Ten Things You Might Not Know About Pollution

Pollution is a topic that often gets buried by talk of conservation, climate change, sustainability and energy issues.  Perhaps because it is a complex subject with lots of sources and lots of effects.  While all the above issues are important, let’s give pollution some of the talk time it deserves.Think you know about pollution?  Read on:

1. Pollution is one of the biggest global killers, affecting over 100 million people.It is comparable in population and risk to human health to problems like malaria and HIV.
2.  Pollution is one global problem that can be solved in our lifetimeLife-threatening pollution has already been eliminated in much of the developed world through initiatives like the U.S.’s Superfund. The technology and know-how to clean up toxic pollution already exists. All that’s needed is resources and commitment.
3.  There is a finite number of polluted sites in the worldWhile the number of polluted hotspots may increase, it is a finite figure. Currently, Blacksmith Institute’s database of polluted sites lists over 2000 of the world’s worst polluted places. Blacksmith is working to prioritize these sites for cleanup targeting the communities with the most at-risk populations.
4. Pollution solutions are relatively low-costThe cost to save a human life through the removal of hazardous pollution on Blacksmith projects can be as little as $42. $20,000 is enough to start a project that saves lives.
5. Children are most susceptible to Pollution: While children only make up 10% of the world’s population, over 40% of the global burden of disease falls on them. More than three million children under age five die annually from environmental factors.
6. Pollution is mainly caused by small-scale informal operations rather than large multi-national companies: However, demand for consumer goods from high-income countries still drive pollution activities in low-income countries.
7. Pollution does not stop even when the source of the pollution is removed: For example when polluting factories are closed, legacy pollution remains. If it is not removed, legacy pollution continues to sicken and kill.
8. Pollution can vastly lower life expectancy: In some of the world’s worst polluted places life expectancy can be as low as as 45 years because of lung, throat and thyroid cancers.
9. Death is not the only end result: Pollution causes chronic illness, neurological damage and a range of diseases that might not kill but might incapacitate a person or result in irreversible damage. For instance, the presence of lead in children lowers I.Q. by an estimated 4-7 points for each increase of 10 μg/dL.
10. Pollution affects everyone

Prevention Of Pollution

Pollution prevention (P2) is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source. P2, also known as "source reduction," is the ounce-of-prevention approach to waste management. Reducing the amount of pollution produced means less waste to control, treat, or dispose of.

• Stop smoking or don't throw your butts on the ground. Cigarette butts are not biodegradable and contain extremely toxic soluble chemicals. One butt thrown on the ground can remain for up to 25 years, leaking chemicals like arsenic, ammonia, acetone, benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde, lead, and toluene into the environment.
• Drive an electric or hybrid car or at least one that uses unleaded gasoline.
• Keep your car in good running condition to avoid emissions.
• Share a ride or carpool.
• Choose to walk or ride a bicycle whenever possible.
• Never use open fires to dispose of waste, especially chemicals and plastic.
• Adopt the 3 Rs of solid waste management: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
• Use sustainable, reclaimed, or recycled building materials.
• Start composting leaves and clippings from your yard and food scraps from your kitchen to reduce waste while improving your soil.
• Use the power supplied abundantly and freely by wind and sun. Hang your laundry to dry to minimize your use of gas or electricity and open a window or put on a sweater rather than turning on the air conditioner or heater.
• Buy local foods and goods. In this manner, the use of fuel for transporting goods can be minimized.
• Look around you house or place of business for ways you could conserve water.
• Use and buy products that are eco-friendly or made with biodegradable materials. Avoid plastic.
• Always bring a bag when you shop.
• Get rid of your lawn: Plant bee-friendly, drought-tolerant, native plants instead.
• Plant more trees. They clean the air, provide oxygen, and beautify your surroundings.
• Take care to properly dispose of your pet's waste.
• Do not litter. Start an anti-litter campaign to educate your community.
• If you own a business, make sure you have considered the environmental impact of your business practices. If you work for someone else, take the time to assess your company's environmental impact and try to implement positive change.
• Say a big "NO" to pesticides and GMOs (genetically modified organisms).
• Join an Earth Day celebration (every April 22nd) and consider making its tenets an everyday practice.