Environmental pollution is a major concern in most industrialized nations. While a number of green energy solutions are already in place, it is apparent that heavy emitters of environmental pollutants still face the challenge of cutting down emission quarters. Proactive and pragmatic measures are necessary in order to curb environmental degradation through pollution. For instance, a case study of the current pollution levels in China reveals that the country is struggling with the management of hazy weather.
Some environmental pressure groups are calling for a total environmental revolution in China owing to the negative impacts of hazy weather. Green energy solutions come in handy in the management of air pollution in China. Nonetheless, active public participation in the improvement of air quality is also possible. For instance, encouraging individuals to embrace public transport has the potential to cut down toxic gaseous emissions from vehicles. Besides, policy formulation and enforcement should be the epitome of mitigation measures against urban pollution in China.
China needs environmental revolution
Air pollution is a growing challenge in modern China. The characteristic hazy weather can be managed by adopting a number of environmental conservation measures. While the government is keen in instituting strict measures to alleviate air pollution, a participatory approach is necessary. What solutions can help China manage the hazy weather? This brief essay explores a number of solutions that China can adopt to address the challenges posed by the hazy weather.
Watering a garden is one of the latest and most advanced measures that an industrialized nation like China can adopt to manage the prevailing hazy weather. The recent geo-engineering research proposes radical measures that can minimize hazy weather. Although the method appears simpler than the magnitude of the problem, environmental scientists argue that it has the much-needed potential to manage weather characterized by haze. The same approach for watering a garden is employed in this method. In order to achieve the desired results, water is evenly sprayed into the affected atmosphere using large sprinklers loaded with large water tanks.
Large amounts of water sprinkled on top of buildings and towers tend to wash away aerosols and other particles present in the immediate atmosphere. The robust industrial growth of China over the past four decades is largely responsible for the massive air pollution experienced today. Heating, traffic, and coal-based energy are some of the core sources of air pollution that lead to hazy weather. This implies that controlling or managing air pollution of this type might not be an easy task at all. Vallero (2014) asserts that “more than 90% of the degradation of methane is by oxidation, mainly by reactions with hydroxyl radical…” (8).
Water simulates various categories of precipitation that naturally exists in the atmosphere. According to Yu (2014), gaseous pollutants and aerosols present in the atmosphere are the major cause of a hazy weather experienced in major cities in China. It is possible to scavenge such pollutants from the atmosphere using natural forms of precipitation. Both chemical and natural forms of water can be used in this procedure. However, pure water is highly recommended in order to avoid other unforeseen side effects of chemical substances. In any case, natural precipitation has the ability to wash away major air pollutants from the atmosphere. The exiting water shortage cannot be made worse because used water can still be recycled.
A hazy atmosphere is usually loaded with fine particles. It is possible to clear quite a large amount of such particles within a very short duration depending on the procedure used to spray water. Yu (2014) observes that “if you can spend half an hour watering your garden, you can also spend 30 minutes watering your ambient atmosphere to keep the air clean with this technique” (114). As it stands now, extensive research activities are underway to devise the most effective methods for delivering water to target atmospheres.
Ling (2013) suggests policy priority in the management of a hazy weather. Emission from diesel engines are mainly comprised of burnt fossil fuels. In particular, oxides of nitrogen are emitted from diesel exhaust fumes and freely disposed into the immediate atmosphere. Other harmful oxides include those of sulfur and hydrogen. Before the close of 2010, sulfur oxide emission was at its utmost point. China also consumes a lot of coal as an alternative source of generating energy.
According to Ling (2013), “despite China’s massive coal consumption, we can now observe some emission curves at their inflection point towards a downward shift” (par. 6). One of the policy measures proposed by the Chinese government is the desulfurization of facilities that handle components of sulfur. The same facilities can also be reconstructed or upgraded in order to meet the minimum safety standards.
Facilities that process sulfur and nitrogen are prone in the emission of toxic oxides into the atmosphere. If these facilities can be modified in such a way that the gaseous pollutants do not find their way out, then it can be a more practical method of reducing atmospheric haze. Another policy measure currently in place is the reduction of nitrogen oxide emission by at least 10 percent in the next one year.
Oxides of nitrogen are mainly emitted through vehicle exhaust fumes. Policy suggestions are currently targeting emission reduction from vehicles through the exhaust fumes pipes. However, the battle against pollution and haze-related problems cannot be won by merely considering exhaust control. Ling (2013) is of the opinion that more coordinated efforts should be considered in the management of air pollution.
Fire should not be used as a tool for clearing. It is vividly understood that any combustion activity generates heat and oxides of carbon. The latter products are equally responsible for the hazy weather characteristics experienced in mega cities in China. On the same note, land tenure and allocations should be left to policy makers. Besides, “policy makers have begun to value changes in greenhouse gas emissions in regulatory decisions” (Waldhoff, Anthoff, Rose & Tol 2014, p.2).
Land allocation and the period within which parcels of land are held by individuals or organizations also contribute towards air pollution. For instance, the government should not over-allocate land for industrial purposes at the expense of environmental pollution. In addition, the physical site characteristics should be compatible with land use activities. Wieczorek, Ditch and Bill (2011, 07) are categorical that “firewater runoff carries with it numerous contaminants…that may pose a health risk or cause ecological harm” (775).
The curative actions are applicable in areas that regularly exceed permissible levels of air quality. The adoption of remedial measures in air pollution should cut across the board. In other words, a mixture of pollution control methods is necessary in effective management of the hazy weather in China. Measures assumed by the Chinese government aim at reducing the emission of pollutants by improving purification systems or enhancing the conditions of dispersion of pollutants.
It is prudent to mention that remedial action is an effective system to solve the challenge of local air pollution. However, remedial measures might not be the best approach to use owing to the fact that the problem of air pollution is transferable to another medium because contaminants captured must deposit themselves somewhere. Hence, decontaminating the atmosphere might lead to pollution of water and soil. Moreover, the operation of cleaning equipment consumes raw materials and generates energy, which leads to air pollution in other areas.
In order to avoid further pollution of the environment, it is necessary to resort to the application of clean techniques that do not generate a lot of heat energy and other harmful gaseous products. The techniques adopted should attack the problem of pollution at source. Better still, technical development of more efficient processes in the use of raw materials and energy resources can be yet another alternative.
Some of the methods of preventing pollution at the source include product reformulation, process modification and recycling or recovery of products obtained. The above technologies are now fully developed and their applications in the case of plants operations cannot always be technical or economically feasible. Since fuel use is often the main source of air pollution, a very effective pollution control measure is crucial. Regulation of characteristics, qualities and conditions of use of various solid and liquid fuels should be a priority area when it comes to environmental conservation.
As already hinted out, another possible approach to reduce local air pollution is to improve the dispersion of pollutants using the self-purification capacity of the atmosphere. Raising the height of the chimneys of stationary sources, or changing how gases are channeled out from source. For instance, the output temperature of the gaseous products can be controlled to minimum levels. On the way of getting rid of large amounts of pollutants has been an issue of extensive discussion in recent years since pollutants discharged at high altitude can be trapped in relatively stable areas of the atmosphere and later transported long distances to cause harmful phenomena such as acid rain.
Preventive measures of air pollution are also effective in the control and management of hazy weather in China. Some of these measures include urban planning, previous studies of environmental impact assessment and efficient utilization of energy resources through a saving program.
Many of the air pollution problems that affect large cities in China could have been avoided or at least mitigated, through appropriate planning of the urban structure as well as the location of activities and industrial estates. Poor planning constraints the available resources Assuming that the main sources of air pollution in urban China are vehicles, domestic heating and industrial emissions, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of these problems by undertaking a coordinated series of preventive measures aimed at reducing emissions such as encouraging the use of fuels with low pollutant levels and clean technologies as well as proper planning of road traffic.
Conclusion
In recap, air pollution in China is a major environmental concern that requires concerted effort for successful management. Sprinkling water on the affected atmosphere, application of technological innovations to vehicles, and urban management plans are some of the measures that the Chinese government can put in place to minimize the hazy weather. Creating buffer zones where vegetation grows between industrial and residential areas can also mitigate against air pollution. Needles to say, there is urgent need to cut down the consumption of coal and other fossil fuels in the generation of energy. Members of the public should also be encouraged to use public transport effort in the inner cities instead of private cars that jam the roads and cause heavy traffic and pollution.
References
Ling, X. (2013). Tracking down China’s Haze Pollution. Web.
Vallero, D. (2014). Fundamentals of Air Pollution. London: Elsevier Inc.
Waldhoff, S., Anthoff, D., Rose, S., & Tol, R. S. J. (2014). The marginal damage costs of different greenhouse gases: An application of FUND. Economics, 8(31), 1-33.
Wieczorek, C. J., Ditch, B., & Bill, R. G. (2011, 07). Environmental impact of automatic fire sprinklers: Part 2. experimental study. Fire Technology, 47, 765-779.
Yu, S. (2014). Water spray geoengineering to clean air pollution for mitigating haze in China’s cities. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 12(1), 109-116.
As the world’s nations continue to scale the heights of development, they inevitably have to grapple with the negative side of the advancements realized therein. Among such consequences is the problem of environmental pollution. The battle against environmental pollution has brought together international bodies, governments at the national level, and organizations within countries. However, the trends indicate that the harder the battle is fought, the more serious the issues of concern become.
