Pollution And The Environment

1. Pollution And The Environment • Environment-all of the living and nonliving things around you. • Local environment • People you see • School • Neighborhood • Plants • Animals • Air • water

2. Pollution And The Environment • Global environment • Forests • Mountains • Rivers • World’s populations • Pollution-dirty or harmful substances in the environment. • Can pose a threat to your health.

3. Air Pollution • Air pollution comes from the burning of fossil fuels. • Oil, coal, and natural gas used to provide energy. • Provides heat and electricity in homes. • Powers factories and motor vehicles. • Automobile emissions-gases that cars release into the air. • Cars are one of the most widespread sources of air pollution.

4. Air Pollution • Acid rain-rain that is more acidic than normal because of the gasses in the atmosphere. • Contaminates fresh water supplies. • Harms forests by changing the chemistry of the soil. • Ozone-special form of oxygen. • Not good at ground level but helpful in the atmosphere. (shields earth from suns rays). • Smog-yellow-brown haze that forms when sunlight reacts with air pollution. • Causes many kinds of respiratory problems. • See figure 15.1 on page 431.

5. Water Pollution • 40% of the nations rivers, lakes, and coastal waters are too severely polluted to swim or fish in. • Drinking water comes from two sources. • Surface water-lakes or rivers. • Groundwater-water that collects under the earth’s surface.

6. Water Pollution • Pollution can make water undrinkable. • Lead contaminated water can damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. • Sewage-garbage, detergents and other household wastes washed down drains is another source of pollution. • Oil spills and chemical waste from factories can pollute water. • Runoff-rainwater or snowmelt picks up pesticides or fertilizers and wastes.

7. Solid Waste • The average American produces about 4.4 pounds of garbage per day. • Biodegradable-easily broken down in the environment. • Paper • food • Non-biodegradable-doesn’t disintegrate. • plastics

8. Solid Waste • Landfills-huge, specially designed pits where waste materials are dumped and buried. • Must be sealed so toxic chemicals do not leak. • Biodegradable materials do not break down inside landfills. • Compost pile-a place where biodegradable waste can break down naturally. • Leaves • Grass • Shredded newspaper • food

9. Hazardous Wastes • Hazardous wastes-human-made liquid, solid, or sludge wastes that may endanger human health or the environment. • Detergents, paint, batteries, plastics, fabrics, pesticides and insulation. • Exposure to hazardous wastes may cause damage to the brain, liver, and kidneys. • May also lead to cancer.

10. Hazardous Wastes • Safe disposal of hazardous wastes requires special handling. • Must be stored in facilities where they will not be released into the environment. • Materials in homes that may require special handling include. • Batteries, bleach, drain cleaner, motor oil, antifreeze, nail polish remover and oven cleaner. • Call the local health department or environmental agency to find out how to get these materials safely into waste storage.