SAFETY: Health and the Environment Ms. Mai Lawndale High School

Health and the Environment Pollution is any undesirable change to the quality of air, water, or soil due to human activity Pollution is any undesirable change to the quality of air, water, or soil due to human activity Some progress has been made in controlling pollution, but pollution still poses a health threat to people Some progress has been made in controlling pollution, but pollution still poses a health threat to people In order to decrease these health risks, you need to protect yourself when outdoor pollution levels are high and reduce your exposure to pollution In order to decrease these health risks, you need to protect yourself when outdoor pollution levels are high and reduce your exposure to pollution

Air Pollution The air not only contains nitrogen and oxygen, but numerous tiny particles from storms and fires The air not only contains nitrogen and oxygen, but numerous tiny particles from storms and fires Many harmful substances are produced from burning coal, oil, gasoline, wood, and tobacco Many harmful substances are produced from burning coal, oil, gasoline, wood, and tobacco Exposure to pollutants can cause many health problems, especially for elderly people Exposure to pollutants can cause many health problems, especially for elderly people

Outdoor Air Pollution Half of the pollution in air is caused by cars and trucks Half of the pollution in air is caused by cars and trucks The rest of the pollution comes from coal and oil burning power plants The rest of the pollution comes from coal and oil burning power plants Air pollution has been linked to headaches, asthma attacks, common cold, and eye, nose, and throat irritations Air pollution has been linked to headaches, asthma attacks, common cold, and eye, nose, and throat irritations

Common Types of Air Pollution Sulfur Oxides – gases produced through burning coal and oil Sulfur Oxides – gases produced through burning coal and oil Nitrogen Oxides – gases produces by cars and burning coal Nitrogen Oxides – gases produces by cars and burning coal Particulates – tiny particles such as dust and ash from volcanoes or fires Particulates – tiny particles such as dust and ash from volcanoes or fires Carbon Monoxide – gas produced by cars and trucks Carbon Monoxide – gas produced by cars and trucks Ozone – type of oxygen produced when nitrogen dioxide reacts with other chemicals and sunlight Ozone – type of oxygen produced when nitrogen dioxide reacts with other chemicals and sunlight

Factors Contributing to Air Pollution Wind carries pollutants away from the source, but also carries pollutants from far away areas Wind carries pollutants away from the source, but also carries pollutants from far away areas Sometimes, pollution gets trapped within the atmosphere due to temperature inversion Sometimes, pollution gets trapped within the atmosphere due to temperature inversion The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the levels of pollutants The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the levels of pollutants

Indoor Pollution Indoor pollution can also be as harmful as outdoor pollution Indoor pollution can also be as harmful as outdoor pollution Poor burning furnaces, tobacco smoke, furniture, carpets, and insulation contain dangerous chemicals (formaldehyde) Poor burning furnaces, tobacco smoke, furniture, carpets, and insulation contain dangerous chemicals (formaldehyde) Exposure to formaldehyde (preservative) can cause nausea, fatigue, and respiratory problems Exposure to formaldehyde (preservative) can cause nausea, fatigue, and respiratory problems You can limit the pollutants in your home by keeping it well ventilated You can limit the pollutants in your home by keeping it well ventilated

Ozone Layer 6 to 30 miles above the ground is a layer of ozone (harmful pollutant) 6 to 30 miles above the ground is a layer of ozone (harmful pollutant) This layer plays a crucial role in maintaining life because ozone filters out 99% of UV rays from the sun This layer plays a crucial role in maintaining life because ozone filters out 99% of UV rays from the sun Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) were developed for use in refrigerators, fire extinguishers, air conditioners, and many aerosol sprays years ago Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) were developed for use in refrigerators, fire extinguishers, air conditioners, and many aerosol sprays years ago

Chlorofluorocarbons It was later discovered that CFCs do not disappear, but simply rise up and destroy the ozone layer It was later discovered that CFCs do not disappear, but simply rise up and destroy the ozone layer This destruction allows more UV rays to reach the Earth’s surface This destruction allows more UV rays to reach the Earth’s surface International treaties now call for the reduction in the use of CFCs, and industries are working to produce alternative chemicals to replace them International treaties now call for the reduction in the use of CFCs, and industries are working to produce alternative chemicals to replace them

Water Pollution Clean water is becoming harder to find because of human pollution Clean water is becoming harder to find because of human pollution Community efforts are aimed at decreasing the amount of pollution and preserving the water supply Community efforts are aimed at decreasing the amount of pollution and preserving the water supply But because there are so many sources of water pollution, this is a difficult task But because there are so many sources of water pollution, this is a difficult task