Environmental pollution is a multifaceted concept that is constituted by a plethora of independent aspects. One of these aspects, which continue to dominate debates across the entire world, is noise pollution. As cities expand to accommodate their ever-increasing activities, so does noise from all sorts of sources increase. This essay examines noise pollution and distinguishes it from sound pollution with a focus on urban traffic noise.
Noise Pollution in Perspective
Existing literature is awash with different approaches to the definition of noise and consequently noise pollution. However, of importance is that the approach notwithstanding, noise bears one characteristic that qualifies any sound to be considered as noise. It tends to impair communication between two parties (Schafer, 1994). In other words, noise is any sound that irritates ears and by doing so, hinders ears from capturing projected sound adequately. In light of this insight, noise pollution is thus the existence of sounds that combine to inflict pain on ears continuously, thus causing discomfort to the listener. This assertion means that in a polluted acoustic environment, any two parties wishing to communicate will do so under some level of strain and the chances of the message being distorted are very high.
Noise pollution has been found to have several adverse effects on the health and well-being of man. Its effects range from damaging ears to have a causal effect on some complex health conditions that have been witnessed in some people. To begin with, noise pollution causes reduced working efficiency as noted by Kryter (1970).
When two groups of people are placed in noisy and non-noisy environments and assigned the same tasks, those in a quieter environment will tend to be slightly more productive than those in a noisy environment. This aspect could be attributed to the fact that noise pollution causes distraction and as such, slows down a worker in a noisy environment. The distraction in most cases is undesirable, but the victims cannot help it since they have to divide their attention to a given extent between the noise and the task. The disparity could be up to 12% improved efficiency for those working in a generally quiet environment (Kryter, 1970).
In addition to affecting the efficiency of a worker, noise can also affect the reaction time of an individual to visual stimuli (Kryter, 1970). If noise is persistently availed and the individual is presented with visual stimuli to react to, the noise may cause the individual to lengthen the reaction time, the individual may also react too fast to such stimuli or get used to the noise and not be affected at all (Kryter, 1970).
The three instances of noise affecting the reaction of the individual may not be desirable during certain circumstances. An individual’s ability to react to stimuli should not be interfered with in any way. The danger posed by altering an individual’s reaction time can be appreciated better in circumstances where the stimulus that necessitates the reaction can cause fatal injury to the victim. The victim may end up suffering serious injuries or dying prematurely.
Besides these two, noise also has an effect on the learning of an individual so that it distracts the individual in a way that s/he is not able to learn, as would be the case in a quiet environment. In a study by Kryter (1970), the individuals used a lot of muscular effort, and their breathing was accelerated too in the presence of noise, as compared to quiet environments.
This study clearly shows that noise may have a non-desirable effect on the speed of learning because even if an individual learns, there is a time difference in the individual learning from a quiet environment and the one in a noisy one. Fast learners are considered intelligent, and most education systems tend to favor such individuals. The effect of noise can thus lead to the classification of some individuals as being less intelligent when in actual sense they are victims of a noise-polluted environment.
Kryter (1970) further noted that noise affected the intelligence of an individual so that when an intelligence test score was taken in a noisy environment, it had a detrimental effect on the results. This observation can be attributed to the fact that noise interferes with the ability to concentrate, as would be the case in a quiet surrounding. Studies carried out to find out if the noise had a bearing on the mental and muscular effort exerted while undertaking a task also indicated that there was a negative effect (Kryter, 1970).
There was an increase in speed by up to 4.3% for typists working in relatively quiet environments and what is more surprising is that they consumed less oxygen by up to 19% less than their counterparts working in a noisy environment (Kryter, 1970). Although some indications suggested otherwise, it was notably clear that noise indeed had an effect on the muscular and mental effort exerted to accomplish a task.
These examples are clear testimonies to the effect that noise can have on human beings. Although there are instances of noise showing a positive effect, the magnitude of such effects is negligible, if compared to the cases in its negative effects (OECD, 1991). However, an important point to note is that whether the effects are negative, which is mostly the case, or positive, studies demonstrate beyond any doubt that noise pollution will, in one way or another, affect an individual’s perception of his or her surroundings and that is not desirable.
The distinction between Noise and Sound Pollution
The preceding parts of the essay extensively dealt with noise pollution, but at this point, there is a need to develop a clear distinction between these two concepts. Sound refers to stimulation caused in ears by the vibration of any surrounding medium. Sound pollution is thus any departure of this sensation from its desirable quality. Based on the manner in which the two terms are used in everyday activities, it is almost impossible to alienate one from the other, yet the two terms mean two distinct things. Therefore, noise is a type of sound whose effect is always undesirable to a listener. In reference to traffic, not all forms of sound produced by traffic can be classified as noise. Only those that in one way or another cause discomfort to individuals’ ears qualify as noise.
This essay is focused on traffic noise in urban settings; therefore, it is important to understand the various forms of sounds that emanate from traffic and what qualifies them as noise pollution from the onset. It should be clear at this point that it is not possible to mention noise without touching on sound because noise is a certain type of sound, but one can easily examine sound without necessarily touching on noise. This distinction should help in the succeeding part of the deliberations of this essay.
In an urban setting, traffic is inevitable for motorists are part of the economy of any setting. Some cities have attempted to tackle the problem of excessive numbers of motor vehicles by touting bicycles as alternatives with considerable success. However, this move is not possible everywhere; therefore, traffic noise will always be a problem to be solved. Among the many forms of sound produced by vehicles, the following can be classified as noise; the honking of horns, the squealing of tires, sirens, raving engines, and banging doors among others. These examples do not exhaust the list, but outline some of the most common sounds that emanate from traffic.
Several reasons underscore why sounds can be classified as noise and thus eventually cause noise pollution. The unexpectedness of a particular form of sound may qualify it as noise due to the annoying effect that this scenario causes the listener (Kryter, 1970). When a driver suddenly steps on the brake pedal to avert an impending accident, the squealing of tires may cause an annoying effect to a listener who may not be watching the scene, and s/he is thus caught off-guard by the sound. The case may be slightly different for a person who watches the scene from beginning to end because for him or she, the squealing of the tires is registered in mind as being necessary under such circumstances. The distinction between sound and noise is thus evident in the perception of the same sound by the two individuals.
The intensity and loudness of a sound qualify it as noise even in circumstances where it is clearly known that it is necessary. A police or ambulance siren may be anticipated at any time, but still, it irritates people due to its intensity and loudness. The loudness is necessary for traffic to clear the way, especially in the case of an ambulance, but this element makes it more undesirable to the listener. The more intense a sound is, the more irritating it is (Rosen et al., 1962). When the sound of an ambulance siren is compounded by the rave of its engine and honking horns, the sounds form a typical scenario of traffic noise in an urban setting, and this is what forms noise pollution from traffic.
In addition to these two, another quality of sound that makes it qualify as noise and thus pollute the acoustic environment is its inappropriateness (Truax, 2001). In an environment where quietness and calm are desired, when there is penetration by sound from a given source, it is immediately considered noise, and thus it serves to pollute that environment. This scenario happens when the peace and quietness that initially prevailed are destabilized by the sudden presence of undesired sound.
A good example of this scenario is in school or library buildings that are proximate to roads. Although the designers incorporate sound absorbing elements to muffle any noise that may interfere with students or readers, sound may still penetrate as noise to cause disturbance and discomfort based on its loudness and intensity. The idea of the inappropriateness of the sound in these settings stems from the fact that these places require total quietness so that when a tire squeal gets to the ear of a learner who is trying to internalize a concept; it tends to draw the learner’s attention to an unnecessary occurrence.
This discussion clearly indicates that noise pollution occurs when a non-desired sound penetrates a given acoustic space but fails to give instances in which it can be said that sound pollution has occurred. At this point, sound pollution shall thus be briefly put into perspective. In reference to traffic noise, it may not be possible to construct the idea of sound pollution clearly, for the way traffic sounds come out is not anyone’s concern. Sound pollution can clearly be examined under conditions where the quality of a sound being produced is of concern to the listener; for instance, in music. In music, a singer, a producer, and a listener are all concerned with the quality of the sound produced. This assertion means that anything that affects the sound so that it does not come out as it should is polluting the sound.
This can best be understood from a mechanical perspective where the sound is viewed as the wave. Therefore, when there is interference with the wavelength or amplitude of a sound wave in any way, it changes from how it is expected to sound to a different form of sound, which may not be desirable by a listener. This scenario underscores how sound pollution takes place. It can be seen that sound and noise pollution are two distinct concepts, but what should be noted even at this point is that the polluted sound becomes noise.
Conclusion
Urban traffic noise may not necessarily cause any form of sound pollution because no one pays attention to the difference between how certain sounds should come out and how they do come out. The quality of sound seems to matter only in music and other instances such as auditions where the quality of an individual’s vocals determines his or her suitability for a particular task. The case is different in normal life situations where the quality of sound does not matter because it seems not to add any value to the acoustic environment. For instance, a tire squeal may not concern anyone at all apart from the fact that it may announce an emergency of some sort.
When a vehicle suddenly stops, it implies that either an accident has occurred or it nearly occurred. The quality of the sound produced by the tire squeal may not concern anyone at all. Traffic noise thus exclusively amounts to noise pollution in any environment including habitually noisy environments. However, ways of reducing the risk posed by noise pollution to human health should be sought because whether in a habitually noisy environment or a quiet one, noise pollution still affects human health. Polluted sound translates to noise, which makes it equally dangerous to human health, and thus it should be avoided.
