Environmental Pollution - Research Paper Example

Environmental studies: Environmental Pollution Introduction Pollution of the environment is not a new fact. It is one of thebiggest and serious problems facing the world today. The environmental pollution disturbs the economic, physical and the normal life of people. Pollution is defined as the adding any substance in the form of energy to the environment at a faster rate than it can accommodate by decomposition, dispersion, recycling or storage in the form that is harmless.  In the United States, pollution started to draw public attention when the congress passed the National Environmental Policy act, clean water act and clean air act which was between the mid-1950s and early 1970s, (W.A Andrews and D.K Moore). The environmental pollution was given birth by the industrial revolution, as we know it today. Our planet unfortunately, is suffering from many problems, which if it is not taken care of can destroy the Earth and it is the only planet for survival in our galaxy. These problems contributing to pollution of the environment include water pollution, Soil Fertility, air pollution, Overpopulation, Deforestation, etc. Due to increasing number of informed public and the evidence of local and global pollution growing over time have encouraged the environmental movement and environmentalism, which is seeking to reduce human effect on the environment (Danelski, 2006, p. 203). According to the scientists, all cities with exceeding populations of 50,000 have some degree of polluting air. In this argument, it is clear how human activities are producing pollution that is affecting negatively the environment and whole world, and there are two main solutions for why this problem needs to be addressed. Most of the activities done every day are causing pollution. The production of global economic creates pollution globally. Burning of fossil fuels to run factories, power plants and motorized vehicles are contributing to huge amount of environment pollution every day (Danelski, 2006, p. 189). High levels of Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by motor vehicles and are also major source of nitrogen oxide (NO) and hydrocarbons (HC) which is very harmful for the environment.  In my opinion, some excavated interests push hydrogen because it would allow the players (petroleum) who are existing to influence their existing control over fuel. A threat to this is an electric power, since interests that are competing control it already. In the first place, a car using hydrogen fuel cell is an electric. It even has batteries, because the cell for the fuel cannot make the large spikes for the current needed for acceleration and climbing of hills. The difference between a fuel cell EV and a battery EV is that some of the batteries have been replaced with a fuel cell and a big H2 tank.  Secondly, hydrogen is not a true fuel; it is a medium of storage for energy, such as battery. There is no free (elemental) source of hydrogen on earth. Hydrogen instead must be separated chemically from water, using electricity typically. In addition, this process is much less efficient than other technologies using battery i.e. the electric car would be propelled nearly twice as far by the same electricity in a battery EV.   It is true that the hydrogen can be directly used in modified combustion of internal engines, but it is even less efficient, though gasoline considered, it is certainly more efficient. The one advantage that hydrogen has over EVs is it fuels faster and with the advent of fast-charging for EV batteries it has become irrelevant. Already the Nissan Leaf from level-3 DC chargers has 20-minute charging (already there has been installation of many of these chargers), and recently the Nissan has demonstrated charging in 10-minute. Also for electric buses, 5-minute charging has been demonstrated. One of the most worrying problems is Air Pollution in the present time. During this time of industrial revolution, the problem has been surfaced. Many positive changes were brought about by the great industrial revolution to the world; a better life, cheaper products, and better transportation. With its riches however, came the price pollution. No attention was paid by anyone to this problem of pollution at the start of the industrial revolution. People started realizing this problem as the science progressed. Automobiles are leading as the cause of air pollution problem in the world. The cars that damage our environment also release toxic emissions. This destroys the environment by addition to the quality of air damage, decreasing the ozone and the greenhouse effect. Without the mentioning of the growing problems of smog, the effects done to the water supply and the disasters done with landfill. In which all are connected with the ozone depletion, greenhouse effect and air quality. According to the researchers, even though the ozone in todays world is stable, ultraviolet rays are controlled, and the air that we breathe is still healthy. These luxuries in the near future will not be available if the same vehicles will continue to be in use while affecting the way of operating in human lives on a their regular basis. The stability of the ozone cannot be that promising because of global warming. Our environment gets damaged by the cars through the combustion system releasing emissions from the exhausts the automobiles. The environment is effected by certain emissions and do damage to the effect of the greenhouse. The effect of greenhouse is described as a process in which the rays of infrared come into the Earths atmosphere from the sun. After these rays have entered, the atmosphere, keeping the Earth habitable and warm, traps them. Toxic gases have weakened the atmosphere by allowing the entry of infrared rays. More infrared rays reflecting on the Earth warms its surface, raising the temperature hence causing the snow caps to melt, the death of certain vegetation life, and increased temperature. