INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION STUDIES
Pollution is the process of making the environment dirty, unsafe, or unsuitable to use. Worldwide pollution affects more than 200 million people. The two countries responsible for creating almost half of the planet’s carbon dioxide emissions is China and the United States (“Gallucci and Horn”). However, Americans are 5% of the world’s population and use 25% of the world’s resources. American’s burn up nearly 25% of coal, 26% of oil, and 27% of natural gas (“11 Facts About Air Pollution”) The three common types of pollution are:
• Air Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Land Pollution
AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is when the air contains pollutants, such as gases, dust, fumes or odor, in harmful …show more content…
It is estimated that $500 million is reduced in crop production each year in the U.S. alone due to ozone. The ozone interferes with ability of plants to produce food, which makes them more prone to certain diseases, insects, and weather. It also damages leaves on trees, heavily impacting the appearance of vegetation. It impacts ecosystems by reducing forest growth and crop yields. The average individual in the United States causes roughly 102 pounds of Ozone-causing pollution. (“Ozone: Health and environmental effects”)
CARBON MONOXIDE
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that is emitted into the earth’s atmosphere by burning carbon-based fuels, wood, and oil inefficiently. CO reacts with other pollutants to cause ground level ozone. The harmful health effects from CO are:
• Reducing the delivery of oxygen to the body
• Chest …show more content…
In humans, land pollution can cause problems with the respiratory system, skin problems, and various types of cancers. There are many types of land pollution that include:
• Solid Waste – non-biodegradable products such as plastics, metal, aluminum cans, computer parts, and car parts that pile up in landfills. The waste eventually causes surface water and soil contamination.
• Pesticides and Fertilizers – Farmers use harmful chemicals that are found in fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides. These chemicals absorb into the soil. They also harm insects and small animals.
• Deforestation – Humans depend on trees for many things. Unfortunately, we cut millions of acres down to use them. This process takes away animal’s homes, and the tree can no longer replenish the soils. Which results in soil erosions, desertification and land degradation. (“What is Land Pollution?”
CONCLUSION
The United States produces a large amount of pollution with the combination of air, land, and water contamination. This is a major concern because it is harming the earth, our health, and animals. We are slowly, but steadily, making the earth inhabitable. Elimination of all pollution is impossible, but limiting and decreasing the amount is possible. With the technology we have today, we could cut the amount of pollution drastically by going
Pollution is the process of making the environment dirty, unsafe, or unsuitable to use. Worldwide pollution affects more than 200 million people. The two countries responsible for creating almost half of the planet’s carbon dioxide emissions is China and the United States (“Gallucci and Horn”). However, Americans are 5% of the world’s population and use 25% of the world’s resources. American’s burn up nearly 25% of coal, 26% of oil, and 27% of natural gas (“11 Facts About Air Pollution”) The three common types of pollution are:
• Air Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Land Pollution
AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is when the air contains pollutants, such as gases, dust, fumes or odor, in harmful …show more content…
It is estimated that $500 million is reduced in crop production each year in the U.S. alone due to ozone. The ozone interferes with ability of plants to produce food, which makes them more prone to certain diseases, insects, and weather. It also damages leaves on trees, heavily impacting the appearance of vegetation. It impacts ecosystems by reducing forest growth and crop yields. The average individual in the United States causes roughly 102 pounds of Ozone-causing pollution. (“Ozone: Health and environmental effects”)
CARBON MONOXIDE
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that is emitted into the earth’s atmosphere by burning carbon-based fuels, wood, and oil inefficiently. CO reacts with other pollutants to cause ground level ozone. The harmful health effects from CO are:
• Reducing the delivery of oxygen to the body
• Chest …show more content…
In humans, land pollution can cause problems with the respiratory system, skin problems, and various types of cancers. There are many types of land pollution that include:
• Solid Waste – non-biodegradable products such as plastics, metal, aluminum cans, computer parts, and car parts that pile up in landfills. The waste eventually causes surface water and soil contamination.
• Pesticides and Fertilizers – Farmers use harmful chemicals that are found in fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides. These chemicals absorb into the soil. They also harm insects and small animals.
• Deforestation – Humans depend on trees for many things. Unfortunately, we cut millions of acres down to use them. This process takes away animal’s homes, and the tree can no longer replenish the soils. Which results in soil erosions, desertification and land degradation. (“What is Land Pollution?”
CONCLUSION
The United States produces a large amount of pollution with the combination of air, land, and water contamination. This is a major concern because it is harming the earth, our health, and animals. We are slowly, but steadily, making the earth inhabitable. Elimination of all pollution is impossible, but limiting and decreasing the amount is possible. With the technology we have today, we could cut the amount of pollution drastically by going