Overview Of What Humans Need: Food, Shelter, And Clothing

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Identify an environmental risk that results from either food production or manufacturing. Describe the specific activity that creates this risk, including details about its location, setting, and stakeholders. Conduct a risk analysis by documenting release information and exploring circumstances under which exposure occurs. Provide examples of actual releases or plausible release scenarios, and examine the effects of this risk on individual and population health, including specific exposures and health-related incidents. Evaluate the attention-getting potential of this risk based on its characteristics, referencing features that are likely to arouse public outrage. Research how this risk is managed and reduced through regulation or legislation, or, if data is scarce, analyze management strategies for similar risks. Critically assess at least two risk management or harm reduction approaches, supporting your evaluation with credible resources. Use at least four scholarly or authoritative sources throughout your paper. Ensure proper citation and formatting according to Strayer Writing Standards. The paper should be 4-5 pages long, encompassing an introduction, body, and conclusion, and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of environmental risks from food production or manufacturing on population health.

Paper For Above instruction

Environmental risks originating from food production and manufacturing are critical components of environmental health management. These risks, if not properly regulated and mitigated, can pose significant threats to both individual and public health. This paper focuses on a specific environmental risk related to food manufacturing: the case of pesticide runoff in large-scale agriculture. Pesticide runoff from agricultural operations, particularly in intensive farming regions, exemplifies a prevalent environmental concern that can lead to widespread health issues and ecological damage, thus warranting detailed analysis and management strategies.

The selected risk—pesticide runoff—is predominantly associated with large-scale crop cultivation, especially in regions such as California’s Central Valley or the Midwest United States. These regions serve as hubs of intensive agriculture, involving stakeholders like farmers, agribusiness corporations, regulatory agencies, local communities, and environmental groups. The production activity involves the application of chemical pesticides intended to control pests and increase crop yields. These chemicals often seep into nearby waterways through surface runoff or leaching, especially following heavy rainfalls or improper application practices.

Risk analysis reveals that pesticide runoff releases involve complex circumstances—potentially leading to contamination of surface and groundwater sources. For example, when pesticides such as chlorpyrifos or glyphosate are applied in large quantities, there is a significant risk of these substances migrating into water bodies used by communities for drinking water, recreation, and agriculture. Documented cases, such as the contamination of the Sacramento River, highlight these release scenarios where pesticides entered water supplies, resulting in detectable levels that exceed safety thresholds. Plausible scenarios include heavy rain following pesticide application, improper handling or disposal of chemicals, or runoff during irrigation cycles.

The effects of pesticide runoff on health are well-documented. Exposure can occur via contaminated drinking water, food residue, or direct contact during agricultural activity. Risks include acute poisoning symptoms, neurological effects, developmental issues in children, and increased cancer risk, in addition to ecological impacts on aquatic life and biodiversity. For example, chlorpyrifos has been linked to neurodevelopmental delays in children, emphasizing the serious health consequences of such environmental contamination. These exposures often disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as rural communities and farmworkers, who may have limited access to protective measures.

The characteristics of this risk—such as its visibility, the potential for widespread contamination, and the perception of chemical hazards—affect its capacity to generate public outrage. Pesticides are widely scrutinized, and incidents of water contamination frequently attract media attention, leading to protests, policy debates, and regulatory reviews. This outraged response is driven by factors including the perceived threat to children’s health, ecological integrity, and the economic implications for farmers and local communities.

Management of pesticide runoff involves multiple strategies, including regulation through legislation such as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and state-level pesticide application laws. Best management practices (BMPs) have been developed to reduce runoff, such as buffer zones, proper timing of pesticide application, and use of less persistent chemicals. Regulatory enforcement ensures farmers follow approved practices, while monitoring programs detect contamination and enforce compliance. Among harm reduction approaches, the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) reduces reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture. Another approach involves establishing water quality standards and runoff controls, which enforce limits on pesticide concentrations entering waterways.

These management strategies have varying degrees of success. For instance, regulations mandating buffer zones and pesticide application restrictions have shown to decrease pesticide runoff incidents, yet enforcement challenges and economic constraints persist. Conversely, adoption of IPM practices has demonstrated significant reductions in chemical usage and environmental contamination, promoting ecological health and sustainable farming. Combining regulatory oversight with innovative farming practices creates a comprehensive approach, improving environmental quality and public health outcomes. These efforts require ongoing stakeholder engagement, adequate funding, and policy reinforcement to sustain improvements (Goulson et al., 2015; EPA, 2020).

In conclusion, pesticide runoff from food manufacturing exemplifies a salient environmental risk that can cause significant health and ecological harm. Its management involves a multifaceted approach combining regulation, technological innovations, and sustainable farming practices. Although progress has been made, continuous efforts are essential to mitigate this risk effectively. Addressing pesticide runoff not only protects public health but also promotes environmental sustainability, aligning with the broader goals of environmental health management.

References

• Goulson, D., Nicholls, E., Botías, C., & Rotheray, E. L. (2015). Bee declines driven by combined stress from parasite, pesticides, and lack of flowers. Science, 347(6229), 1255957.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2020). Pesticide compliance program. EPA.gov. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-programs
• Ferreyra, C., Pereira, E., & Carreño, F. (2019). Impact of agricultural pesticide runoff on aquatic ecosystems. Journal of Environmental Management, 245, 308-319.
• Thompson, R. S., & Suter, G. W. (2018). Ecotoxicology of pesticides in aquatic environments. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 37(9), 2453-2464.
• Vinturella, A. E., & Sikir, K. E. (2017). Sustainable pesticide management: A review. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 249, 144-154.
• Scholtz, B., & Patil, S. (2016). Water quality and pesticide residues: Implications for human health. Water Research, 94, 278-288.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2019). Environmental risks of pesticides in agriculture. UNEP Publications.
• Johnson, R. M., & Mueller, E. M. (2017). Pesticide exposure and neurodegenerative disease: A review. NeuroToxicology, 59, 166–173.
• Rosa, B. (2021). Policy approaches to mitigate pesticide runoff: Case studies and recommendations. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 23(2), 165-181.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Pesticides and their impacts on health and environment. WHO Publications.