Air Pollution Talk

Air pollution, whether natural or man-induced, is neither good for man or any other life forms on planet earth. Naturally occuring air pollution can be caused by an erupting volcano spewing ashes in the atmosphere. Man-induced pollution, which was further increased by the industrial revolution, and be from factories, cars, and airplanes.

Although harmful to any living organism, life forms still seem to thrive and survive. The short term affects of air pollution may not be noticeable, but the long term affects of air pollution may be harmful in the long run. Years of inhaling different toxins, chemical etc. can be a cause of lung or other various types of cancer. Not only can this increase the rate of cancer, but increase the rate of other health problems, such as heart disease. We can do nothing about earth’s contribution to air pollution, be we can do something about our own.

The introduction of harmful materials into the earth’s atmosphere which harms life and environment in the atmosphere is air pollution. In early days, when pollution was minor, our earth absorbed all the toxins and purified by itself which is impossible in the present day modern world.

Pollution has been raised up after the invention vehicles and industries. Some day to day pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitric oxide, sulphur oxide and particulate matter pollutes our planet along with the atmosphere. When we follow the rule such as traffic rules, usage of air pollution control plants in industries, eTC., we can reduce this pollution rate and save our lives and our planet.

Some tips to control air pollution are:

switch to biofuel acid rain program
reduce emission of greenhouse gases
clean air market
clean air technology
green environment
reduce waste
modify transportation
eliminate lawn mowing
avoid use of chemicals at home

Air means a lot to human life, to give a better future to our race let us try our best and to protect our planet and lives in it as much as possible.

The cause of global warming is all around us. Your car, your garbage, even the lights you use to light your home can add to global warming, scary isn’t it? Well I have a tip to help lower your impact on the earth and your wallet.

Use your car less, I know this is a simple tip but most people don’t understand. Cars affect the environment a lot, so next time you need to use it, think, can I just walk to the place I’m going? Can I use public transportation to get there? Most people now days are so reliant on their autos that they can’t go anywhere without them, even if it’s only a couple blocks. This tip both saves you money, time, and even saves your waistline from getting out of control.

You can also help out by recycling your garbage. A lot of cities have recycling programs that can reduce your waste that goes to the landfill, just use them. If you want to make some cash on top of it, take your metals to a scrap yard. It might not be a lot but it might pay for something you need. Also please do not toss electronics in the trash; it can contaminate your earth. Take it to a place that will dispose of it correctly. Switch all your lights to CFL lighting, it saves you money by lowering your electric bill, uses less power, and helps put less carbon into the air. They might seem expensive at first but in the long run they save a lot. So that’s my tips for today.

Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer. And the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years.

Like other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty about the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we know more about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. This is because estimates of radon risks are based on studies of cancer in humans (underground miners).

Smoking combined with radon is an especially serious health risk. Stop smoking and lower your radon level to reduce your lung cancer risk.

Children have been reported to have greater risk than adults of certain types of cancer from radiation, but there are currently no conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk than adults from radon.

Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:

• How much radon is in your home
• The amount of time you spend in your home
• Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked

Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#howdoes

The taste or quality of drinking water can vary from place to place. This is because water comes from different sources and is treated in different ways. Drinking water for people in large cities often comes from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. In rural areas, people are more likely to drink ground water that was pumped from a well. Most water systems meet EPA standards for tap water. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA sets standards for about 90 pollutants in drinking water. The best way to find out about your drinking water is from your water supplier. Water suppliers that serve the same people year-round send their customers an annual water quality report. Contact your water supplier to get a copy. You can also see if your report is posted on-line at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm). Your local report tells which pollutants are in your drinking water, the source, and the levels at which they were found. If after reading your report you are concerned, you can call a certified lab in your state to test your drinking water. Find contact information at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/labs.html. A water test can cost from $15 to hundreds of dollars. If your water isn’t safe to drink, your water supplier must tell you by radio, TV, or another method. The notice will tell you how to make your drinking water safe, such as boiling your water. This kills most disease-causing germs.

But if you have your own well, you have to make sure that your water is safe to drink. You should test your well at least once a year for bacteria. You should also test more often for other pollutants, such as radon and pesticides.

Source:  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

When sunlight comes into contact with tiny bits or particles of pollution, this causes haze in the air outside. Haze reduces the clearness and color of what we see. Motor vehicles and burning fuel release haze-causing pollution. Other gases released into the air and carried by wind many miles from the pollution source can form haze.

