Assignment 1 Philo

7/28/2019 Assignment 1 Philo

1/24

ASSIGNMENT 1

FSG 500 - PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

(TITLE: DAMAGING EFFECTS OF POLLUTION)

BY

ENDI | SHASHA | ANIQAH


2/24

DAMAGING

EFFECTS

OF

POLLUTION


3/24

STUDENT PROFILE1) MUHAMAD EFFENDI BIN AHMAD SHARI (2010629346)

2) NUR ANIQAH WARDIAH BINTI SUHAIME (2-010651476)

3) HASHAZIRAH BINTI MOHAMAD HASSAN (2010276456)


4/24

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 .................................................................................................................................................... 5

1.0. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 5

CHAPTER 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 8

2.0. POLLUTION .................................................................................................................................... 8

2.1. SOURCES OF POLLUTION .......................................................................................................... 8

2.1.1. POINT SOURCE ...................................................................................................................... 9

2.1.2. NON-POINT SOURCE ........................................................................................................... 11

2.2. POLLUTION CAUSING SUBSTANCES ............................................................................................ 12

2.3. IMPACTS OF POLLUTION ............................................................................................................. 15

2.3.1. HUMAN HEALTH ................................................................................................................. 15

2.3.2. WATER ................................................................................................................................. 16

2.3.3. AIR ....................................................................................................................................... 16

2.3.4. LAND.................................................................................................................................... 17

2.3.5. ECOSYSTEM ......................................................................................................................... 18

2.3.6. LITTERING ............................................................................................................................ 18

CHAPTER 3 .............................................................................................................................................. 20

3.1 Recommendations......................................................................................................................... 20

3.1.1 Water ......................................................................................................................................... 20

3.1.2 Air ............................................................................................................................................... 21

3.1.3 Land.......................................................................................................................................... 22

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 23

CHAPTER 5: REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 24


5/24

CHAPTER 1

1.0. INTRODUCTION

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that

causes adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances orenergy,

such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either

foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is often

classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. Pollution is not a new

phenomenon. In fact, pollution has been a problem since the appearance of our earliest

ancestors (Markham, 1994). Increasing human populations have opened the door to

more bacteria and diseases. During the Middle Ages, diseases such as cholera andtyphoid fever broke out all across Europe. These epidemics were directly related to

unsanitary conditions caused by human and animal wastes, and garbage. In 1347, the

bacterium Yersinia pestis, carried by rats and spread by fleas, caused the "Black Death"

-- an outbreak of bubonic plague. Unsanitary conditions provide the perfect environment

for the deadly bacteria to flourish.

By the 1800s, people began to understand that unsanitary living conditions and

water contamination contributed to disease epidemics. This new awareness prompted

major cities to take measures to control waste and garbage. In the mid-1850s, Chicago

built the first major sewage system in the United States to treat wastewater. Soon, many

other U.S. cities followed Chicago's lead (Merchant, 2002). Even so, the society still

does not take pollution problems seriously as they should be. Many people still think

that they can dump garbage all over the planet Earth without any consequences which

is not true. Since the start of industrial revolution we have been continuously heavily

polluting our planet, caring only for economic development, and does not even care for

the health of environment that we lived in. Such lack of ecological conscience has

caused severe pollution across the globe. Levels of air, sea, and water pollution are

extremely high, and are constantly growing because industry would not let go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_substancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_source_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonpoint_source_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonpoint_source_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_source_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_substance


6/24

People do not only care little about the air they breathe but also carelessly

concerned about water they drink. Water is so precious for our survival and people are

still doing so little to protect water resources around the globe. In many parts of the

world, especially India and China, water in some places way below the levels required

for safe drinking, along with many people dying from different waterborne diseases and

lack of basic sanitation. The Sea is also heavily polluted. Each day we are dumping new

garbage into the oceans; luckily oceans were extremely broad that we are not able to

see the actual damage caused by what we were doing to which it is very likely much

fatal than we think it is. Pollution can basically be defined as a form of environmental

destruction. Harmful gases and particles, different types of garbage and waste that is

dumped each day into our environment is destroying inheritance that Mother Nature left

us.

