Shanghai American School Pudong Model United Nations 2015
Forum:
Environment Committee
Issue:
Addressing the impacts of heavy industry on public health
Student Officer: Elyse Toder
Position:
Deputy Chair of the Environment Committee
Introduction
Heavy industry is one of the major causes of air pollution as well as water pollution and global
warming. According to Dr Flavia Bustreo, World Health Organization’s (WHO) Assistant Director-General
of Family, Women and Children’s Health, “cleaning up the air we breathe prevents no communicable
diseases as well as reduces disease risks among women and vulnerable groups, including children and
the elderly”. Currently, worldwide, ambient air pollution contributes to 6.7% of all deaths.
Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases, such as acute respiratory infections. It causes
chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and it is the greatest single environmental health risk. In 2012,
seven million people died from diseases related to air pollution. Southeast Asia and Western Pacific
Regions had the worst air pollution in 2012, with indoor and outdoor air pollution-related deaths reaching
3.3 million and 2.6 million deaths, respectively.
Emissions from burning fossil fuels to power heavy industries not only contribute to air pollution
but are also a major cause of global warming. According to WHO, “extreme high temperatures [from
global warming] contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, particularly among elderly
people.” For example, the 2003 European heat wave caused over 70,000 deaths. Extreme heat also
elevates levels of pollen and other aeroallergens, which can trigger asthma.
Industrial wastewater from heavy industries contributes to industrial effluents, which, along with
agricultural runoff and domestic sewage, pollute groundwater. Industrial effluents include poisonous
heavy metals such as lead and mercury and there are also other chemicals from effluent which cause
cancer. Contaminated groundwater not only limits the amount of safe drinking water but also infiltrates
the food chain, which can cause widespread health issues including cancer, mental retardation and
premature death.
Health problems that arise from the pollution generated by heavy industry cause billions of dollars
of “hidden” costs. The public pays the ultimate price in poor health. The burden to provide medical
services falls to national governments, with funding from taxpayers, while heavy industry is given a free
ride. This committee seeks to prevent these problems but also to redistribute responsibility in a more
equitable manner.
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Definition of Key Terms
Heavy industry
An industry engaged in the large-scale complex manufacture of capital goods or extraction of raw
materials. Examples of heavy industries include steel fabrication, automobile manufacturing, iron ore
mining and crude oil drilling and refining.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Types of disease that have to do with your heart and circulatory system. The circulatory system,
which includes the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries, transports blood throughout the body. Examples
of cardiovascular diseases include heart attacks or strokes.
Respiratory disease
Types of disease that affect the lungs. For example, asthma and lung cancer.
Carcinogen
Substance that has the ability to cause cancer in living tissue.
Wastewater
Water that has been negatively affected by pollutants and is usually caused by human activities
such as heavy industries and agriculture.
Microbial pollution
Pollution that is caused by accidental contamination from bacteria, yeast, mold and fungi.
Light industry
Light industry is less capital intensive than heavy industry and tends to focus on end users rather
than intermediaries. Textiles and consumer electronics are examples of light industries.
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History
Industrial Revolution
The first Industrial Revolution was from 1760-1820. It mainly focused on improving methods for
spinning and weaving which greatly increased the efficiency of manufacturing textiles and significantly
lowered costs. It was the first period where large-scale manufacturing displaced craftsmen and led to an
increase in urbanization.
Although textiles are light industry, two factors led to the development of heavy industry. First, to
improve the efficiency of machinery, wood was replaced with metal. Second, power generation improved
when coking coal replaced charcoal in steam engines. The second Industrial Revolution (1870-1914)
built on these trends and focused on heavy industries such as steel, railroads, petroleum, chemicals and
electricity.
Working conditions in factories during the industrial revolution were horrible and child labor was
common. There were no regulations limiting emissions from factories and the increase in coal use
caused air pollution to increase substantially. Uncontrolled disposal of wastewater from factories also
polluted many rivers in industrialized areas.
Later 1987, WHO published the Air Quality Guidelines. The Kyoto Protocol,
adopted on
December 11th, 1997, is connected to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) and sets international guidelines on emission reduction targets. On June 11th 2015, the
annual United Nations climate change conference was held in Bonn, Germany.
