PollutionReview

What is pollution?

It is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment

There are different types of pollution: air, water, land

Things that cause pollution is called pollutants

Land Pollution

Trash can be land pollution Some trash breaks down on it own

(like a banana peel)Those that don’t fill up landfills

Landfills take away habitats of wildlife

Litter is a type of land pollution

Chemicals that leak into the soil cause land pollution --- this can damage the soil which affects plant growth

Air Pollution

Pollutants in the air

Can cause Holes in the ozoneIncreased particles in the airAcid Rain (gases from power plants mixed with

rain)SMOG (smoke + fog)Global Warming (increased temperature of

Earth)

Some of it is natural like dust and pollen

Some is man-made like the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas)

Water Pollution

Pollutants can come from runoff from sewage, agriculture (fertilizers etc) and from industries

It lowers the quality of the water for drinking and for the living organisms (like the fish)

Industries sometimes dump heavy metals like mercury and lead into the water. This causes the fish to be sick and

contaminated which can be passed along to us when we eat them

Questions?

What is the name of the government agency that makes laws that put restrictions on the environment?

What did this agency outlaw that can be harmful to us and pests?

Answers

The name of the government agency is called the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

They made a law banning DDT which was used in pesticides.

Application

Discuss how you can reduce all types of pollution?