Memo to Decision-Maker

Kao 2

To: Alex Smith - The Decision-maker

From: Badi Kao - Environmental Analyst

Date: June 14, 2020

Subject: Research Report Proposal on Addressing Health Problems Stemming from Air Pollution.

MEMORANDUM

Summary

Air pollution is a global problem that affects people in various ways. On the global environmental system, air pollution has adverse effects on the health of the people and agencies are on the research path to come up with solutions of air pollution challenges. This memo is addressed to the decision makers so that they can come up with the appropriate solutions to the environmental and health hazards of air pollution and make sure that solutions are proposed to the people for a better environment.

The Problem and Need for Investigation: Air Pollution and Impact on Health

The problem of investigation is the impact of the air pollution on the health of the people. The air pollution is a contamination of the atmosphere with harmful substances generated from both natural and human-made sources. In a broader sense, air pollution means the presence of chemicals in the air which lower the quality of air or cause detrimental changes to the quality of life. Air pollution can occur both indoors and outdoors as well. The impacts of air pollution occur over the long-term, which has been studied over time and thus the memo addresses specific areas together with the needs to address this challenge and take the stern action that will solve environmental pollution thus saving lives and the health of the people. It is notable that the urbanization and industrialization along with economic development have led to an increase in energy consumption and waste discharges. The global environmental pollution, including the greenhouse gas emission and acid disposition, as well as water pollution and waste management are considered as an international public health problem. Air quality is very important to the human respiratory system and thus when the pollution of the air that people breathe is common, that affects the lives of the people; breathing dirty air and the poor quality of air has led to several problems such as cancers and other communicable illnesses. This is a main problem affecting the world, and agencies together with organizations should come up with solutions to address these challenges and problems.

There are several causes of the air pollution that affects the lives of the people; on this note, it is important to consider these causes as well as work on addressing the main issues that have caused the problem and the solution. Some of the consequences of the air pollution that affects the health of the people include the negative effects on the respiratory system, such as inflammatory infections from high concentrations of air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and ozone. As a result of these causes, the human beings suffer a number of problems and challenges such as Bronchial Asthma, Pneumonia, Chronic Bronchitis or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease that can often lead to death without early treatment. Even though carbon monoxide is the leading air pollutant causing health effects, others like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide also post health risks to people.

Air pollution can be managed in several ways specifically to address problems and challenges that are direct to the human life; the threats are often dire that leads to damages of the lives of people and thus coming up with necessary solutions to these problems would help a larger human population as well as the air where people live. Industrial processes must be managed and addressed properly to work on the solutions of the problems facing the human population. The city authorities should put up important measures that will work on specific issues that can affect the air and thus the life of the people. Taking part in the prevention and treatment of diseases from air pollution is part of the roles that the government agencies should play. In addition, there should be education and training programs that will be inculcated into the public health programs to support the habits and the cultures of the people.

Secondary Research

In order to understand the origin and the background of the issues, I have carried out a secondary research that will create an understanding of the major causes and the consequences of the air pollution issues. Through a study of literature from various sources of references such as; Harris (2018), Lage, Ramos, Oliveira, Da, & Rocha (2016) and Payne-Sturges et al. (2019). See the reference list for full citations. There is evidence that air pollution has really affected people through the natural resources within the society and thus they should be addressed. Comment by James Getman: You can delete this. Unnecessary.

Primary Research

Practical and real research on the ground is one of the main areas of focus that have provided primary details about the impact of air pollutions within the society. It is basic to consider that all societies and communities have both domestic and industrial practices that end up affecting or impacting the natural resources through contamination and thus later affecting the lives of the people within these communities. Therefore, a primary research in the local American communities has provided evidence to this particular effect that air is greatly affected. I will focus the research on the Gaithersburg Region of Maryland. The research will interview people with respiratory infections at the various hospitals to understand the causative factors and symptoms arising from health infections caused by air pollutants such as PM2.5. Comment by James Getman: What does this ean? Comment by James Getman: Has? You haven’t conducted any because this is a memo requesting permission to conduct research.

Recommendations

This research is addressed to offer advice on various ways that would help to control and solve the problems associated with the health care issues stemming from air pollution challenges. According to the EPA AirNow, Metropolitan Washington COG, air quality for the Washington Region is 54 with the dominant pollutant as PM2.5. PM2.5 refers to tiny particles that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure aggravates heart and lung disease, according to the EPA AirNow. Since we are located at the heart of the region and also work with animals, there is the high possibility that workers in our set up are exposed to the PM2.5 pollutant which will affect their health. First, it is recommended that there is a proper introduction of the education and training of people within the office and surrounding communities on safety processes and procedures within the societies. In addition, the practices should be incorporated into the cultures and the ways of life of the people. Public institutions dealing with healthcare should be major players in these activities. Comment by James Getman: Your recommendations will go in your final Proposal.

Conclusion

In conclusion to this report, it is important to consider the need to offer support that will provide necessary information and details that will address healthcare issues that result from the air pollution. PM2.5 is a major cause of respiratory diseases within the region. However, there seems to be a disconnect among the people regarding how they can prevent, control and treat infections from air pollution in their daily lives. The authorities should thus offer authorization and permission to be able to support the recommendations and help in the implementation of the recommendations. The global population is increasingly growing and thus it is necessary and important to help address some of these issues to save the economic, the social and the environmental aspects of the globe. Comment by James Getman: Make a formal request in the section.

Reference

Harris, J. L. (2018). Air Pollution. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=88952971&site=eds-live&scope=site

Lage, M. L., Ramos, L. M., Oliveira, T. M., Da, V., & Rocha, C. (2016). the Atmospheric Pollution and Repercussions on Human Health : a Brief Review of Toxicological Environmental Effects on Respiratory System. Brazilian Journal of Surgery and Clinical Research, 13(2), 29–34.

Payne-Sturges, D. C., Marty, M. A., Perera, F., Miller, M. D., Swanson, M., Ellickson, K., … Hertz-Picciotto, I. (2019). Healthy Air, Healthy Brains: Advancing Air Pollution Policy to Protect Children’s Health. American Journal of Public Health, 109(4), 550–554. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304902