Science 1.2 PDF - Protection from Harmful Changes

Protection from Harmful Changes Various materials found on he Earth are utilized for creating the products and materials that we use in our daily lives. These materials undergo changes that can either be beneficial or harmful to us and the environment. However, many of the materials and produ...

Protection from Harmful Changes Various materials found on he Earth are utilized for creating the products and materials that we use in our daily lives. These materials undergo changes that can either be beneficial or harmful to us and the environment. However, many of the materials and products we use eventually end up in the trash bins. When wastes accumulate and are not appropriately segregated, they can threaten the health of people, animal, and the environment. Pollution  The result of harmful chemical reactions that occur in landfills, bodies of water, and air. Types of Pollution 1. Water Pollution Water is polluted when you can no longer use it for any purpose. For example, disposing of cooking oil in the sewer could result in the blockage of oxygen in bodies of water. Similarly, the disposing of detergents, soaps, and fertilizers in bodies of water causes eutrophication. Eutrophication – the enrichment of the water with chemical nutrients disposed into it. It results to the rapid increase of algae in the water, which causes shortage in oxygen. 2. Land Pollution Land is polluted when the soil becomes less productive. Agricultural chemicals that are used to improve harvest and crop yield contain non biodegradable substances, while the wastes dumped in landfills also produce toxic chemicals. These chemicals sip through the soil, causing it to become infertile and acidic. 3. Air Pollution Air is polluted when we can no longer breathe clean air. It is because of the presence of air pollutants such as solid particulates, such as dust, fly ash, soot, and poisonous gases. These air pollutants leave harmful particles in the air you breathe and damage the atmosphere. Minimizing Harmful Changes in Materials   Minimizing the waste we produce and the hazardous effects of chemical changes in materials we use and consume is crucial in protecting the environment and conserving its resources to ensure a sustainable future for earth. The Republic Act 9003 also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act – make provisions for the 5Rs of waste management. 5 R’s of waste management – serves as a simple guide in helping people minimize the harmful environmental impacts of waste. This promotes long- term sustainability. Refuse waste by making a conscious choice of not accepting unnecessary items or products that generate waste like plastics bottles and bags, straw, or extra containers. Reduce waste by using less harmful, wasteful, and nonrecyclable products such as single-user plastics, paper plates, cups, and utensils. Reuse items that can be used more that once instead of throwing them away. These can extend the lifespan of materials such as glass bottles, plastic containers, and paper bags. Recycle altering or adopting a product for new use without changing its original or basic form. For example, your can clear old tin cans to be used as a pen containers. Recover refers to the use of discarded item for other purposes in order to maximize the benefits of these materials. Some ways to recover waste materials are though recycling, composting, and generating energy from waste. Some tips in handling and disposing of reactive and hazardous materials. Reactive materials such as acids, bases, ad oxidizers can be hazardous if not handled properly. When this materials are mixed accidentally, they can cause chemical reactions that release harmful gases or even lead to explosions. It is essential to keep the container labels for future reference and follow the instructions mentioned on the labels for appropriate storage and disposal of chemicals.