Reference List
Kryter, K. (1970). The effects of noise on man. New York, NY: Academic Press. Web.
OECD. (1991). Fighting noise in the nineties. Paris, France: OECD Publications. Web.
Rosen, S., Bergman, M., Plester, D., El-Mofty, A., & Satti, M. (1962). Presbycusis study in a relatively noise free population in the Sudan. The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 71, 727-43. Web.
Schafer, R. M. (1994).The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World. Rochester, VA: Destiny Books. Web.
Air pollution is one of the most important problems and one of the most urgent issues of the modern society all over the world. Some cities in the developed countries pose a major threat to the ecological situation in the whole country. The city of Los Angeles leads to several issues within the United States of America. Air pollution in the city remains one of the major social challenges affecting the residents. The high air pollution incidences have been associated with the two most important causes.
The notable causes for air pollution in the city include the continuously expanding vehicle traffic and the escalating population levels. It is notable that air pollution has reached unreasonably high levels. Scientists have argued that the predicament of pollution in the city presents potential health impacts on the residents. The good thing about air pollution is that there are diverse strategies that are applicable in responding to the situation. The provision of robust public transportation systems and sustainable development of housing units are likely to minimize air pollution in the city. The rapid growth in the city’s population presents diverse benefits.
Arguments and Counter Arguments
Los Angeles has topped in pollution for the last fourteen years even after the introduction of the Clean Air Act. The city presently experiences injurious air pollution for over fifty days annually. The consequences of the high levels of polluted air include asthma problems as well as other respiratory ailments for the residents (Codrington 327). Furthermore, the city has recorded escalated mortality rates, heart attacks, and stroke, because of the unhealthy air people breath. The air from the mountainous areas in Los Angeles and the onshore winds normally merge at the basin (Codrington 327).
This has created the basin areas of Los Angeles to act like a normal photochemical reaction point trapping the unhealthy emissions generated by the millions of Los Angeles residents. There are different aspects of the residents’ activities and practices, which have escalated the occurrence of highly dangerous air in the region (Codrington 326).
The use of private transport has been at the core of pollution challenges in Los Angeles. The increasing number of vehicles in the city has resulted in massive traffic jams (Downs 88). Furthermore, as the population of the city continues to escalate and without public transport policies, people are increasingly purchasing private cars to facilitate their mobility. The transport has become annoying and ineffective (Downs 88).
The escalation of congestion in the city has worsened the problem of air pollution because of the volume of unhealthy air emitted in the atmosphere (Downs 88). The gas emissions from the millions of vehicles in the city contain several particulate matters, which hasten pollution of the air. The situation has sometimes become so worse particularly during peak hours when residents move to different places for their daily engagements (Downs 88).
The occurrence of air pollution in the city is not entirely problematic, as some gains have been noted. There are advertisements that attempt to explain that solutions for air pollution are tenable (Downs 81). The relevant persons can employ diverse regulations to minimize the impacts of pollution. The Los Angeles administration can introduce high occupancy vehicles (HOVs) in the public transport system (Downs 81).
The HOVs can carry more people and eliminate traffic congestion on the roads. The introduction of a public transport system remains the best solution for traffic congestion in the city (Downs 81). Furthermore, the number of cars on the Los Angeles should worry about the residents. The technological advancements can provide solutions to the contribution of cars in escalating pollution (Downs 81).
It is notable that the application of regulations to control air pollution in the city has failed. This means that the administration may not rely on the regulations in future attempts to stop the problem of pollution. Both the administration and residents have had many debates about the introduction of public transport in the city (Downs 78). The debates started several decades back but are has not been easy to implement the suggestions. Furthermore, building additional infrastructure such as transit facilities and escalating the services in the available facilities have failed to contain the issue of traffic congestion (Downs 78). The notable regulatory processes envisioned to alleviate the problems associated with traffic congestion have failed. The introduction of cars emitting healthy gases has also failed to work. The residents have continued to purchase more cars thus escalating the problem (Downs 78).
The problem of pollution in the city has also been attributed to the escalating populations. However, the population may present diverse opportunities to the city. Population problems in the city may not reduce in the near future (Shyam, Verma, and Bhargava 9). The geographical location of the city to Mexico has facilitated constant arrival of Mexicans. Furthermore, the city has attracted many people because it provides the best joints for entertainment. The city also has excellent education and business institutions. The increase in the population has also escalated the number of cars on the roads (Shyam, Verma, and Bhargava 9). Therefore, higher populations in the city have escalated the economy and business opportunities in the area. The availability of cheap labor has attracted many industries to the region. It is notable that Los Angeles residents have not complained about the problem of pollution (Shyam, Verma, and Bhargava 9).
Indicatively, the high population has indeed presented more challenges to the transportation system in the city. It is not possible to argue that high population has generated more business opportunities. The businesses activities cannot supersede environmental concerns (Shyam, Verma, and Bhargava 9). The predicaments facing the city are likely to continue. The increased population of Mexicans arriving in the state of California is also not likely to cease. Therefore, the city’s problems with pollution will continue to affect many.
The air pollution problem has also presented many opportunities through the different control strategies aimed at minimizing its impacts on the residents. The air contamination control processes have expanded employment opportunities (Chiras 420). The costs generated from the industry have also supported many important activities in the state. This is an indication that air pollution in the city provides certain benefits to the residents. This argument gives more attention to the outcomes of air pollution than to prevent it before its occurrence (Chiras 420). The argument also seems to be giving more attention to the opportunities presented by air pollution. These outcomes are insignificant because the aim of Los Angeles residents should work together for the realization of pollution free environment. The residents and the administration can work together by developing a mechanism for introducing public transport.
Air pollution control in the state remains crucial in the realization of improved ambiance. The activities aimed at minimizing emissions require the relevant authorities to make certain decisions. The Air Resources Board together with local air control committees normally adopts appropriate strategies. The board has taken leadership in pursuing diverse control strategies including technology to manage emissions (Chiras 420). The notable technologies include cleaner engines for point of source controls. The strategies also include treatment methods for emissions. This method requires that gases are treated at their point of source prior to emission into the environment (Chiras 420).
This also entails the application of catalysts for in the automobiles industry where certain products enable the emissions from vehicles to be neutralized before their release into the environment. The regulatory mechanisms require vehicle users to apply cleaner gasoline and diesel. Furthermore, people are encouraged to use less destructive alternative fuels (Chiras 420). It is notable that regulators employ strategies that target mobile sources of emissions to minimize the release of unhealthy gases.
The air pollution has been attributed to many diseases affecting the residents of Los Angeles. The much debate about pollution-related health predicaments has forced people to stop thinking about other human illnesses. It is notable that other illnesses that have a worse influence on peoples’ health than the pollution-related challenges (Chiras 414).
Pollution-related diseases include chronic illnesses and infectious ailments overshadowed some notable diseases. The arguments about other health predicaments faced by residents of Los Angeles should not emerge in this discussion (Chiras 414). The health challenges to the residents and should not attract other counterarguments. Air pollution is a challenging situation for the American people. The impacts of health problems associated with air pollution remains a big threat to the lives of many Los Angeles residents (Chiras 414).
The predicaments of air pollution in remaining a challenge for the residents of the city. The human activities have played a significant role in the destruction of the environment with private transport services and the ever-escalating population (Burchell 133).
The health problems associated with the impacts of traffic congestion in the city has been overwhelming. The proponents of the Los Angeles development model have continued to make their arguments for the situations. The proponents have been able to discuss the issue of vehicle population (Burchell 135). They have suggested that the high numbers of vehicles offer certain opportunities. The number of vehicles that causes traffic congestion can be reduced through the introduction of public transport, employing green transport activities, and adhering to regulatory provisions developed to facilitate the movement (Burchell 135). However, this paper argues that these arguments are more retrogressive and presents potential problems to the efforts to promote pollution control activities.
Conclusion
In summary, the air pollution problem in the city of Los Angeles has continued for many years. The challenges emerging from the situation are also evident in the environment. The high population of people in the city is identified as one of the causes of pollution. The increasing number of vehicles also causes traffic congestion. The fact that Los Angeles lacks public transport systems, thus making the use of private cars a common phenomenon. Supporters of the current situation in Los Angeles have argued that certain gains can be obtained from air pollution. This paper disagrees with the counter-arguments presented by the supporters.
Works Cited
Burchell, Robert W. Sprawl Costs: Economic Impacts of Unchecked Development. Washington [D.C.: Island Press, 2005. Print.
Chiras, Daniel D. Environmental Science. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2013. Print.
Pollution means the introduction into the environment of substances or energy that is liable to cause hazards to human health, harm to living resources and ecological systems, damage to structure or interfere with the legitimate use of environment. (Eloise, 2003) Polluting is to make impure and to contaminate with man made waste. It means introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment. It is a major problem in the whole world. Pollution not only damages the environment but also damages our vital life sustaining needs such as the water we drink. Pollution problem have arisen in all industrialized areas as well as various inland and coastal waters.
Everyone at one time or another has heard the phrase’ every dollar counts” this is true to big business operations and companies because they make every dollar count even if it pollutes the water which organisms depend on pollution is an obvious problem in our world today. Therefore it is ultimately important that we take action by making companies pay for their own mess, because soon there will be serious consequences that we may face in the future which might lead to our extinction on earth. (Eloise, 2003).
