Over the years human influence and impact on the environment have increased steadily as the population grew. The modern world is continually developing and increasingly interconnecting as a result of globalization, which has increased the use of natural resources and the production of goods and services. Industrialization has also contributed to this modern lifestyle through pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, agrochemicals, industrial and chemicals (Harrison, R.M., 2001.). Additionally, industrialization and development have contributed positively to health through improved health services and education, communication and transportation. These resources have had a positive impact on the lives of those who have access to them. However, with the rise and use of chemicals, the industry has also had unfavorable health effects within the workplace and the rest of the population due to increased toxic exposure. Many people die or suffer each year as a result of exposure to chemical and natural toxins. (WHO.2016). These effects have been caused either by direct exposure to toxins or indirectly through local or global environment degradation.
In this essay, the key drivers of increased toxic exposure across the world will be critically discussed. To analytically review the key drivers of increased toxic waste, certain aspects of toxic exposure such as the meaning of toxic exposure, how it is formed, types of exposures will be addressed. These components of toxic exposure will be discussed along with some of the key drivers such as industrialization, poverty, and lifestyle.
Toxins can be classified in two forms, an agent or a substance. Toxic agents are anything that can generate an adverse organic response and under specific conditions of contact, can cause detrimental effects to living organisms. These agents are classified into 3 groups, chemical(cyanide), physical (radiation) and biological (snake venom). Toxic substances are organic or inorganic materials which contain toxic properties, for example, petrol. The toxic substance could also be an isolated chemical (lead chromate) or a mixture of toxic chemicals (Asbestos). Also, there are four factors that affect toxicity; Inherent toxicity, dose, environment and response of the host. Inherent toxicity is determined by factors such as chemical (molecular structure, solubility) and physical properties (density, size) of the substance. These substances can be influenced by external factors. An example of this is Asbestos, which when broken up, the fibers are released into the atmosphere. This material has been used commercially since 1800’s in many industries. Construction and building industries have used it for reinforcement cement and plastics as well as for insulation, roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption. (National Cancer Institute.2016).
The dose factor of toxins is the amount of the substances administered at one particular time. The dose-response is the most ‘fundamental and pervasive concept of toxicology’, which shows that the higher the dose, the higher the toxicity. Moreover, environmental conditions include route of exposure, frequency, and duration of exposure. Lastly, host response. This is how a host reacts to a toxic. This response is similar within a population but a wide change of reaction may be encountered due to individual susceptibility and resistance.
There is a growing number of studies linked to the toxic exposure and a range of acute and chronic diseases. These studies have shown an increased rate of cancer and other diseases associated with toxic exposure in the environment. There are different levels of exposure which can cause diseases. Acute toxicity generally occurs within hours after exposure. An example of acute exposure happened in 1989, where 5,000 people died and 30,000 were permanently disabled due to exposure to methyl isocyanate from an industrial accident in Bhopal, India (Broughton, Edward .2005). Subchronic toxicity is a very common exposure caused by repeated toxic exposure for several weeks or month, for example, an exposure to lead in a workplace over a period of several weeks can cause anemia. Chronic toxicity is caused by long-term exposure to the toxin which slowly builds up to damage a specific organ. When the damage takes years to become detectable, it could lead to an organ failure or dysfunction. An example of this is, cirrhosis in alcoholics who have ingested ethanol for several years; chronic kidney disease in workmen with several years of exposure to lead and chronic bronchitis in long-term cigarette smokers.
There are some key drivers that contribute to the exposure level and duration of toxins in the environment. These are experienced differently depending on the location. Economically and politically disadvantaged communities experience a high level of poverty suffer from a lot of issues that are generally nonexistent in more affluent areas. Some of these are poor infrastructure, transportation, inadequate health services and lack of education. One of the most dangerous of this burden that people living in poverty face is the unequal exposure to toxic environmental materials. In the United states, low-income neighborhoods experience a higher level of different forms of pollution such as water and air pollution, and toxic waste than neighborhoods that maintain a high level of income. There are many other factors that exist within poverty that influences exposure such as preexisting conditions, nutrition, and especially age. Children who are poor are likely to work in the most hazardous conditions. Data shows that there are approximate ‘250 million working children’ between the ages 5-14 in developing countries. The International Labor Organization (ILO) provided a data which estimated that ‘more that 60% of the 250 million’ working children have been exposed to toxic conditions. Additionally, ‘2/3 of toxic exposure occurs in rural and poor areas. (WHO,2016). A toxic such as lead has negative effects on the brain, blood, and kidneys. Toxic exposure and poverty have gone hand-in-hand worldwide, even in developed regions like the United State. (Brody et al. 1994)
There is also a high use of some the riskiest pesticides for agricultural within poor communities. Most farmers in developing countries are oblivious to the hazards associated with exposure to many pesticides. Also, advanced technologies used to minimize pesticide exposure often require knowledge beyond traditional practices. Consequently, unsafe practices such as inadequate storage and lack of protection increase the chances of been exposed to toxins.
