Pollution

Although many of the general population may think that pollution is throwing trash outside negligently, there is much more to it.

Robertson (2017) states that “Pollution comes from a variety of sources. It can be from a natural source such as a volcanic eruption, or it can be from an organic source such as sewage, a naturally occurring byproduct of life, which becomes pollution when it accumulates at rates greater than natural processes can accommodate” (p. 133).

Robertson, M. (2017). Sustainability Principles and Practice. Routledge.

Pollution can be in any form both physically and in other forms such as gases. There are a number of pollutants that harm our environment and humans. These toxins can cause for shortage of life, and even birth defects before a newborn is born. The EPA has improved the protection of the United States citizens from pollutants and toxins that may harm us. Certain pollutants such as emissions of vehicles are now restricted and strictly enforced by placing certain standards on them.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers or PBDE is used as flame retardants in a wide variety of products, including plastics, furniture, upholstery, electrical equipment, electronic devices, textiles and other household products according to the EPA. This chemical is said to cause neurotoxicity, developmental neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, thyroid toxicity, immunotoxicity, liver toxicity, pancreas effects (diabetes) and cancer. In addition, it acts as an endocrine system disruptor. Some regulations for this product include a minimal risk level (MRL) of 0.006 milligrams per cubic meter for intermediate duration inhalation exposure, meaning that manufactures can only use a small amount of the chemical to manufacture certain products. In some states it is prohibited to use PBDE. We are exposed to PBDE everyday, it is present in most furnisher products and in most plastics.