non-biodegradable substances affect the environment.
They may enter the food
chain and harm the organisms in the higher trophic levels. (by
bio-magnification) e.g. Pesticides like DDT
Non-biodegradable substances
like radioactive wastes, lead, mercury etc. affect the health of all living
organisms.
example:The breaking down of "garbage" in an uncontrolled
environment releases toxins in the form of gasses, vapours, salts and solids.
For instance, if there was a heap of old electrical appliances all smashed and
roled up together just laying in the open environment, certain materials, such
as the copper from the wiring or electronics, could oxidise and poison the
environment as a salt (copper sulphate) which is easily dissolved in water.
Now we have not only poisoned the ground but we have polluted the ground water
as well. An excess of copper in the soil will slowly kill plant life. As the
plants are feeding they take up minerals and absorb the copper. Some of the
affected grass is eaten by sheep, cattle or deer. Over a period of time of
being exposed to the copper that is in the grass they eat, they too become
poisoned from the toxic effects of the copper. The copper in the ground water
finds it's way into the streams and rivers and accumulates in deep holes where
fish live. Along come humans and eat the cattle, we eat the fish and we eat
the crops that have absorbed the copper from the ground water. Now we have
more copper in us than the grass, cattle and fish had. Copper is essential for
good health. However, exposure to higher doses can be harmful. Longterm
exposure to copper dust can irritate your nose, mouth, and eyes, and cause
headaches, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea. If you drink water that
contains
higher than normal levels of copper, you
may experience nausea, vomiting,
stomach cramps,
or diarrhea. Intentionally high intakes of copper
can cause
liver and kidney damage and even death.
We do not know if copper can cause
cancer in
humans.
The copper was just one element in the garbage that was
left in the environment. There are many heavy metals, carcinogenic chemicals
and noxious gasses emitted from garbage as it breaks down. If it's not good
for the environment, you can bet your life it's not good for
humans.
Source(s):
yahoo answers
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Ravi Kiran
Research scholar, Dep; of
Biochemistry;A.U
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