With the rapid advancement of science and technology and heavy industrialization, the environment is degrading at a faster rate. The environmental degradation and destruction is multidimensional as it is engulfing the quality of air, water and soil.
The air is deteriorating rapidly and it has been creating serious problems of human health. Amongst all the sources of pollution, the heavy metals and trace element deserve special attention as they are turning the air quite unsuitable for human health and human survival. Copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, beryllium etc. are notorious for their toxic effects to human beings and other flora and fauna. These pollutants present in the air, water and soil affect the human beings and are posing serious health hazard.
It is difficult to relate trends in individual quantitatively to adverse health impacts. Health effects will vary greatly depending upon factory such as the specific technology, chosen specific site, characteristics and the proximity of population.
Evidence is accumulating that most of the diseases that afflict humanity have their origin in deleterious free radical reaction. These diseases include cardiovascular problem, cancer, inflammatory joint disease and degenerative eye complaints. The basic process of biological aging is also the result of accumulated free radical damage to the organism. The utilization of oxygen in living organisms produces superoxide (Op and
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Hydroxyl (OH) radicals. Metabolism of various organic compounds also yields a range of carbon centered free radicals. These electrophonic species can damage genetic material and oxidize unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes; our natural protection against free radicals and activated oxygen compounds involves a sophisticated multilayered defense screen of enzymes such as catalane and superoxide dismutase and molecular antioxidants including ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and tocopherol (Vitamin E). The antioxidant enzymes have, at their active centers, elements such as copper, zinc, iron, manganese and selenium. These and other trace elements play a vital role in maintaining our health.
The sources of biological free radicals are mentioned as follows:
O2 + e– -> O– 2
O2 + e– + 2H+ -> H2Oz
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H2O2 + e- + H+ -> H2O + OH
OH + e– + H+ -> H2O
The reaction is catalyzed by the home copper enzyme cytochrome oxidize.
There will always be new industries, the environment impact of which will need to be assessed as soon as they emerge. With progress of industrial development children and women may become high risk groups.