8.14 Pollution and Human Health

• Match the aquatic and terrestrial pollutant with its source:

  Nitrogen ($N$) ↔️ Agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial waste

  Phosphorus ($P$) ↔️ Agricultural runoff, detergents, sewage

  Mercury ($Hg$) ↔️ Industrial discharges, mining, fossil fuel combustion
• What are three sources of lead pollution?

  Industrial discharges, lead paint, mining
• Consumer waste is a major source of plastic pollution.
• Oil spills are a major source of petroleum pollution.
• Pharmaceuticals in wastewater are primarily sourced from human excretion.
• What are two main sources of pesticides in the environment?

  Agricultural spraying, residential use
• Plastics in the environment are solely the result of consumer waste.

  False
• Match the pollutant with its source:

  Heavy Metals ↔️ Industrial discharges, mining

  Organic Compounds ↔️ Fuel leaks, agricultural runoff

  Pharmaceuticals ↔️ Wastewater treatment plants
• Lead ($Pb$) is released into the environment through industrial discharges, lead paint, and mining
• Pesticides are primarily used in agricultural spraying and residential use.
• What are three sources of plastic pollution?

  Industrial production, consumer waste, dumping
• Petroleum-related pollution can result from oil spills, industrial discharges, and transportation
• Match the aquatic and terrestrial pollutant with its primary source:

  Nitrogen ↔️ Agricultural runoff

  Phosphorus ↔️ Detergents

  Mercury ↔️ Industrial discharges

  Lead ↔️ Lead paint

  Plastics ↔️ Consumer waste

  Petroleum ↔️ Oil spills
• Mercury pollution can result from fossil fuel combustion and mining activities.
• Pollutants travel through the environment via air, water, and soil
• How do pollutants spread in the air?

  Wind currents
• In soil, pollutants seep into the ground, poisoning the earth and potentially reaching groundwater
• What is an example of an acute health effect caused by pollutants?

  Respiratory issues from smog
• Chronic health effects develop gradually over time from repeated exposure to pollutants.
• Specific health effects target particular body systems or organs
• Pesticides like $C_{12}H_{9}Cl_{5}$ are used in agricultural spraying and residential areas.
• What is the primary health risk associated with pollutants in the air?

  Respiratory issues
• Pollutants in water pose health risks through contaminated drinking water and seafood.
• In soil, pollutants can harm plant life and potentially reach groundwater
• Acute health effects occur rapidly after exposure and are usually short-term
• Chronic health effects develop quickly after exposure.

  False
• What do specific health effects target in the body?

  Body systems or organs
• Match the type of health effect with its description:

  Acute ↔️ Short-term, immediate effects

  Chronic ↔️ Long-term, gradual effects

  Specific ↔️ Targeted effects on body systems
• An example of an acute health effect is respiratory issues from smog
• Lead poisoning from contaminated water is an example of a chronic health effect.
• What is one specific health effect of heavy metals?

  Damage to the nervous system
• Steps to understanding the health effects of pollutants:

  1️⃣ Categorize health effects into types

  2️⃣ Identify specific examples of each type

  3️⃣ Understand targeted effects on body systems
• Nitrogen can cause respiratory irritation and contribute to eutrophication
• Which body system is primarily affected by mercury exposure?

  Nervous system
• Plastics in the environment can release chemicals that lead to hormone imbalance.
• What two organs are damaged by heavy metals?

  Nervous system and kidneys
• Match the pollutant with its health effect:

  Nitrogen ↔️ Respiratory irritation

  Mercury ↔️ Neurological disorders

  Lead ↔️ Brain development impairment

  Pesticides ↔️ Endocrine disruption
• Lead exposure can affect the cardiovascular system.
• What health effect is associated with nitrogen as a pollutant?

  Respiratory irritation
• Phosphorus as a pollutant promotes algal blooms, leading to oxygen depletion