Substances that cause pollution are known as pollutants and they include; Industrial affluent, Pesticides and insecticides, Fertilizers, Ultra – violet rays from nuclear plants, Dust, Smoke, Noise, Waste heat, Exhaust geysers from automobiles, Radioactivity and electromagnetic pulses Major types of pollutions include; Land, Air, Water and Noise.
Land Pollution
This is any physical or chemical alteration to land which causes change in it’s use and renders it incapable of beneficial use without treatment. Land is polluted when solid and semisolid waste from industries, commercial, medical and domestic buildings is left on the land surface. Such industrial waste corrodes or degrades the land surface and makes it unproductive.
Garbage heaps in urban areas has destroyed the beauty of the environment. They also contain dangerous contents like broken glasses which may cause injury. The heaps are also a breeding ground for disease transmitting insects, for example, mosquitoes which cause malaria. The rotten garbage produces foul smell and act like hiding places for muggers and thieves thus making the place uninhabitable. Some of the dumped waste causes obstruction and may cause accidents especially at night. (Eloise, 2003).
Land pollution also occurs through the use of chemicals such as fertilizers herbicides and pesticides which make land acidic and eventually infertile. When chemical substances enter the natural cycles and eco-systems they affect the food, health and life of animals’ plants and human beings.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is another form of pollution that negatively affects the earth. It is the presence of contaminants or objects like metal which are injurious to human plant or animal life in the atmosphere. Air pollutant may be transported for long distances causing adverse effects in environment far removed from the source of emission.
Major atmosphere pollutants include gases such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), Sulphuric dioxide (SO2) Hydrocarbons (Hcs) and Nitrogen Oxide (NO).
Increasing levels of natural gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of human activity is another form of pollution. Air is also polluted by fumes from industries, automobiles, aircrafts and ships. (Eloise, 2003)
Effects of Air pollution includes
Depletion of ozone layer which protects life forms from Ultra – violet rays and infra – red rays from the sun. This causes eye problems like contracts, reduction in immunity in people skin cancer and low plant fields.
Rusting of roofs and other iron and steel is caused by air pollution.
Formation of acidic rain also causes major changes in the eco-systems and damages to buildings, destruction of trees and cause leading of magnesium and calcium from soils and from damaged leaves.
Build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which has led to global warming and green – house effect. Carbon dioxide is transparent to incoming shortwave radiation from the sun but absorbs strongly the long-wale radiation which the earth re-radiates into the space. It traps the outgoing radiation warming the lower atmosphere which in turn radiates energy back to the surface of the earth thus raising temperature.
Global warming has been known to cause ocean warming, rising sea levels and also causes less rainfall in the middle of continents making them very dry.
The ozone molecules which occur as a result of pollution wind -up near the earth surface and damage lung tissues of animals and prevent plant respiration by blocking opening in leaves. Without respiration the plant is unable to photosynthesize.
Formation of smog (thick fog) especially in temperate countries which reduce visibility in cities and urban centers thus increasing chances of accidents by motorists
Air pollution also results to formation of foul smell which is associated with gaseous products in the atmosphere like sulphur dioxide.
There is also formation of colored rain as a result of concentration of large amounts of dust in the atmosphere.
Air pollution also causes loss of eye sight as a result of gas leakages from industrial plants. (Eloise, 2003)
Water Pollution
This is the increase of substances in water in excess of its rightful chemical components thus making it unsuitable for human, animal and plant use. Inland waters and rivers are polluted with nitrogen and phosphorus run-off from fertilizers used in extensive agriculture and sewage affluents which contain phosphate. Water pollution is also caused by eroded soil and other impurities deposited in water bodies. Also oil spoils and leakages is a major hazard for marine environment. Water pollution is rampant in urban industrial and heavily cultivated rural areas. Water may be made unfit for consumption when animals and people excrete into the rivers, people may also dump dead animals and plants wash clothes and bathe in rivers lakes and oceans. Water pollution also occurs when water is used as a coolant in industries like hydro-electric power plants (thermal pollution). Such water is warm and contains lower levels of dissolved oxygen.
Effects of Water Pollution
The water becomes unfit for human consumption. If taken it may cause epidemics in human beings. Untreated sewage may contain pathogenic bacteria such as those causing typhoid and cholera hence killing aquatic animals. Water corrodes metal appliances in industries and homes. Poisonous heavy metals such as mercury lead and silver discharged into water bodies kill organisms in water and other food chains. (Monarty, 2001).
Hot water affluents from power stations expel dissolved oxygen which causes suffocation of aquatic animals causing death. Oil spilled from tankers in seas and oceans kill aquatic animals such as fish, sea birds and whales. Radio active waste from nuclear reactors can cause mutation death and deformation in plants and animals.
Water pollution generates direct health hazards for swimmers and other users. There is contamination of drainage systems with heavy metals or hydrocarbons.
Soil erosion due to poor forming methods reduces depth of water bodies thus making them prone to adverse biotic factors such as high temperatures which are destructive to marine life.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is experienced in areas near roads, running water, factories, mining areas quarries, aerodromes (airports), matatu terminals, bars, night clubs and public open air crusades.
Effects of Noise Pollution
Shock due to sudden loud noise.
It may cause hearing problems.
Noise pollution may cause lack of sleep especially in children and patients.
It may lead to public nuisance leading to frustrations and irritation.
It may lead to poor communication leading to misunderstanding where instructions fail to be received correctly.
It may also lead to cracking of walls where very loud sounds are involved.
Environmental Pollution
When all the other types of pollution are put together they result to environmental pollution. That is water pollution, air pollution, land pollution and noise pollution.
The increase in environmental pollution has led to a significant degradation on earth’s air, water and soil. There is growing amount of atmospheric degradation which causes several repercussions on a global scale. The air on earth is becoming more and more dangerous to breathe without the artificial filters. The most obvious cause of pollution in the air is the continuous augmentation of motorized vehicles that send carbon monoxide in the air resulting in the de-purification of air.
Water Pollution
Water pollution increases with each passing year. This increase in water pollution continuous to be responsible for killing plant and animal life as well as polluting rivers beaches and other water ways. This pollution represents potentially harmful effects on human health and environment. The pollution is typically generated by industries, waste treatment facilities, illegal dumping and other sources of water pollution such as the effluent from pig farming. The pollution from pig farming in Maryland led to the discovery of pfiesteria a toxic virus that has affected plant and fish species along Maryland waterways. Pollution is responsible for disruption in plants and animals and deforestation. (Monarty, 2001).
Land Pollution
This is the degradation of earths land surface often caused by human activities and its misuse, haphazard disposal of urban and industrial wastes. Exploitation of minerals and improper use of soil by inadequate agricultural practices are a few of the contributing factors. Also increasing urbanization, industrialization and other demands on the environment and its resources is of great consequences to many countries. The industrial revolution set in motion a series of events which impinged on the countryside destroying many natural habitats and introduced pollution causing diseases in both animals and humans.
Land pollution has resulted due to increased agricultural land and field size. Increased waste disposals increased leisure and available military presence. (Monarty, 2001).
Increased mechanization has resulted in land pollution in that in some areas more metal ores had to be attracted out of the ground melted and vast using water. This increased water temperature reducing the Oxygen carrying capacity affecting living things in water. The extraction of these metals led to large scale quarrying and defacing on the countryside. Though this is controlled and efforts are made to use the holes profitably. For example in central Scotland the scars of fears of coal mining with pit binges and slag heaps is visible from the motorways.
Increased urbanization resulted as the demand for labor grew. The areas around the factories and mines were given over to housing. This took over former agricultural land. The demand for more housing meant the increase need for raw materials like bricks which increased quarrying and destruction of forests. The increase in population led to increased number of roads and other infrastructure which led to more destruction of land.
Increased agricultural land and field size resulted due to increase in demand for food which led to loss of habitat and shelter for wild life. More intensive agriculture led to monoculture which depletes the soil nutrients, allow diseases and pests to spread which introduced use of chemical substances into the soil, for example, pesticides used to kill pests, herbicides – used to kill weeds, fungicides used to control fungi and insecticides used to control insects. (Monarty, 2001).
Increased leisure and available wealth has also led to land pollution in that the people are able to travel more to the countryside increasing litter usually in form of packaging cans and bottles. This leads to land degradation. This also posses’ threat to wildlife through razor sharp glasses which can be trodden on plastic bags can also be eaten by the wild animals.
Increased military presence has also led to land degradation due to use of bombs and grenades and also other explosives which are left lying on land and when they explode they cause a lot of harm to the land. They burn the land thus depriving the land off its nutrients.
Work Cited
Edwin, K. Waste and Pollution, New York, Prentice Hall, 1997.
Eloise, S. A Study of the Treatment of Ecology, Air Pollution, and Water Pollution, Florida, Florida State University press, 2003.
Monarty, F. Ecotoxicology; The study of pollutants in ecosystems. New York: Academic press, 2001.
Seager, Spence and Stephen Stacker. Environmental chemistry; Air and water pollution. Glenview Scott foreman and company, 1999.
As a concerned member of the community, I am writing to relay my thoughts on a considerable geo-social issue affecting the community. It is of considerable concern how pollution in the ocean has been a major predicament, which is not only affecting the water masses, but people as well. The pollution of the water masses not only inhibits water life, but also affects people’s health as well as other natural resources.
