Types of Pollution
Do you think that she knows what acid rain is?
Air Pollution Creates Acid Rain...
Scientists
have discovered that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is
the major cause of acid rain. Acidic
deposition,
or acid rain as it is commonly known, occurs when emissions of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx)
react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and oxidants to form various
acidic compounds. This
mixture forms
a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight increases the
rate of most of these reactions.
These compounds
then fall to the earth in either wet form (such as rain, snow, and fog
or dry form (such as gas and
particles).
About half of the acidity in the atmosphere falls back to earth through
dry deposition as gases and dry
particles.
The wind blows these acidic particles and gases onto buildings, cars, homes,
and trees. In some instances,
these gases
and particles can eat away the things on which they settle. Dry deposited
gases and particles are
sometimes
washed from trees and other surfaces by rainstorms. When that happens,
the runoff water adds those
acids to the
acid rain, making the combination more acidic than the falling rain alone.
The combination of acid rain
plus dry deposited
acid is called acid deposition. Prevailing winds transport the compounds,
sometimes hundreds of
miles, across
state and national borders.
Electric utility plants account for about 70 percent of annual SO2 emissions and 30 percent of NOx emissions in the United States. Mobile sources (tranportation) also contribute significantly to NOx emissions. Overall, over 20 million tons of SO2 and NOx are emitted into the atmosphere each year.
Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to damage of trees at high elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet in elevation). In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues,and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage. Prior to falling to the earth, SO2 and NOx gases and their particulate matter derivatives, sulfates and nitrates, contribute to visibility degradation and impact public health.
Implementation
of the Acid Rain Program under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments will confer
significant benefits
on the nation.
By reducing SO2 and NOx, many acidified lakes and streams will improve
substantially so that they
can once again
support fish life. Visibility will improve, allowing for increased enjoyment
of scenic vistas across our
country, particularly
in National Parks. Stress to our forests that populate the ridges of mountains
from Maine to
Georgia will
be reduced. Deterioration of our historic buildings and monuments will
be slowed. Finally, reductions in
SO2 and NOx
will reduce sulfates, nitrates, and ground level ozone (smog), leading
to improvements in public
health.
-information
provided by the EPA's website.
If
people are so concerned about using these....
...why aren't they concerned for using these too?
Some of the oil washes up on the shore and becomes tar-like lumps; some coat the fur of animals (e.g. sea otters) affecting their natural heating system. Also, some oil finds its way to other water sources (such as lakes, rivers, and personal water supplies) causing hazardous water to be consumed. In extreme cases, rivers, lakes and wells have been known to ignite. For example, in 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio ignited.
Radioactive wastes, reactor leaks, natural radioactivity, and radioactive particles which originate from the Atmospheric Testing Program from explosions of nuclear weapons are dispersed in water all over the world. The effect of these radioactive particles is currently being researched.
All of these factors allow seafood to have a chance of being hazardous to human health. For example, if a fish is contaminated with the metal Mercury (by either eating it or consuming a creature who had), birth defects and nervous system damage in humans may result. Also, Dioxin causes genetic and chromosomal mutations in marine life and is suspected of causing cancer in humans.
Medical wastes, such as stale blood vials, hypodermic needles, and urine samples that have been found in ocean around the U.S. are being researched to determine if swimmers have a chance of contracting Hepatitis or AIDs from such wastes. Other wastes have been known to cause viral and bacterial diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea.
Examples of trash found in the ocean are: syringes, labratory rats, human stomach lining, Navy decontamination kits, test tubes with various substances (with radioactive markings), tampon applicators, and a wallet-sized photo of a dead communist dictator.
One of the main causes of trash finding its way to the ocean is the fact that some sewage pipes share their space with storm water drains. Rainfall (at least 1/4 of an inch), causes the sewage pipes to flood and the sewage wastes (basically anything you flush down your toilet), mingles with the storm water drain which flows unhindered to a water source.
Balloons have been known to find their way into animals such as sperm
whales, blocking their digestive tracts; causing the animals to die. Plastic
six-pack rings choke various animals and other waste is mistaken by animals
for food. Basically any unnatural trash can be harmful to ocean life.
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DO
use up the contents of an entire spray can before starting another. Make
sure that the can is completely empty before discarding it.
DO
return spray cans that malfunction (for example, the tip breaks off).
DO
use refillable mechanical spray cans when possible.
DO
establish a distribution control system to limit aerosol cleaner use.
DO
consider phasing out the use of spray cans in your shop.
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DON'T
spray in/or around other solvents. Hazardous contamination may result.
DON'T
discard partially empty spray cans in the trash dumpster.
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| DO practice
good housekeeping to avoid the need for absorbents.
DO use reusable absorbent pads to absorb oil. DO keep absorbent materials nearby to quickly clean up any spills. DO use the minimum amount of absorbent to complete the job. DO manage absorbent that comes in contact with a hazardous waste as a hazardous waste. DO consider using small wet/dry vacuum cleaners for liquid spills. |
DON'T put used absorbents into drains or on the ground. DON'T mix used non-hazardous absorbent material with used hazardous absorbents. |
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DO make a waste determination of all antifreeze and all used filters before disposal if your are not recycling your antifreeze. DO keep antifreeze in two separate, closed containers: one marked "'USED ANTIFREEZE ONLY", and one marked "RECONDITIONED or RECYCLED ANTIFREEZE." DO use dedicated antifreeze collection equipment, including collection funnels, transfer pans or buckets, and well maintained storage containers. DO keep antifreeze containers closed at all times except when emptying or filling. DO keep antifreeze containers protected from the elements. DO keep accurate records of used antifreeze shipments and filter management for 5 years. DO use/purchase antifreeze with the longest life. |
DON'T mix waste antifreeze
with any other waste including used oil.
DON'T mix radiator flush chemicals with used antifreeze. Dispose of it separately. DON'T dispose of antifreeze on the ground, in a storm drain, septic tank or dry well. |
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| DO collect
brake fluid in a separate, marked, closed container and contract with a
DNRP licensed waste hauler that will recycle it. DO determine by testing whether your brake fluid is hazardous, and manage it accordingly. DO check with your used oil hauler to see if mixing brake fluid with used oil is a problem. |
DON'T spray brake
cleaner around brake fluid.
DON'T pour brake fluid down any drain or on the ground. |
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| DO practice good housekeeping
by minimizing the number of times that floors are washed.
DO catch leaks before they spill onto the floor and dispose of the residue in the appropriate waste container. DO check with the local sewer utility or city engineering department to verify that your drains are connected to a sanitary sewer system. DO use a non-toxic floor cleaner that meets local sewer facility standards. Be sure to receive permission from your local sewer utility for your floor cleaning wastes to enter the sanitary sewer system. DO clean small, non-chlorinated spills immediately with absorbent. Collect and reuse absorbent material until absorbing ability is gone. See DO's and DON'Ts for Absorbents. DO use an oil/water separation system and maintain it regularly. |
DON'T allow floor cleaning waste water to flow into a septic tank or drain (inside or outside) leading to a ditch, stream, lake or dry well. | |
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DON'T discharge any
paint, solvent, and paint cleanup wash water into septic tank, sanitary
sewer, storm drains, surface water or ground surface.
DON'T dispose of paint filters as a solid waste (put into dumpster) without first testing for hazardous waste, if you are using paints with metal content. |
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All pictures used on this web page are courtesy of www.photostogo.com
- Steve Mullin