Comprehensive reading

Since the industrial revolution the world has witnessed the rapid expansion of its metropolises. For years humans have been flocking to these urban centers in search of jobs, commodities, entertainment and other phenomena that can commonly be found in cities. With this grand, not so new invention which most of us exploit, one must wonder what negative effects city living might have on our health. When populations of animals are clustered together certain dangers arise that threaten the well being of each organism. Notably in China, Japan, India and the United States which contain extensive cities humans battle the health risks that come along them. One such well-known city in the USA which has documented and studied the biological threats to its inhabitants is New York City.

A press release from the Department of Health is not necessary to let New Yorkers know that their home is hazardous to their health. One of the serious problems is overpopulation. Sometimes too many people live together in one district. Walking along any street in Manhattan the average observer can smell car fumes in the air. The potential for catching communicable diseases or being injured in some way is severely heightened in concentrated populations like New York. Some of the alleged pollution problems are water contamination, excessive noise and the presence of smog. Several diseases have spread throughout the city in recent years including the flu, West Nile Virus and meningitis. Another biological contaminant that has been found in NYC recently is Anthrax. This substance being sent through the postal system and other crimes endanger the well being of the citizens of this famous city. Anything from a car accidends to an intentional murder or shooting can cause an unnatural death. Additionally, dangerous occurrences like terrorist attacks can kill or infect populations of people like those in New York City. These factors increase the likelihood that residents of a city will contract a particular disease, suffer from an environmentally caused illness, die in an accident or be the victim of a violent crime. Dangers associated with cities threaten the most basic biological feature that urban, suburban and country humans possess, life.

Air pollution is one of the most noticeable and common complaints of people in an urban setting. On a hot day one can see the contaminated cloud-like structures hanging over a bustling metropolis. Smog is mostly made up of ozone; a molecule formed when, “nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons combine in sunlight”. Initially, this substance will strike a sufferer with an itchy throat and a tight chest. Unfortunately, other health problems like allergies cause similar symptoms and so ozone exposure may not be identified as the problem. Ozone can also aggravate existing respirator problems like asthma. Sadly, New York City has the 4th worst ozone levels across most of the nation. The city has funded campaigns to encourage the use of public transportation and thereby reduce ozone production, but for the moment smog is still a devastating pollutant which threatens the air quality.

Several other substances are considered contributors to air pollution in New York City. Unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulates (soot) have been found in the city’s atmosphere in the last decade. The most common source of all three pollutants is motor vehicle exhaust. On a daily basis thousands of cars, buses and trucks burn gallons of fossil fuels on the streets of New York City. The congestion of urban areas and other traffic conditions increase gasoline use and, consequently, levels of pollutants.

Water pollution is especially hazardous because fresh water is a necessary element for human life to continue. When a population of humans must transport mass quantities of water to their place of residence several problems arise. The distance allows for contamination while traveling to the final destination. When water is collected in a pool and remains still, opportunistic organisms like algae and mosquitoes have a chance to breed. Biologically manufactured chemicals escalate the problem of keeping water supplies in reservoir free of poisons.

The residents of New York City have a viable reason to be concerned not only about poisons in the air, but also about the quality of their water reservoirs. Extensive sewage systems, fertilizers and other chemicals are guilty of contaminating the city’s water supply. Additionally, air pollution causes acid rain which raises the levels of foreign substances in the water. Nine million residents rely on New York’s sizeable reservoirs for water to drink, bathe, cook and clean with it.

As people in a residential community living in close quarters, New York citizens are more susceptible to the passing on and catching of contagious diseases. Places like nursing homes and schools are prime sites for the transfer of germs. One of the most common ailments that people contract and complain of in the winter is the flu. Though vaccines are available, scores of people become infected each year. The problems lie in the fact that not everyone gets vaccinated and that influenza can mutate into forms which are resistant. Press releases warn that the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses are at high risk to get infected. Often, these individuals have weakened immune systems and can easily catch influenza. Also, the flu can develop other complications which can seriously endanger their health. In NYC a simple virus like the flu can cause widespread health problems due to the nature of the communities and the population.

A considerably more dangerous epidemic which struck New York City during the summer of 2000 was West Nile virus. This virus is transported mainly by mosquitoes, but dead birds that were infected were also found. In a congested city, it was difficult to calm millions of scared residents and devise a plan that would get rid of the problem safely. Panic ensued when it was revealed that seven elderly people died from West Nile virus. It was assumed that the same members of the population who are susceptible to the Flu would be likely to catch this new virus. In light of the threat, the city decided to spray and try and get rid of any standing water where mosquitoes can breed. So we have to be careful if we live in a big city.

But big cities have a lot of opportunities, that’s why people move there annually despite all these problems.