Although there are many natural wastes that affect the ocean life, it is evident that people are the principal cause of ocean pollution. Wastes such as toxic matter, plastics, and human wastes are some of the major sources of pollution in the ocean. In addition, chemicals such as bathing lotions, sunscreens, and other chemicals used by humans affect the toxicity level of water, which in turn affects marine life. Water is the most valuable resource for human beings, as such, it is pertinent for people to protect it.
Parent (7) asserts that solid content kills marine life, for instance, fish die due to their consumption of plastics. Up to 90% of foreign bodies, which float in the ocean, consist of plastics. it imposes some danger since it does not break down for a very long period of time (Parent 1).
When fish ingest plastics, they are unable to digest it since it cannot be broken down by their stomach chemicals. Eventually, they end up dying out of starvation being unable to find food. Large marine animals are also not exempted. They are affected by chemicals present in plastics and other things abundant in the ocean.
Chemicals from plastics in their turn increase global warming, which has been a major issue that affects the ocean causing water to rise in level eventually influencing animals, and humans near the ocean. Many people consume fish as food; when marine life is affected by toxic substance in the ocean, they can adversely affect humans to the extent of causing food poisoning, and even deformation of unborn children (Parent 8). Therefore, to save marine animals, it is necessary to conserve the ocean.
In order to make this dream a reality, people need to adopt changes starting from their own culture of behavior. These include aspects, such as training themselves to use reusable bags while going for shopping. Furthermore, people should avoid littering garbage and chemicals used in their homes into the ocean. Parent (4) contends that people should be interested in making the ocean pure and not polluted (Parent 1).
The government has been a supportive mechanism in this initiative by ensuring they provide litter bins in the surrounding areas near the ocean to enable those at the beach to put litter in the correct place. The community should work hand in hand with the set up organizations that ensure the safety and maintenance of the ocean. The organizations should also set up classes to educate the community on ways to protect the ocean, and the dangers they expose themselves to when they do not take care of it.
I do believe that if every person is to do all the right things in order to ensure the safety and maintenance of the ocean, people would be creating the best environment for themselves and their future generations.
Water is being covered about two thirds of the earth surface. Some of the water is found in the continents’ rivers, lakes and in the subsurface. The fact still holds that about 98% of the earth’s water is found in the oceans; this ocean water sometimes is locked up in glaciers. In land, water is locked up in ice caps especially in cold areas. People often ignores most of the things available within his reach and as most of you might agree, it is a universally held notion that we crave for what we can’t get and despise what we cannot live without. Until recently, the issue of water had been taken with less concern with nobody caring on how water was being used. Before then water was considered as a commodity which can survive beyond depletion nobody saw the chances of the commodity becoming scarce. However as events unfold, it has been revealed as a fact that water is rapidly being depleted and soon the world may become a desert.
As it has been reported, many third world countries are still grappling with providing usable water to their citizens. Most of these countries are in Africa and Asia.
This research tries to explain the importance of water especially in an economist’s perspective by explaining the uses of water in various fields, pollution of water and the agents of pollution. In essence, the report tries to crystallize ways in which this precious commodity can be utilized to enhance sustainable economic growth in the society.
As we shall be able to see in this report, clean water quality is more of primary importance than just the water itself. Water is put into a specific use depending on the degree of its quality.
Introduction
When we talk about water, the first thing that comes into our mind is a colorless liquid, which is used for domestic, purposes such as cooking, cleaning, drinking, and for animals’ consumption. Despite the numerous uses of water, as we have seen above, the commodity is quickly running out of stock and action needs to be taken in devising ways in which we can use water in an efficient and a sustainable way. The distribution of water across the world varies with some places having abundant supplies as others have constrained supplies. This is confirmed by Johnson (2010) who states that:
“In wealthy parts of the world, people turn on a faucet and out pours abundant, clean water. Yet nearly 900 million people in the world have no access to clean water, and 2.5 billion people have no safe way to dispose human waste—many defecate in open fields or near the same rivers they drink from. Dirty water and lack of a toilet and proper hygiene kill 3.3 million people around the world annually, most of them children under age five” (p. 2).
In some places accessing even the dirty wash is not that easy. This shows how extreme the conditions may even get in the near future (Johnson, 2010). Though sanitation is a major and necessary issue for one to lead a healthy life, most of the people in Africa (Sahara region) do not access water that regularly thus basic issues like washing own bodies, washing clothes and washing hands after visiting toilets are not possible since the available water is for consumption purposes.
The use of water, however, as we shall see later goes beyond the domestic boundaries. Since the beginning, there has always been the issue of water cropping up in most of the historic happenings. Industrialization is a good example.
Considering all the uses of water, we cannot fail to crystallize its importance in the society today. That is why conservation measures have to be formulated in order to prevent the depletion of this precious commodity. Conservation measures include protecting catchments areas, preventing pollution and regulating the number of boreholes in a given area and the basic one (though hard to observe) is the efficient and sustainable use of our water resources which guarantees the future generation at least some volumes of clean water if not adequate.
The different ways in which we use water alters the quality of water with most of the times adding impurities and contaminating the water. A press release by Canadian Press (2010) indicates that the country’s lakes and rivers are all contaminated with harmful compounds and little is known of what will happen if the compounds mix although the extent of contamination is not yet known. The knowledge gap, which exists, is making it impossible to conduct risk assessment or management activities.
This problem is likely to be worsened by the ongoing global warming and climate change due to human activities. Unpredictable heavy rainfalls could cause overflows carrying with it sewer, manure. And fertilizers between compound and deposit them in our lakes or water bodies. If these rain conditions are found by a warmer season, this provides a good breeding site for the algae due to the existing contaminate conditions which may be rich in nitrogen and phosphorous compounds. These algae deprive water its oxygen and the water animals such as the fish and amphibians may die due to the limited nutrients available and this could be a huge economic loss to any society.
In developed countries such as those countries in North America and Europe, policies governing the issue of water have been formulated and are operational as we speak. However, this is quite different in poor countries. In Africa for example, pastoral communities have been reported to fight over water. This is compounded if the communities live in areas that have been frequented with draught. And worse still if the warring communities belong to two different countries.
Generally speaking, water is found everywhere on earth and there exists different ways in which it can be tapped for human use. From the economic point of view how we use our water resources should be efficient and in sustainable ways, which ensures that, we leave the resources in better conditions than we found them. To Control how water is used, the authorities concerned should enact laws that bars one from inefficient usage of water and for those who uses water for industrial and processing purposes laws and taxes should be introduced that ensure that the effluents are treated before being released to the river because effluents are a major source of pollution.
Water pollution
Pollution of water is simply defined as contamination of water. Substances which pollute water are most of the times chemicals. These chemicals alter the quality of water by adding some components, which can be or are harmful to human beings, animals, and the entire ecosystem. There are quite a number of pollutants, which can cause harm to surrounding water bodies like lakes and ponds. Some of the pollutants include soil, nutrients, and microorganisms (as we shall see below).
Water and its uses
Water is required in every activity that people do as long as they are living. Therefore, we can discuss the uses of water under the different activities. The primary categories in which we can classify water use is industrial use, municipal use and in agriculture. Below are some of the uses of water in the different fields. The use of water is related to all sectors of human activity including industrial use, agriculture, various services, health care sector, and other branches where people work and technological processes that work due to water supplies.
Domestic use of water
In the domestic sector, water is used for drinking, cooking and cleaning. We also fetch water for our animals to drink. For example, washing a sizeable load of laundry uses a good amount of water. Statistics estimate this to be 40 gallons (University of Arizona, 2010). We also use water in agriculture to irrigate plants. Within our bodies, water is used during metabolism. Water is also used in the tourism industry. Water falls and rapids create good scenery for tourist attraction. It is evident that most of us use water according to its availability but not according to the uses. As noted by Johnson (2010);
“The average American uses a hundred gallons of water just at home every day; Aylito Binayo makes do with two and a half gallons” (p3).
This was in a case where the writer had visited some places in the southern side of Ethiopia in Africa and he notes that it would be very hard to convince the community living around this place, that using water for bathing or any other sanitation purposes was healthy due to the fact that the available volumes of water do not allow them to.
In agriculture
Water is used for economic purposes especially in the field of agriculture. Water can be used in the irrigation of rice, white and other agricultural produce and when we pollute our waters; the growth of these crops is curtailed as the contamination may hinder their growth. Agriculture is one of the most important branches of the world economy because it enables people to grow crops and get, in this way, food for people all over the globe. In this respect, water is one of the essential factors for agricultural sector as it can either increase or reduce the crops resistance, volume, and ability of plants to produce some crops in the next generation of seeds.
Thereby, it is necessary to provide crops with adequate water supplies so that people could get good crops regardless of the climate and the weather because the external factors and climate changes can influence greatly the stability of crops. As reported by Hardaker (2004), “…some public investments in agriculture can be both productivity increasing an income stabilizing. An example is the provision of irrigation water via public schemes” (p. 291). In this respect, water is an important part of success in terms of crops.
Water in the industry
Water is also used in the industrial sector, for example, in the engineering field and in the energy sector. In energy sector hydroelectric energy is produced whereby water is used to drive turbines that generate electricity. Geothermal energy production also uses water whereby water is pumped down a reservoir and comes out as steam through another channel. Engineering uses of water are in construction of roads, bridges, and railway lines. Water is used as a coolant in heavy-duty industries. If we use polluted water for these activities, for example, water containing metals, it can make the machines used in the above sectors corrode and thus result into economical losses, as the machinery will require regular replacements in order to function successfully.
