(no subject)
1: The Origin of Pollutants and what’s being done to stop the problem; Also, allowable concentrations of metallic and organic pollutants in the water.
Pollution has always existed. Leather tanning, mining, coal and wood stoves are all examples of sources of pollution. Air pollution can be one of the most harmful types of pollution. The American Lung Association is one of many organizations that have become dedicated to improving our air quality. Air pollution can cause injuries, sicknesses, lung cancer, and even death. Hazardous waste has plagued our country for a long time, and still continues to today with nuclear plants, chemical plants, and other factories. If hazardous waste is not disposed of correctly, it can continue to cause problems for a long time after it is produced. Rivers were polluted with sewage that would wash up on the shores because there weren't many sewage treatment plants.
Lake Erie and the Potomac River were both in bad shape. Wetlands were in danger of disappearing and fish kills were becoming common. America has introduced the EPA Clean Water Act, which protects all sources of water by eliminating pollutants and making sure they are fit for swimming and ingestion. EPACWA explains that state, federal, and local agencies, universities, dischargers, and volunteers monitor our waters. Water quality data are used to characterize waters, identify trends over time, identify emerging problems, determine whether pollution control programs are working, help direct pollution control efforts to where they are most needed, and respond to emergencies such as floods and spills. Chemical and physical measurements are taken, such as mercury levels or water volume levels. Across North America, trained citizen volunteers are monitoring the condition of their local streams, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands.
The EPACWA encourages all citizens to learn about their water resources and supports volunteer monitoring because of its many benefits. Volunteer monitors build awareness of pollution problems, become trained in pollution prevention, help clean up problem sites, provide data for waters that may otherwise be unassessed, and increase the amount of water quality information available to decision makers at all levels of government. The quality assurance project plan, or QAPP, is a document that outlines the procedures that those who conduct a monitoring project will take to ensure that the data they collect and analyse meets project requirements.
At a home-level, there are many things which one can do to keep their water and other environments safe. Dispose properly of household cleaners and other hazardous products; if you see a WHMIS indicator on any bottle, it probably has a hazardous material inside. Do not just dump it down the drain! If the product is an acid, add a base to neutralize it and vice-versa. Do not burn the product, either, especially if there is leftover product inside! Many communities have waste collection programs for items such as batteries, ink cartridges, and other materials, which would otherwise pollute the earth. Remember to avoid direct skin contact with strong acids or bases, and keep the area well ventilated. If you are unsure of how to dispose of something, look up the proper way over the Internet. It never hurts to be sure!
In the lab, even chemists are doing their parts. They’re using older reagents first, and using one-pot reactions. Also, they use smaller reaction vessels, and use their analytical procedures to minimize waste. Instead of using that excess of Sodium Nitrate, they’re calculating to just over the reaction’s needs. On the outside, chemists are measuring mercury, nickel, lead and other heavy metals in the water. Heavy metals are harmful to many animals including the fish we eat. Heavy metals are also very dangerous for humans. Chemists also take physical measurements, such as water levels and ratios of chemicals within the water. This allows them to know if the source is being depleted or compromised, and if the water is safe to swim in.
References:
http://www.invisiblekillers.com/newsletter/archives/jan_2007_article.php
http://www.epa.gov/
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/home.cfm
http://www.ewg.org/
http://www.ieer.org/