Industrial pollution is a major issue across the globe. But just how much are we doing to help make the world a less polluted place? Based on pollution statistics in places like china and other countries, we aren’t doing very much. The United States has what is called an EPA that regulates how much pollution goes into the atmosphere. Should every country have some form of EPA?
First off, let’s talk about what exactly an EPA is and how it started. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA was proposed by President
…show more content…
A 2007 World Bank report conducted with China's national environmental agency found that "...outdoor air pollution was already causing 350,000 to 400,000 premature deaths a year. Indoor pollution contributed to the deaths of an additional 300,000 people, while 60,000 died from diarrhea, bladder and stomach cancer and other diseases that can be caused by water-borne pollution." World Bank officials said "China’s environmental agency insisted that the health statistics be removed from the published version of the report, citing the possible impact on 'social stability'".
A draft of a 2007 combined World Bank and SEPA report stated that up to 760,000 people died prematurely each year in China because of air and water pollution. High levels of air pollution in China's cities caused to 350,000-400,000 premature deaths. Another 300,000 died because of indoor air of poor quality. There were 60,000 premature deaths each year because of water of poor quality. Chinese officials asked that some of results should not be published in order to avoid social unrest.
China has made some improvements in environmental protection during recent years. According to the World Bank, China is one of a few countries in the world that have been rapidly increasing their forest cover. It is managing to reduce air and water
…show more content…
In the United States between 1970 and 2006, citizens enjoyed the following reductions in annual pollution emissions:
• carbon monoxide emissions fell from 197 million tons to 89 million tons
• nitrogen oxide emissions fell from 27 million tons to 19 million tons
• sulfur dioxide emissions fell from 31 million tons to 15 million tons
• particulate emissions fell by 80%
• lead emissions fell by more than 98%
In an October 2006 letter to EPA, the agency's independent scientific advisors warned that the ozone smog standard “needs to be substantially reduced” and that there is “no scientific justification” for retaining the current, weaker standard. The scientists unanimously recommended a smog threshold of 60 to 70 ppb after they conducted an extensive review of the evidence.
The EPA has proposed, in June 2007, a new threshold of 75 ppb (Parts per Billion). This is less strict than the scientific recommendation, but is stricter than the current standard.
Some industries are lobbying to keep the current standards in place. Environmentalists and public health advocates are mobilizing to support the scientific
Many people are unknowingly exposed to air pollution and have no idea. Some common causes of air pollution are automobiles, factories, landfills and toxic materials. Air pollution destroys the environment; it causes climate change because it greatly affects the greenhouse effect and it causes acid rain. Acid rain contaminates water and destroys animal’s homes. Air pollution has many effects on people it causes coughing, elevates your risk of asthma, wheezing, it can cause diseases and birth defects. It’s estimated “that seven million people died prematurely in 2012 from exposure to air pollution and that air pollution can cause cardiovascular diseases. The use of incinerators has caused protest movements from the Chinese citizens because they are becoming aware of the air pollution that is being given off from the burning of their trash and the effects it has on their health. There have been many reports of premature births and stillbirths of pregnant women that live near garbage incinerators”( Professional Safety, 2014, p.
The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA is the result of a 1970 executive order by President Richard Nixon for the purpose of protecting the environment of the United States through regulation on business and citizens. Public opinion on the Environmental Protection Agency has been divided fairly evenly across the population of the United States as of recently, as compared to the widespread public concern of the 50’s and 60’s that led to the agency’s creation. Recently the agency has come under scrutiny for its contributions of millions of dollars in grants to researchers in order to hide the potential trade off of its actions in order to further the agency’s agenda. The EPA’s ever-expanding regulation could end up harming more than it actually
chain. The use of lead in gasoline was phased out in '73 which caused lead
Ever since the Environmental Protection Agency otherwise known as the EPA, and the Clean Air Act were enacted into law in 1970 the American Auto Industry has been inundated with many environmental challenges such as brake debris/tire particles, paint and coating, auto shredding residue, battery content, smog, and gasoline. For the first time in 14 years, cost reduction ranked 32% compared to environmental issues such as emissions and fuel economy which ranked 53% in consumer reports.
According to McKee, the newest emission producing source will have to be as clean as the cleanest existing source. Second, it is argued that the EPA has too much control over standardizing the emission limits. While the CASAC provides the EPA administrator with a broad range of health, welfare, and economic standards, the administrator sets the limits for NAAQS.
