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Air Pollution Before dealing with air pollution, a basic definition of pollution must first be made. Pollution has its origins in the Latin word pollute, which means contamination of any feature of the environment (web). Photochemical smog, emissions, chemicals, etc. are all instances of pollutants and most all of them donate to the air pollution dilemma. Almost all air pollutants are the consequence of burning fossil fuels, this could be in the home, by industry or internal combustion engines. With pollutants so uncontrolled in our society at present, how are we to inform and interest people?
There needs to be much more education on this topic. Newspapers, media, schools etc. all can help to enlighten and educate the public in terms of working towards cleaner air. This should be done not just for our sake, but for the sake of the future generations.
Air pollution affects human health, plants and has damaging effects on our surroundings. The affects on human health are not scientifically proven beyond all doubt. Since our lives are surrounded by numerous risk factors, there is no way to determine and pin point specific air pollution affects. A new study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles shows that there is a statistical link between birth defects in the Los Angeles basin and air pollution levels recorded by monitoring stations throughout the area (The Orange County Register, 2001). There are also other studies on the effect of airborne allergens on emergency visits by children for conjunctivitis and rhinitis (The Lancet p 947). Several cancers and other diseases can be linked directly or indirectly to air pollution, but they cannot be said to be caused only by air pollution.
The Cancer Prevention II Study researchers concluded that chronic exposure to particulate air pollution increases a persons risk of death from heart or lung disease, or both (JAMA, March 6, 2002 p 1132). Many health issues arise from the lack of concern for clean air. Air pollution can affect plant life as well as humans. Some plants are sensitive to pollutants. When those plants encounter an airborne pollutant, they become ill and die.
Other plants may be destroyed by altered mud acidity and release of poison metal ions (web). These plants are living organisms that help keep our main ecosystem viable. Without the sub-ecosystems to support life and a stable cycle in place, this immense ecosystem could fall prey to the resource-draining inhabitants. Our surroundings are damaged a little everyday by air pollution.
From metal corrosion to acid rain, these things are direct results of air pollution. They also affect our outside world. Metal corrosion or rust is a big problem all over the country. Just take a drive throughout the countryside locally. Rusted old cars sit in the yards and fields of people throughout this area. That rust is corrosion and causes poisonous ions to permeate the soil and in turn affect the roots and fruits of some plants.
These fruits are sold to consumers and the cycle continues until it gets out of control. The problem in todays world is that quantity is valued more than quality. The more of a product that can be marketed, the better, this is the policy for most industries. Big industries cutting corners and smaller companies not held to the same standards can contribute to the growing air pollution predicament.
Power plants emit pollution, which sparked laws for cleaner air. Bush's main air pollution proposal would force companies that do not meet pollution reduction goals to buy rights to pollute from other companies that exceed their goals (Ridder, Washington Bureau). Also referred to as pollution trading, this would necessitate changes to the 1990 Clean Air Act, and Congress would have to approve also. Under pollution trading, regions of the country with older power plants, such as the Midwest and Northeast, would wind up with more pollution than if the current system continued. But areas with newer plants, such as the West, would be even cleaner under the Bush proposal (Ridder, Washington Bureau). I feel that these new clean-air laws are a step in the right direction.
Awareness is the key. Most average American citizens are not thinking twice about the air we all have to breathe to survive. They are more concerned with work, home, kids, food, etc. All of these things require clean air and yet we take it for granted.
Jobs, which are one of the major concerns of society, are necessary and require the use of some type of vehicle. They emit their share of pollutants as well. Emissions are categorized into point sources, area sources and mobile sources (web). Emissions are a separate type of pollutant for the air. Through studies and reports, we have become more aware of this problem and have raised emission standards for power plants, surface coating solvents and vehicles. All of which must adhere to a code set forth by the government.
Government does not always have to regulate things. We as citizens can do several things to support cleaner, healthier air. For example, drive less, choose air-friendly products, save energy and speak up for cleaner air (web). Every time heaters or air conditioners are used, people drive to work or school, windows are cleaned or hair is styled, choices can be made to reduce or increase air pollution. Air pollution is a problem both inside and out. Most people spend at least 80 % of their lives indoors (web).
So not only do we need to be educated about global air pollution but personal air pollution as well. In summary, air pollution is a problematic, complex, controversial issue. Many long hours have been spent trying to find direct results of air pollution. Researchers and scientists are spending waking hours figuring out ways to reduce our risks. Society stays in a state of flux with some concerned enough to take an active stand and others just on the outside not ready to take active parts. Without education, knowledge and the desire to actively participate we may never make this world stable for our future generations.
Think about how much more life would be valued if it were looked at closely through the eyes of that child in the beginning of this paper. How would she be able to rebuild what future generations had destroyed? She cannot do it alone. It will take the work and dedication of everyone working together for cleaner, healthier, more breathable air.
Bibliography: web, pgs (3). web web The Journal of the American Medical Association, March 6, 2002 v 287 i 9 p 1132 (10) The Lancet, March 16, 2002 v 359 i 9310 p 947 The Orange County Register, 2001 Santa Ana, California. Ridder, Knight, Washington Bureau, February 14, 2002. US Newswire, March 15, 2002 n 5645.
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Research essay sample on Air Pollution Future Generations