Water in the security sector
Water has also gained its use in the security sector. Thus, it can be mixed with other chemicals and be used to disperse rowdy crowds. In Africa this technique was first utilized in South Africa. If such water was contaminated with carcinogenic compounds such as the mercury compounds, body contact with the water can cause itching and rashes all over the body causing more harm and discomfort than was expected.
Water in the transport sector
Water has also been used in the transport sector whereby it has been used as a means in which vessels move from one port to another. Submarines, cruise ships, ferries and other water going vessels cannot travel without water. A case study is in River Nile in Africa. The Nile is used for transport. Water is also used to cool engines of automobiles. In economic terms water bodies are the channels through which goods can be transported from one area to another. As with the engineering sector, contact of contaminated water with the machinery causes corrosion and thus an economic loss
Water in the rescue services
Water is also used in fire rescue services. When mixed with gases such as carbon dioxide, this water can be able to put a fire in control. Rescue services cannot work without water as they have to save lives and water can be considered one of the integral parts of their work. Lack of water supply leads to inability of those services to provide people and animals that stuck in the fire with adequate rescue techniques. In other words, water is a mean of rescuing and it cannot be substituted by some other materials; especially, when no other methods are effective in similar cases. As reported by Collins (2005), implementation of river and flood rescue program is an important part of the work performed by rescue services hence resulting in ambiguity when people can suffer because of lack of water or inadequate supply or from floods (p. 140).
Water in the health sector
In medical terms water is used in the laboratories in the manufacture of medicines or in pure water injections. Health sector is one of the primary branches of human activity where water plays a crucial role for all aspects of this activity. Patients need water, medical staff needs water; water is used to prevent some infections and make the health care environment more appropriate for surgical operations. In this respect, people should be aware of the operations fulfilled in different parts of the globe without appropriate conditions due to the lack of water and inadequate supplies.
Different programs and funds are aimed at providing people all over the world with appropriate food and water supplies. Though humanitarian missions are focused more on medicaments and food provisions, water is of primary importance for most of the world. This happens due to lack of pure drinking water that is often contaminated with some waste products. As reported by World Water Assessment Programme (United Nations) (2003), health care organizations require more water for sanitation and other traditional fictions attributed to water in the health care sector (p. 123).
Chemical industry
Water is also used in the chemical industry. Most chemicals are manufactured in the presence of water. Thus, water is either used as a medium of iron exchange or as a coolant. Water also exists as a major component in chemicals. For example, all acids contain water as a major constituent in their chemistry. Chemistry should be safe in order to prevent victims among civil population. In this respect, chemistry and other branches of science should be provided with appropriate water supplies so that they could conduct their researches in adequate conditions.
Water in mining
In the mining sector, water is used for provisions in underground mines. It is also used as a lubricant in drills and even as a solvent in mining salt domes. Different industries should be provided with water because it is used for industrial needs and for needs of the workers that develop various resources. In this respect, emergencies are not likely to occur when people have enough water, at least, they will be provided with sufficient water supplies even in case of emergency. Other industries can experience lack of water and ineffective water supplies due to problems in coordination of water supplying programs and services. Thus, water should be given to workers that need it.
Case study of river Nile in Africa
In Africa, River Nile passes through Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The river serves numerous purposes, which include fishing, tourism, and farming. In the tourism sector there are numerous luxury cruises traveling in River Nile especially in Egypt. In farming, the surrounding communities use the Nile for irrigation and for transporting their goods. Items such as rice, wheat, hay; cattle and many others are transported through the Nile. Fishing is a major source of income to communities living around river Nile with the major breed of fish being Nile Perch. The major pollutants of this river come about due to the following activities:
Pollution of water by soil
When it rains, the surface runoffs usually erode the soil. This soil is transported and deposited in nearby rivers. In such areas soil usually accumulates to levels where it can kill microorganisms, macro organisms and even the eggs of water dwelling animals. In some situations, this eroded soil clogs the gills of fish and cause problems to other water dwelling animals. When water has got very large deposits of soil, it becomes opaque thus hindering the penetration of light through and this causes death of most water plants resulting in death of other water organism that feeds on these plants.
Accumulation of soils in large reservoirs also causes siltation thus reducing the volume of water in the reservoir. This can be deceiving to the surrounding ecosystem that uses this water for domestic, irrigation purposes, and for HEP production. As a result, dredging will be required. The process of dredging is expensive and time consuming. Thus, to an economist’s point of view, water contamination by soil causes the society to spend more money on remediation measures. Dredging will also be needed to prevent clogging in the gills of fish.
Pollution of water by nutrients
Pollution of water by nutrients is often an artificial cause. The use of fertilizers in agricultural practices can be detrimental to the soil and water. If these fertilizers are washed away, they can find their way into rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Fertilizers usually contain nitrogen and phosphorus. If it finds its way in a lake, the nitrogen and phosphorus cause eutrophication. Eutrophication alters nutrient levels in the water. This causes growth of phytoplankton.
Nitrogen is a nutrient that is well known for stimulating growth of algae. Phosphorus is also another element well known for this purpose. If this growth occurs the ecosystem is affected. Growth of phytoplankton yields algae. When algae grow to numerous numbers, they cause problems because they use up all the oxygen therefore killing organisms like fish, the algae also produces toxins which are also harmful to human beings and other water living organisms. By doing this, the ecosystem is changed and this becomes problematic (Medline Plus, 2010).
Water pollution by sewage
This kind of pollution comes from sewage spills. When untreated sewage is deposited in a lake, bacteria will grow. As a result of this growth, organisms living in the water will find themselves competing for oxygen with these bacteria. Worse still, if the environment is in favor of the bacteria, the increase in bacterial growth will cause them to use up all the oxygen. This results into death of water dwelling animals like fish.
Causes of water pollution and remediation measures
The types of water pollution have to be established first. As we have seen, point source pollution usually comes from a single source. On the other hand, if the source of pollution is not definite it is called non point-source pollution. Hence, we have surface water pollution and ground water pollution. However, transboundary pollution may also occur. Transboundary pollution is when nuclear wastes leak into the water system in the underground and manifests several miles away.
Causes of water pollution include sewage, wastewater, and dumping of waste in the marine environment. On the other hand, industrial effluent and nuclear wastes, which are radioactive, do also cause pollution. In addition to this, oil leaks and leakage from underground storage facilities can also cause great harm to the environment. Deposition of chemicals in the atmosphere, global warming, and eutrophication are also major ways of polluting water (Water treatment information, 2010).
Preventing water pollution
Prevention of water pollution is one of the remediation measures that aim at keeping the water clean. Below are ways in which we can help in preventing water pollution.
Dumping in the ocean should be carried off further offshore. This will reduce the concentration on toxic substances in the water. However, this method needs to be disallowed because it still contaminates the marine environment.
Public education will help a great deal in ensuring that substances such as pesticides near water bodies do not have effect on the ecology of the water life. Atmospheric deposition should be discouraged so that these chemical substances do not infiltrate into the ways (Scipeeps, 2010). Another way of preventing water pollution is by use of strict laws, which punishes all those who disposes their factory effluents to the river without treating it. The government can also introduce taxes or the emerging trade in Transferable Emission Permits, (TEP). The TEPs enables the more polluting companies to buy emission permits from less emitting factories but at a higher price than the original buying price. The main aim of this strategy is to discourage the polluting factories from excessive pollution.
Conserving Water
All people must join hand in ensuring that water conservation practices are upheld. If water is not conserved, it will be depleted hence ending the livelihood of many including animals and plants. Thus, it is a cost effective way of reducing the demand for this commodity. It is also an environmental friendly way of reducing this demand. Economizing on water also reduces the pressure on sewage treatment systems. If we economize on water, less energy will be used in heating water. For example, population in Los Angeles has swelled up yet the city has been using the same amount of water notwithstanding (Monolake committee, 2010).
Benefits of Conserving Water
The benefits of conserving water include those concerned with energy. Since energy is used in treating and pumping water, the less water we use, the less energy will be demanded by this sector. Thus, conservation of water is accompanied by conservation of energy. Water conservation also goes hand in hand with saving money. This practice is quite easy to accomplish and one does not need a lot of time to save on water usage (Howard, 2010). When money is saved, it can be used in other important areas of investment so that sustainable economic growth is enhanced.
Examples of ways in which you can participate in water conservation are; watering your garden only when needed and capturing cold water from the tap as you wait for the hot water to come out. This captured water can later be used in your garden irrigation. A swimming pool can also be covered using a water resistant fabric. This can help reduce the amount of evaporation from the pool. Also, there should be proper dispose of hazardous substances so that they don’t contaminate large amounts of water. If chemicals are disposed in a proper way so that there is no leakage, there will be reduced contamination of water. A small amount of chemicals can contaminate a large amount of water. Thus, less money will be spent in proper dispose of chemical waste than in treating the contaminated water.
Conclusion
We have to understand that for us to achieve sustainable growth, water conservation has to be given a priority. As we have seen, if we conserve water, other elements will also be conserved. Thus, the less water we use the less energy we consume, hence, the less the money we spend. In the end, we can use the money in investment to other important fields. Pollution of water takes a great toll in the economy of a country. If water is polluted, it will become unsafe to some uses such as domestic use.
Since its quality has been altered, it may become useless for irrigation purposes and even in some specific industries like those industries that manufacture beverages. Thus, if the quality of water is altered more money will be used in purifying it hence it becomes an expensive practice. Since prevention is better than cure, rather than treating the water, it is better to prevent its pollution because the process of prevention is cheaper in relation to time, money, and other resources.