One of China’s best successes has in turn been one of its biggest downfalls. One of the main problems is China’s greatest success which has been its phenomenal economic growth. This is one of the main drivers of the current environmental problems that the country faces. Factories dump pollutants into the air and water. It is difficult to see the Chinese government making the significant sacrifices required to improve their environment if it means slowing down their economic growth.
EPA. (2009, December 29). Retrieved January 15, 2011, from Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health: http://www.epa.gov/teach/
They enforce the proper disposal of waste material, the restrictions on greenhouse emissions, pollutants, and other substances harmful to land, water, and our atmosphere. I do support the EPA because it is protecting the very environment that we need to live in. The EPA was created to protect human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on the laws passed by the Congress. I believe that the EPA is necessary, but it does come at a cost. With the EPA, businesses are forced to follow strict guidelines. This comes at a monetary cost that can sometimes cost a great deal of money. This in turn makes the products they produce more expensive for consumer. Overall, I do believe that the EPA and all the rules and regulations they enforce are worth the price at which they are given. Another modern example of government regulations on businesses is sticker shock. Sticker shock is a about fuel economy standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the EPA finalized new fuel efficiency standards for cars and light truck for the year 2017-2025. They are requiring the average fuel economy be 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. Although this would be great, I don’t think that it is realistic. The sticker price for cars will dramatically increase, and ultimately have a negative effect on the overall economy. I don’t support this regulation as it is unfair and unjust to set
”(Geduld) Although most of these deaths are from long term exposure to the pollutants there was still “2,682 deaths caused from short term exposure. ”(Geduld).“5.5 percent of cardiopulmonary (heart and lung disease related) deaths can be attributed to ground-level ozone exposure, which has increased over the past decade.” (David Suzuki Foundation) There were also “92’000 emergency-room visits and 620,000 visits to a doctor’s office in a year” It is estimated that by “2031 90,000 people will have died from short term exposure and 710,000 from long-term exposure to air pollution.
In May of 2014, EPA scientists said that their refusal to changing it is linked to cancer risk. In Europe, they decided that a certain dioxin level is safe, and it is much higher than EPA standards.
In an effort to improve the lives of Americans, the United States Congress has enacted several legislative acts to reduce environmental pollutants. The motivation to take serious environmentally protective public policies came after 1948 when thick heavy smog covered the streets of Donora, Pennsylvania. The incident resulted in the death of 20 people with thousands more falling ill from the respiratory effects of the smog which carried yet unknown environmentally hazardous air pollutants from two factories in the city. This tragedy made the United States government aware that they needed to be concern about air pollution, and before the United Sates Congress passed the Clean Air Act, as we know it today, there were two previous acts that began to shape what now is a truly comprehensible Clean Air Act.
... This has resulted in increased pollution due to livestock releasing methane gas into the air. And due to demand for electrical goods from western countries, it has helped China to produce a capitalist economy. This has enabled China’s citizens to have a prosperous lifestyle, which has increased pollution due to the increase in energy use and waste production. Furthermore, although the Chinese government and its citizens are trying to tackle their environmental problems, it seems to be too little too late.
Wong, Edward. "Air Pollution Linked to 1.2 Million Premature Deaths in China." Nytimes. N.p., 1 Apr. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. .
In conclusion I have to say that it will be a long way for us to go to have a "clean" world. Almost all of the countries are trying hard to prevent and control air pollution. There seems to be no end to tasks that environmentalists will be required to do. But it is never too late for success. People will continually find new and new ways to control pollution. And Success belongs to the persevering. I believe in the future, there are only green trees, red flowers, singing birds and all the beauties in our campus. Someday when I wake up, I will walk to class with all of my pleasures, because there will be no more cans, no more wine bottles, and no more colorful plastic bags on my school way.
Because of this the government has been put into a major predicament. They have, and must continue to create laws, to protect the environment. However they cannot simply place unrealistic restrictions and limitations onto the major polluters; that are the manufacturing companies. These manufacturers emit large quantities of waste and greenhouse gases. However that is the cost of today’s society. The world needs certain commodities to function properly; like paper products, gasoline, oil and other petroleum by-products, as well as many other products that; whether we like it or not, are harmful to the environment, to make and use.