environmentalistsaxophonist-blog

[environmentalistsaxophonist-blog]

About 1/5th of Americans have been exposed more than once to unsafe drinking water in the past decade. A study by News21 of EPA data showed this scary fact (Philip). Although some of the exposures have been resolved, they found that those in rural/minority/poor towns often still do not have the funding to filter out contaminants in the water. Even in cities such as New York, exposure to bacteria and viruses occurred because of improper filtering on two occasions. Water pollution outranked both air pollution and climate change on American’s top concerns. Exposure all throughout the United States from the North to the South has made water pollution a concern. From arsenic to radioactive compounds, Americans are facing terrible water quality.

Philip, Agnel, Elizabeth Sims, Jordan Houston, and Rachel Konieczny. "63 Million Americans Exposed to Unsafe Drinking Water." USA Today. August 15, 2017. Accessed April 02, 2019. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/08/14/63-million-americans-exposed-unsafe-drinking-water/564278001/.

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In the United States, The EPA declared that over half of our rivers are considered in poor condition. Whereas only about 20% are in good standing (Bennett). Our rivers are in decline and face several issues on a day to day basis. Phosphorus and nitrogen containing compounds work against healthy plant life in these waters and then lead to soil erosion, unhealthy fish, and flooding. The same study found that 13,000 miles of river contained fish with mercury levels outside of healthy limits. This means mercury is flowing through these rivers and accumulating in these fish. Special precautions need to be maintained when fishing or using them for recreation. Our rivers are suffering and need to be maintained in a better condition.

Bennett, Dashiell. "Half of All U.S. Rivers Are Too Polluted for Our Health." The Atlantic. October 30, 2013. Accessed March 17, 2019. https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/03/half-all-us-rivers-are-too-polluted-our-health/316027/.

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According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 40% of all lakes and streams are polluted in Minnesota. This can cause effects on any town or city that gets water from these lakes or individuals who decide to swim or use them for recreation. Exposure to these pollutants is dangerous. “Statewide, the Minnesota Department of Health has detected nitrate pollution in more than 8,000 new drinking water wells. More than 1,000 had nitrate levels deemed unsafe for infants and pregnant women” (1). Impairment of water needs to be stopped before this issue spreads to more and more bodies of water. This exposure to polluted water is not as bad as Flint’s water crisis, but any exposure to pollutants has the risk of being dangerous. More measures need to be taken in order to ensure healthy waters in Minnesota.

1. Zdechlik, Mark. "Trouble in the Water: Can Minnesota Stop Polluting Its Lakes, Rivers?" Minnesota Public Radio News. May 16, 2016. Accessed March 08, 2019. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/05/16/water-can-minnesota-stop-polluting-lakes-rivers.

2. "Minnesota's Impaired Waters List." Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. February 07, 2019. Accessed March 08, 2019. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/minnesotas-impaired-waters-list.

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Thousands of fish suddenly died in the Whitewater River after heavy rains. It is thought to believe that manure and pesticides from farms washed into the river and caused the massive killing of fish. Nitrate and fecal coliform bacteria were found in the river that day which indicates pollution from the farms (Zdechlik). Runoff catches are being setup in the river to hopefully contain some of the pollution but anytime there is heavy rain the risk is still high for this to happen again. Lakes and rivers all throughout Minnesota are suffering from similar problems, whether it be from urban pollution or rural pollution.

Zdechlik, Mark. "Trouble in the Water: Can Minnesota Stop Polluting Its Lakes, Rivers?" Minnesota Public Radio News. May 16, 2016. Accessed March 08, 2019. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/05/16/water-can-minnesota-stop-polluting-lakes-rivers.

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Flint Part 2

Although things are improving in Flint, to this day residents are still receiving water from lead pipes which is hazardous and exposes them to the same risks. The government is no longer bringing bottled water door-to-door to those still affected with lead pipes. These individuals still have to purchase their own water now in order to cook and clean. Residents are going back to court to fight these injustices still. Until everyone has clean water from safe pipes, residents in Flint are still being exposed to lead and other chemicals. These chemicals from the river led to the largest outbreak of Leggionaire’s disease which killed 12 and sickened 87 (Denchak).