Recommendations
Recommendations have to be made regarding the use, conservation measures and methods of preventing pollution of water. Water pollution can cause health problems to the ecosystem. These health problems will end up costing the economy in some sense. Thus, environmental policies should be formulated to ensure that water pollution is prevented. Water regulatory agencies should ensure that any company involved with dumping should be monitored. The use of water should also be regulated. This will be able to enhance conservation of water so that the fiscal budget of water is reduced. In addition, the policy of further offshore dumping is still causing problems to the marine ecosystem. Thus, this policy should be abolished and new methodologies embraced so that marine ecosystems are not tampered with.
Collins, L. (2005). Technical rescue operations: Common emergencies. Tulsa: PennWell Books.
Hardaker, J. B. (2004). Coping with risk in agriculture. 2nd ed. New York: CABI.
Howard, V. (2010). Economic and Environmental Advantages of Water Conservation. Web.
Johnson, L. (2010). Our Thirsty World. Web.
Medline plus, (2010). Water Pollution. Web.
Monolake committee. (2010). Water Conservation. Web.
Scipeeps. (2010). Water Pollution Prevention. Web.
University of Arizona. (2010). Water Resources Research Center: Water Uses. Web.
Water treatment information, (2010). Water Pollution Guide. Web.
World Water Assessment Programme (United Nations). (2003). Water for people, water for life: A joint report by the twenty-three UN agencies concerned with freshwater. Berghahn Books.
The issue of water pollution in the Republic of the Philippines is high on the agenda since the country is made up of more than seven thousand islands located in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asian regions. These islands are surrounded by the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea, the Luzon Strait, the Philippine Sea, and the Celebes Sea (Marrone). Due to the uncontrolled and rapid population growth as well as urbanization and industrialization, Philippine waters suffer from extreme pollution.
Metro Manila Water Pollution
While water pollution can be discussed on the state level, it is proposed to analyze the specific region of Metropolitan Manila, which is a heavily industrialized region with the expanding the population. The Metropolitan area is comprised of four cities-centers of districts, such as the City of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan City, and Pasay City. In the west, the region is surrounded by the Manila Bay, in the southeast by the Laguna de Bay, in the east by the Sierra Madre Moutain Range, and in the north by the plains of Central Luzon (Raflores and Regmi 4).
Despite the fact that the majority of water in Metro Manila are intended for recreational activities such as swimming or fishing, the report presented by Raflores and Regmi for the United Nations University mentioned that the waters have high concentrations of heavy metals and other pollutants that significantly reduce the quality of water in the region (4). Moreover, in 2008, the Supreme Court issued a continued mandate that forced the government to invest in cleaning up the Manila Bay and other waters in the region such as Laguna Lake and Pasig River (Raflores and Regmi 4).
The current uses of water in Metro Manila cause the most controversy with regard to environmental issues. Because the region is heavily urbanized, it is estimated to generate approximately 6,700 tons of solid waste each day, 5,600 (84%) of which are collected and transported to nine dumpsites located in the area. This leads to the remaining 16% of waste going to the river systems and thus clogging the most significant waterways (Raflores and Regmi 6).
Apart from heavily industrialized areas of Metro Manila, informal settlers that live along river shores also heavily contribute to the issue of water pollution. With regards to the specific use of water in the region, Vicente Tuddao Jr., the executive director of the DENR’s River Basin Control Office, stated that only 28% of all water in the Philippines is used for domestic purposes since the rest is of low quality and can only be used for industrial and agricultural aims, which subsequently exacerbates the problem (Alave).
In the discussion about the issue of water pollution in the Metro Manila area, it is essential to mention current initiatives that the government is undertaking to manage the problem. These initiatives include the Pasig River Rehabilitation and Development Program introduced by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy as a response to the Supreme Court mandamus, the Adopt-an-Estero Program implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Environmental Management and Pollution Control implemented by DENR (Raflores and Regmi 6).
Economic Analysis and Recommendations
In this brief economic analysis of water pollution in Metro Manila, it is proposed to look at the industrial use of waters and the household use to understand the impact that the population growth and urbanization have on water pollution. The main reason for the highly alarming quality of water in Metro Manila is the unmanaged residential waste that can flow into the waterways, thus polluting them (Ranada).
Furthermore, only twenty to thirty percent of the area’s large population is connected to sewerage lines, which points to the fact that over seventy percent of the population uses septic tanks that increase the possibility of human waste leaking into the water system (Ranada). It is also important to mention that some citizens may not even have septic tanks and therefore dispose of their waste through unregulated means (Ranada). Thus, an intermediary conclusion can be made that the lack of attention to waste disposal methods within the population directly affects the water quality.
Because Metro Manila is the country’s most developed industrial region, the manufacturing sector has a significant impact on low water quality. The strategic location of the Pasig River facilitates the industrial use of water, causing waste. While domestic waste accounts for approximately 60% of water pollution, industrial waste from textile mills, distilleries, and chemical plants makes up 33%, while solid waste accounts for 7% (Gorme et al. 174).
The severity of water pollution in the region can be predominantly attributed to policy and institutional failures. While the efforts of the government to address water pollution in Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines began in 1973, there has been an only minor progression. According to Gorme et al., policy and institutional failures occurred due to the lack of sufficient funding that led to the weak implementation of policy, irrelevant planning, and the lack of efforts to update the infrastructure of the region (176).
Because the Philippines is a developing country, and the majority of its funding efforts are targeted on economic and political enhancements, the funding for the improvement of water quality remains lacking. Furthermore, the government has faced some opposition from the public that was unwilling to pay for the necessary sanitation services, contributing to the struggle of expanding investments into the aquatic ecosystem (Gorme et al. 176).
It can be concluded that chronic problems with the quality of water and its supply in Metro Manila and the adjusting areas have shown that man’s activities can cause damage to the environment, especially the watersheds. Recommendations for the government as to the management of polluted waters are two-fold: seeking financial support from international sponsors and implementing a public awareness campaign.
Furthermore, prior to contacting sponsors, the government of the Philippines should develop an action plan for addressing water pollution, with an emphasis placed on public education and awareness. The analysis has shown that the lack of support from communities was among the most limiting factors that undermined the effectiveness of policy changes. In such campaigns, the government should work cooperatively with local and regional media to conduct news coverages, publish articles in newspapers, and air educational commercials on radio and television (Texas Water Development Board 5).
It is expected that when the public understands the damage it has caused to the environment, it will support the government in its efforts to improve the quality of the waterways in Metro Manila and prevent both domestic and industrial waste from being dumped into the water.
Works Cited
Alave, Kristine. “Water, Water Everywhere, and Much of It Polluted.” Inquirer. 2012. Web.
Gorme, Joan, et al. “The Water Quality of the Pasig River in the City of Manila, Philippines: Current Status, Management and Future Recovery.” Environmental Engineering Research, vol. 15, no. 3, 2010, pp. 173-179.
Marrone, Rhonda. “Water Pollution in the Philippines: Causes and Solutions.” Borgen Magazine. 2016. Web.
Raflores, Lilia, and Ram Krisha Regmi. Understanding the Water and Urban Environment of a Megacity: The Case of Metro Manila, Philippines. 2015. Web.
Ranada, Pia. “Metro Creeks: Less Trash, But Water Quality Not Improving.” Rappler. 2014. Web.
Texas Water Development Board. Developing a Water Conservation Public Awareness Program: A Guide for Utilities. 2010. Web.
In contemporary society, plastic contamination has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The primary challenge is the production and use of plastic products, which overwhelm the environment’s capacity to withstand. The most affected areas include the Asian countries and developing states, which do not have efficient garbage gathering systems. However, even the first-world nations have low recycling rates and do not fully invest in the collection. The usage of plastic has become deeply embedded in everyday culture, from consumer products to electronic equipment. It is also used in construction and heavy industry and the manufacture of automobiles (Carney Almroth & Eggert, 2019). It is essentially a problem that cannot be solved at a national level; there is a great need for the international community’s cooperation. The primary causative agents include inappropriate discarding of the junk from materials such as fishing nets and plain trash. The most significant source of plastic pollution is improper disposal because it is the easiest to manage directly.
Causative Agents
Plastic pollution occurs when its products gather in an area and negatively affect the natural environment, causing problems to humans, plants, and wildlife. Plastic’s long durability and low biodegradation rate make it a toxic pollutant. There are three main types of plastic debris: mega, macro and micro-plastics. The most significant damage on land and sea has been caused by the first and the last, accumulating in high densities. Usually, macro and mega-plastics are found in domestic items such as footwear and packaging discarded in landfills (Carney Almroth & Eggert, 2019). Fishing-related waste is mostly dumped on isolated islands and classified as primary or secondary, depending on their degradation level.
Ideally, one assumes that the problem can be easily managed by recycling or cleaning empty bottles. However, the garbage size can vary from huge ones to microscopic ones whose ill effects are irreversible. One such cause is plain old trash, which is everywhere, even on items where one cannot typically expect to find. The milk cartons are lined with plastic, similar to water bottles, which people use almost in any setting (Biswal & Kar, 2020). Other products may contain tiny plastic beads, which are equally toxic to the environment, especially aquatic life. Each time these items are thrown away, the harmful pollutants enter the environment and get absorbed, causing more significant harm. The challenge is worsened by landfills and trash dumps, which allow the materials into the ground affecting groundwater for extended durations (Biswal & Kar, 2020). The chemical bonds that hold plastic particles together are long-lasting, making them difficult to decompose. Hence, the damage will be felt far into the future since every particle that has ever been manufactured and dumped still exists.
