Common Pollutants
In today’s world there are very few places, if any, that are not affected by human activities. Even in the high arctic, winds and water currents carry environmental contaminants, such as heavy metals and industrial chemicals, from the south.
Many of these environmental contaminants are not only a threat to wildlife and the natural environment, but to the health of people living in the area.
There are many different substances that are released into the environment and may pose a threat to human health.
Heavy Metals
Living things require varying amounts of some heavy metals, such as iron and zinc. Too much of these metals can be toxic to living things. Other heavy metals such as mercury and lead are not required by living things, and their accumulation over time can cause serious illness.
The most common source of heavy metal pollution is from the smelting of ores when purifying other metals. Heavy metals do not break down in the environment and can pose health and environmental risks for years.
Pesticides
The chemicals used by farmers, and on our lawns to kill weeds, insects and other pests, can pose serious environmental and health concerns if used incorrectly. Spraying pesticides on windy days, or just before it rains, or near streams and ponds, increases the chance that these chemicals will contaminate nearby water supplies putting people at risk.
Workplace Chemicals
Many potentially toxic chemicals are used and produced in various workplaces. If they are not handled or disposed of properly, they can pose a risk to the environment and human health.
Workplace Chemicals
Many potentially toxic chemicals are used and produced in various workplaces. If they are not handled or disposed of properly, they can pose a risk to the environment and human health
Some chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are highly toxic, have been banned from use because the risk to human health and the environment was too great. Many other potentially hazardous chemicals are still in daily use in the workplace. It is important to follow instructions on the MSDS for safe handling and disposal of any hazardous material.
More research
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/metalsheavy/index.html
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/contaminants/index-eng.php
Assignment One: Local Pollution
Local Pollution
Unfortunately, environmental pollution and contaminants affect every community, even your own, in some way. Research environmental pollutants in the area you live. Based on your research, which of the environmental pollutants in your area do you believe to be the most serious?
In the discussion area BELOW post your opinion on the most serious environmental pollutant in your area and the reasons for your choice. Read your classmates’ ideas and respond to at least two other post.
Assignment Two: Heavy Metals
You will research one of the following six heavy metals:
arsenic
beryllium
cadmium
chromium
lead
mercury
Then record your response to the following questions. You will put this assignment in the SVN3E courseware—”Heavy Metal”.
1. Name the heavy metal you chose and describe its physical characteristics.
2. What is the major source that this heavy metal comes from.
3. Explain how this metal can enter the body.
4. Describe any short-term health effects of poisoning by this metal.
5. Are there any long-term health effects of the metal accumulating in the body?
What can people do to minimize their exposure to this metal and reduce the risk of negative health effects?
i think that the most serious pollutint is the gass that bicks pickels is burning all the time and the chemicals that they wash in to the sewage
1. Name the heavy metal you chose and describe its physical characteristics
Mercury is a heavy, silvery-white metal.
2. What is the major source that this heavy metal
Mercury is an extremely rare element in the Earth having an average crustal abundance by mass of only 0.08 parts per million
The richest mercury contain up to 2.5% mercury mass
12,000 times average crustal abundance
The New World, and more than 100,000 tons of mercury were mined
3. Explain how this metal can enter the body
Enter the body through the respiratory tract the digestive tract or directly through the skin
4. Describe any short-term health effects of poisoning by this metal.
symptoms of mercury poisoning include peripheral neuropathy presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning or pain skin discoloration pink cheeks, fingertips and toes swelling, and desquamation shedding of ski.
Exposure to mercury can occur from breathing contaminated air
from eating foods which have acquired mercury residues during processing
5. Are there any long-term health effects of the metal accumulating in the body
Mercury primarily affects neurological tissue, resulting in numerous neurological symptoms, and also affects the kidneys and the immune system.
What can people do to minimize their exposure to this metal and reduce the risk of negative health effects?
Staaway form place that it exposed
1. Name the heavy metal you chose and describe its physical characteristics
Mercury is a heavy, silvery-white metal.
2. What is the major source that this heavy metal
Mercury is an extremely rare element in the Earth having an average crustal abundance by mass of only 0.08 parts per million
The richest mercury contain up to 2.5% mercury mass
12,000 times average crustal abundance
The New World, and more than 100,000 tons of mercury were mined
3. Explain how this metal can enter the body
Enter the body through the respiratory tract the digestive tract or directly through the skin
4. Describe any short-term health effects of poisoning by this metal.
symptoms of mercury poisoning include peripheral neuropathy presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning or pain skin discoloration pink cheeks, fingertips and toes swelling, and desquamation shedding of ski.
Exposure to mercury can occur from breathing contaminated air
from eating foods which have acquired mercury residues during processing
5. Are there any long-term health effects of the metal accumulating in the body
Mercury primarily affects neurological tissue, resulting in numerous neurological symptoms, and also affects the kidneys and the immune system.
What can people do to minimize their exposure to this metal and reduce the risk of negative health effects?
Staaway form place that it exposed
these are my answeres to the questions
1 Chromium is a chrome coloured metal and issolid and melts at (1907 oC)
2 chromium comes from rocks and soil
3. it can enter the body by ciggerettes because they put chromium in some ciggerettes and you can get it from eating food or breathing or drinking water containing chromium
4. some short term effects from chromium are controlls blood sugar, insulin levels, and fat levels
5. long term effects are type 2 dieabetes cancer, liver and kidney problems, and behaveral and phychiatric problems.