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Figure #1: Industrial Revolution
Water pollution
Industrialization increased water pollution. Rivers and lakes have been polluted by
wastewater from factories and untreated sewage from increased population density in cities.
Acid rain
When fossil fuels are burned, they produce ash that contains toxic chemicals. The ash is
released into the air and, when it mixes with water vapor, it creates acid rain. Acid rain was
discovered in the 1850s. At that time, acid rain was primarily caused by coal-based power plants,
which released large amounts of sulfur and nitrogen into the atmosphere. Other fossil fuels, such
as petroleum, also release these harmful compounds when they are burned.
Most lakes and streams have a PH level of six to eight. If the sulfur and nitrogen
compounds released by burning fossil fuels cannot be buffered by the soil, acid rain lowers the
PH of the water (ie. it becomes more acidic). Changing the chemistry of the water negatively
impacts vegetation, fish and soil. In addition, acid rain can erode the exterior of buildings and
other structures.
Acid rain not only negatively affects vegetation, fish and soil; it also damages human
health. When nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide combine in the atmosphere they create fine
sulfate and nitrate particles. If inhaled, they can cause heart and lung diseases such as asthma.
Great London Smog
The Great London Smog of December 1952 was caused by air pollution and resulted in
4,000 deaths. After that event, the UK government passed the Clean Air Act and became the first
nation to legislate air quality. The Act moved heavy industry and power generation to rural areas,
which decreased the number of people affected by the air pollution caused by these industries.
Bhopal disaster
The Bhopal disaster happened on December 2, 1984, at the Union Carbide pesticide
plant in Bhopal, India. It is estimated that 20,000 people died due to this disaster, making it the
biggest industrial disaster the world has ever experienced. The accident occurred when a factory
malfunction caused methyl isocyanate (MIC) - a lethal chemical – to be released into the air. The
gas damaged people’s respiratory systems, kidneys, livers, and brains. People were forced to
flee their houses and retreat across a river to another part of the city.
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Key Issues
Air pollution
Air pollution is the contamination of air from harmful gases, dust or smoke. There are two types
of air pollution: visible air pollution like smog and invisible air pollution like formaldehyde. “The risks from
air pollution are far greater than previously thought or understood, particularly for heart disease and
strokes” (Dr. Maria Neira, Director of WHO’s Department for Public Health).
Figure #2: Continents that are most affected by pollution
Ozone
The ozone (O3) layer protects the earth from harmful ultra violet (UV) rays from the sun.
The ozone layer is becoming depleted due to an increase in chlorofluorocarbons and hydro
chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere, which increases the amount of UV rays which reach the
surface of the earth. UV rays have different wavelengths. Although longer wavelengths (320400nm, called UV-A) help in the formation of Vitamin D in the skin, too much exposure causes
sunburn. The shorter wavelengths (290-320nm, called UV-B) damage DNA. Excess exposure to
UV rays from the sun can cause skin cancer (melanoma) and cataracts. CFC’s were produced by
the chemical industry and used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners. The Montreal
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Protocol on the Ban on CFCs, which was signed in 1987, is an example of international
cooperation to reduce pollution.
Ground level ozone is created by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the sunlight. Heavy industries such as electrical utilities as
well as automobile exhaust and chemical solvents are major sources of NOx and VOC. Ozone is
the major component of urban smog and it can be transported into rural areas by the wind.
Inhaling ozone can inflame and damage the airways and aggravate lung diseases such as
asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Long-term exposure can cause scarring in lungs.
Children are most susceptible to the negative effects of ozone because their lungs are still
forming.
Nitrogen Dioxide
Heavy industries increase the amount of Nitrogen Dioxide’s (NO2) in the atmosphere. NO2
is created from the burning of fossil fuels in power plants, vehicles, and factories. Short-term
exposure to NO2 can irritate lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections. Long-term
exposure can increase the chance of acute respiratory illness in children.
Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is formed when fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal and oil, are
burned to create electricity. Heavy industries are a major consumer of electricity. Coking coal is
also burned during the smelting process to make steel. Exposure to high concentrations of SO 2
cause respiratory illness and aggravate patients with existing cardiovascular diseases.
