What is Pollution?

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Questions and Answers

What is pollution?

The introduction of contaminants that have harmful effects on nature and human health into the environment (correct)

The process of recycling contaminants to make them harmless to nature and human health

The introduction of contaminants that have beneficial effects on nature and human health into the environment

The removal of contaminants that have harmful effects on nature and human health from the environment

What does 'environment' refer to in the context of pollution?

Only the air

Only the land

Only the water

The water, air, or land (correct)

Why is pollution a concern for humans?

Because it affects our economic growth

Because we depend on water, air, and land for our survival (correct)

Because it has no effect on human health

Because it only affects wildlife

What is one major source of water pollution in Canada?

Municipal wastewater treatment plants Signup and view all the answers

How much inadequately treated wastewater is dumped into the environment in Canada each year?

150 billion liters Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of a major oil spill in Canada in 2016?

It contaminated the local population's drinking water Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of natural water contamination in Canada?

Acid rain Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of a smelting plant in Ontario allegedly dumping toxic substances into local water sources?

Levels of metals in the water increased to hundreds of times higher than legal limits Signup and view all the answers

How does Canada try to prevent pollution in the first place?

By regulating what substances can be used in an industry Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the natural sources of air pollution in the U.S.?

Wildfires Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the effects of long-term air pollution?

Increasing the risk of respiratory disorders Signup and view all the answers

What has the U.S. done to tackle and manage air pollution problems?

Reduced the content of toxic chemicals in gasoline Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the sources of land pollution in Mexico?

Mining Signup and view all the answers

What has Mexico done to help control land pollution?

Instituted basic policies to minimize exposure to contaminants Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of closing one of the world's largest landfills in Mexico?

To replace it with a recycling plant Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is Pollution?

The introduction of contaminants that have harmful effects on nature and human health into the environment
Can be found in water, air, or land

Water Pollution in Canada

Over 150 billion liters of inadequately treated wastewater (sewage) is dumped every year
Sources of water contamination include:
- Industry
- Municipal discharge
- Acid rain
- Natural erosion or sedimentation
Examples of water pollution:
- 2016 oil spill in Canada, 200,000 liters of tar sand crude oil leaked into the North Saskatchewan River
- Smelting plant in Ontario allegedly dumping toxic substances into local water sources since 1963

Tackling Water Pollution in Canada

Developing regulations for appropriate wastewater treatment
Monitoring water quality to identify contaminants and address the problem
Preventing pollution through regulating industry practices and product design

Air Pollution in the U.S.

Sources of air pollution:
- Natural sources (e.g. wildfires)
- Human-based sources (e.g. automobiles, airplanes, factories, power plants)
Effects of air pollution:
- Increase risk of respiratory disorders, like lung cancer
Examples of air pollution:
- Wildfires in the northwestern United States in 2016, causing air pollution levels to rise to toxic levels
- Los Angeles, with high levels of air pollution due to a large number of automobiles

Tackling Air Pollution in the U.S.

Reducing toxic chemicals in gasoline
Promoting the development of cleaner alternative sources of energy (e.g. wind, solar)

Land Pollution in Mexico

Sources of land pollution:
- Mining
- Landfills
- Hazardous wastes
- Construction and demolition waste
Examples of land pollution:
- Toxic chemicals and substances (e.g. lead, arsenic, chromium) infiltrating the surrounding land
Steps to control land pollution:
- Instituting policies to minimize exposure to contaminants
- Closing dangerous industries or land pollution sites and replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives (e.g. recycling plant)