Identify and describe 3 environmental health hazard that cause ill health,crises and or disasters within your community or any other community within South Africa and globally .include evidence that is current of the identified issues

See Related Questions below.

air pollution

1)Poor Sanitation

To identify three environmental health hazards that cause ill health, crises, and disasters within a community, it is important to analyze local and global data and research studies. Here are three examples, with current evidence, of environmental health hazards affecting communities in South Africa and globally:

1. Air Pollution:
Air pollution is a significant environmental health hazard affecting communities worldwide. In South Africa, cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria face high levels of air pollution due to industrial activities, transportation emissions, and burning of biomass for energy. This adversely impacts respiratory health, increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and even raises the incidence of cancer. Current evidence shows that South Africa has some of the highest levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the world, causing severe health consequences. (Source: South African Medical Journal)

2. Water Contamination:
Water contamination poses a great risk to communities, especially in areas with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities. In South Africa, there have been numerous incidents of waterborne diseases, such as cholera and dysentery, due to contaminated water sources, untreated sewage, and illegal dumping of hazardous substances. Globally, poor water quality is linked to millions of deaths and diseases each year, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). One current example of water contamination is the ongoing water crisis in the City of Cape Town, where water scarcity and quality issues have led to health concerns and socio-economic disarray. (Source: World Health Organization)

3. Climate Change Effects:
Climate change is a global environmental health hazard that affects communities in South Africa and around the world. It leads to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, temperature fluctuations, and altered rainfall patterns. These changes can result in natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, causing significant health impacts. Studies indicate that climate change increases the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as well as food and waterborne illnesses due to disrupted ecosystems. In South Africa, climate change projections suggest an increased risk of heat-related illnesses and exposure to vector-borne diseases. (Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - IPCC)

By addressing these environmental health hazards through sustainable policies, infrastructure development, and community engagement, we can mitigate the risks and protect the health and well-being of individuals and societies.