1.5 Humans and pollution

TOPIC 1.5: HUMANS AND POLLUTION

A pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource. A pollutant may cause long- or short-term damage by changing the growth rate of plant or animal species, or by interfering with human amenities, comfort, health, or property values (wikipedia.com).

Most cases of non-point source pollution exemplify well the intractable ethical problem of the “tragedy of the commons”. That is to say, an individual polluting a common resource suffers little themselves from their own pollution and yet may benefit considerably in other ways.

The interactions within the environment may be changed or damaged by human activity. Today, we are probably more conscious of the environment than ever before, but significant damage has already been done. Many of these activities continue today. Industrial processes, burning of fossil fuels, agricultural production, and growing population pressures all increased levels of pollution. Incidents such the Fukashima Powerplant and Deep Water Horizon may grab big headlines, but just as important are the many small acts which added together increase the impact on a habitat

In this unit you will understand the concept of pollution, how pollution is formed, pollution management strategies, This unit is 2.5 hours.

Significant Ideas

Pollution is a highly diverse phenomenon of human disturbance in ecosystems.
Pollution management strategies can be applied at different levels.

Big questions:

What strengths and weaknesses of the systems approach and the use of models have been revealed through this topic?
What value systems can you identify at play in the causes and approaches to resolving the issues addressed in this topic?
How can systems diagrams be used to show the impact of pollution on environmental and social systems?
How do EVSs influence the choice and implementation of pollution management strategies?

Knowledge and Understanding

1.5.U1 Pollution is the addition of a substance or an agent to an environment through human activity, at a rate greater than that at which it can be rendered harmless by the environment, and which has an appreciable effect on the organisms in the environment.
[The term pollutant and contaminant in environmental chemistry are considered more or less synonymous]

Define pollution.
Discuss the different human activities that are the sources of pollution

Pollution is the release into the environment of a substance or an agent by human activities at a rate at which it cannot be rendered harmless.

Pollution can be natural, deliberate, or may be accidental. It includes the release of substances that affect air, water, and soil, and which reduces the human quality of life.

1.5.U2 Pollutants may be in the form of organic or inorganic substances, light, sound or thermal energy, biological agents or invasive species, and may derive from a wide range of human activities including the combustion of fossil fuels.

Discuss the different types of pollution – organic, inorganic, persistent, biodegradable, acute, chronic, primary, and secondary.
Discuss what form pollution can take (light, sound, particulate, thermal, gas, liquid, biological).
Give an example of each of the different types of pollutants: organic, inorganic, light, sound, thermal, biological agent, invasive species.

Sources of pollutants are the combustion of fossil fuels, domestic and industrial waste, manufacturing, and agricultural systems.

Some sources of pollutants can't be contained by natural boundaries and therefore can act either locally, regionally or globally such as acid rain
You are expected to be able to construct system diagrams to show the impact of pollutants

U 1.5.3 Pollution may be non-point or point source, persistent or biodegradable, acute or chronic.
[Pollution which arises from numerous widely dispersed origins is described as a non-point source. Point source pollution arises from a single clearly identifiable site]
[Biodegradable means capable of being broken down by natural biological processes]

Distinguish between point and non-point source pollution.
Distinguish between persistent and biodegradable,
Distinguish between acute and chronic

Point source pollution is generally more easily managed because its impact is more localized, making it easier to control emission, attribute responsibility, and take legal action.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs):

Organic compounds do not break down in the environment through chemical, biological, and light processes. Because of their persistence, POPs bioaccumulate with potentially significant impacts on human health and the environment. The effect of POPs on human and environmental health was discussed, with the intention to eliminate or severely restrict their production, by the international community at the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001.

Many POPs are currently or were in the past used as pesticides, solvents, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. Although some POPs arise naturally, for example, volcanoes and various biosynthetic pathways, most are man-made

Biodegradable pollutants

Decay or breakdown of pollution occurs when microorganisms use an organic substance as a source of carbon and energy. The products are rendered harmless by natural processes and so cause no permanent harm.

