The Impact of Pollution on Public Health: A Focus on India

This essay examines pollution as a major public health concern in India, focusing on various types of pollution such as atmospheric, water, and soil pollution, and their detrimental effects on public health, including asthma, bronchitis, and other diseases. It highlights the sources of air pollution, such as industrial facilities, motor vehicles, and forest fires, and discusses policy-making efforts at both national and international levels to address these issues. The essay also emphasizes the role of organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) in setting standards and supporting member states in reducing pollution risks. Furthermore, it mentions India's initiatives, including the creation of country-specific indicators and participation in international conventions, along with government and societal efforts to promote public awareness, sustainable resource use, and cleaner fuel alternatives to combat air pollution and improve public health outcomes. Desklib provides a platform for students to access this essay and numerous other solved assignments and past papers.

Running Head: Public Health 1
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PUBLIC HEALTH
Public health is the art and science of protecting against disease, improving the safety,
improving health and prolonging life of communities through organized efforts, education and
doing research for injuries and diseases prevention. The strategies involved are organized by
society, individuals, organizations and communities. Public health has been affected through
various ways such as food safety, pollution, heart diseases, HIV/AIDs, tobacco use and
healthcare –associated infections. In this paper will discuss pollution as a major public health
concern in India.
Pollution can be categorized into atmospheric pollution, water pollution, soil pollution,
ground subsidence, vibration, and noxious door noise with each posing a major threat to the
environment thus compromising the public health. Some of the major health symptoms caused
by the above include asthma, bronchitis, poisoning, headache, discomfort and depression. To
eradicate pollution various countries have adopted different strategies which includes the
following; land use regulations, enacting programs to prevent pollution, setting standards on land
use, enforcing laws on manufacturing sectors, use of pollution free facilities and systems,
compensating pollution victims and also regulating emissions of pollutants (Kelly & Fussell,
2015).
Air pollution is distinctively the world’s single leading environmental hazard. In India it
is among the various forms of pollution and it is associated with most environment health
problem affecting the public. It results from environmental contamination from any physical,
chemical or biological agent which changes the natural features of the atmosphere. Some of the
sources of air pollution in India include forest fires, industrial facilities, motor vehicles, tobacco
smoke and stoves at home (Jamir, Nongkynrih, & Gupta, 2014). Air pollution in India is

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addressed by policy making both national and international who acts in areas such as
management of waste energy agriculture, buildings, clean energy for cooking and transport.
Air pollution both ambient and household leads to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory
diseases, heart diseases and stroke, cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases which
can possibly lead to death. Major pollutant to public health includes ozone, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Several approaches have been to in place
to curb pollution such as use of health bodies such as World Health Organization whose main
function on air pollution is to recognize air pollutants which has greater impact on peoples’
health. It works in conjunction with community to change the situation and adhere to depicted
new standards for air pollution. This aids the Member States to reduce or prevent the risks by
focusing on their deeds on health issue. Additionally, India became the world’s first country to
create country specific indicators and targets which leads to reduction of air pollution. This was
as a result of endorsement of Global Action Plan and Monitoring Framework for prevention and
control of NCDs in 2013.
Consequently, India is a participant to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,
which establishes GOI dedication to reduce household pollution. Also WHO plays a contributive
role outlining and implementing tobacco management initiatives like the Cigarette and other
tobacco Products Act, 2013 and National Tobacco Control Programme. Furthermore, approach
adopted by the Government and society in creating and implementing important programmes and
policies is vital in combating with the burden of air pollution. Other measures include creating
public awareness, sustainable use of resources, advocating and commitment to use of cleaner
fuelled-vehicles and reduced tobacco smoking at homes.

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In conclusion pollution poses a health issue to the public. Some of the contributing
sources include both indoor and outdoor activities. A major health issues caused by pollution
include, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and bronchitis. India being
at the frontline in combating air pollution has implemented and endorsed guiding policies to
mitigate pollution. Measures taken include involvement of health organizations such WHO and
adoption of suggested policies by the government and society.

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References
Jamir, L., Nongkynrih, B., & Gupta, S. K. (2014). Community noise pollution in urban India:
Need for public health action. Indian journal of community medicine: official publication
of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine, 39(1), 8.
Kelly, F. J., & Fussell, J. C. (2015). Air pollution and public health: emerging hazards and
improved understanding of risk. Environmental geochemistry and health, 37(4), 631-
649.