It is no secret that a major source of pollution comes from industry. Whether we can see the thick smoke coming from the factories, or we get a whiff of that funky smell when we drive by, we know that these effects are not only bad for our health, but the environment as well. What are the sources of pollution from industries and factories? Let’s start with air emissions. This is more commonly known as air pollution. The smoke pluming out of factories or trucks transporting materials can often contain substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other particles that are dangerous to inhale. These and other solvents are known to contribute to the greenhouse effect, causing climate change and burning through the ozone layer.
Waste-water is another major source of pollution, which often leads to land, coastal, and marine pollution. This waste water can carry a variety of dangerous or toxic substances, including fuel, sludge, sewage, heavy salts and metals, bacteria, and even solid waste products. When dumped irresponsibly, these products end up on land, in ground water, on the coast, or even in bodies of water, causing harm to both land dwellers and aquatic life.
Additionally, pollution from industry can come in the form of pesticides, asbestos, and radiation. Though pesticides are very useful for commercial farming, using too much pesticides or disposing of it irresponsibly can be very dangerous. Extra pesticide can drain into runoff water and end of places it should not be. This can disrupt the ecosystem, causing a chain reaction throughout all life in an area. Asbestos can cause breathing problems when inhaled. Drilling into asbestos containing tile, concrete, or other materials will release the harmful substance into the air. It is known to cause lung disease and lung cancers in humans, according to Oregon State University. Lastly, a major concern is radiation. Radiation can come from the use of radioactive materials, x-ray, lasers, and other techniques. Radiation can damage cells of living things, and depending on the strength it can be highly penetrating, harming the deep cells of the body and penetrating buildings, meaning there are few places one can stay safe from it.
Pollution is harmful to every living creature on this planet. We understand how industry can create pollution, but now what can they do to stop it? Most changes have been caused by the passing of acts and laws. The biggest changes came from the Pollution Prevention Act. It set regulations and standards for changes in production, operation, and raw materials use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States. Other laws like the P2 Law and the National Pollution Prevention Policy also have aided in the reduction of pollution. They have regulations and guidelines regarding safe levels of various substances, protocols of how to release waste, and requirements of safety training and planning for emergencies.
When discussing the harmful effects of industrial pollution, it is important to know just how catastrophic some of the long term effects can be. A major concern is the state of our earth and the Environmental Degradation that follows behind these harmful emissions. When degradation happens, the state and ground of the earth begins to rot and deteriorate due to unnecessary, situational damage.
For example, oil leaks and spills in our great lakes are irreversible. Oil cannot move or dissolve in water, and it will never truly leave the ecosystem. In addition, if petroleum or oil stay near the surface and washes onto land wildlife, the oil gets stuck in feathers and fur causing lack of mobility in which the animals depend on such as flying and or swimming. When coating and metals get washed into oceans and lakes due to machinery being dumped or built near the water, it can cause marine life the inability to produce offspring, and eventually die.
It is difficult to specify when exactly the government addressed and acknowledged the major effects of industrial pollution, but actions do speak louder than words. Concerns due to air pollution specifically began nearly after World War II. A young researcher started to notice a slight haze over the skyline in California. Due to newly developed methods of transportation, citizens living in major U.S cities had a surplus of health problems, and air pollution in the city. Cars left horrid and damaging scents behind. Development in construction of new highways also aided in damaging the air, and governmental attention was desperately needed, and thus, an increase in protection policies. In 1963 The Clean Air Act went into effect, by lowering the amount of sulfur-dioxide released. With specific policies under consideration, the U.S needed an organization to uphold a standard of protection in the environment.
On December 2nd in 1970, the organization of the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created. It was designed to have a set of rules and ways to monitor any possible harm that could affect the current state of the environment. Due to this agency, new cars alone today are 98-99% more clean than the previous emissions given off from exhaust in the middle of the sixties. Aside from traveling more miles, and having a higher population at this time, the U.S has continued to decrease pollutants in the air and increase overall air quality. After the organization was founded in 1972, the Clean Water Act was created, and then The Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974. A general awareness of long term effects of Ground Pollution were being discussed in the early 1970’s. In 1973 concerns of wildlife took a leap when the Endangered Species Act was established. Although these species were affected by excessive game hunting and poachers more often or not, the act was made for protection of any harm, including population. The EPA had completely banned lead from being in gasoline in 1995, and continues to find new ways to reduce or eliminate future threats to the safety of our planet, and atmosphere.
Pollution has been become a greater concern in the past few years, more and more people want to know what they can do to help. There are the simple everyday things you can do like using paper instead of plastic, having reusable bags and cups, carpooling, but this still is not enough. Many people don’t even notice the effects of pollution until it affects them directly.
If you want to make strides in the fight against pollution, start with the idea of prevention. For example, do your part to help water pollution levels by not pouring oils and fats into the sink, but by keeping them in a jar and the discarding the solid waste when it’s full. Additionally, avoid using the garbage disposal and keep the solid waste out of your sink. You can even make a compost pile from the compostable things in your waste, it might motivate you to start your own vegetable garden! As a community, making public transit more accessible will reduce air pollution. Try carpooling, and when you buy your next car, make sure it is a low emission vehicle. When working around the house, avoid purchasing aerosol products and be sure to purchase water based paints. Reduce your meat consumption, be sure to recycle, and just be mindful of your impact on this planet. We share this home with many creatures, and we all deserve to live on a healthy planet.