All types of pollution, air, water and soil pollution give an impact on the living

environment. Air pollution is by far the most harmful form of pollution in our

environment. Air pollution is cause by the injurious smoke emitted by cars, buses,

trucks, trains, and factories, namely sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen

oxides. Even smoke from burning leaves and cigarettes are harmful to the environment

causing a lot of damage to mankind and the atmosphere. Evidence of increasing air

pollution is seen in lung cancer, asthmatics, allergies, and various breathing problems

along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna. Even the most natural

phenomenon of migratory birds has been hampered, with severe air pollution preventing

them from reaching their seasonal metropolitan destinations of centuries.

Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation

and revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual

aquifers and wells). It has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of

deaths and diseases, and that, it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people

daily.
http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/Types-of-Pollution.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_resource_policyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_resource_policyhttp://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/Types-of-Pollution.html


7/24

Soil contamination or soil pollution is caused by the presence of common

chemicals, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such

as naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene), solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy

metals. Contamination is correlated with the degree of industrialization and intensity of

chemical usage. The concern over soil contamination stems primarily from health risks,

from direct contact with the contaminated soil, vapors from the contaminants, and from

secondary contamination of water supplies within and underlying the soil. The minor

pollution, such as noise pollution and light pollution too are the damaging the

environment at an alarming rate. Noise pollution include aircraft noise, noise of cars,

buses, and trucks, vehicle horns, loudspeakers, and industry noise, as well as high-

intensity sonar effects which are extremely harmful for the environment.

What is effect? Effect is something that is produced by a cause or the result of

an action. Thus, the effect of pollution is something bad or fatal that happened due to

pollutions. Pollution can be classified into two main classes which are biological and

physical effect. The physical effects of pollution are those that we could

see, but they include effects other than actual physical damages. For example,

oil spills. It is one obvious physical effect of pollution due to ship collisions or other

accidents. Other than that are air pollutants. Air pollutants damage a wide variety

of materials. Burning oil and coal produce sulfur oxides, which cause steel to erode two

to four times faster than normal. When combined with other pollutants (soot,

smoke, lead, asbestos, and so on), sulfur oxide particulates cause corrosion to occur at

an even faster rate.

For biological effect, it is the most serious result of pollution because it is harmful

to humans health and on the animals food chain. Pollution can destroy vegetation

that provides food and shelter. It can seriously disrupt the balance of nature, and in

extreme cases, may cause the death of humans. Pesticides, which include

herbicides and insecticides, can damage crops; kill vegetation; and poison birds,

animals, and fish. Most pesticides are nonselective; they kill or damage life forms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocarbonshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solventshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrializationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrializationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solventshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocarbonshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution


8/24

CHAPTER 2

2.0. POLLUTION

Pollution can basically be defined as the harm due to the presence of a

substance that not normally found and they may present in large quantities.

Polluting substances may occur as a solid, liquid or gas.

Pollution consequences mostly happen directly, through the toxic effect of a

harmful substance. As such, spillage of a pesticide entering a river well may have

an immediate effect andit is very harmful to the aquatic life. Apart from that, the

consequences of pollution can be indirect as well. Nitrogen and phosphorus are

needed for plant growth, but if it is too much of plant growth, they can be harmful

towards water. For example, excessive amount of phosphorus in water surface

can promote algal growth. Instead, the algal decay process reduces oxygen

available in the water, harming fish and other aquatic life.

Our use of water can cause pollution, not only because of substances we put into

water without realizing, but also by abstracting water from rivers and lakes, we

reduce the ability of water bodies to tolerate the presence of polluting

substances. Where the volume of receiving water is low, the concentration of

polluting substance entering water will be higher and thus, the impact will be

greater. Hence, the reduction of water pollution depends on not only on

preventing polluting substances entering the water, but also on reducing the

amount of water we use.

2.1. SOURCES OF POLLUTION

Pollution can be described as point source or non-point source of pollution.

Point source pollution enters water body at a specific site and is generally readily

identified. Point sources of pollution include effluent discharges from sewage

treatment or and industrial sites, power stations, landfill sites, fish farms, and oil

spillage especially through the pipelines from industrial sites. Point source


9/24

pollution is generally readily prevented since it is possible to identify where it is

coming from and, done so, those responsible for causing the pollution can take

preventative measures through immediate actions or longer-term investment in

treatment and control facilities.

