Reports of industrial pollution taking its toll on the environment can be found throughout history. During the industrial revolution the level of pollutants being released reached an all time high. These extremely high pollution levels lead to several tragic events and the massive loss of human life. In response to these events in the United States the government created the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency. The creation of the EPA has allowed the government to better regulate industries effects on the environment.
Even with all the new regulations, guidelines and incentives, pollution caused by industry accounts for somewhere around fifty percent of the pollution in the United States. The focus has been on four main areas of pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, and perhaps the most controversial global warming.
Air pollution occurs when emissions from petroleum based machinery, particulate matter and other pollutants are released into the air. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the human breathing process but even high levels of that seemingly natural gas can lead to dangerous air pollution. Smog is probably the most common manifestation of air pollution. Most people recognize the yellowish cloud that sometimes sits low over cities or industrial areas. Air pollution can be very dangerous to humans. Symptoms in people range from allergy attacks because of temporary exposure to serious respiratory problems including lung cancer. For people who suffer from asthmas air pollution can be deadly.
Soil pollution is another dangerous problem in the United States. A soil is considered to be polluted when it contains compounds that make it unsuitable for sustaining plant life. Some companies in the past used valuable land to dump their chemical waste. When harmful chemicals mix with the soil they render the soil useless and nothing can grow. The most common cause of soil pollution is illegal corporate dumping.
Water pollution is very similar to soil pollution and in many cases of soil pollution local ground water is affected as well. Runoff from mining operations, illegal waste dumping, oil or chemical spills, and heat pollution are all common causes of water pollution. Anytime anything is introduced into an aquatic eco system that negatively changes the eco system it is considered water pollution. Many industrial companies use the water from rivers and lakes to cool their machinery. While this is not illegal it can sometimes have negative consequences on the waters plant and animal life. Companies who do not properly contain chemicals used for mining and other industrial tasks are also often responsible for introducing harmful compounds into the ground water.
Global warming is something that has been making news from sometime. There are skeptics who do not believe in this dangerous situation but many scientists agree that global warming is a danger to the earth's environment. Since the industrial revolution the number of gasses called "green house" gases that are released into the atmosphere every day is on the rise. These gases collect in our atmosphere and are slowly causing slight changes in earth's temperature. Even the slightest temperature change can be very harmful in many ways.
Even with all the new regulations, guidelines and incentives, pollution caused by industry accounts for somewhere around fifty percent of the pollution in the United States. The focus has been on four main areas of pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, and perhaps the most controversial global warming.
Air pollution occurs when emissions from petroleum based machinery, particulate matter and other pollutants are released into the air. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the human breathing process but even high levels of that seemingly natural gas can lead to dangerous air pollution. Smog is probably the most common manifestation of air pollution. Most people recognize the yellowish cloud that sometimes sits low over cities or industrial areas. Air pollution can be very dangerous to humans. Symptoms in people range from allergy attacks because of temporary exposure to serious respiratory problems including lung cancer. For people who suffer from asthmas air pollution can be deadly.
Soil pollution is another dangerous problem in the United States. A soil is considered to be polluted when it contains compounds that make it unsuitable for sustaining plant life. Some companies in the past used valuable land to dump their chemical waste. When harmful chemicals mix with the soil they render the soil useless and nothing can grow. The most common cause of soil pollution is illegal corporate dumping.
Water pollution is very similar to soil pollution and in many cases of soil pollution local ground water is affected as well. Runoff from mining operations, illegal waste dumping, oil or chemical spills, and heat pollution are all common causes of water pollution. Anytime anything is introduced into an aquatic eco system that negatively changes the eco system it is considered water pollution. Many industrial companies use the water from rivers and lakes to cool their machinery. While this is not illegal it can sometimes have negative consequences on the waters plant and animal life. Companies who do not properly contain chemicals used for mining and other industrial tasks are also often responsible for introducing harmful compounds into the ground water.
Global warming is something that has been making news from sometime. There are skeptics who do not believe in this dangerous situation but many scientists agree that global warming is a danger to the earth's environment. Since the industrial revolution the number of gasses called "green house" gases that are released into the atmosphere every day is on the rise. These gases collect in our atmosphere and are slowly causing slight changes in earth's temperature. Even the slightest temperature change can be very harmful in many ways.
About the Author:
Beacon Hill Associates is the leading provider of pollution coverage for environmental contractors and consultants.