose off waste at these places are a heightened risk of serious health consequences. It is our duty to show due regard and care for the health of those living near these sites and disposal workers who keep our communities clean and litter-free.
Exposure to waste that is disposed off incorrectly can lead to all sorts of health consequences, including a higher risk of cancer, respiratory illnesses, skin irritation and more.
Consequences for Marine and Animal Life
Animals and aquatic life are badly affected by improperly disposed waste. When animals and aquatic species get badly affected by pollution from this waste, then humans also bear the impact, especially if they consume such lifeforms.
Plastic in oceans keeps disintegrating into smaller and smaller bits, and as a result, it becomes more lethal. Such pollution can lead to choking, internal perforation and all kinds of health hazards for marine life exposed to them.
When toxins seep into the soil due to water and land pollution, animals eating the grass from such soil can get poisoned. This poses a health risk, especially if these animals are being reared for food.
More Pests
Rats, mosquitoes, fleas and all kinds of harmful organisms find refuge in areas that are badly polluted by garbage. Mosquitos thrive in areas where there is an overflow of sewage, thereby killing millions each year by spreading contagious diseases like malaria. They can also thrive in areas that have lots of garbage since junk like cans, tires and other objects that can hold water. Rats also proliferate in such areas and they too spread all kinds of deadly contagious diseases. Mold, fungi and bacteria also thrive in dirty polluted sites, especially if they have water.
Harm to the Local Economy
The local economy suffers harm when garbage is not disposed of properly because hardly anyone likes to visit polluted areas strewn with garbage. Poor waste management can badly harm the tourism sector, thus choking an important source of income.
Poor waste management and sanitation can also incur tremendous medical costs since human health is bound to be affected by this phenomenon. Instead of spending on development, education and tourism, more public money goes towards setting up medical facilities for treating the health impact caused by pollution and improper waste disposal.
Missed Earning Opportunities
When waste is disposed of incorrectly, this represents a loss for employment opportunities since much of this waste could have been recycled. Recycling creates business and job opportunities and it can also save tremendous costs for the local economy by allowing them to reuse disposed materials, which are often much cheaper than newly manufactured materials.
Climate Change and Other Adverse Impacts
Pollution and decomposing waste can eventually harm the ozone layer and lead to greater carbon emissions. Harm to the ozone layer means that more UV rays will get through and harm life. Carbon emissions will increase average temperatures and thus create serious threats for future generations.
Thus, you must partner with a reputable waste disposal company to dispose of waste responsibly. We can help you to dispose of waste properly so that you too can contribute towards a safer and sustainable planet.Contact us today.