Denchak, Melissa. "Flint Water Crisis: Everything You Need to Know." NRDC. November 16, 2018. Accessed March 1, 2019. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know.

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Flint Part 1

A case in which water pollution was a source of environmental injustice is the Flint water crisis. The government in Flint switched the water pipelines over to the Flint River. This river served as a dumping ground for industrial wastes and was known to have contaminants in it. The river water was highly corrosive and therefore damaged the old water pipes and caused lead and other toxic particles to enter homes. The neglect by the government in Michigan allowed people to suffer for years of water pollution. This caused families to suffer and face exposure to harmful chemicals in order to shower, cook, and clean. Children and adults exposed to excess lead faced so many possible side effects including “reducing IQ and physical growth and contributing to anemia, hearing impairment, cardiovascular disease, and behavioral problems. Large doses of lead exposure in adults has been linked to high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, and reduced fertility” (Denchack).

Denchak, Melissa. "Flint Water Crisis: Everything You Need to Know." NRDC. November 16, 2018. Accessed February 28, 2019. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know.

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Water Pollution

Oil is a huge chemical pollutant in our oceans. Ships travel daily and leak some oil out everyday. Oil spills account for over 12% of oil in our oceans today (1). Even though oil spills and leaks are isolated incidents, the effects are catastrophic for the wildlife that live nearby. Birds and fish choke on the oil and causes them to die. Birds cannot fly that are covered in oil and die from it. It even blocks light so photosynthetic plants and bacteria die off too. Oil pollution is detrimental to our oceans and when oil spills happen companies need to be held more accountable to prevent them in the future. As well as cleaning up the mess that they made. 

1. "Oil Pollution in Water." Water Pollution. September 29, 2018. Accessed April 04, 2019. https://www.water-pollution.org.uk/oil-pollution-in-water/.

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Water Pollution

Reducing water pollution is very attainable, even at home if you do not live near our oceans or lakes. Anything that you can do to prevent water contamination helps out in the long run. The first thing you can do is limit the amount of plastic that you buy. It is often discarded and end up in landfills which can have negative impacts on water quality nearby. You can maintain your car to not leak any fluids or oil that are dangerous to the environment. You can properly dispose of any chemicals that you have used so it does not end up down the drain. Even something as just making sure to pick up after your dog to avoid fecal contamination when it rains. All these little things add up if we can all manage ourselves to be more green (Denchak). 

Denchak, Melissa. “Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know.” NRDC. March 27, 2019. Accessed April 04, 2019. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know#common.

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Water Pollution

Trash that is discarded without care or improper management often ends in our oceans or seas. Plastics among other trash is often very toxic to animals. This is because the plastics in our oceans often are ingested by marine animals and often entangle them as well (Ocean). If the animal is stuck in plastic it is likely to suffer as it will not be able to swim as well and suffer consequences and often die. For the animals that ingest plastic, it does not dissolve very well and often accumulates in their system via bioaccumulation until the animal dies or is rescued. Action needs to take place in order to prevent plastics and other wastes from entering our oceans. 

Ocean Cleanup. "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch." The Ocean Cleanup. Accessed April 04, 2019. https://www.theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch/.

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Water Pollution

Over the course of human history, water is sacred to life. It drives our bodies to pump our blood and diffuse nutrients to all our cells. Since our bodies rely so much on water, we need to treat Earth’s water as a precious resource. Water pollution is very common and it affects each of us as individuals. Those who pollute need to be held accountable for affecting everyone. It turns out that the Agriculture business which uses “70% of the Earth’s water surface supplies” is also the biggest source of water degradation (1). Anytime it rains, pesticides and animal wastes are transported through the water system. When these toxins runoff they often create algal blooms which are seriously toxic for all life and depletes lakes and ponds from their habitats.

Denchak, Melissa. "Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know." NRDC. March 27, 2019. Accessed April 04, 2019. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know#common.