Human actions, effect ecosystems

Ecological Part (Planet). The ecological part has to do with the impact of human action on nature. Mainly this means all the known environmental problems and processes that disrupt the ecosystems (ozone depletion, acidification, greenhouse effect, destruction of species, wastes, etc.). In a sustainable world all those known problems must be minimized or avoided. In addition, for as far as possible, sustainable development must have the power to avoid new problems. The precautionary principle is therefore adopted. 

In a speech before the Congress in 1978, former Commissioner Donald Kennedy stated "the evidence indicates that enteric microorganisms in animals and man, their R-plasmids, and human pathogens form a linked ecosystem of their own in which action at any one point can affect every other." If the vulnerability of microorganisms to antibiotics is reduced by the use of antibiotics for nonmedical purposes in animals, the effectiveness of medical treatment will be diminished in man. Potential risks to animal health also exist, and while the linkage to human health is indirect, animal agriculture faces the risk directly. The... 

In recent years, concern that chemicals might inadvertently be disrupting the endocrine system of humans and wildlife has increased. The concerns regarding exposure to these endocrine disrupters are based on adverse effects observed in certain wildlife, fish, and ecosystems increased incidences of certain endocrine-related human diseases and adverse effects observed in laboratory animals exposed to certain chemicals. The main effects reported in both wildlife and humans concern reproductive and sexual development and function altered immune system, nervous system, and thyroid function and hormone-related cancers. Endocrine dismption is not considered a toxicological endpoint in its own right, but a functional change or toxicological mode(s) of action that may lead to adverse effects. Endocrine dismpters are addressed further in Section 4.11. 

Abstract. Environmental risk assessment evaluates the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the environment, in order to highlight the risk on environment and human health due to the potential presence or use of specific pollutants. Risk is a probability of an adverse direct or indirect effect, on the environment or human health. It is a combination of the probability of occurrence of an event and the possible extent of that event s adverse effects and consequences, in terms of adverse effects on the ecosystem and human injury. Risk is defined as the probability of an event to occur, related to the seriousness and extent of its consequences. An environmental risk assessment should be conducted, by adopting a systematic approach, when it is determined that a management action may have consequences to either the state of the environment or human health or well-being. 

The compound, 4, 4 -dichlorodiphenyltri-chloroethane (DDT) [50-29-3] was first synthesized in 1874. Its action as an insecticide, however, was discovered in 1939, many years after its synthesis. From 1940s into the 70s, DDT snrpassed all pesticides in terms of prodnction and nses all over the world. This pesticide is much credited for revamping agricnlmral production and eradicating malaria in the world. However, DDT s detrimental effects on the human health, environment, and the ecosystem were well noticed and became a great concern within years after its massive nse. Its exposure was linked to sharp decline of animal popnlation (Beard and ARHRC 2006). Both DDT and its metabolite DDE [72-55-9] have tendency to accumulate in the hnman body and have been found in detectable levels in the semm, adipose tissue and mother s milk. Also, both DDT and DDE persist in the enviromnent for years degrading very slowly. DDT was banned in the United States in 1972. Its nse... 

A modified release system for the herbicide ametryn was developed by Grillo and co-workers [24] via encapsulation of the active substance in polymer P(3HB) and poly(3HB-co-3HV) microparticles in order to improve the herbicidal action and minimise environmental impact. Nearly 100% release of free ametryn was observed after 1.2 days compared with a significantly reduced herbicide release, 75 and 87% respectively, over the same period of time for P(3HB) and poly(3HB-CO-3HV) microparticles. A slower and more sustained release is a desirable feature in the use of herbicides as it diminishes the impact on the ecosystem, human health and environment. Prudnikova and co-workers [25] presented the first report of the use of PHA/ herbicide matrices to kill weeds. They reported that the herbicide Zellek Super, loaded into copolymer poly(3HB-co-3HV) carriers, was more effective than when it was applied traditionally as a spray onto plants during the tillering phase. However, the inhibitory effect on soil microorganisms was reduced by the encapsulation of the herbicide in the polymer matrix but its effectiveness against test plants was maintained. 

In scientific terms, the human ecosystem, inclusive of the communities we build, is a subset of the larger ecosystem we call Earth. The carpet industry works from the definition of snstainability that sees human activities as part of and dependent upon the natural world. Most definitions stress that sustainability requires making decisions that recognize the connections between actions and effects in the environment, economy, and society. Sustainability is very much about what kind of legacy we want to leave for our children and grandchildren. 

Stratospheric ozone depletion raises a number of ethical issues. Ozone depletion can harm humans, animals, plants and ecosystems. Yet the harm caused by ozone-depleting chemicals was initially unknown, unintentional and indirect. Producers of ozone-depleting chemicals were at first unaware that their products could harm the environment and/or people, and they had no intention to cause harm. The harm was indirect because it was not the chemicals themselves, but rather the effects of the chemicals on stratospheric ozone, that caused damage. Lastly, the harm was diffuse in that it was not the action of a single individual, hut rather the cumulative effects of many corporations and individuals producing and using ozone-depleting chemicals, that caused the problem. 

---