Running head: ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Chemical Engineering: Effects of Organic Compounds

Nafisa Masrur
201406602
Qatar University
ENG 203-107
June 02, 2015
Ms. Pakize Uludag

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Chemical Engineering: Effects of Organic Compounds

The compounds in which a carbon atom is bonded to other carbon atoms as well as
hydrogen atoms and atoms of specific elements are called organic compounds. Organic
compounds are immensely used across many aspects of human society, but along with great
benefits these compounds come with disadvantages which have negative consequences. Some
organic compounds can be the reason of loss of lives in this mother nature although many other
compounds are considered as basis of life. Humans, plants and other living beings, water, and all
other components of biosphere are affected by organic compounds. Deterioration of human
health, depletion of ozone layer, environmental damages could be some of the effects of organic
compounds.
Human health is adversely affected by some organic compounds. The type of organic
compounds which are comprised of bulky group of carbons and get vaporized easily at normal
temperature are volatile organic compounds. If these compounds are inhaled there might be risk
of health problems. The sources of volatile compounds are usually building materials and
personal care products. According to the suggestion of several studies, the people who are
sentient of chemicals and have respiratory problems if subjected to volatile organic compounds,
it might make condition worse in them. (Volatile Organic Compounds in your Home, n.d.).

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The risk mainly depends on how much and how long the chemical is inhaled. Every volatile
organic compounds has different level of toxicity and can cause different health effects.
Exposure to higher level of volatile organic compounds might increase the danger of cancer,
liver failure, kidney disease and brain damage. Moreover, there are other type of organic
compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are formed from incomplete
combustion of organic material. The sources of PAHs are air pollution, fireplaces inside home,
inhalation of tobacco smoke, and consumption of roasted and dry foods. It is indicated by an
observation report that the growth of mammary tumors is increased by polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons. (White et al, 2014). That is, it might develop the risk of breast cancer although the
fact is unclear. Also PAH is carcinogen to lungs and it is probably due to higher exposures to
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Damage of the ozone layer is one of the vital effects of organic compounds. The
substances which deplete the ozone layer are ozone depleting substances (ODS). These ODS are
organic compounds which contain carbon, chlorine and fluorine and are produced as derivative
of methane and ethane. Although ozone depleting substances are environmentally friendly and
non-toxic in lower atmosphere, stability of these compounds allow them to float up to the higher
atmosphere. When they reach there, they are spitted by UV radiation resulting the release of
chlorine and bromine. By removing an atom from the ozone molecule, the ozone is wrecked by
bromine and chlorine at a rate which is dreadful (The causes of Ozone Depletion, n.d.).
Therefore, as the stratosphere layer is depleted, harmful UV radiation can reach to the earth
which might have serious impacts on humans, plants and animals. Among the ozone depleting
substances, organic compound named chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) probably has the highest
contribution in depleting the stratospheric ozone layer. Stratospheric ozone depletion during the

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second half of the 20th century is caused by continuous emission of CFCs and other compounds
containing chlorine and bromine leading to an increase of their concentration. (Montzka, 2011).
The increase of the concentration of chlorine and bromine affects stratospheric ozone leading
more short wave ultraviolet rays to reach the earth. Other organic compounds like methyl
chloride, halons and carbon tetrachloride might also play role to deplete ozone layer. Therefore,
organic compounds have significant roles in ruining ozone layer or more specifically
stratospheric ozone layer which ultimately affects every component of the biosphere.
Last but not the least, the environment is acutely polluted by the use of some organic
compounds. It is known fact that plastics cause lot of environmental damages. Polyethylene is
manufactured from ethylene which is a compound consisting carbon and hydrogen and this
polyethylene makes plastic bags(Tan, 2013) That is, plastics are organic compounds as they
consist of carbon and hydrogen. One of the worst feature of plastic is that they are nonbiodegradable which affects environment severely. Plastic takes much time to decay completely
and stay in environments for long time. Moreover, plastic bags litter the landscape, threat
animals lives, lead the infant and young children to suffocation and, in some cases, even death.
Plastics and other organic pollutants also cause water pollution, specifically ocean water
pollution. Due to the water pollution because of plastics, mostly creatures in marine water suffer.
Marine life is jeopardized by plastic debris in two main ways; when this are consumed by
creatures and when they get stuck in them (Plastic Pollution in the Ocean, n.d.). Fishes intake
plastic pieces which float in water assuming them as food and ultimately become the victim of
death. Varieties number of species are endangered because of plastics and other organic
pollutants. Organic compounds reduce the availability of oxygen in water which affects the
organisms living in water. In addition to this, turbidity of water is decreased by organic wastes

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which make light unavailable for photosynthetic species. Therefore, plastics and other organic
waste can cause serious environmental demolition affecting both creatures living above water
and under water.
To conclude, some organic compounds have drawbacks and they can cause negative
effects on almost every components of mother nature. It means that humans, plants, animals,
water and surroundings are either directly or indirectly affected by use of organic compounds.
Inhalation of toxic chemicals like volatile organic compounds can lead to serious health
damages. Human health is severely affected and even sometimes few organic compounds can
even lead to death. Again, some organic compounds deplete stratospheric ozone layer and let
more ultraviolet radiations (UV) to reach earth. The main contributor in depleting ozone layer is
organic compound named chlorofluorocarbon and other organic compound like methyl chloride
and carbon tetrachloride also aid in damaging ozone layer. Depletion of ozone layer lead to
global warming which is one of the worlds greatest concerns today. Environmental pollution is
also occurred due to use organic compounds. Plastic made of polyethylene, an organic compound
is one of them. It does soil pollution by littering the landscape and staying in the environment for
long time. When animals swallow plastics as food, they assemble in bowel which eventually
become fatal to them and they die. Moreover, pollution of water might occurs due to plastic and
other organic wastes. Therefore, across the globe organic compounds have negative effects
which is hazardous to human life, wildlife and marine life.
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References
Montzaka, S.A. (2011). Stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change. Cambridge: Royal
society of chemistry.
Tan, J. (2013). Polyethylene bags. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/0dq5iasgubad/polyethylenebags-plastic-bags/
The causes of ozone depletion. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/ozonedepletion-causes.html.
Plastic pollution in the ocean. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/plasticpollution-in-the-ocean.
Volatile organic compounds in your home. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.health.state.mn.
us/divs/eh/indoorair/voc.
White, A.J., Teitelbaum, S.L., Stellman, S.D., Beyea, J., Steck, S.E., Mordukhovich, I., &.
Gammon, M.D.(2014). Indoor air pollution exposure from use of indoor stoves and
fireplaces in association with breast cancer: a case control study. Environmental Health: A
Global Access Science Source, 13(1), 135-158. Doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-13-108

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