Heavy Metals
Lead and mercury are the most common heavy metal pollutants. People can be exposed
to lead through contaminated air, food, water and soil as well some types of paint. Long-term
exposure can cause anemia, kidney disease, reproductive disorders, seizures, mental
retardation, and behavioral disorders. Mercury can also be present in the air and in water.
Burning coal is the major source of mercury in the environment. When mercury is introduced into
the ecosystem, natural bacteria can absorb it and convert it into more toxic methyl mercury.
Methyl mercury can be found in inland waterways and oceans and enters the food chain through
fish. Exposure to mercury can cause cardiovascular disease and mothers who have eaten
contaminated fish are at risk of their newborns having impaired motor skills and learning abilities.
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Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas that is formed when carbon, which is present in fuels
such as petroleum and coal, is not burned completely. CO is primarily produced by automobiles
and is the major component of car exhaust. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it enters into the
bloodstream and hinders a cell’s ability to deliver oxygen to organs and tissues. Long-term
exposure can cause visual impairment, reduced work capacity, and reduced manual dexterity,
poor learning ability and difficulty performing complex tasks.
Water pollution
Water pollution is caused by industrialization and urbanization. Chemical waste byproducts of
manufacturing can be released into the environment and contaminate the water supply. In addition, air
pollutants such as carbon dioxide are trapped in precipitation and cause a chemical contamination when
large quantities collect in groundwater and flow into waterways.
Mining
During the mining process, raw forms of coal are extracted which contain harmful
chemicals. It can contaminate water and make it dangerous to drink. In addition, mining creates
metal waste and sulphides, which are also harmful substances.
Mining accidents not only kill thousand of people every year, they also negatively impact
health. Coal mining releases coal mine methane, which is 20 times more lethal than CO2. Black
lung disease caused by coalmine methane is very common for miners and people who live near
mines.
Industrial waste
Heavy industries produce a large amount of waste that contain chemical and pollutants
such as lead, mercury, sulfur, asbestos and nitrates. Many factories lack proper waste
management systems and drain these pollutants directly into fresh water, which flows into rivers
and canals. Toxic substances can change the chemistry of water resulting in a change in color,
increase in the amount of minerals (ie. Eutrophication), and changes in temperature, all of which
pose a threat to fish and other wildlife, and the people who rely on them..
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Land pollution
Land pollution is caused by the destruction of the Earth’s surface and soil. People are exposed to
land pollution through food and vegetables that have been grown in polluted areas. Consuming affected
foods can cause cancer and other diseases.
Deforestation
Industrial scale agriculture and a growing population have led to deforestation, as more
farmland is needed to grow food. In addition, chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides have
been developed to increase agricultural output. Some of these chemicals can be toxic.
Global warming
Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases that are released into the air. These gases trap
heat in the atmosphere, which causes the temperature to rise. Rising water temperatures can cause the
death of marine life and result in water pollution.
Major Countries and Organizations Involved
WHO
The World Health Organization has many programs that focus on this issue. One such initiative is
the Programme on Household Pollution. The program combats growing diseases caused by pollution. In
addition, the WHO also published “Air Quality Guidelines” in 1987.
UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) cooperates with UN-HABITAT. They work
together to improve sustainability in urban planning and management, analyzing air pollution, climate
change, water and sanitation in different cities. Together, these two organizations formulated a 20082009 implementation plan which focuses on climate change, sustainable urban mobility, integrated
waste management, urban biodiversity, and ecosystems.
In addition, UNEP has a partnership with Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV). These two
organizations work together to promote better air quality in LEDCs through the use of more renewable
energy sources and environmentally friendly vehicles.
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UNESCO
UNESCO leads the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP). The main mission of the
WWAP is to influence leaders in government, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that their
policies promote sustainable social and economic development on all scales. In addition, the WWAP
works with the UN on the UN Water Report by providing information on the management of the world’s
freshwater resources.
Developing countries
India: Along the Ganges and its tributaries, 764 industrial plants release toxic waste at a
rate of 500 million liters per day (mld). In addition, untreated sewage is dumped into the
river. People bathe in the river and the contaminated water can quickly spread diseases
throughout the population.
Indonesia:
Class 1 water is safe to drink according to the national Regulation 82/2001.