There is an estimate of ‘3 million acute poisoning’ worldwide. The majority of these pesticides are sold in developing countries, exposing them to higher toxic risks. This is due to lack of laws and regulations to monitor use and distribution of pesticides. (WHO.2016). In Nicaragua, a study was held to investigate the effects of poverty and on toxic exposure, specifically pesticide use. It was estimated that the number of farmers affected by toxic exposure from pesticide use is 5.4% annually. This data is similar to other developing countries like Malaysia and Sri Lanka with toxic exposure rate among farmers of about 7% (J EYARATNAM et al. 1987). Recent data shows revealed that 30% of Nicaraguan farmers had experienced acute toxicity in their lives.
In some developing countries, children from poor homes are usually hired in tobacco farming to help provide family income. These children are very vulnerable to "green tobacco sickness", which is initiated by the nicotine that is absorbed through the skin from contacting wet tobacco leaves (WHO.2016)
Also, industrialization is a vital feature of economic growth worldwide but also one key driver of toxic exposure. The influence on toxic exposure is quite evident in developing countries where there is less attention paid to pollution control, environmental standards and protection. The consequences of industrial practices within these developing regions result in air pollution, water pollution, and toxic wastes. Developing countries like China and other countries in Asia also receive hazardous industrial technologies from developed countries, which are no longer acceptable for environmental health reasons in developed nations, but are still acceptable in developing countries.
Industries in developing countries use the combustion of fossil fuels to generate energy. Also, the use of coal in the industry and locally contributes to toxic exposure by polluting the air. In China, more than ‘70% of total energy consumption relies on direct coal combustion’, which contributes to the toxins suspended particles such as Sulphur dioxide. At large, the level of exposure in the workplace environment is much greater than that of the general population. This is because the toxic emissions are quickly reduced and distributed by the wind. However, the duration of exposure of the general population is longer than that of workers.
Additionally, the exposure level and duration of toxins in developing countries are generally higher than that in developed regions, where most residential areas are far from industries and the pollution of air is controlled. A case study of the effects of toxic air pollution on the health of 480 school children in Cubatao, Brazil, where 23 industries including chemical industries, fertilizer plants, and cement industries, released mixed toxins showed that ’55.3% of the children’ experienced decreased pulmonary function. Another case also occurred in the Republic of Korea, in the Ulsan special zone where plants such as petrochemical plants and metal refineries are concentrated. Residents who lived locally complained of different health issues including nervous system disorder also known as “Onsan Disease”. Moreover, toxic substances accidentally released into the atmosphere results in detrimental health risks, and this is very common in developing countries. One of the worst of such incidence happened in ‘Bhopal, India, in 1984, where leaking methyl isocyanide killed 2,000 people’.
Another key driver of toxin exposure is the lifestyle of population which includes behaviors such as smoking and heavy alcohol drinking. These behavior choices can increase the risk of getting diseases such as cancer and other diseases. Cancer refers to diseases in which damaged cells replicate uncontrollably and are able to invade other tissues. These cancerous cells spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems, which help the body get rid of toxins. Data shows that 30% of all cancers are caused by smoking or consuming tobacco. There is a high level of cancer incidences in nonsmokers caused by the exposure to second-hand smoke. Secondhand smoke also is known as environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoking. Approximately 7,300 lung cancer deaths occur annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States as a result of exposure to toxic chemical present in the smoke. Data from the World Health Organization shows that tobacco kills up to half its users and approximately 6 million people die annually. Children are the most vulnerable second-hand smokers. Children who are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at higher risk of developing respiratory infections, cot death, and asthma. Passive smoking has been linked to ‘165 cases of diseases’ among children annually in the UK. (Cancer Research UK.2016).
In conclusion, toxic exposure has proven to be global burden affecting both developed and developing regions across the world. This burden, however, is disproportionate as most developing regions suffer significantly from toxic exposure. This due to key drivers like poverty which exposes poor children to dangerous toxins and hazardous working conditions. Moreover, the emissions of toxins have increased because of industrialization. Toxins are constantly released into the environment causing different health issues for the workers and the general public. Industrialization contributes highly to air and water pollution.
Lastly lifestyle behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol also drive the exposure of toxins. Smoking especially causes the release of toxins into the air, which poses a threat to the rest of the population.