Health Scientist

2 Pages 377 Words

HEALTH SCIENTIST


Acid rain looks, feels, and tastes just like clean rain. There are no direct effects of acid rain on humans. The harm to people from acid rain is not direct. Walking in acid rain, or even swimming in an acid lake, is no more dangerous than walking or swimming in clean water. However, the pollutants that are the basis acid rain also damage human health. These gases interact in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles that can travel long distances by winds and inhaled deep into people's lungs. Fine particles can also enter indoors. Many scientific studies have identified a relationship between upraised levels of fine particles and increased illness and premature death from heart and lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis. Among one of the serious side effects of acid rain on humans are respiratory problems. The SO2 and NO2 emissions give upsurge to respiratory problems such as dry coughs, headaches, eye, nose, and throat irritations.
An indirect effect of acid rain on humans is that the toxic metals dissolved in the water are absorbed in fruits, vegetables and in the tissues of animals. Although these toxic metals do not directly affect the animals, they have serious effects on humans when they are being consumed. For example, mercury that accumulates in the organs and tissues of the animals has been linked with brain damage in children as well as nerve disorders, brain damage and death. Similarly, another metal, Aluminum, present in the organs of the animals, has been associated with kidney problems and recently, was suspected to be related to Alzheimer's disease. Another indirect effect of acid rain on humans is decreases in nitrogen oxide emissions are also expected to have a beneficial impact on human health. Reducing the nitrogen oxides available to react with volatile organic compounds and forms ozone. Ozone impacts on human health include a number of morbidity and mor...