In Indonesia, there are 30 rivers that do not meet the criteria for class 1 certification. One
of the major factors is mercury contamination from mining.
Mexico:
Due to the dense population in Mexico City, CO2 emissions released by
vehicles and coal burning in factories negatively impacts public health. Therefore, Mexico
plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050. In addition, the country is
developing a carbon credit trading system to reduce emissions caused by the electricity,
oil, cement and steel sectors.
South Africa: The majority of the air pollution In South Africa arises from burning of fossil
fuels, and over 90% of electricity is generated from coal. The pollutants from burning coal
can cause lung cancer. Therefore, South Africa plans to stop the increase of greenhouse
gas emissions by 2025.
OECD
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published The Cost of Air
Pollution: Health Impacts of Road Transport on May 21, 2014. This book mainly addresses the impact of
air pollution and methods for solving it.
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Eastern European countries
The EEA (European Environment Agency) is making air pollution data available and assessing
pollution trends and related policies. In addition, they are analyzing air pollution policies in different areas
(climate change, energy, transport, industry)
EU
The EU published their standards on toxic emissions from coal plants in December, 2012. In
addition, the EU passed the world’s first Environmental Action Plan that was adopted in July, 1937, and
founded the European Environmental Bureau in 1974.
Timeline of Events
Date
Description of events
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN on
1948
December 10th, 1948. The document stated that everyone has the right to
health.
The Air Clean Act was passed by the UK Parliament following the Great London
1956
Smog. This was the first legislation regulating industries which were highly
polluting and it required them to relocate to less populated rural areas.
The Clean Air Act of 1970 was a huge step in the United States federal
government’s involvement in regulation of air pollution levels. This act led to the
1970
creation of many new regulations such as the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS), State Implementation Plans (SIPs), New Source
Performance Standards (NSPS), and National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs).
On November 13, 1979, the Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary
1979
Air Pollution was the first international convention to deal with air pollution on a
regional level. The treaty provisions were implemented in 1983 and later
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extended by eight protocols.
The Air Quality Guidelines was published by WHO. It was the first set of
1987
guidelines published by WHO which addressed air pollution. The document was
revised in 1997.
The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights ensures that
2011
corporation does not challenge sustainable development. In addition, the
Working Group called for businesses to be more transparent when they are
dealing with human rights.
Relevant UN Treaties and Events
•
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 10, 1948)
•
The Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (November 13, 1979)
•
Air Quality Guidelines (1987)
•
Resolution A/RES/44/228 (UN Conference on Environment and Development, Dec. 1999)
•
United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights (2011)
Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue
The Air Quality Guidelines published by WHO, the Clean Air Act and the Geneva
Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution were intended to decrease air pollution, both
indoors and outdoors. In addition, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been
periodically publishing reports on climate change. Although these initiatives aimed to decrease air
pollution, none of them have achieved this goal.
The technology for producing energy from renewable sources is immature and it is very costly to
replace existing power generation facilities. Therefore, governments have been hesitant to completely
transition to renewable energy even though it would reduce air pollution, improve the quality of life and
lower long-term medical costs.
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Possible Solutions
One of the many possible ways to solve this issue is to add regulations and policies. For
example, governments could attach provisions to the issuing of construction permits requiring companies
to reduce emissions and restrict the locations zoned for heavy industry, power plants and other energyintensive business near urban areas. In addition, governments could use tax policies and marketoriented incentives that encourage conservation since such measures have helped reduce pollution in
Japan and many European countries. Finally, national governments could create an environmental
public health yardstick to evaluate their performance as well that of local governments and individual
officials.
Nations can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels in general, and more specifically coal, which is a
major source of pollution. Investment in and adoption of cleaner energy sources such as solar, wind,
geothermal, hydroelectric and nuclear would also helps to solve this problem. Solar power can be
generated on both a macro scale, with large plants feeding directly into the grid, and on a micro scale by
encouraging single-family homes to install solar panels and the construction of smart buildings in
metropolitan areas. Therefore, governments should request more research to be done on renewable
energy technology so that nations that are hesitant to transition away from fossil fuels will have more
incentives to do so.
