I received that comment after last week’s blog, from a reader who was wondering why I would discuss environmental issues on a blog about health… quite justified, too, I think. So, I thought I should explain myself!
You see, I’m reading more and more articles about studies connecting pollution, climate change, and our health, beyond dealing with more severe weather, wildfires, and the stress these can cause. An unhealthy environment can affect our health in ways we are just beginning to understand beyond simply worsening breathing problems.
For example…
Here’s an example I read last week: microplastics are ending up in treated wastewater sludge, which eventually makes its way into farm soil and, potentially, the food grown there. Treated sludge is a great fertilizer, apparently… who knew? And they need to get rid of it somewhere, right? But ingesting plastics, even in “micro” bits, enables them to get into our bodies, and scientists are not sure yet the ways that could affect our health.
Of course, it’s not just the physical bits of plastic that pose a problem… it’s the chemicals they contain that will eventually leech out too. I’ve written about the effects of plastic exposure on human health (I’ll post a link to that blog below) and there’s no reason not to expect these chemicals to affect animal health as well. It’s well documented that animals – especially birds and marine life – are dying because of our plastic pollution.
Single use plastics are considered worst, as they pile up quickly then disintegrate slowly over years into progressively tinier bits. We’re already seeing bans on use of grocery bags and drinking straws. We can expect more of these in the future, but society needs time to adapt to changes, so one thing at a time. Part of my dishwashing routine now is washing out plastic bags (who would have thought!) — recycling within the home reduces our plastic waste in a significant way. And I made myself a cool little tool to clean the inside of my reusable straws – I cut a slit in one end of a wooden skewer and inserted a small strip of fabric into it that I wind around the skewer before sliding it through the straw. Works great! (That’s the gadget pictured in the photo above)
Some good ideas…
A reader in Alberta told me about a campaign out there, entitled “Leave no Trace” after my last blog. Aimed at park users, the goal is for everyone to leave no signs behind that they were ever there. This includes, not only garbage, but campfires (built in a pit that can later be filled in), human waste (“bury it or carry it”), and even raking over footsteps and campsites with branches to cover the last traces of having been there before they move on. I love it!
Then, of course, there’s my selfish side – I love our pristine natural beach and want others to respect it too so we all can continue to enjoy this beautiful bit of nature (hence my last article’s rant). The beach could also be said to fall under the “mental health protection” category for me. A brisk walk on the beach has long been my “go to” when I’m deeply upset. The combination of exercise, fresh air, the sound of the waves, and being in nature can make you feel like you’re leaving your troubles behind, whatever the weather. I’m sure a walk in a forest or a park would work equally well (I just happen to live near the beach!)
PM2.5… tiny particles in the air
This week, I read an article discussing how fine particulate matter (known as PM2.5) from wildfires and agricultural spraying are connected to risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as worsening lung diseases. Just when we thought we were through wearing filtering masks, here is a new use: preventing inhalation of fine particulate matter on days when the wind from burning areas is blowing your way.
But all experts agree that these fires are being caused by extreme heat and drought events brought on by climate change which is already changing weather patterns in noticeable ways. These tiny microparticles (3% of the width of a human hair) can enter the body easily, slipping through the filtering system of the nose. The tiniest of these (called nanoparticles) can even cross the blood/brain barrier, where they cause irritation and inflammation in the brain (this is how they believe they increase risk for brain diseases like dementia) and they can even enter our body’s cells. They are suspected to carry other substances with them, including viruses picked up from the air, toxic heavy metals, and of course plastics, etc. (whatever was burning at the time…) that further increase the health hazards of these particles. See the Government of Canada reference below for more information on effects of PM2.5.
One proposed route for particles and microorganisms to enter the brain is through the nasal route – the “front door”, where nerves that provide our sense of smell pass through to the brain. This has been suggested as a potential route for the COVID virus to cause brain fog and the notable loss of sense of smell that can last weeks to months in many of those affected by “Long COVID”.
Other pollution-caused health problems…
Then there’s the emotion and trauma of being exposed to a severe climate event… Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are understandably documented as being more common in those who have been directly affected by climate events like wildfires, floods, and severe storms.
Time to change our behaviour…
It’s hard not to see the irony in the cancellation of the “Ax the (Carbon) Tax” rally in Whitehorse, Northwest Territories last week, due to the threat of climate-change-caused wildfires… Although it’s just one climate strategy (and more are needed), the controversial Carbon Tax has been demonstrated in studies to give the best “bang for the buck”, creating the most behaviour change with the least cost. It does this by making all of us want to change… to avoid products that are more polluting because they cost more. For example, as gas increases in price, more of us want to buy electric cars which just happen to be less polluting while consuming no gas at all.
But even before we make that move, we start to think twice about jumping into the car as often. My hubby and I now collect our errands in the city to do all in one day as much as possible, resulting in fewer trips into town (about a half hour away). We also do more shopping at our local grocery store which others must be doing too, as their selection has improved significantly. And one of the attractions for working from home is the significant money saved by not filling the tank as often!
The New Abnormal…
Some are calling climate change the “New Normal”… but it’s not normal in any sense. There are many things we can do to adjust to this “New Abnormal”, both to protect ourselves from harm from the changes and to lessen our contribution to the causes of change. They call this Climate Adaptation…
What changes are you considering (or have already made) to lessen the effects of climate change on your life and property? What will you do next???
References/Additional reading:
How microplastics are making their way into our farmland – The Conversation
Would you like a side of plastic with that? — Jeannie Collins Beaudin’s Blog
Wildfire smoke is an increasing risk to Canadians’ health — The Conversation
What is Fine Particular Matter (PM2.5)? — Government of Canada
How our complex relationship with heat inhibits climate action – The Conversation
Wildfires, pesticides linked to increased risk of dementia – Medical News Today
Wildfire smoke can damage the brain long after the flames are extinguished, research says – The Canadian Healthcare Network
Wildfire smoke is an increasing risk to Canadians’ health — The Conversation
Jeannie Beaudin, Artist and Author 