Investigation of Different Types of Human Damage on Vegetation and its Environmental Health Hazards in the Desert Areas of Central Iran

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IJEP 42(11): 1346-1352 : Vol. 42 Issue. 11 (November 2022)

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Rouhullah Dehghani1, Hamid Kassiri2*, I. Khodkar3, M. Akbari4 and N. Chaharbaghi4

1. Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Environment Health Department, Health Faculty, Kashan, Iran
2. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz, Iran
3. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz, Iran
4. Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Kashan, Iran

Abstract

In desert areas, vegetation plays a central role in protecting the soil and preventing dust and various diseases. Considering the importance of vegetation in environmental protection, human health and prevention of spread of different ocular and respiratory diseases, this study was conducted in Aran va Bidgol County during the 2019–2021 period. In this descriptive study, field surveys were made in spring and autumn seasons from 2019 to 2021 to analyze different types of human damage to vegetation and its environmental health hazards in the studied region. Data analysis was then performed. From southeast to northwest of Aran va Bidgol, different types of human impact on vegetation can be observed: drilling wells, changing landuse to homes and villas, changing vegetation to farms, grazing livestock, establishing tourism centers, smuggling wood, creating landfills and disposing of construction debris. Vegetation has been severely damaged in the studied region. In the absence of vegetation, dust can cause different problems in the eye, nose, pharynx and throat and can intensify the spread of respiratory diseases. People with respiratory and heart diseases are more vulnerable. Therefore, legislators and environmentalists should prohibit any manipulation of the environment in a bid to have healthier environment and prevent the emergence of environmental diseases.

Keywords

Human damage, Vegetation, Environmental impact, Desert, Desertification, Iran

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