It is clear that pesticides or exhaust fumes are not necessarily health-promoting. But there are other, less obvious pathogens in our modern life: The effects of noise, light and climate change on our health are discussed far too seldom. And about how we can solve these problems.
Our life can be comfortable. When we need something, we simply order it and we can do it ourselves have it delivered within a short time. If we book a trip on the computer in the evening, we can be on the plane the next morning. And if we look at our smartphone, we can see in our streams what our friends and relatives are doing. For our grandparents it was unimaginable in the past, but none of this is a problem for us. And admittedly: It’s really pleasant and helpful to go through technological advancement ever more modern world with its Benefits and Achievements to live.
The dark side of modern society
On the other hand, of course, we have long known that this brave new world also has shadows. With in part negative effects on our health.
Air pollution is such an example Particulate matter pollution on busy streets or entire cities that sink into smog and thus become an environment that not only lowers the quality of life, but can also make you sick. Or pesticides, which protect the large-scale cultivation of fruit and vegetables from pests, but also have an impact on the ecosystem – and ultimately end up in our food. And last but not least that Corona pandemic has shown that a globally networked and extremely mobile society brings with it the ever easier spread of contagious diseases.
And then there are some less obvious pathogens in our modern life like Noise, light and climate change. We have to talk about that – and also about how we have to deal with them in order for that to change.
There is too much noise in our life
For example about noise. Actually, that’s obvious, because Noise is omnipresent in our everyday life. At the latest when we stand on a street, car traffic forms the background noise of modern society. And if we’re unlucky because of our location, we can’t even escape it at home. Then the construction sites, somewhere people are always working loudly. If it’s quiet, someone comes around the corner with a leaf blower, a cleaning company cleans the paving stones on the sidewalk with a Kärcher or the neighbors drill holes in the wall. And even if we are the Volume of everyday life want to withdraw, we often put on headphones and fill ourselves with music.
Noise is not only annoying, it can also be real Problem for our health. The World Health Organization (WHO) established around ten years ago: After air pollution, noise is the second largest environmental factor that increases the burden of disease. According to an estimate by the European Environment Agency, around 20 percent of the people in Europe are of one harmful noise level affected.
Tinnitus, hearing loss and heart problems as noise effects
In fact, it is becoming increasingly clear what health effects excessive noise pollution can have. Hearing loss, of course, that’s obvious. Or the whistling in the ear, which many of us have probably already experienced after a loud concert or a bang: Such tinnitus is a health warning sign, probably also triggered by stress.
The other way round can also Noise stress lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. For example, the NORAH study between 2011 and 2015 examined the long-term effects of noise on health in the Rhine-Main area. Specifically, it was about that Aircraft harassment, but also about cars and trains. One result of the investigation: traffic noise increases the risk of a heart attack. And also a connection between traffic noise and the medical diagnosis of a depressive episode stated the scientists. Another study even points out that an increased Risk of dementia could be possible as a result of noise.
Read also: Health to Hear: Stress
Light pollution in a technological society
But also Under certain circumstances, light can affect our health. It is actually a vital element for people, and how much life energy can be drawn from the spring sun after a dark winter. But in our increasingly engineered world it will not really dark anymore – at least in the more affluent countries. And as many advantages are associated with illuminating dark corners and turning night into day, the side effects can be problematic.
In fact, people are now talking about the phenomenon of “Light pollution”, especially in cities where there is more and more permanent lighting. Then the brightness can become something like light smog, which prevents natural darkness and thus confuses entire ecosystems of plants, insects and animals.
Problematic combination of artificial light and sleep
But above all it has The screens are lit continuously our smartphones, tablets and computers have the potential to cause health problems for us humans. This is due to the so-called blue light, which shines out from the displays, due to its color temperature. This is an issue especially in the evenings and at night, when our body actually wants to say goodbye to bed, but when scrolling through the Instagram feed or while playing a game does not come down.
Because the screen light probably has one negative impact on the production of the hormone melatoninthat we urgently need to sleep. How big this influence actually is has not yet been conclusively clarified. The consequences discussed are at least sleep disorders and probably also neurological effects in the brain. Scientists are even discussing whether all of this will ultimately shorten life. One thing is certain: good sleep promotes health.
That Blue light problem has only been in public discussion for a few years. But it is telling that smartphone manufacturers have now reacted and are installing appropriate night modes in their devices, which switch the color temperature of the screens to warmer tones in dark surroundings. Whether that is generally so good is another question. Because for them it is about us Keep staring at our smartphones even at night should.
New health threats from climate change
And there is something else, ours modern and globalized life brings with it: the consequences of climate change and its effects on our health. Not to mention that Threat to life from the forces of nature such as floods or fires, which we are currently experiencing worldwide and directly in Germany.
Heat waves, for example, will be good for us in the future occupy more health as previously. Extreme temperatures over a long period of time are life-threatening, but also a problem especially for older people or people with previous illnesses, even if they occur sporadically. Or the matter of skin cancer, which the more intense UV radiation can cause. And in the end you can Climate changes For example, allergies intensify because the periods of pollen count change. And bring new infectious diseases to us that previously could only spread to other parts of the world – such as malaria.
How do we get this under control?
It’s interesting: All of this doesn’t fit at all positive image of a modern society, in which, without question, you can usually live comfortably. But it is all the more important that we think about how to deal with it. With regard to the climate crisis, this is not that easy, because the effects are delayed. What is clear, however, is that we need a social consensus to act as quickly as possible.
Such a consensus is also needed among sick people in modern society. Or a social awareness of the effectsthat, for example, noise, light and climate change can have on our health. We have to talk about doing more research on the direct connections and putting this problem into the political focus. Good thing, for example WHO on the subject of noise. In 2018 it published guidelines on environmental noise for the European Region with recommendations for health Protection against noise pollution – i.e. traffic noise, noise from wind turbines and leisure noise.
And of course, of course it is Politics in dutyto regulate the matter through the right legal framework. But also every single one is asked and can try to protect yourself against harmful influences. When we all have a little energy in our personal noise protection, investing in digital mindfulness and consideration for others, we protect ourselves and help each other. In the end it is a Community project.
Learn more about the #weltverbesserer
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