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The Effects of Hazardous Waste on People

As a whole, humanity is trying to prevent the further deterioration of the Earth. However, hazardous waste still comes from companies that refuse to change their habits. This is as true in developing countries as it is in developed nations like the United States and Great Britain. Not only does dumping or burning hazardous waste harm the environment, but it also causes severe health effects in people.

  1. Cancer

    • Most effects of hazardous waste are long-term, meaning they develop over time. Many people don't see the side effects of being exposed to chemicals right away because they're unaware that they've even been exposed. Cancer is one of the long-term side effects. It can be argued that cancer can develop through any means seemingly for no reason at all, and so developing cancer through exposure to hazardous waste has to be medically proven. Usually this type of cancer comes in a rare form, such as a tumor affecting only one organ or part of the body, and it typically effects more than a handful of people who live in the area of exposure.

    Mental Disorders

    • When hazardous waste gets into the soil, air and water, it can affect plants and animals. Since we consume these in our diet, we can unknowingly ingest the hazardous waste, and prolonged ingestion of those chemicals can lead to mental and nervous disorders. The nervous system controls our feelings and bodily movements. Impairing this system can affect the way we move and react to things. These nervous disorders can be severe, and in some cases, they can include paralysis. If a fetus or young child is exposed, the resulting mental disorders can include retardation and deformity of the brain.

    Death

    • The most severe effect of hazardous waste is death. Hazardous waste is often hard to be rid of, even if disposed of "properly," and many times people don't realize they've been exposed until it's too late. A record number of deaths may occur in an exposed area. There is no age range for death from hazardous waste, although children and older people are often affected the most since their immune systems are not as strong as a full grown adult's. Ultimately, the cause of death must be determined by an autopsy.

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