Highlights
Environmental pollution is contamination of air, water and land from man-made waste. Pollution leads to depletion of the ozone layer, global warming and climate change. Air pollution is the release of chemicals and particles into the atmosphere. Water pollution includes surface runoff, leakage into groundwater, liquid spills, wastewater discharge and littering. If toxins are spilled on the ground or if an underground storage tank leaks, soil can become contaminated. Well known contaminants include herbicides and pesticides. Toxic waste is waste material, often in chemical form, which pollutes the natural environment and contaminates groundwater.
Other types of pollution include ocean...
Other types of pollution include ocean...
Environmental pollution is contamination of air, water and land from man-made waste. Pollution leads to depletion of the ozone layer, global warming and climate change. Air pollution is the release of chemicals and particles into the atmosphere. Water pollution includes surface runoff, leakage into groundwater, liquid spills, wastewater discharge and littering. If toxins are spilled on the ground or if an underground storage tank leaks, soil can become contaminated. Well known contaminants include herbicides and pesticides. Toxic waste is waste material, often in chemical form, which pollutes the natural environment and contaminates groundwater.
Other types of pollution include ocean pollution and noise pollution. Environmental pollution can have a deadly effect on humans and ecosystems. For example, cigarette smoke, including second-hand smoke, causes cancer, emphysema, stroke and heart attack. Drinking water can become contaminated by untreated sewage, rashes and skin problems occur due to oil spills, while excessive noise can cause hearing loss. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 to put a limit on the amount of pollutants in the air. Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1963, the Noise Control Act in 1972 and the Clean Water Act in 1977. Pollution is a bigger concern in other parts of the world, especially developing countries. Time Magazine reported in 2007 that the most polluted spots in the world included China, India, Peru and Russia.
Other types of pollution include ocean pollution and noise pollution. Environmental pollution can have a deadly effect on humans and ecosystems. For example, cigarette smoke, including second-hand smoke, causes cancer, emphysema, stroke and heart attack. Drinking water can become contaminated by untreated sewage, rashes and skin problems occur due to oil spills, while excessive noise can cause hearing loss. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 to put a limit on the amount of pollutants in the air. Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1963, the Noise Control Act in 1972 and the Clean Water Act in 1977. Pollution is a bigger concern in other parts of the world, especially developing countries. Time Magazine reported in 2007 that the most polluted spots in the world included China, India, Peru and Russia.
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Activists say EPA rule change on mine waste near streams is Bush 'parting gift' to industry
Associated Press WriterMORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) _ Angry environmentalists launched an online campaign Wednesday urging President-elect Barack Obama to undo a federal rule that clarifies when coal companies can dump mining waste in streams, calling it a long-awaited "parting gift"...Tags: North Carolina, Kentucky, Barack Obama, Coal, Water Pollution
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Greenhouse gas emissions increased in US by 1.4 percent last year after declining in 2006
Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON (AP) _ The amount of U.S. greenhouse gases flowing into the atmosphere, mainly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, increased last year by 1.4 percent after a decline in 2006, the Energy Department reported Wednesday. The report said...Tags: Coal, Global Warming, Energy Resources, Natural Gas, Global Change
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Experts: Human-made underwater noise threatens endangered whales and dolphins
Associated Press WriterROME (AP) _ The songs that whales and dolphins use to communicate, orient themselves and find mates are being drowned out by human-made noises in the world's oceans, U.N. officials and environmental groups said Wednesday. That sound pollution —...Tags: Football, Wildlife, Endangered Species, Trips and Vacations, Animals
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Scientists gauge impact of drilling off Va. coast
Associated Press WriterScientists are beginning to assess what they know--and what they don't--about the environmental consequences of drilling for gas and oil in a triangular section of the Atlantic Ocean off Virginia's coast. What they learn could open more Southern coastal...Tags: Barack Obama, Water Pollution, Seafood and Fishing Industry, Disasters, Petroleum Industry
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Modular homes go green
Sentinel Staff WriterWhen home builders gather in Orlando for various trade shows, the "modular homes" erected in the Orange County Convention Center's parking lots are always a big hit. The houses go up in a matter of days, using factory-built parts, or modules, shipped...Tags: Orange County Convention Center, Research, Marketing, Energy Saving, Wages and Pensions
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U.S. imposes harsh limits on medical waste incinerators
Tribune reporterMedical waste incinerators, including one in suburban Maywood, face more stringent limits on toxic air pollution under a new federal rule hammered out after a decade-long legal battle. Most hospitals stopped burning their waste years ago after the U.S....Tags: Air Pollution, Lake Forest, Pollution, Rod Blagojevich, Environmental Politics
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Farming the Chesapeake
As watermen have done for decades, Ronny Jetmore guides his small boat into a creek off the Patuxent River to tong oysters from the bottom.
Oysters, once so bountiful in the Chesapeake Bay that their shells were used to pave roads, have become scarce...Tags: Restaurants, Morgan State University, Seafood and Fishing Industry, Colleges and Universities, Aquaculture
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High Court Turns Down Appeal For L.I. Sound Pipeline
Associated PressThe Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a pipeline company over denial of environmental permits for a proposed natural gas pipeline through Long Island Sound. Connecticut regulators refused to issue permits for the 50-mile project to Islander...Tags: Long Island, Local Authority, Water Pollution, Energy Saving, Long Island Sound
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Habits bad for the environment
So which of our habits is the worst enemy to the environment? For now, here's a look at some of our most common environmental transgressions, starting with the biggies.
HOME ENERGY
Consumption The average Chicago household uses 5,400 kilowatt hours of...Tags: Hybrid Vehicles, Marketing, Newspaper and Magazine, Nuclear Power, Passenger Cars
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Supreme Court won't disturb Conn. decision to deny permit for Long Island Sound gas pipeline
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from a pipeline company over denial of environmental permits for a proposed natural gas pipeline through Long Island Sound. Connecticut regulators refused to issue permits for the 50-...Tags: Long Island, Local Authority, Water Pollution, Keyspan, Energy Saving
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A roundup of editorials from Michigan newspapers
Block pathways to protect Great Lakes Many Michigan residents are aware of the damage caused to the Great Lakes by the more than 150 nonnative species that have made their way into the lakes' watershed over the years. Millions of dollars have been...Tags: Court Administration, Justice System, Salvation Army, Mussels, Marine Science
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UK agency launches criminal prosecution over massive Buncefield oil depot fire 3 years ago
LONDON (AP) _ Five companies including Total UK Ltd. will face prosecution over a massive fire three years ago at an oil depot north of London, the government's Environment Agency said Monday. Criminal proceedings have also commenced against...Tags: Technology, World War II, Upstream Oil and Gas Activities, Hempstead (Hempstead, New York)
Dec 3, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 3, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 3, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 3, 2008
|Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
Dec 3, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Dec 3, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Dec 3, 2008
|Story| Baltimore Sun
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Hartford Courant
Dec 2, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Dec 1, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
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