Justin Kwok Jonathan Frankman Parag Joshi Eric Simmons.

Justin KwokJonathan Frankman

Parag JoshiEric Simmons

Agricultural pollution is defined as any toxic pollution that is created from the direct actions of agriculture

Different manifestations of agricultural pollution are:Fertilizer and nitrate runoffPesticidesSlurry (undiluted animal manure)Water pollution

Nitrates are used commonly as fertilizer and are applied to soil in order to enrich it and increase crop productivity

The two most common form of nitrates are: ammonium and ammonium nitrate

Together the two are used greatly in farming communities to enrich the soil

Animal wastes are also used as fertilizer in farms

Nitrates and fertilizer, when applied to a field will not always get absorbed.

When the levels of nitrate in the ground exceed the levels of nitrate that are absorbed by the plants, the remaining nitrates can potentially seep through the soil and contaminate groundwater and underground water sources

Nitrates are know to be carcinogenic and are known to cause cancer

Consuming nitrates can also lead to methemoglobinemia which can cause organ failure because the blood loses its ability to deliver oxygen to the rest of the body.

Nitrates can also disrupt normal endocrine functions and can disrupt a person thyroid glands

Pesticides are another leading component of agricultural pollution Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are chemicals that are

used in agriculture in order to get rid of unwanted weeds and bugs.

Pesticides contain harmful chemicals and are therefore an immediate contributor of pollution

The graph below shows the levels of nitrates in rivers and other bodies of water

When pesticides are sprayed on a crop, it affects the entire ecosystem Insects are killed by

pesticide Small animals that eat

insects get infected Birds that eat small

animals get infected and their offspring die because of chemical affects

As you will see, entire ecosystems are affected when pesticides are sprayed.

Many dangerous pesticides have already been banned DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) was used widely as a pesticide through the late 30’s all the way through 1979

DDT was a carcinogen, caused lymphoma and was a factor of breast cancer in women

Due to efforts by Rachel Carson DDT was banned in 1972

Slurry is a mixture of many substances, especially water and assorted animal manure that is used as fertilizer

Animal wastes, used for their high nitrate levels, contain high levels of ammonia which is toxic to the atmosphere.

Nowadays, laws are being passed in order to minimize the nasty effects of agricultural pollution.The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and

Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations 1991, are laws that regulate how slurry is to handled and used.Contains specifics for amount to be used and how to

safely store slurry The Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act set standards for:

The Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act set standards for:the manufacture of Paris green, lead arsenate,

insecticides, and fungicides, and also provided for inspections, seizure of adulterated or misbranded products, and prosecution of violators.

People exposed to these toxins at sufficient concentrations and durations have an increased chance of getting cancer and other negative health effects. Other effects include kidney and liver damage, skin rashes, asthma and chronic bronchitis, developmental problems in children, birth defects, cough and throat irritation.

These effects can include damage to immune system as well as neurological, reproductive, developmental, respiratory and other problems.

Some toxic air pollutants can be deposited onto soils or water surfaces

Pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects.

Examples include benzene which is found in gasoline, perchlorethlyne emitted from dry cleaning facilities, and methylene chloride which is a solvent and paint stripper. Other air polutants include dioxin, asbestos, toluene, cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead compounds.

Most toxins originate from human-made sources including cars, trucks, buses, factories, refineries, power plants, some building materials and cleaning solvents.

Some toxic air is also released from natural sources such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires.

Breathing contaminated air.

Eating contaminated food such as meat, milk, or eggs from animals that fed on contaminated plants; fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil on which air toxins have deposited.

Drinking water contaminatated by toxic air pollutants.

Ingesting contaminated soil, typically young children are especially vulnerable to this type.

Touching by skin contaminated soil, dust, or water.

It has issued rules covering over 80 sources of major industrial pollution such as chemical plants, oil refineries, steel mills and so on. It is estimated to reduce annual air toxins by 1.5 million tons annually.

It has reformulated gasoline to reduce certain emissions. New controls for fuels and vehicles expect to reduce selected toxins by 75% by 2020.

It is actively involved in efforts to reduce people’s exposure to air pollutants in offices, homes, schools and other indoor environments.

Nuclear Pollution – Pollution created as a byproduct from the use of nuclear elements or the manufacture of nuclear energy.

Nuclear Power/Energy is not clean or green.Dangerous gases such as krypton, xenon, and

argon can mutate the genes in egg and sperm cells which can cause genetic diseases.

The 442 nuclear reactors around the world manufactures 33 metric tons of thermally hot, intensely radioactive waste per year.

80,000 metric tons (176,400,000 pounds) of radioactive waste are sitting in cooling pools next to the 103 nuclear reactors in the U.S.

There is a long term storage problem. Where would all the deposits go?

The National Academy of Science shows that the nuclear waste could be the target of terrorist attacks while being transported to a storage facility that is yet to be decided.

There are many dangerous and radioactive elements produced.

The 4 most deadly among them are Iodine 131, Strontium 90, Cesium 137, and Plutonium 239.

Radioactive for 6 weeks.

Bio-concentrates in vegetables and milk.

Induces thyroid cancer.

Radioactive for 600 years.

Concentrates in cow and goat milk.

Induces breast cancer, bone cancer, and leukemia.

Radioactive for 600 years.

Concentrates in meat.

Induces a muscle cancer called sarcoma.

One of the most deadly elements known to man.

Radioactive for 500,000 years.

Induces liver cancer, bone cancer, lung cancer, testicular, cancer and future genetic diseases.

Fuel for nuclear weapons.

Nuclear waste will have a lasting impact on many generations to come.

It produces global warming gases.It costs more than any other form of

electricity generation.

An estimated 50% of all the pollution in

America comes from America's Industry.

It’s a major problem for newly industrialized

countries like China.

Industry was built for mass production but

results in mass pollution.

Many new countries are industrializing.

There is no protection or standards for the

environment .

Like America's and Europe's Industrial

Revolution, there will be a major spike in

pollution.

Industrial Pollution is the main contributor to

Global Warming other than automobiles.

Global Warming spiked when the Industrial

Revolution began in 1860.

Fund/Join associations dedicated to keeping the environment clean

Recycle Bottles, oil, computers, cardboard...etc.

If Pollution is brought into check we could see:Cleaner rivers and aquifers Cleaner airMore plentiful water supplyMore plentiful and cleaner crops

The grammar isn’t perfect