Education and promotion are potential tools to solve this problem. For example, governments can
promote clean manufacturing by providing tax breaks and subsidies for business which upgrade to more
efficient and cleaner procedures and practices including such activities as buying associated equipment
and improving insulation. Countries can also reduce the consumption of products and services that were
created by major polluters or by heavy industry in general. This can be encouraged by raising public
awareness among consumers and, at the government level, by adopting policies/legislation regarding
information on packaging and through the tax code. More economically developed countries (MEDCs)
should provide aid to less economically developed countries (LEDCs) to help them afford equipment and
develop expertise that increases efficiency and reduces pollution. Finally, to facilitate greater
participation and awareness, countries should make air quality information easily available to the public.
Corruption must be weeded out in order to ensure that heavy industries’ impact on the
environment and public health is reduced. In addition to individual-level instances of bribery and
preferential treatment, corruption includes government connections to businesses such as the
formulation of favorable policies that are reinforced by powerful lobby groups. Corruption also refers to a
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lack of freedom for the public to make complaints and take big business to court as well as misleading
the public by misrepresenting the true scale of a problem. Possible solutions to this problem would be to
attack corruption at different levels of the government by setting up organizations to oversee the granting
of permits/licenses to heavy industries and establishing independent organizations to formulate clear,
strict, air and water quality standards, monitor pollution levels and make the data available to the public.
Governments can reduce pollution by investing in research and development of cleaner
industries as well as establishing programs, competitions and reward systems at a national level that
encourage innovation in industry and encouraging private partnerships. In addition, governments should
promote the enforcement of laws that limit greenhouse gas emissions and regulate disposal of industrial
wastes. Specific incentives could encourage the creation of good waste management systems, the
building of wastewater treatment plants and the rehabilitation of degraded water resources to reduce
water pollution. Finally, national governments must lead by example and state-sponsored industries
must therefore reflect best practices in terms of pollution and public health.
Nations should also increase spending on environmental protection agencies, energy ministries
and public health ministries to combat the impact heavy industries have on public health and force local
governments to deal with this issue. The collection, analysis and sharing of accurate data is an essential
ingredient for effective water and air quality management strategies. Furthermore, commitments from
national governments should be combined into global air pollution reduction targets with the assistance
of international organizations such as the UN. Balancing economic growth and environmental
protection/public health should be a regional concern as well as a national concern.
In addition to actions by national governments, this issue should also be tackled at the local level.
Governments should empower local communities, including indigenous groups, to have a say in the
development of industries in their area. Communities tend to focus on more sustainable practices since
they will be the first affected and they will therefore govern and report more diligently. In addition, local
communities must not be penalized for speaking out about infringement.
One route to solve this issue that does not rely solely on national governments is for third parties
such as the World Bank at the international level and IGOs and NGOs, such as the Global Alliance on
Health (GHAP), at the national level to take the lead. These organizations could increase data collection
and monitoring, sponsor longitudinal studies and tap into expertise around the globe to build statistical
models to better measure the current situation regarding pollution from heavy industries and its impact
on public health as well as future trends. In addition, these organizations can apply pressure to
governments that do not publish certain health data for fear of inciting social unrest.
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Instead of moving heavy industries, this issue could also be solved by relocating citizens. For
example, if companies create hazardous zones because of bad waste management or other issues, the
government can hold the companies responsible for cleaning up the area and helping with relocation
effort. In addition, governments can conduct independent investigations to find out the causes of the
hazards and use legal action to ensure that the companies fix the problem they created. Also,
governments can improve and modify regulations related to zoning for factories or other structures that
create hazardous waste to ensure that they are built to help prevent potentially hazardous zones from
affecting residential areas. Relocation is not only about moving people into new housing developments; it
is also important to focus on reviving livelihoods and rebuilding the affected communities. The
government, the polluting industries and other groups will need to work together to ensure relocation is
beneficial to all parties.
Health Care costs should be covered by the government and not the individual citizens who have
been affected by pollution from heavy industries. In addition, the government could require heavy
polluters to provide much more comprehensive medical insurance packages for their workers and
perhaps even for the local communities around their factories. Governments can also build healthcare
facilities, provide check-ups and fund regular evaluations of the situation (health/environment) by an
independent third party.
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Shanghai American School Pudong Model United Nations 2015
SHASMUN IV Student Officer Research Report | Page
18 of 18