Non-point source of pollution arises when substances are widely used and

spreads over certain areas as a result of land-use activities such as urban

development, farming and forestry. These activities may be new or have been

carried out in the past. It is usually difficult to identify the specific sources of such

pollution and therefore take immediate action to prevent it, since prevention

needs big changes to the land use and management. Examples of non-point

source of pollution include leaching to surface water and groundwater of

contaminants from roads, nutrients and pesticides used in agriculture and

forestry, and atmospheric deposition of contaminants arising from industry. A

special case arises where, for example, a power station as such coal combustion

may emit sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide to the air.

2.1.1. POINT SOURCE

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), point source of

pollution can be defined as any single identifiable source of pollution from

which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory

smokestack (Hill, 1997).

Factories and sewage treatment plants are two common types of point

sources. Factories, including oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, and

chemical, electronics and automobile manufacturers, typically discharge

one or more pollutants in their discharged waters (called effluents). Some

factories discharge their effluents directly into a waterbody. Others treat it

themselves before it is released, and still others send their wastes to

sewage treatment plants for treatment. Sewage treatment plants treat

human wastes and send the treated effluent to a stream or river.


10/24

Another way that some factories and sewage treatment plants handle

waste material is by mixing it with runoff in a combined sewer system.

Runoff refers to storm water that flows over surfaces like driveways and

lawns. As the water crosses these surfaces, it picks up chemicals and

pollutants. This untreated, polluted water then runs directly into a sewer

system.

When it rains excessively, a combined sewer system may not be able

handle the volume of water, and some of the combined runoff and raw

sewage will overflow from the system, discharging directly into the nearest

waterbody without being treated. The combined sewer overflow is

considered as point source of pollution, and may cause severe damage tohuman health and the environment.

Unregulated discharge from point source of pollution can results in water

pollution, unsafe drinking water, and limitation of activities like fishing and

swimming. Some of the chemicals discharged by point source of pollution

are harmless, but others are toxic to mankind and other living things.

Discharged chemical is harmful to the aquatic ecosystem and it depends

on several factors, including the type of chemical, its concentration, the

timing of its release, weather conditions, and the organisms living in the

area.

Large farms that raise livestock, such as cows, pigs and chickens, are

other sources of point source of pollution. If they do not treat the waste

materials wisely, these substances can then enter nearby waterbody as

raw sewage, radically adding to the level and rate of pollution.


11/24

2.1.2. NON-POINT SOURCE

Most non-point source of pollution occurs due to the runoff. When rain

moves over and through the ground, the water absorbs and assimilates

any pollutants it comes into contact with (USEPA, 2004b). Following a

heavy rainstorm, for example, water will flow across a parking lot and pick

up oil left by cars driving and parking on the asphalt. When you see a

rainbow-colored sheen on water flowing across the surface of a road or

parking lot, you are actually looking at nonpoint source of pollution.

This runoff then move to the edge of the parking lot, and most likely, it

empties into a stream. The water flows downstream into a larger stream,

and then to a lake, river, or maybe ocean. The pollutants in this runoff can

be quite harmful, and their sources numerous. We usually cannot point to

one specific location of nonpoint source of pollution like we can with a

discharge pipe from a factory.

Nonpoint source of pollution not only affects ecosystems; it can also have

harmful effects on the economy. If pollution leads to massive death of fish

and dirty-looking water, the area of fishermen and others for example

tourist-attracted place, as such depending on the water lives itself will

experience deep financial losses. Non-point source of pollution affects the

beauty and health of coastal lands and waters as well. If the physical and


12/24

environmental well-being of these areas is diminished, people will naturally

find it less attractive to visit the coast. Beaches will not provide the leisure

activities many people expect to experience. You can see how non-point

source of pollution plays an indirect, though the role of tourists'

contributions towards economy.

The population in many coastal communities is also increasing at a rapid

rate, and the value of waterfront property often relies on environmental and

aquatic conditions. Excess non-point source of pollution gives great

impacts the overall quality of life, and subsequently can drive property

values down. If non-point source of pollution continues to pollute the waters

surrounding coastal communities, their economies and social conditionsmay rapidly deteriorate.

Although the concentration of some pollutants from runoff may be lower

than the concentration from a point source, the total amount of a pollutant

delivered from nonpoint sources may be higher because the pollutants

come from many places. Nonpoint source pollution is difficult to control

because it comes from multiple locations. It also depends on time in the

terms of flow and types of pollutants it contains.