Acute pollutants

Pollution of significance occurs suddenly and should take into account the worst-case discharge scenario from the facility. Typical examples are larger oil spills due to pipe rupture or a blow out from a well.

Chronic pollutants

A persistent release of a pollutant at a low concentration resulting in adverse effects on the animal or the human body with symptoms that develop slowly, due to long and continuous exposure to low concentrations of a hazardous substance. Such symptoms do not usually subside when the exposure stops.

1.5.U4 Pollutants may be primary (active on emission) or secondary (arising from primary pollutants undergoing physical or chemical change).

Distinguish between primary and secondary pollutant
Give specific examples of primary and secondary pollution

Pollutants are classified as primary or secondary based on their characteristics while they are emitted and physical/chemical changes they undergo while in the environment.

The pollutants emitted into the environment directly from the identifiable sources and remain unchanged within that environment are known as primary pollutants.

The pollutants which undergo chemical changes in the environment as a result of reactions among two or more pollutants are called secondary pollutants.

The pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulates are recognized as primary pollutants while several other air pollutants are categorized as secondary pollutants.

1.5.U5 Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) exemplifies a conflict between the utility of a “pollutant” and its effect on the environment.

Evaluate the conflict between the utility of DDT and its effect on the environment.
Explain how DDT exemplifies a conflict between the utility of a pollutant and its effect on the environment

DDT was developed as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides in the 1940s. It was initially used with great effect to combat malaria, typhus, and other insect-borne human diseases among both military and civilian populations and for insect control in crop and livestock production, institutions, homes, and gardens.

quick success led to the development of resistance by many insect pest species.
persistent organic pollutants that are extremely hydrophilic and strongly absorbed by the soil
has a soil half-life range from 22 days to 30 years
banned after the publishing of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Stockholm Convention banned DDT internationally for agriculture but not for disease control

Rachel Carson highlighted the dangers of DDT in her groundbreaking 1962 book Silent Spring. Carson used DDT to tell the broader story of the disastrous consequences of the overuse of insecticides and raised enough concern from her testimony before Congress to trigger the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Her work attracted outrage from the pesticide industry and others. Her credibility as a scientist was attacked, and she was derided as “hysterical,” despite her fact-based assertions and calm and scholarly demeanor. Following the hearings, President Kennedy convened a committee to review the evidence Carson presented. The committee's review completely vindicating her findings.

The use of DDT for malaria has many pros and cons that cause environmentalists, health organizations, and governments to fall on either side of the fence. The main questions to ask in this nuanced argument is whether the long-term health and ecological impacts of DDT outweigh the health benefits of DDT for malaria and whether there are alternatives that might work better at a lower cost.

Application

1.5.A1 Evaluate the effectiveness of each of the three different levels of intervention, with reference to Figure 3.[With reference to figure 3, students should appreciate the advantages of employing the earlier strategies of pollution management over the later ones and the importance of collaboration]

Pollutants are produced through human activities and create long-term effects when released into ecosystems. Strategies for reducing these impacts can be directed at three different levels in the process:

Change the human activity that generates the pollutant in the first place.

this is the most proactive/preventative strategy because the pollutant is not created (or less of it is created) in the first place
tends to be difficult to achieve because it’s necessary to change the behavior of people, businesses, and/or governments

Minimize the amount of pollutants released into the environment.

this is the next most proactive/preventative strategy because the pollutant is controlled at the place where it is released
this strategy is frequently adopted by government agencies that regulate industries because monitoring is easiest at the place of emission
this strategy fails to fully address the problem because the pollutant is still being produced

Clean up the pollutant and the affected areas after the pollutant has been released.

this is a reactive strategy and tends to be very expensive; it also usually takes a very long time to implement
Sometimes it may not be scientifically possible
this strategy does not solve the problem

Using Figure 3 shows the value and limitations of each of the three different levels of intervention. Appreciate the advantages of employing the earlier strategies over the later ones and the importance of collaboration in the effective management of pollution.

Pollution management depends on all of the individuals involved. If there are associated costs then it becomes harder to persuade people of the benefits of pollution management.

