Chemical and Physical Health Risks – Chemicals, Radiation, and Noise

Abstract

Imagine yourself standing in early morning at the best viewpoint of a big city. The sum of all noises from the city forms a tremendous roar, which increases during the morning hours. Separate sounds may be discerned; the sound from an accelerating truck, a siren, a pile driver, a passing aircraft. In the city, the traffic noise is more obvious. Sometimes it is strong enough to make conversation impossible, a sign that the noise may damage one’s hearing. As the traffic becomes denser, it stirs up dust from the streets. The exhausts emit particles and gases. The smell itself is annoying – for some people very annoying. Sensitive people may get respiratory problems. Other sources of air pollution are emissions from refuse dumps and the incineration of garbage. Air pollution comes from chimneys of houses or factories. The sunlight hits air pollutants and transforms them to compounds that can be even more harmful.