192
Table 5.3 Example of culture and impact on the environment and health
S.No. Cultural practice
Impact on environment
Impact on health
1
Burning dead bodies
without pollution
control equipment to
trap pollutants
released during
cremation
Release of dioxins and furans from
plastic present in clothsRelease of
radioactive material if the body
belongs to patients who have
undergone radio therapyRelease of
mercury if the body has traces of
mercury amalgamation in teeth
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
2
Disposing ash in
surface water bodies
Release of dioxins and furans from
plastic present in clothsRelease of
radioactive material if the body
belongs to patients who have
undergone radio therapyRelease of
mercury if the body has traces of
mercury amalgamation in teeth
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
3
Disposing dead
bodies and partially
burnt dead bodies in
surface water bodies
Release of radioactive material if the
body belongs to patients who have
undergone radio therapyRelease of
mercury if the body has traces of
mercury amalgamation in teeth
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
4
Immersing idols of
clay and other
worshiping material
into surface water
Water pollution
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
5
Cleaning after
defecation in surface
water bodies
Water pollution
Communicable disease
leading to gastroenteric
disorder
6
Cleaning cloths in
surface water body
Water pollution
Spread of diseases
7
Injuring to self by
beating, pricking
during festivals and
rituals
Spread infection and affect psychology
of viewer inducing fear/anxiety
Physical and
physiological disorder
8
Sacrificing animals
in unhygienic
condition in public
Spread infection and affect psychology
of viewer inducing fear/anxiety
Physical and
physiological disorder.
9
Cutting trees and
plucking leaves of
trees for use in
religious rituals
Reduction in carbon assimilation
capacity; decrease in oxygen content
in atmosphere; increase in solid waste
may result in dog/rodent menace, air
pollution and vectors
May lead to respiratory,
cardiovascular disease,
injury, and
communicable disease
10
Processions leading
to noise pollution
Noise pollution
Hearing impairment and
psychological disorder
11
Occupying common
property such as
footpaths and forest
for religious purpose
Traffic congestion, damage to wild life
habitat
Injury to humans due to
traffic congestion and
negative impact on
health of wild life due to
loss of habitat
(continued)
5 Introduction to Medical Sciences
Table 5.3 Example of culture and impact on the environment and health
S.No. Cultural practice
Impact on environment
Impact on health
1
Burning dead bodies
without pollution
control equipment to
trap pollutants
released during
cremation
Release of dioxins and furans from
plastic present in clothsRelease of
radioactive material if the body
belongs to patients who have
undergone radio therapyRelease of
mercury if the body has traces of
mercury amalgamation in teeth
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
2
Disposing ash in
surface water bodies
Release of dioxins and furans from
plastic present in clothsRelease of
radioactive material if the body
belongs to patients who have
undergone radio therapyRelease of
mercury if the body has traces of
mercury amalgamation in teeth
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
3
Disposing dead
bodies and partially
burnt dead bodies in
surface water bodies
Release of radioactive material if the
body belongs to patients who have
undergone radio therapyRelease of
mercury if the body has traces of
mercury amalgamation in teeth
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
4
Immersing idols of
clay and other
worshiping material
into surface water
Water pollution
Non-communicable
disease such as metal
poisoning, and cancer
5
Cleaning after
defecation in surface
water bodies
Water pollution
Communicable disease
leading to gastroenteric
disorder
6
Cleaning cloths in
surface water body
Water pollution
Spread of diseases
7
Injuring to self by
beating, pricking
during festivals and
rituals
Spread infection and affect psychology
of viewer inducing fear/anxiety
Physical and
physiological disorder
8
Sacrificing animals
in unhygienic
condition in public
Spread infection and affect psychology
of viewer inducing fear/anxiety
Physical and
physiological disorder.
9
Cutting trees and
plucking leaves of
trees for use in
religious rituals
Reduction in carbon assimilation
capacity; decrease in oxygen content
in atmosphere; increase in solid waste
may result in dog/rodent menace, air
pollution and vectors
May lead to respiratory,
cardiovascular disease,
injury, and
communicable disease
10
Processions leading
to noise pollution
Noise pollution
Hearing impairment and
psychological disorder
11
Occupying common
property such as
footpaths and forest
for religious purpose
Traffic congestion, damage to wild life
habitat
Injury to humans due to
traffic congestion and
negative impact on
health of wild life due to
loss of habitat
(continued)
5 Introduction to Medical Sciences