In many LEDC's, limited infrastructures such as the removal of domestic waste can become a major issue. Societies' awareness of problems and cultural acceptances can also impact pollution management.

Cultural values, political systems, and economic systems will influence the choice of pollution management strategies and their effective implementation. Real examples should be considered.

Cultural factors: if society adopts an 'out of sight, out of mind' approach then individuals would be more likely to dispose of pollution in a more hazardous way.
Political: weak regulation and lack of enforcement in LEDC’s; strong corporate involvement and lobbying in policy decisions in MEDC’s
Economic: pollution can be promoted if the environment is seen as a free resource; the cost of reducing or cleaning pollution would reduce the likelihoods of solving the pollution problem

You need to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of each of the three different levels of intervention. The principles of this figure should be used through the course when addressing issues of pollution. You should appreciate the advantages of employing the earlier strategies of pollution management over the later ones and the importance of collaboration.

1.5.A2 Evaluate the uses of DDT.
[Students might demonstrate knowledge of both the anti-malarial and agricultural use of DDT]

Disadvantages of DDT

Lead to premature birth, low birth weight and abnormal mental development of infants
Alternatives methods of pest control exist
Would affect other wildlife
Significant ecological effects
The effects of accumulation in human tissue are not fully known
Loss and degradation of soil

Advantages of DDT

Broad-spectrum
Non-toxic
Highly persistent giving long-lasting effect
Safe if used properly
Alternatives are not as effective
DDT significantly reduce malaria death e.g. in Ecuador between 1993-1995, the increased use of DDT= 61% reduction in malaria
250 million/year of Malaria death
Banning of DDT equal to an increase in malaria and resurgence of mosquitoes

Skills

1.5.S1 Construct systems diagrams to show the impact of pollutants.

System diagrams allow individuals to visualize
and understand how processes work and how they might be improved. A process flow
diagram visually depicts:

Inputs of the process or activity, which include energy and other resources consumed and raw materials and chemicals used;
Step-by-step process flows;
Decision points (e.g., on alternate methods);
Process outputs, which include products or services, air emissions, noise, odor, radiation, wastewater discharges, solid waste, and hazardous wastes

Classroom Material
Pollution Case Study activity
World asks town that banned the plastic bag article
Impacts of Pollution on Biota IA
To Spray or Not to Spray activity
Cap and Trade video worksheet

Powerpoint and Notes Adapted from Brad Kremer, P Brooks and Ms. McCrindle

Correct use of terminology is a key skill in ESS. It is essential to use key terms correctly when communicating your understanding, particularly in assessments. Use the quizlet flashcards or other tools such as learn, scatter, space race, speller and test to help you master the vocabulary.

Useful Links

Topic 5.1: Nature of pollution, part 1 - NicheScience
Pollution Threats - WWF
Interactive Carbon Lab - Learners
Virtual LD 50 Lab - Mr. Dove's Online Class
Cosmetics Database - Skin Deep
Score Card - Good Guide
Texas Superfund Sites - EPA
EPA Brownfields - EPA
Pollution Scenarios - Oregon State University
Hazardous Waste Half-Life - National Geographic
Stockholm Convention -UNIDO
Superfund Act - Wikipedia
Rachel Carson - Fish and Wildlife Service
DDT: A Brief History - EPA
DDT - PAN UK
How Green Am I quiz

In The News
Pollution: A Life and Death Issue - BBC News 13 Dec 2004
Poisoned Places - NPR
Estrogen in the Oceans - Oceanus Magazine December 2, 2011
Chemicals Cause Parkinson's - ScienceAGoGo 10 November 2011
Natures Way of Showing off Pollution - New York Times December 19, 2011
Lead Poisoning in Children - NPR January 05, 2012
Yep, There's Lead in lipstick - NPR February 15, 2012
Pharma in the Waterways Impacting Fish Behavior - ScienceAGoGo 14 February 2013
Call for Conflict Free Gadgets - BBC Magazine 19 January 2012
DDT: Pesticide linked to Alzheimer's - BBC News 8 January 2014
W.H.O. Supports Wider Use of DDT vs. Malaria - New York Times 16 Sep 2006
How 'Silent Spring' Ignited the Environmental Movement - New York Times 21 Sep 2012
Lingering legacies for Earth Day 2010: U.S. food still tainted with old chemicals - Environmental Health News April 22, 2010
Bee studies stir up pesticide debate - Nature, 22 April 2015

