Environmental Health

1. Environmental Health BEFORE THE BELL: Get out your journal and writing utensil… Turn in your Choices Assignment if you didn’t turn it in yesterday!

2. Without air, water, and land, life on earth would not be possible. Yet people have been polluting the very things that keep us alive. Pollution is a broad term that covers any dirty or harmful substance in the environment. It affects all living and nonliving things in the environment. Page 11

3. The following are major sources of air pollution: -Burning fossil fuels. -Chemicals, including pesticides. -Natural sources: forest and grass fires dust storms volcanic eruptions Effects of Air Pollution Air pollution can have many damaging consequences for the environment. -Acid rain -Smog -Destruction of the ozone layer -Global warming due to intensification of the greenhouse effect. Page 11

4. Water Pollution All forms of life on earth depend on water. The earth’s water is polluted by various kinds of wastes, chemicals, and other substances. -One form of pollution is sewage- garbage, detergents, and other household wastes washed down drains. -Harmful industrial chemicals are another cause of water pollution. Some enter the water from factories. -In agricultural regions, pesticides and fertilizers can wash off the land and pollute water. Page 12

5. Land Pollution Land pollution results from littering and the careless disposal of household and industrial garbage. Land pollution impacts the soil, water, and air. This type of pollution includes solid waste and hazardous wastes. Page 12

6. Solid Waste Most solid waste produced by households and businesses goes to landfills- huge pits where wastes are dumped and buried. -One alternative to burying trash is to burn it in special furnaces called incinerators. The energy that incinerators produce can be used for electricity. This cuts down on the burning of fossil fuels. -Many people believe that recycling and reusing materials is a better way to deal with solid wastes. Page 13

7. Hazardous Waste When hazardous wastes enter and pollute the soil, water, or air, they can cause injury, illness, or even death. All hazardous wastes need special handling. -Two materials that were once widely used but that are now recognized as hazardous are asbestos and lead. -Familiar products that contain hazardous materials include batteries, bleach, insecticides, motor oil, antifreeze, and certain cleaning fluids. Page 13

8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle The best way for individuals to make a difference is to practice the three Rs: -Reduce your consumption of energy and other resources. -Reuse items by repairing them, selling them, or donating them. -Recycle materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency of the U.S. Government that is committed to protecting the environment. Page 14

9. Reduce Anything people do that uses energy produced by burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution. You can help keep the air cleaner by applying these strategies: -Walk or bike. -Use public transportation or carpool. -Avoid burning trash, leaves, and brush. To keep water clean, use detergents that are biodegradable- broken down easily in the environment. Page 14

10. Conservation Many natural materials are nonrenewable resources- substances that cannot be replaced once they are used. Conservation is the saving of resources. The best way to conserve a resource is to use less of it. Page 14

11. Recycling Recycling involves changing an item in some way so that it can be used again. Recycling conserves energy and natural resources and helps reduce solid waste. The most commonly collected materials for recycling are: -paper -aluminum -glass -plastic -yard waste Page 15

12. Precycling In addition to recycling, you can reduce your consumption of resources by precycling. Here are some basic guidelines for precycling: -Buy products in packages made of materials that can be reused or recycled, such as glass, metal, and paper. -Look for products in refillable containers. -Bring a cloth or reusable plastic bag to the store to carry your purchases. Page 15

13. Environmental Plan Assignment WORK DAY: Tuesday 9/3 Team of 2 Develop a plan for 1 of the following issues: • An alternative source for energy (Should we run cars on Twinkies instead of oil?) • An alternative way to dispose of waste in our dumps (Should we ship our trash to space?) • An alternative way to use our waste as an energy source (Should we use banana peels to power the lights in our house? Should we use milk jugs to make shoes?) Ticket out the door: Get a rubric from me. Write your names on your rubric. List at least 4 brainstorming ideas you have on the back.

14. You can help others understand the importance of becoming involved in protecting the environment. Here are some suggestions: -Take charge of your family’s recycling effort. -Advocate for greater environmental awareness. -Join a conservation organization. Page 15

15. Ticket out the door: • On 1 of your requirements pages: • Write each group member’s name. • Circle issue your group has chosen. • On back of paper, create a brainstorming list/rough draft of idea (s).

16. The Greenhouse Effect The heating of earth by gases in our atmosphere trapping heat is similar to how a greenhouse warms. • Light energy from the sun reaches the earth’s lower atmosphere and is converted to heat. • A layer of carbon dioxide and other gases surrounding the earth traps the heat. • The surface of the earth and the lower atmosphere become warmer because of the trapped heat. Page 12

17. Journal • How does the environment affect your health triangle? Give 2 examples. • What does it mean “being green”… “going green”… “buying green”?