2.2. POLLUTION CAUSING SUBSTANCES

i) Nutrients;

The main polluting nutrients related to water are nitrogen, ammonia,

phosphorus and sulphur. They arise from the natural decomposition

of crop residues and soil organic matter, rainfall, fertilizers, urine and

manure, silage, landfill sites, wastewater and industrial effluents,

power generation and other fuel-burning activities.


13/24

For example, nutrients are the major cause of eutrophication which

is the enrichment of lakes, rivers and the marine environment

leading to increased plant growth and the occurrence of algae.

ii) Pesticides;

Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides that are

used in gardens, in agriculture, in parkland and golf courses.

iii) Heavy metals;Heavy metals are widely-used ingredients for chemical compounds

used in industry. Industrial contaminated land can be a source of

heavy metals leaching into the environment. They also existnaturally in soils at low concentrations. They can be found in fuel,

chemicals, waste materials and batteries. In high concentrations

they are toxic to humans, animals, fish and plants.

iv) Suspended solids;

Suspended solids are mineral and organic particles that remain

suspended in water. They sink only very slowly or are easily re-

suspended by water turbulence. Suspended solids might be eroded

soil or decayed leaves. Wastewater from sewage works and industry

might also carry suspended solids into water bodies. Suspended

solids cause water to be turbid and this cloudiness reduces light

levels. Turbidity can also be a sign of other pollution since nutrients,

pesticides and metals can be attached to the suspended particles.

v) Settle able solids;

Solids are basically mineral or organic solids which can settle onto

the beds of rivers and lakes where they can prevent fish spawning.


14/24

vi) Oxygen depleting substancesBiochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) tests are analytical methods for measuring the

amount of oxygen consumed during the microbial or chemical

breakdown of oxygen-depleting substances in water, such as

sewage and farm slurry. High levels of BOD and COD indicate a

heavily polluted water body making it less suitable for acquatic life.

vii) Pathogens;

They present in faeces from human and animal sources, including

wildlife. They can enter water through poor wastewater management

or poor handling of manures, slurry and other farm wastes. They

may also be carried directly off fields by heavy rainfall or enter water

bodies where stock and wildlife have direct access for drinking

purposes.

viii) Temperature;

Temperature is not strictly a pollutant in the general meaning of the

term but is included here because it can affect the health of the

aquatic environment. Shallow water tends to be warmer than deep

water as it is heated more readily by the sun. For the same reason,

particularly in summer, the surface water of lakes is warmer than

that at the bottom. Where water is heavily abstracted for use, the

remaining water can become warmer due to its reduced depth,

stressing aquatic life. Treated effluent from industry and sewage

treatment works and cooling water from power stations is generally

warmer than the receiving waters into which they are discharged,

and this can cause temperature stress as well as stress due to

reduced oxygen in the water, since warm water carries less oxygen

than cold water.


15/24

ix) Hydrocarbon;

It includes vegetable and mineral oils (including petrol, diesel, white

spirit, heating and lubricating oil), and chlorinated solvents such as

dry cleaning fluids.

2.3. IMPACTS OF POLLUTION

The term "pollutant" refers to any substance that, when introduced to an area,

has a negative impact on the environment and its organisms. Pollutants can

impact human health, air, water, land and entire ecosystems. Most sources of

pollution are due to the human activities. These pollutants can have dire effects

on entire ecosystems, making life more difficult for humans, plants and animals.

Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to the health effects from

these toxins. In many cases, exposure to pollution has a cumulative effect on the

body.

2.3.1. HUMAN HEALTH

Many pollutants have a negative impact on human health. For example,

pollutants in the air, such as ozone or particulates in the air, may lead to

respiratory health problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and

decreased lung function. Drinking contaminated water may lead to

stomach and other digestive problems. Pollutants such as mercury can

accumulate in fish and seafood and can lead to serious health problems,

especially for vulnerable populations such as children or pregnant women.Pollutants in the soil, such as contamination by heavy metals, toxins or

lead, can lead to serious health problems, including cancer and

developmental problems in children.


16/24

2.3.2. WATER

Water is a necessity of life. People and animals need clean drinking water.

