Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PUBLIC HEALTH IN DISASTERS, Prof Dr Mustafa Necmi İlhan, Editör, Turkiye Klinikleri, Ankara, ss.17-30, 2026
Disasters are sudden and often unpredictable events that significantly affect human life and public health, the economy, ecosystems and infrastructure. They can be natural, such as earthquakes, floods or forest fires, or human-caused, such as industrial accidents and nuclear leaks. Disaster vulnerability and consequences vary considerably across regions, with developing countries often facing higher mortality and greater economic and social disruption due to weaker infrastructure and limited emergency preparedness. Disasters often exceed local capacities, requiring national or international support. The total impact of disasters includes negative consequences such as environmental degradation, health hazards and economic loss, as well as positive effects such as economic stimulus through reconstruction efforts in rare cases. A critical aspect of disaster impact is environmental damage that directly affects public health. Key environmental concerns include deterioration in air, water and soil quality. For example, forest fires release harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, significantly degrading air quality and affecting respiratory health. Similarly, earthquakes can release dust, asbestos, heavy metals and other hazardous substances from collapsed structures and damaged industrial plants. Water systems are also vulnerable; floods and earthquakes can compromise sanitation and drinking water infrastructure, leading to the spread of waterborne pathogens and contamination with chemicals and heavy metals. Volcanic eruptions further contribute to air and water pollution by emitting toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and ash containing silica and heavy metals, which affect agriculture, water quality and air purity. Droughts, in turn, gradually degrade the environment by reducing biodiversity, shrinking water bodies, degrading soil quality and increasing the likelihood of forest fires and food insecurity. Human-caused disasters, such as the Bhopal industrial disaster and nuclear accidents, cause severe and often long-lasting environmental pollution, including radioactive contamination, ecosystem degradation and chronic health effects such as cancer and genetic mutations. Landslides and dust storms, whether natural or exacerbated by human activities, also alter landscapes, damage water resources and reduce agricultural productivity.
Keywords: Disasters; Air pollution; Water pollution; Earthquake