Cadmium Case Study
Foundry Cove Case Study
Foundry Cove
Case Study

Cadmium Pollution Case Study
Overview of Cadmium in Food
Cadmium in Hunan-grown Rice
Guangzhou-grown Rice
PRC's Response
Electronic Waste Leads to Cadmium Pollution

Bhutan Case Study
Conservation
Carbon Neutral
How Bhutan is grappling with climate change

Rwanda
No Plastic Bags

TOK

Experts sometimes disagree about pollution management strategies—on what basis might we decide between the judgments of the experts if they disagree?

Video Clips

Hank talks about the last major way humans are impacting the environment in this penultimate episode of Crash Course Ecology. Pollution takes many forms - from the simplest piece of litter to the more complex endocrine distruptors - and ultimately, humans are responsible for it all.

This video concentrates on the effects of Air, Water, and Land Pollution. Landfills are very detrimental to our land Ecosystems. Oil Spills affect our seas and oceans, while we pollute the air with our terrible chemicals and smokestacks. In this quick documentary, you will learn about all these things, and more,

We’ve all been told that we should recycle plastic bottles and containers. But what actually happens to the plastic if we just throw it away? Emma Bryce traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles, shedding light on the dangers these disposables present to our world.

An environmental catastrophe caused by a mining disaster in Brazil has left 11 dead, 12 missing and some 600 displaced. Mining waste containing arsenic, zinc, copper, and mercury turned Bento Rodrigues into a ghost town and is devastating the drinking water of towns across two states.

Around the globe, scientists are racing to solve a series of mysteries. Unsettling transformations are sweeping across the planet, and clue by clue, investigators around the world are assembling a new picture of Earth, discovering ways that seemingly disparate events are connected

How do you want to see the environment? Greenfields or Brownfields

The Story of Cap & Trade is a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the leading climate solution being discussed at Copenhagen and on Capitol Hill. Host Annie Leonard introduces the energy traders and Wall Street financiers at the heart of this scheme and reveals the "devils in the details" in current cap and trade proposals.

Can we commit our bodies to a cleaner, greener Earth, even after death? Naturally -- using a special burial suit seeded with pollution-gobbling mushrooms

Historical clips on DDT, Rachel Carson, and science explaining why humans pollute.

John Stosell and Richard Tren detail how the DDT ban, a great victory for environmentalism, has led to a multitude of deaths throughout the world

It's a chemical that started the debate over the ill effects of pesticides and insecticides on human health years back. But the hard fact is that the most controversial Persistent Organic Pollutant DDT, which is banned by almost every country in the world is still being used widely in India. In fact, even after having credible scientific evidence of its ill impact on ecology and human health, India is the only country manufacturing this pesticide.

Humans and Pollution (1.5)

Notes: Humans and Pollution (1.5)

Pollution Categories

Point vs Non-point Source
Point vs non-point water pollution
What is a non-point source pollution

Acute vs Chronic Pollutants
Acute vs Chronic Pollutants

POPs vs Biodegradeable
Persistent Organic Pollutants
Biodegradable wastes causes harm?

Direct vs Indirect Measurement
Direct Exposure Measurement tools

DDT Case Study Resources

DDT, Eggshells, and me

Pro Banning
DDT Story- Pesticide Action Network
25 Years After DDT Ban- Environmental Defense Fund

Against Banning
Bring Back DDT!- Science Magazine Editorial
DDT Used with Caution- Scientific American
Malaria Victims- Discover the Network

Pollution Management Strategies

Pollution Management and Environmental Health Program - World Bank
Pollution Prevention (P2) - EPA