Farmers need water to irrigate crops. People enjoy using lakes and rivers

for recreation. Unfortunately, this precious resource is easily contaminated

by agricultural runoff, mining activities, waste treatment plants and

improperly disposed-of industrial waste. Microbial contaminants include

bacteria and viruses. Most people can fight off the microbial contaminants;

however, people with compromised immune systems can get dangerously

ill. Contaminants like solvents, pesticides, radium and arsenic are more

sinister. This type of pollution can cause long-term health problems for

people. Wildlife can also die from exposure.

Water pollution mostly occurs due to the run-off from places mentioned, as

such agricultural fields, construction sites or factories; oil spills; sewage

spills; and the accumulation of trash. Water pollution has a deleterious

effect on the native plant and animal species that call bodies of water

home. Run-off from agricultural fields can lead to algal blooms which

choke out other plants and decrease the amount of available oxygen for

species of fish and other organisms. Chemicals in the water can affect

animal development, leading to deformities, such as extra legs in frogs. Oil

spills kill native species of animals including waterfowl and mammal

species. Sewage overflow can contaminate sources of human drinking

water, leading to serious health problems, as mentioned above. The

accumulation of trash in bodies of water may also lead to animal deaths

resulting from becoming tangled in plastic items such as plastic bags,

fishing wire and other debris.

2.3.3. AIR


17/24

One of the most common sources of air pollution results from the burning

of fossil fuels, such as vehicle and factory emissions. These emissions are

a major contributor to smog, a mass of particulate matter than hangs like a

cloud over many major cities and industrial areas. A second effect of air

pollution is acid rain, which forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide

in the air combine with oxygen, water and other chemicals in the air. This

combination decreases the pH of rainwater, which is typically pH neutral.

Acid rain can lead to the death of trees, fish kills in lakes and damage to

statues, monuments and building faces.

Air pollution consists of solid particles and gases. Many pollutants are

carcinogens. People who breathe in these poisons are at a higher risk for

asthma and reproductive-system damage. According the Environmental

Protection Agency in U.S., birth defects can also be caused by air

pollution. A study found a link between air pollution and increased deaths

from cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Humans are not the only

living creatures affected by toxic air pollutants. Some toxins, like mercury,

settle onto plants and into water sources that are then consumed by

animals. The health effects of these poisons are then magnified up the

food chain. Animals that are at the top of the food chain end up with the

largest concentrations of toxins in their bodies.

2.3.4. LAND

Pollutants in the soil most often result from industrial sources. Particularly

insidious soil pollutants include lead, PCBs and asbestos. Thesepollutants may negatively affect human health and native plant and animal

health. Pesticide use can also impact the land. One undesired impact of

using pesticides is the death of native plant and animal species that also

reside in the area.


18/24

Soil contamination consists of either liquid or solid particles mixed with

soil. The contaminants may be physically attached to the soil particles or

they may be in the spaces between the soil particles. Contamination

results when hazardous substances are spilled or buried in the soil. It can

also occur when pollutants settle on the soil, such as chemicals or waste

from an industrial smokestack. Plants grown in contaminated soil take up

the hazardous substances through their roots. Humans or animals that

ingest these plants may get sick. People and animals can also inhale soil

contaminants through dust that is present in the air or absorb these

hazardous chemicals through their skin. (See References 4) A 20-year

study published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology" found that

people exposed to dioxin in soil experienced a higher rate of diabetes as

well as cardiovascular and endocrine problems over the course of the

study

2.3.5. ECOSYSTEM

Because each type of pollution (air, water, land) does not occur separately

from one another, entire ecosystems are often impacted. For example, the

use of pesticides or fertilizers on land may negatively impact terrestrial

species of plants and animals. When these materials are introduced to

nearby bodies of water, they impact aquatic species of plants and animals.

Thus, curbing pollution in one area of an ecosystem can also help protect

another part of the ecosystem.

2.3.6. LITTERING

Litter is unsightly and dangerous. It often consists of plastic, metal or

glass, which are the materials that do not break down or decompose

easily in the environment. People, especially children, can be seriously


19/24

injured by a broken bottle or a rusty piece of discarded metal. Medical and

sanitary wastes are biohazards that can make people sick. Litter also

destroys the beauty of parks and beaches, making people avoid these

areas. Litter is deadly to wildlife, especially marine animals. Street litter

washes into storm drains, into our waterways and ultimately ends up in the

ocean. Some of this litter washes back up onto beaches. Some stays in

the water, where it can kill wildlife. Entanglement causes animals to die

slowly. Birds are particularly susceptible to entanglement as they collect

material for their nests. A curious animal that ingests litter can die of

starvation or malnutrition if the foreign object blocks the animal's intestinal

tract. Litter can also smother and damage seabed. Toxic substances from

litter also accumulate in fish, exposing the people and animals further up

the food chain to these pollutants.