Chemical Pollution About 40% of the public water supply contains over 2,000 chemicals About 40% of the public water supply contains over 2,000 chemicals These chemicals (lead and mercury) from industry, gas leaks, and toxic waste can cause cancer These chemicals (lead and mercury) from industry, gas leaks, and toxic waste can cause cancer These chemicals seep through the soil and contaminate the groundwater These chemicals seep through the soil and contaminate the groundwater

Runoff Runoff refers to water that flows across soil or pavement after rain Runoff refers to water that flows across soil or pavement after rain Runoff can carry chemicals that drain into lakes and rivers that then contaminate drinking water Runoff can carry chemicals that drain into lakes and rivers that then contaminate drinking water Old lead pipes can also be a source of pollution because lead can enter drinking water and cause health problems Old lead pipes can also be a source of pollution because lead can enter drinking water and cause health problems

Biological Pollution If untreated animal or human waste enter the water system, dangerous bacteria can grow If untreated animal or human waste enter the water system, dangerous bacteria can grow In the US, chlorine is added to the water supply to kill bacteria making water safer for human use In the US, chlorine is added to the water supply to kill bacteria making water safer for human use

Drinking-Water Safety All public water supplies are required to meet federal clean water standards, so it is considered safe All public water supplies are required to meet federal clean water standards, so it is considered safe People who use water from private wells should test their water periodically People who use water from private wells should test their water periodically

Solid Waste It is estimated that each person in the US produces about 1,300 pounds of trash each year (paper, plastic, metal, glass, food and yard waste) It is estimated that each person in the US produces about 1,300 pounds of trash each year (paper, plastic, metal, glass, food and yard waste) About 80% of this waste is buried in landfills, but many communities are running out of space to bury their trash About 80% of this waste is buried in landfills, but many communities are running out of space to bury their trash One alternative to landfills is to burn waste at special facilities, but this adds to the air pollution problem One alternative to landfills is to burn waste at special facilities, but this adds to the air pollution problem

Recycling The most effective way to reduce the amount of waste it through recycling The most effective way to reduce the amount of waste it through recycling Recycling is reusing existing products to create new products Recycling is reusing existing products to create new products

Hazardous Waste Much of the waste produced by industrial processes are extremely toxic Much of the waste produced by industrial processes are extremely toxic Hazardous wastes are disposed at specific sites around the country Hazardous wastes are disposed at specific sites around the country However, at many sites, chemicals have leaked into surrounding water supply, which can then cause birth defects, miscarriages, and cancer However, at many sites, chemicals have leaked into surrounding water supply, which can then cause birth defects, miscarriages, and cancer Over the years, laws have been passed that describe ways to dispose of hazardous chemicals Over the years, laws have been passed that describe ways to dispose of hazardous chemicals

Radiation An environmental issue that has generated much controversy is the use of nuclear technology An environmental issue that has generated much controversy is the use of nuclear technology Radiation is the energy that nuclear technology uses (UV light and X-rays) Radiation is the energy that nuclear technology uses (UV light and X-rays) The most dangerous forms of radiation are produced by substances such as plutonium and uranium (increased risk of cancer or death) The most dangerous forms of radiation are produced by substances such as plutonium and uranium (increased risk of cancer or death)

Nuclear Power Controversy surrounds the use of radiation in nuclear power to generate electricity Controversy surrounds the use of radiation in nuclear power to generate electricity Many people view nuclear power as clean, safe, and inexpensive because it does not pollute the environment like coal and oil do Many people view nuclear power as clean, safe, and inexpensive because it does not pollute the environment like coal and oil do However, many are convinced that nuclear power plants are not safe (Three Mile Island and Chernobyl) However, many are convinced that nuclear power plants are not safe (Three Mile Island and Chernobyl)

Nuclear Waste One of the most difficult problems resulting from the use of nuclear technology is the disposal of radioactive waste One of the most difficult problems resulting from the use of nuclear technology is the disposal of radioactive waste Radioactive waste can remain dangerous for up to 10,000 years, so it is difficult to find suitable safe storage for it Radioactive waste can remain dangerous for up to 10,000 years, so it is difficult to find suitable safe storage for it 15,000 tons of radioactive waste is being generated every year 15,000 tons of radioactive waste is being generated every year