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are the two greenhouse gases damaging the atmosphere of the Earth. These effects can be reduced by reducing the amount of these greenhouse gases that can be of great help to the environment.  The carbon dioxide released by cars in the air is 30 percent. Carbon dioxide is released from the exhausts of automobiles that do much damage to the respiratory system of human. 22 pounds of carbon dioxide are released every time an automobile burns a gallon of gasoline. Greenhouse gas is also being damaged by carbon monoxide. 76 percent of the carbon monoxide is accounted for cars in the earths air. The total capacity of blood carrying oxygen by to the brain, heart and other organs in the body that are important are affected by Carbon monoxide affects. The automobiles also release nitrogen oxide (N0x), contributing 30 percent of N0x in the atmosphere of the earth. This adds to the problem that already exists of acid rain, which damages human health by increasing asthma, coughing, and stinging eye. Organic compounds that are Volatile are also released by emissions from cars combined with nitrogen oxides creating smog. Smog contaminates city air and harms vegetation as well as causing respiration problems to humans. These compounds that are volatile organic have also been linked to the vague cancerous disease called Sick Building Syndrome that has unknown effects on the human body. The automobiles that we use frequently are now polluting the environment. In the today’s environment, cars are now the greatest contributors of gases that are poisonous. These poisonous gases do not only take their toll on the environment, but also they have a harmful effect people’s lives, as well. Environmental problems that are very serious are created by these gases that in turn affect the human beings’ health. The most serious problems of the environment, which affect humans today, are smog, acid rain, and ozone depletion. These three pollution manifestations in our society tend to cause the most health risks. Millions of people use their cars every day, not realizing the emanating gases that are harmful from their exhaust pipes. As a result of their emissions of toxic, all life forms on this earth in some way are being affected. For example, take people that live in areas like, California, Los Angeles, which is covered in a smog blanket, most of them face many risks related to health every day. Inhalation of these gases and combinations of these gases leads to suffering of people from conditions that result from this inhalation. Most of these gases come from emissions of car exhausts, due to the large capacity of motor vehicles in the society. In their own right, these gases are harmful, but the results when mixed with other gases in the atmosphere are devastating. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced from hydrocarbon that has not gone through incomplete combustion of based fuels. Carbon monoxide after it has been formed; it is emitted through the exhaust pipe, which gets released into the environment. Every living thing in its path breathes carbon monoxide from the environment. The poisoning of Carbon monoxide is very serious as it kills 1,500 people annually according to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). This is accomplished by this gas through creating a carboxyhemoglobin, which does not allow the oxygen to be carried through the blood to the tissues and organs (www.homesafe). The symptoms of poisoning from carbon monoxide are the dizziness, flu, headache, fatigue, nausea, and irregular breathing. Death can also be caused by the prolonged exposure of carbon monoxide. The government claims to be doing a great job in the war against Carbon Monoxide, but in the real sense it’s the society that is left to suffer. Car companies are trying to work hard on making better catalytic converters for the cars, but the companies are not making is converters that can last. Eventually, the converter’s age as our cars age too; thus it reduces the effect it has on the emissions of carbon monoxide into our environment (Prichard, 2005, p 86). Within the cars engine, there exist high temperatures and pressure, oxygen and nitrogen combine to form different particles of nitrous oxides. The three gases known as nitrous oxide are nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen tetroxide. Nitrogen dioxide is the most dangerous among the three gases, to the ecological system and the humans. Nitrogen dioxide has a very irritating odor, and it is a reddish brown gas that is not combustible. It is highly toxic and can even cause death if high concentrations are exposed to the environment. According to the research done, Zero Air Pollution, many people living on the earth do not care about the activities of the neighboring; until they realize that, they are in a terrible