20/24

CHAPTER 3

3.1 Recommendations

3.1.1 Water

If you want to help keep our waters clean, there are many things you can do to help.

You can prevent water pollution of nearby rivers and lakes as well as groundwater

and drinking water by following some simple guidelines in your everyday life.

Conserve water by turning off the tap when running water is not necessary. This

helps prevent water shortages and reduces the amount of contaminated water

that needs treatment.

Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet. Dont throw paints, oils

or other forms of litter down the drain.

Use environmentally household products, such as washing powder, household

cleaning agents and toiletries.

Take great care not to overuse pesticides and fertilisers. This will prevent runoffs

of the material into nearby water sources.

By having more plants in your garden you are preventing fertiliser, pesticides and

contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources.

Dont throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on

beaches or in rivers and lakes, make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in

a nearby dustbin.


21/24

3.1.2 Air

In order to reduce air pollution, we can take individual action so we can breathe the

fresh air around us. Smog, ground-level air ozone and other forms of air pollution are

hazardous to human health. Here are some of the steps to reduce air pollution.

Conserve energy. Conserve it at home, at work, everywhere. Turn off lights you

are not using.

Car pool or use public transportation. When air

quality is healthy, bike or walk instead of

driving. Combine errands to reduce vehicle trips. Think

ahead and save yourself both time and fuel

costs, as well as sparing air quality from decreasing some more.

Limit engine idling. Idling adds more smog-inducing particles to the atmosphere.

Avoid it unless absolutely essential for human health (such as keeping warm in

freezing weather).

Refuel with care. How you refuel has an impact on air quality. To reduce this

impact, consider the following steps:

o Stop when the pump shuts off. Putting more fuel in is bad for the

environment and can damage your vehicle.

o Avoid spilling fuel.

o Always tighten your gas cap securely.

Keep your car, boat, and other engines tuned up. Inflate your cars tires to the

recommended pressure. This will produce the best performance for your car and

reduces fuel usage.

Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever possible. Such

paints and cleaning products emit less smog-producing particles to the air and

are better for your breathing health too.


22/24

3.1.3 Land

Reuse any items that you can. Items like clothing, bottles, wrapping paper and

shopping bags can be used over and over again, rather than buying new things.

The greatest prevention to land pollution is in the three R's which are Reduce

Waste, Re-use things and Recycle things. People can also use the three R rule

to minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. After the three 'R's,

remember to turn the rest of the garbage into compost.

Personal litter should be disposed properly. We can separate household waste at

home for recycling. More than half of our household waste could be recycled or

re-used but once it is mixed up, it becomes more difficult to separate different

components for recycling. This is also true for waste we make at school or

hospitals.

Buy biodegradable products.

Store all liquid chemicals and waste in spill-

proof containers.

Eat organic foods that are grown without

pesticides. Look out for fertilizer or pesticide

free products when you go to the market.

Dont use pesticides if you can.

Use a drip tray to collect engine oil.

Buy products that have little packaging.

Dont dump motor oil on the ground.


23/24

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION

People should aware the pollutants around them. People do not only care little

about the air they breathe but also carelessly concerned about water they drink. Water

is so precious for our survival and people are still doing so little to protect water

resources around the globe. In order to keep our air and environment clean, we must

take some steps to reduce it so we do not burden the Earth. Government and non-

government also can play a role such as providing some campaign for citizens about

the effect of pollution around us. Governments throughout the world have already taken

action against air pollution by introducing green energy. Some governments are

investing in wind energy and solar energy, as well as other renewable energy, to

minimize burning of fossil fuels, which cause heavy air pollution.


24/24

CHAPTER 5: REFERENCES

1. http://eschooltoday.com/

2. http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/preventingyou.html

3.
http://eschooltoday.com/http://eschooltoday.com/http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/preventingyou.htmlhttp://www.water-pollution.org.uk/preventingyou.htmlhttp://www.water-pollution.org.uk/preventingyou.htmlhttp://eschooltoday.com/

Assignment 1 Philo

Documents

Transcript of Assignment 1 Philo