Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards after Natural Disasters: A Scoping Review

Author: Ipsita Dash and Diksha Mohapatra

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Abstract

Pollution not only affects human life, but also exerts potentially perilous effects on earth as well as the atmosphere. Pollutants which may be physical, chemical or biological agents that exert pollution. Any calamitous occurrence which is natural driven rather than human-generated, cause great loss to not only human life, but also destruction of natural resources, which is termed as natural disaster. Natural calamities like cyclone, flood, drought, heat wave, landslide and tsunami can contribute to substantial amount of pollution. Cyclones and floodwater carry hazardous chemicals and pollutants from industrial sites like lead, arsenic, asbestos, etc. harmful pesticides from agricultural areas, and waste water or sewage from household region to nearby water resources affecting aquatic life as well as wildlife. Drought and landslides lead to release of unanchored soil causing dust storms and exposure to various air pollutants. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution accounts for >6.5 million deaths worldwide per annum, equating to 11.6% of all global annual deaths. Similarly, impact of pollution on health holds a larger share in the global scenario as compared to infectious diseases like HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, Influenza, etc. bio-terrorism, war, illegal drug consumption and alcohol consumption. Economical loss due to traditional pollution was 3.2% of the GDP in India in the year 2000, which fell to nearly 1% in the year 2019. Preventing a natural disaster from occurring may be out of human powers, but taking stringent measures to prevent the aftermath of these disasters can be planned. This scoping review focuses on the impact of pollution on the environment, atmosphere, natural resources and human life, and how calamitous changes like cyclones, floods and droughts as an etiological factor have a greater impact in imparting pollution. This review will help in understanding the after effects of natural calamities on the environment, prevalence of pollution after occurrence of a natural disaster, and various health hazards caused by exposure of pollutants to nature

Keywords

Cyclone, Diseases, Flood, Natural calamities, Pollution, Pollutants

Conclusion

Preventing a natural disaster from occurring may be out of human powers, but taking stringent measures to prevent the aftermath of these disasters can be helpful. Proper manpower, regular training and effective post-calamitic handling measures can to some extent help in reducing pollution and contamination of natural resources like soil and water bodies after natural calamities. An efficient and in advance weather forecasting system as well as cogent disaster management system can help in preserving human life, wildlife, decrease livestock destruction and reduce the burden of organic waste after a disastrous event

References

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How to cite this article

Ipsita Dash and Diksha Mohapatra (2024). Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards after Natural Disasters: A Scoping Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(7): 231-236.