Other harmful agents include fishing nets and disposal procedures of plastic garbage. Countless people eat fish for their daily survival, either for food or the economic role it plays. However, the fishing equipment and nets used for large-scale trolling operations are plastic and leak toxins due to the prolonged period underwater. Some further get broken, lost, abandoned, pollute the water, harm local wildlife, and trap marine animals, swallowing the toxic particles (Napper & Thompson, 2020). Additionally, plastic waste disposal is often ineffectively managed, and most of it ends in landfills. It cannot be burned because of air contamination, and the process of recycling equally results in plastic irritants. Rapid urbanization and industrialization contribute significantly to its overuse in the world. There is hence excessive demand for cheap plastic, which is durable and serves myriads of tasks. Consequently, it leads to greater production to meet the needs in everyday life.
References
Biswal, T., & Kar, P. K. (2020). Plastic pollution and its effect on the environment. In K. A. Wani et al. (Eds.), Handbook of research on environmental and human health impacts of plastic pollution (pp. 1−28). IGI Global.
Carney Almroth, B., & Eggert, H. (2019). Marine plastic pollution: Sources, impacts, and policy issues. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, 13(2), 317−326.
Napper, I. E., & Thompson, R. C. (2020). Plastic debris in the marine environment: History and future challenges. Global Challenges, 4(6), 1900081.
Leadership can be defined as the conditions for the formation, manifestation and the development of the leader’s authority as well as the recognition of the leader’s merits, qualifications, experiences and favorable human qualities. In that regard, it can be stated that among the aspects expected form the leader quality decisions takes the most important position, followed by the perception of the followers toward such decisions. Considering the aforementioned, this paper analyzes the process of making a decision based on the case study, in which a decision should be made on whether to use the existing outdated equipment to monitor pollution emissions, or buying a new piece of equipment, an Emission Systems Monitoring Instrument (ESMI), which is capable of making precise measurements, but costs money and might lead to fail the deadline (Denhardt & Denhardt, 2009, p. 362). The decision will be analyzed based on the Vroom-Yetton model, stating that the consultative leadership style will suit the described situation the best.
The Vroom-Yetton model is oriented toward a single aspect of leadership behavior, which is the involvement of the followers to participate in the process of making a decision. In that regard, the situation should be assed in accordance with several criteria, after which a model of behavior will be selected, which will establish the appropriate level and pattern of delegation.
In assessing the situation, the vital aspects are: the quality of the decision, the commitment of the subordinates, the knowledge of the leader, the structure of the problem, the probability of subordinates’ commitment, sharing the organizational goal, the likelihood of a conflict between subordinates, and subordinates knowledge. Thus, following such factors, it can be stated that the decision quality is of vital importance in this decision, where the collected data will be used in a presidential decision making process.
In terms of commitment, it can be stated that the commitment of the subordinate to the decision is also of importance, where their experience will help in working with the obtained information in either cases. Nevertheless, it can be stated that it is of high probability that the subordinates will follow the decision and be committed to it, even if it is made only by the leader. At the same time, the leader does not have sufficient information to make the decision on his/her own, as he/she is not familiar with the new equipment, does not have knowledge of the necessary degree or precision, or the precision that the outdated equipment can provide. The latter can contribute to the problem being not well structured, where there are many vague aspects in the problem, such as the economic reasonability of buying the new equipment, with the only information being available from the rest of the team. Thus, it can be stated that not all of the problem’s aspects are clear.
Describing the subordinates, it can be stated that they share the organizational goals, when solving the problem, and as indicated in the case they are highly committed to the goals of the agency. Moreover, the conflict is not likely among them as they all agreed in the opinion that they provided. At the same time it can be stated that they have sufficient information to make a high quality decision, being the more experienced in that field.
Thus, the aforementioned description will imply that the factors of the decision will be structured as follows:
Such description implies that the best pattern of delegation is CII, which sharing the problem with the subordinates in a group meeting, obtaining their ideas and suggestions, and making the decision alone (Denhardt & Denhardt, 2009, p. 355). Such decision reflects a consultative leadership style, following, which it can be assumed that the leader will have better information regarding all the available options.
It can be concluded that the Vroom-Yetton model is a helpful tool to decide, which style to adopt when making a decision, specifically in terms of the degree of the subordinates involvement in such process. According to the model, it was found out that the best style suitable for the situation described in the paper is the consultative leadership style. This style implies that the leader will consult the subordinates in a group meeting, while the decision will be made alone, which might or might not reflect the subordinates’ influence.
References
Denhardt, R. B., & Denhardt, J. V. (2009). Public administration : an action orientation (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Different countries are becoming more concerned about environmental preservation, conservation, and restoration; the main environmental pollutants are human beings as they undertake different activities. When human beings destroy nature, it affects the lives of the current generation and that of future generations negatively. Different players in marina/ boatyards/docking facilities lead to environmental damage; they include employees, the owners of boats and the public who use the facility.
To prevent and conserve the environment, a program that adheres to SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) needs to be implemented (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 2010). This paper discusses factors to include in comprehensive, multimedia pollution prevention employees, the owners of boats, and the public that utilize docking facilities in Florida.
Training on Expectations of SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan)
The success of the project will be realized after every party is educated on the expectation that an SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) has over him or her in the role that he plays in the pollution. Employees are the custodian of a yard thus; they have the main responsibility of ensuring that the place keeps high standards and avoids wastes into water bodies. They need to be trained in the following areas:
Good housekeeping practices
Employees are supposed to keep their working conditions favorable, clean, and orderly; the practice should be administered in such a way that potential pollutants do not get into contact with stormwater. Having a well-kept house is the initial stage of proper conservation. Employees should be trained on proper methods and their adherence supervised; when the business is clean and seems to adhere to environmental conservation, then other parties encountering the facility are likely to respect the environment as a result.
Spill prevention and response procedures
In course of operation, there are chances of spills, employees should be trained on how to prevent chances of spills from plants and when they occur they should be shown on how to respond and avoid damage from the plan. Some pollution can be prevented when there is a quick response to wastes that have occurred; staff should be training on the best response mode to use when faced with a spillage; they should know the parties to consult, and how to take-care of manageable spills (Dodson, 1999).
Waste minimization practices
Maintaining efficiency in an organization will go a long way in conserving the environment as less and fewer wastes will be produced. The training program will involve training of best production models that can maintain high levels of efficiency and reduce wastes. Some wastes can be recycled while others need special disposal, employees should be trained on the difference and the best way of waste manages.
Informing customers
To conserve the environment, it is not a one-man show, it calls for intervention and interaction of all parties involved. In the case of docking facilities, customers and the public, need to be involved in the conservation program. Staffs need to be trained on how to approach customers and explain to them the need to conserve the environment. The approach may be different from the business approach since there is an element of compliance that the staff will have to let the customer know that it has to be maintained.
Facility policies
The program will only work if there are policies and regulations put in place: staffs need to understand and know the policies they are operating with; it is through an in-depth understanding that they can adhere to the policies, rules and master the game. Having the staff with an understanding of how the program should run, the next training should be on the owners of boats that rent slips, and the public that utilizes docking facilities; they need to be incorporated in the programs to see its success. SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) advocates for the inclusion of all parties to a certain pollution provision to look for a lasting solution. The parties should interact and collaborate for the general good of the program. This category of people needs to be trained in the following areas:
Inventory of Exposed Significant Materials
The internal processes and adjustments made results in coming up with methods of disposing of significant materials that can damage the environment. The users of the facility should be educated on how to use the facilities; the need for the facilities also need to be explained so as they do not see the move as meant to control their activities in the docking area. Oils, manufacturing spills, and wastes need to be managed effectively, the restaurant/bar users, houses outdoor pressure washing areas users, material handlers and storage areas operators, blasting and painting operators, engine maintenance and repair areas, welding and fabrication areas, and dry-dock facilities should all have disposing points that the users will understand. Owners of these business points are the main target as to when they have been trained on the need of the facility, it is expected that they will pass the message to their employees and customers, and then the cycle continues.
Description of Industrial Activities & Significant Material Storage Areas
All players need to be trained in significant areas of business so as they can handle them with care and beware of the potential they have in causing damage. When people understand how different processes work, they are likely to adhere to the best standards as required by SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan). Different areas have different capacities of polluting thus the significance of either area should be interpolated.
List of Significant Spills
People are ignorant of activities and functions that can lead to pollution, they should be trained on possible spills and the responsive method they should adopt in case a spill occurs. When people know the results of a certain activity, they are likely to hold it with care to prevent spills from the facility.
In the training section, it is important to have a section with the owners of different working points and seek their support on the program. They have the major role to play in that they will see policy documented implemented (ECAR, 2010).
Conclusion
In course of production, wastes are produced which if not effectively disposed of pollutes the environment; SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) aims at involving all parties to a production to devise and implement an effective conservation plan. When the program has been developed, the initial stage is to train, employees, customers, and owners of the business of the expectations of the program.
References
Dodson, D.(1999). Storm water pollution control: municipal, industrial, and constructing NPDES compliance. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
ECAR.(2010). ECAR Fact Sheet Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Web.
Michigan Department of Envriometal Quality. (2010). STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (SWPPP). Web.
