Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

A STUDY ON EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE HEALTH OF WOMEN IN INDIA

Bijaylaxmi Mohapatra, Itishri Sarangi and Sukanta Kumar Mahapatra

Abstract

The mushrooming of industrialization and its resulting environmental pollutants, the uncontrolled use of synthetic chemicals, the regular exposure to harmful composites at the work station as well as at house adversely disturbs the health of women. Mainly the bio-hazardous compounds are the major reason behind the reproductive disturbance and hormonal disruptions in women causing in irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, abnormal abortions, endometriosis, breast cancers and child birth defects. With a rise in environmental estrogens, the women’s health is at higher risk than men. Research and various scientific as well as environmental studies have revealed that there is constant rise in women’s health problems due to their exposure to toxic chemicals. Even the regular exposure to the cooking fuel to the household cleaning agents and many personal care essentials lead women to the dangerous chemicals than men. Thus, there is a sheer need for vigilance and awareness of the ill-effects of pollutants on the health of women. The present paper discusses the adverse effects of environmental pollution on women’s health in order to increase the awareness of the connection between the environment and women’s health.