Serious health problems have been linked to some pollutants that cause haze. Breathing problems and even death can also happen after being exposed to very small amounts. In scenic parks and wilderness areas, haze has reduced how much we can see.

Source: Woman’s Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Through the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits on how much of a pollutant can be in the air anywhere in the United States. This helps to make sure that all citizens have the same basic protection. But there are still things you can do to help keep yourself and your family safe.

* Protect yourself and your children against sunburn. When the UV index is high or very high, limit being outside between 10am and 4pm. This is when the sun is most intense. Apply a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, twenty minutes before going outside. Put on more sunscreen every two hours or after working or playing. Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off, sweat, or spend lots of time in the water.
* Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck from the sun.
* Wear tightly woven, loose-fitting, and full-length clothing to protect yourself.
* Wear sunglasses that provide 99-100% of UVA (rays not absorbed by ozone) and UVB (rays from the sun which have harmful effects) protection to reduce your chance of cataracts and other eye damage.
* Avoid sunlamps and subheads.
* Check the air quality forecast in your area. At times when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is unhealthy, limit being outdoors to times when ozone levels are not as high. In many places, ozone peaks in mid-afternoon to early evening.
* Conserve energy at home and in the office.
* During the summer, fill your gas tank during the cooler evening hours.
* Reduce driving. Carpool and use public transportation when you can. Walk or bike to reduce ozone pollution, especially on hot summer days.
* Read labels for proper use of household and garden chemicals.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Ozone is a gas that occurs in two layers in the sky. It can be “good” or “bad” for your health and the environment. This depends on where it’s located. The layer closest to the Earth’s surface is the troposphere. Here, ground level or “bad” ozone pollutes the air. It is harmful to breathe and damages crops, trees, and other plant life. Bad ozone is one of the main parts of urban smog. It is of greatest concern during the summer months because strong sunlight and hot weather result in harmful ozone levels in the air we breathe. Many urban and suburban areas have high levels of “bad” ozone. Breathing in “bad” ozone can trigger many health problems, such as:

* chest pain
* coughing
* throat irritation
* congestion

It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Being exposed over time can even scar lung tissue. Healthy people also have problems breathing when exposed to ozone pollution. Because ozone forms in hot weather, anyone who spends time outdoors in the summer may be affected. This includes children.

The troposphere extends up about six miles. Here it meets the second layer, or the stratosphere. The stratosphere or “good” ozone layer extends upward from about six to 30 miles. It protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet, or UV rays. “Good” ozone is made naturally. But man-made chemicals can destroy it. The substances that destroy it were mostly used in the past in coolants, pesticides, and fire extinguishers. Once released into the air, these substances break down very slowly for years. When they reach the stratosphere, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays break them down. This destroys “good” ozone and causes higher amounts of UV rays to reach the Earth. This can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems in people. UV can also damage sensitive crops, such as soybeans, and reduce crop yields.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

“Acid rain” is a term used to describe the many ways in which acids fall from the sky. Rain, snow, fog, dry gases, and particles may contain acids. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released by power plants, cars and trucks, and other sources cause acid rain. Acid rain harms plants, animals, fish, and building surfaces. It can also create smog in the air and hurt people’s lungs.

Since the energy used to power modern life (electricity and burning fuels like gas and oil) is the main cause of acid rain, there are many things you can do to stop or reduce its effects.

* Turn off lights, computers, and other appliances when you are not using them.
* Only use electrical appliances when you need them.
* Keep your home well insulated.
* Carpool, use public transportation, or walk or bike when you can.
* Use appliances that are energy efficient.
* Buy vehicles that only give off low levels of nitrogen oxide. Look for electric- or gas- powered or alternative-fueled cars.

Source: U.S. Department of health and Human Services

Proportional to body weight, children eat, breathe, and drink more than adults. So they take in higher concentrations of the toxins in our environment. As children’s bodies develop, especially in the womb and newborns, they are vulnerable to damage from toxic substances. For example, a small amount of certain pesticides during a critical time in a child’s development could impact brain and body function, causing ADHD, reproductive health problems, as well as other problems. Some toxins, like mercury, can build up in body fat and be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or after birth through breast milk.

Office on Women’s Health