situation or are in trouble. There are damages that are considerable to the human health or to the environment of the Earth, so the problem ought to be understood more in order to improve the problem air pollution in the future. The patients in Los Angeles, who suffer from respiratory diseases, like asthma and lung cancer, are increasing. In addition, diseases like heart disease can be related to the toxic gases that do not seem to be connected. Breathing these emissions makes human life or other living things expectancy shorter (Coalition for Clean Air Headquarters, 2006). Air pollution has resulted too many negative effects on the environment. Factories are one of the biggest contributors of air pollution (Zero Air Pollution Los Angeles, 2003). The factories’ emission easily spread out to the environment and the toxic gas floats in the atmosphere for a long time (Automobiles and Carbon Monoxide, 1998). Secondly, the power plants are also sources of air pollution. These plants, such as coal, oil, and wood, burn massive natural resources and they emit sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide as secondary products of combustion. Many sources have given rise to air pollution. These contributors of the cause are the cars traffic and polluting industries. The automobiles produce gases that are harmful through burning of gasoline. Millions of gases are produced from various factories that are released into the air. Chemical plants that are harmful when their concentration is high enough produce gaseous by-products. However, there are causes that result to air pollution can result which are beyond our control. For example, volcanoes, dust storms and forest fires. One of our sources of life that is most important is water. It seems, however; it has not been realized by the humans how important this water it is. Factories and industries release their harmful wastes into the water bodies and rivers. Oil tankers cause leakages that contribute to pollution of the sea. Sewage from cities is released into fresh water bodies. As water will become little, it is predicted that the war will rise among nations (Toxics and Water Pollution, 1997). The human populations increase in turn, increases the demands for the water resources. Housing requires more land. The demand for food has increased for which more land for agricultural is needed. Fuel is as well abundantly required. In addition, this increase of automobiles is causing more pollution. How to purify the polluted environment is one important problem affecting the world today. More and more difficulties are being encountered, and the problem of finances to curb this damage is among the challenges. Following the survey in 2007 by the TIMEs, due to the smoke produced by cars, to fix this pollution problem, over 10 billion dollars must be paid for per year, and continuously this number is still rising. In addition, because serious pollution caused by cars smoke, researching for solutions to the problems facing the environment need to be intensified. By doing this, the financial problems will have also been dealt with. Conclusion The destruction of environment has been certainly because of these technology and improvements. Therefore, preventive measures need to be done through considering this serious problem. Air pollution need to be improved as the problem and pollution of air has to be considered as an extremely serious problem. The cause of air pollution is now known, so I hope that the best way can be found to improve this problem as soon as possible, and we can get back again the beautiful Earth. As much as the researchers try to hide the truth about the air pollution status, it’s a high time that people and the government should become aware that the issue is getting out of hand. Most of the assumed activities involved with the human are the biggest contributors of air pollution. Such activities need to be stopped or otherwise an alternative found where the cause of air pollution would be reduced. Environment is the most essential habitat for the living things including human beings who are the controllers of this environment. Conducive environment need to be created for continued and secured livelihood to last. Healthy environment will lead to healthy living of every creature on the Earth. Reference Air Pollution Summary 23. (1999, 10). StudyMode.com. Retrieved 19, 2014, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Air-Pollution-Summary-23-1525.html Automobiles and Carbon Monoxide. Environmental Protection Agency. 20 July 1998  http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/03-co.htm Air Headquarters for Clean Coalition. (2006). Clean Air. (June 15, 2006). Retrieved from http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/index.html  Danelski, D. (2006). Inland Air NationÅfs Dirtiest. Retrieved from Lexis Nexis database. Survey:March 19, 2014.  Los Angeles Government. (2006). Zero Air Pollution, Retrieved on March 19 2014, from http://www.zapla.org/health/h1.html  Physicians for Social Responsibility. (2005). Air Quality and Health. Retrieved on March 19, 2014, from http://www.psrla.org/env_air_pollution.htm. Los Angeles. Prichard,J. (2005). Air pollution health risk high in many Mich. Neighborhoods. Retrieved from Lexis Nexis database. March 19, 2014. Toxics and Water Pollution. Environment. October 1997. Canada. Retreived from http://www.clo2.com/reading/waternews/afterrisk.html  Read More