Types and Impact of Waste on Health

Not only has an impact on the environment, the impact of waste on the health of the body also need not be doubted. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that there is a lot of hazardous waste around us. Therefore, it is important to recognize the various types of waste and their impacts.

Waste can come from anywhere, from household waste, office buildings, and industry, to vehicle exhaust on the highway. The impact of waste on health cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, this problem has not been taken seriously by various parties.

Various Types and Impact of Waste on Health

Waste is divided into several types. The following is an explanation of several types of waste and their impact on health:

Air Waste

Air waste can cause air pollution. This waste is usually in the form of dust or smoke particles. In fact, some other particles are so small that they are invisible to the eye.

Airborne waste is usually generated from the exhaust from diesel engines, burning wood, and garbage, or coal-fired power plants. These various particles in the air can be accidentally inhaled and cause dangerous diseases.

Various diseases that can be caused include respiratory system disorders, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. According to several studies, these diseases are common in areas with high levels of air pollution.

Meanwhile, in pregnant women, air waste can endanger the health of the fetus. One of the dangers is the disruption of fetal brain development which increases the risk of babies experiencing ADHD in the future.

Landfill Waste

Not only does it smell bad, research also shows that people who live close to landfills have a higher risk of various health problems, such as:

• Flu
• Eye irritation
• Chronic fatigue
• Asthma
• Respiratory tract infection
• Cough
• tuberculosis

Not only that, this type of waste can also cause water pollution in the surrounding environment. As a result, residents who live around the garbage disposal site are at high risk of getting diarrhea, giardiasis, hepatitis, cholera, and cancer due to consuming polluted water.

For pregnant women, living near a landfill can increase the risk of giving birth to babies with low birth weights and even birth defects.

WaterWaste

Wastewater is water that has been contaminated with harmful germs or chemicals. Waste that pollutes water can come from human waste, factory waste disposal, or wastewater from washing residue.

Water that has been contaminated with this waste can cause various diseases, such as:

• Diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and even death
• Methaemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome, if you consume drinking water contaminated with nitrates or high in nitrates
• Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid
• Kidney illness
• Liver dysfunction
• Cancer
• Birth defects, if drinking water that has been contaminated is consumed by pregnant women

Some of the effects of waste on health may not be felt right away, but this still cannot be taken lightly because long-term exposure to waste can cause serious illness.

In order to reduce or even eliminate the harmful effects of waste, proper waste management and awareness to keep the environment clean are needed.

The impact of waste on health cannot be underestimated. If you live in an environment that is prone to being polluted by waste or experience certain symptoms of a disease, don’t hesitate to see a doctor so that you can undergo an examination and get the right treatment.