Causes Of Persistent Organic Pollutants ( Pops )

From 1947 to 1977, these two plants legally discharged from 500,000 to 1.5 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson, and unknowingly saturated the bedrock beneath both sites with at least that much again. There are PCBs in Hudson River water, biota, and sediment from Hudson Falls to New York City - 200 miles that comprise the nations largest Superfund site. Pure PCBs are oozing out of the bedrock to this day, constantly recontaminating the river and over 300,000 pounds remain concentrated in bottom sediments of the river today. The spread of PCBs throughout the Hudson River and the food chain, which it supports, has created one of the most extensive hazardous waste problems in the nation. Polychlorinated biphenyl’s (PCBs) are a group of synthetic oil-like chemicals (therefore insoluble in water) of the organochlorine family. Until their toxic nature was recognized and their use was banned in the 1970s, they were widely used as insulation in electrical equipment, particularly transformers. Reputable chemists have since concluded, “it was probably a mistake ever to make or use PCBs.” These are serious poisons, which have been shown to cause damage to the reproductive, neurological and immune systems of wildlife and humans and are known to cause cancer. Exposure has also been linked to behavioral damage. Specifically, because PCBs in the body mimic estrogen, women of childbearing age and their infants are particularly susceptible

These two materials, in particular, are dangerous to local ecologies and populations. Thus, there is not only an identified need to reduce the use of these two materials, but also a need to increase recycling of these two materials.

Also depicted in this paper is the type of cancers caused by each chemical and other related health problems associated with each chemical. Finally, the role of government agencies such as FDA, EPA and OSHA in preventing excessive amount or zero amounts of toxic chemicals from entering the environment will be discussed. The last paragraphs will enumerate the inferred conclusion from my research on Agent Orange, DDT and Benzene.

Also depicted in this paper is the type of cancers caused by each chemical and other related health problems associated with each chemical. Finally, the role of government agencies such as FDA, EPA and OSHA in preventing excessive amount or zero amounts of toxic chemicals from entering the environment will be discussed. The last paragraphs will enumerate the inferred conclusion from my research on Agent Orange, DDT and Benzene.

What is the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Compounds? How do they control certain pollutants?

Benzene CASRN 71-43-2 | IRIS | US EPA, ORD. (2003). Cfpub.epa.gov. Retrieved 27 January 2017, from https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris2/chemicalLanding.cfm?substance_nmbr=276

Between 2002 and 2005 alone, the amount of chemical substances produced or imported in the United States increased from 42 billion pounds per day to 74 billion pounds per day. The amount of chemicals in commerce in the United States has increased from 62,000 grandfathered chemicals in 1976, to almost 83,000 in 2008, a difference of more than 20,000. Of this 83,000, the EPA has only been able to ban or restrict five chemicals under TSCA: PCBs, dioxin, CFCs, hexavalent chromium, and asbestos. Additionally, the EPA has independently tested only 250 of the 83,000 registered chemicals in commerce in the United States. Richard Denison, a Senior Scientist for the Environmental Defense Fund explained these incredibly low numbers by stating, “TSCA places an impossibly high burden on EPA before it can act to control a chemical.” In fact, under TSCA, “the EPA can’t even require testing to determine whether a risk exists without first showing a risk is likely.” For that reason, a large majority of chemicals used in the United States have never been tested for health and environmental effects. Studies have shown that due to the proliferation of these chemicals into homes, workplaces, and schools, the average American has a detectable concentration of 300 environmental chemicals. Among other issues, many of these chemicals can affect brain and organ function and cause cancer. Consequently, it is clear that

According to research, once the chemicals are released into the air, water, or the soil, it can cause a decline in health, which can possibly result in death. About three quarters of the chemicals that comes out

There is a correlation that the number of marine systems that become exposed to both treated and untreated wastewater discharges increases, as there are concurrent increases in population around coastal areas. The environmental quality of receiving waters may be compromised due to thousands of different chemicals released via sewage inputs. Over the last decade there has been a growing interest on a specific chemical known as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Antimicrobials, fragrances, therapeutic drugs, some polymers, and surfactants are all categorized as PPCPs. In developed countries, most wastewater are treated in order to ensure that the majority of the chemicals, or a very significant portion of the chemicals, are removed

Studies have shown that near shore, and in rives tributaries to the Great Lakes the PPCPs levels have a higher risk quotient. The risk quotient being the ratio of maximum measured environmentally concentration to the predicted no-effect concentration of the pollutant. Using this ratio, 38 compounds were detected from effluent or Lake Michigan samples with four compounds being detected at levels greater than 50% frequency. These compounds found at all of the sampling sites in Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee Harbor are: metformin (100%), caffeine (97.6%), sulfamethoxazole (83.3%), and triclosan (71.4%). The mean and maximum levels from the samples can be found in Table 2, along with the minimum detection limit, minimum quantification limit, and maximum value found in the method

In this Preliminary Public Health Assessment (Pre-PHA), we evaluated exposure of the Milneburge neighborhood community to contaminants in response to their public health complaint with the City of New Orleans. . The homeowners in the neighborhood started to complain of nausea, headache, and dyspnea when they work in their back yards and reported water runoff and soil erosion from the waste management site. So, they were really concerned about their children health because they used to play in the area. As a result of that, we evaluated some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds found in nature or released from burning of coal, oil, tobacco, and wood. Some of these compounds are toxic to lung, liver, and skin. By such Pre-PHA, We can know if the site is extremely contaminated or not and we can assure residents and give them answers about their concerns.

Akwasasne Mohawk peoples has shown that pollutants, such as lead, DDT (dichloro-diphenyl- trichloroethane), which is stored as the metabolite DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(chlorophe- nyl)ethylene),

Polychlorinated biphenyls is an industrial chemical that can be found in insulators, capacitors, or any electric appliances that are use everyday. This potential toxic may affect a local community that live near the Hudson River because they are being exposed to the chemicals that are transmitted through the environment. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, they stated, “Once PCBs entered the river, they were deposited and mixed with the sediments at many locations on the river bottom and at some locations along the shoreline in the floodplain. PCBs build up in the environment (bioaccumulate), increasing in concentration as you move up the food chain.” (“EPA”, 2016) This shows that it is possible for this toxic to leak into the river which would be consumed by living organism that live there such as fishes. Rivers plays a major role moving PCBs throughout moving waters because it can locate PCBs anywhere. Also, according to the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration website, they states, “Microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi, biodegrade PCBs when found in soil or sediments.”(“NOAA”, 2014) This shows how it is possible for this toxin to hit land because it would be sunk into the soil, which can impact anyone who comes in contact with the dirt. This would result in being intoxicated with PCBs in the long run and would harm their health if they are not full aware of this

“A common misconception is that all man-made chemicals are harmful, and all natural chemicals are good for us. However, many natural chemicals are just as harmful to human health, if not more so” (Lorch). Dorea Reeser provides a different perspective to counteract the harmful effects of manmade chemicals. Dorea Reeser upholds a Ph. D. in environmental chemistry at the University of Toronto. She researches and studies the chemical reactions at water surfaces, and how the chemical and physical properties influence these reactions and the release of important trace gases into the troposphere.

Scientists all over the world have been widely researching to find out ways in which the ozone layer is being destroyed through human actions. The ozone layer is gradually being destroyed by ozone depleting chemicals. These chemicals include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), methyl bromide, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride among others (Ryding 173). These chemicals are used locally in coolants, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, aerosol propellants and foaming agents.