Air Pollution In New York Essay
Air Pollution in New York
The people of New York have the right to enjoy an environment that is conducive to the full development of individuals as human beings. This is an environment that is not only free from obvious threats of physical harm such as crimes but also from concealed threats that have long term effects on human health and functioning such as air pollution. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the New York City government to improve ambient air quality in New York through pollutant level monitoring, air pollution clearly remains a major threat to the people’s health. (NYSDEC, 2008) Industrial and vehicle emissions continue to be the main source of air pollution in the city, which in turn exposes the people to greater risks of contracting diseases from air-borne pollutants and carcinogens. (Routledge, et. al. 1383) Thus, there is a need not only for strengthening existing air pollution-control methods and legislation but in making them more effective by encouraging public participation to solve the problem. …show more content…
The alarming effects of New York air pollution is reflected in a recent study which shows that air pollution affects even unborn babies in their mother’s wombs and increased the risk of DNA damage for newborns exposed to toxins in the air.
(Perera, et. al. 1994) While the effect of this damage on babies is not yet known, it is a significant cause for concern since exposure to air-borne toxins and carcinogens have been proven to increase the risks of developing cancer in adults. Perera, et. al.’s findings also add to the growing number of reasons on why the government should put air pollution reduction and elimination at the top of its
priorities.
Indeed, air pollution does not only affect the human respiratory system contrary to widely-held beliefs. Morris, et. al. (1995) points out that “several studies suggest that the effect of air pollution on persons with underlying cardiovascular disease may be equal to or greater than the effect on persons with respiratory diseases.” (1361) This observation is supported in another study conducted by Routledge, et. al. (2003), which argues that the association between daily mortality rates and air pollution continue to exist “despite major improvements in air quality resulting from increasingly stringent legislation.” (1383)
Likewise, although the cost of pollution has not been the subject of major research efforts, the findings of other studies indicate that pollution is costly to our economy and the healthcare system. A study by Morris, et. al. (1995) found out that increased levels of ambient carbon monoxide were associated with increased hospital admissions for congestive heart failure among elderly people (1364). In the long term, this means that the people and the health care system are burdened with the costs of pollution-related diseases as observed by Morris, et. al. (1995) that most of the hospital admissions for congested heart failure were covered by Medicare. As it has been argued by the New York City government, the rise of debilitating and degenerative diseases such as heart and other cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses among Americans effectively prevents them from being productive at work that has an adverse effect on business and government.
Clearly, there is a need to complement government initiatives on air quality management with efforts from citizens and businesses but this will only succeed if citizens are adequately informed about the issue and the ways they can contribute to the reduction of air pollution. It is apparent that the city government needs to educate the people of New York about the harmful effects of air pollutants which they themselves are primary contributors of. In this aspect, the government can encourage measures to significantly reduce car exhausts and other emissions by supporting, either in the form of legislation or a government program, activities such as carpooling or bicycle riding among New York citizens. It can also encourage the business sector to take steps to reduce industrial emissions by providing incentives or other similar programs. Projects that would entail business-citizenship participation in consciousness raising and education about the issue of air pollution such as the promotion of activities like bicycling for those living near their place of work, recycling waste materials that would otherwise go to incinerators, or programs to encourage quitting smoking would also be very effective complementary measures to legislation.
Air pollution will be effectively addressed through the involvement of all stakeholders—government, business, and citizens—in the initiative to clean the air that New York citizens breathe. Clearing New York from the health risks of air pollutants and toxins necessitates the conscious effort from concerned individuals and groups to support legislation with action. Only then will the New York city government clean air legislation have enough power to make meaningful changes in the environment and in the lives of its populace, especially its children.
The people of New York have the right to enjoy an environment that is conducive to the full development of individuals as human beings. This is an environment that is not only free from obvious threats of physical harm such as crimes but also from concealed threats that have long term effects on human health and functioning such as air pollution. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the New York City government to improve ambient air quality in New York through pollutant level monitoring, air pollution clearly remains a major threat to the people’s health. (NYSDEC, 2008) Industrial and vehicle emissions continue to be the main source of air pollution in the city, which in turn exposes the people to greater risks of contracting diseases from air-borne pollutants and carcinogens. (Routledge, et. al. 1383) Thus, there is a need not only for strengthening existing air pollution-control methods and legislation but in making them more effective by encouraging public participation to solve the problem. …show more content…
The alarming effects of New York air pollution is reflected in a recent study which shows that air pollution affects even unborn babies in their mother’s wombs and increased the risk of DNA damage for newborns exposed to toxins in the air.
(Perera, et. al. 1994) While the effect of this damage on babies is not yet known, it is a significant cause for concern since exposure to air-borne toxins and carcinogens have been proven to increase the risks of developing cancer in adults. Perera, et. al.’s findings also add to the growing number of reasons on why the government should put air pollution reduction and elimination at the top of its
priorities.
Indeed, air pollution does not only affect the human respiratory system contrary to widely-held beliefs. Morris, et. al. (1995) points out that “several studies suggest that the effect of air pollution on persons with underlying cardiovascular disease may be equal to or greater than the effect on persons with respiratory diseases.” (1361) This observation is supported in another study conducted by Routledge, et. al. (2003), which argues that the association between daily mortality rates and air pollution continue to exist “despite major improvements in air quality resulting from increasingly stringent legislation.” (1383)
Likewise, although the cost of pollution has not been the subject of major research efforts, the findings of other studies indicate that pollution is costly to our economy and the healthcare system. A study by Morris, et. al. (1995) found out that increased levels of ambient carbon monoxide were associated with increased hospital admissions for congestive heart failure among elderly people (1364). In the long term, this means that the people and the health care system are burdened with the costs of pollution-related diseases as observed by Morris, et. al. (1995) that most of the hospital admissions for congested heart failure were covered by Medicare. As it has been argued by the New York City government, the rise of debilitating and degenerative diseases such as heart and other cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses among Americans effectively prevents them from being productive at work that has an adverse effect on business and government.
Clearly, there is a need to complement government initiatives on air quality management with efforts from citizens and businesses but this will only succeed if citizens are adequately informed about the issue and the ways they can contribute to the reduction of air pollution. It is apparent that the city government needs to educate the people of New York about the harmful effects of air pollutants which they themselves are primary contributors of. In this aspect, the government can encourage measures to significantly reduce car exhausts and other emissions by supporting, either in the form of legislation or a government program, activities such as carpooling or bicycle riding among New York citizens. It can also encourage the business sector to take steps to reduce industrial emissions by providing incentives or other similar programs. Projects that would entail business-citizenship participation in consciousness raising and education about the issue of air pollution such as the promotion of activities like bicycling for those living near their place of work, recycling waste materials that would otherwise go to incinerators, or programs to encourage quitting smoking would also be very effective complementary measures to legislation.
Air pollution will be effectively addressed through the involvement of all stakeholders—government, business, and citizens—in the initiative to clean the air that New York citizens breathe. Clearing New York from the health risks of air pollutants and toxins necessitates the conscious effort from concerned individuals and groups to support legislation with action. Only then will the New York city government clean air legislation have enough power to make meaningful changes in the environment and in the lives of its populace, especially its children.