Human Health and the Environment
There are many reasons why as an appointee of the Risk-Benefit Analysis Board, it is necessary to discourage and disapprove the use of the asbestos, the DDT and chlorinated water. Though these substances have been used for a long time in the enhancement of health by preventing risks and diseases, they pose a potentially high risk that should be considered before releasing them into the market (Stacey et al, 2009)
Asbestos refers to a certain group of minerals which naturally occur as fiber bundles in the environment. Asbestos fibers are very resistant to chemicals, fire and heat. They are bad conductors of electricity. Due to these qualities, they are greatly used in industries across the globe. People get exposed to these minerals while at work, through the atmosphere or at home because once a product containing asbestos is disturbed, their tiny fibbers are automatically released into the air. When breathed in, the asbestos fibers are trapped and can remain in the lungs for a very long time. They accumulate with time causing inflammation and scarring (Magraw, 1991). This not only affects the breathing system but can also result into complicated health problems. The exposure of these minerals increases the risks of some diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, Mesothelioma, pleural disorders and nonmalignant lung. Smokers who expose themselves to asbestos have even a higher risk of lung cancer. However, people who suffer from these diseases as a result of exposure to these minerals are those whose exposure is on regular basis - in most cases people working with them directly. The health hazards resulting from asbestos have been mostly experienced by people in shipbuilding trades, manufacturing of asbestos textiles, milling and mining, insulation in construction, firefighters, drywall removers and automobile workers (Harrison, 1997)
There are also risks associated with the use of chlorine in drinking water. Though chlorine is used to purify water, the chemicals contained in chlorinated water have become health hazard making chlorinated water more of a risk than a protective measure. Developing problems in the digestive system, chronic diarrhea, acid reflux and irritable bower are amongst the dangers that result from drinking chlorinated water (Magraw, 1991). Human body is designed to consume fresh water containing balanced pH and a very minor mineral content which chlorinated water lacks. Chlorinated water contains pH levels which are not suitable for proper digestion. Other alternatives of making water safe such as good home filter systems should be used to replace chlorine in domestic water. This is because a good filter provides the right level of pH and very slight minerals (Ezine articles, 2009)
DDT was the first among the chlorinated organic insecticides. It started being used enormously after the Second World War because of its usefulness against malaria spreading mosquito and the fleas that transmit typhus. Problems that are related to the extensive use of the insecticide showed when the insects started to develop resistance and in addition, it was discovered to be containing high degrees of toxicity towards fish (Ehrlich 1977). In addition, this insecticide has posed other problems that make it improper and a potential threat to animals. DDT does not get metabolized rapidly in animals it is instead deposited and accumulated in fatty tissues. The organic half-life of DDT is approximately eight years. This means that it takes eight years for animals to metabolize half the amount it digests. An animal will be able to completely decompose all the DDT content it had assimilated after sixteen years, not counting that there are likely cases of continued regular intake of the substance. If ingestion still continues, DDT accumulates in the animals body over time, resulting to serious complications on the health of the animal. Although there has not been found evidence of the damage of the product to human beings, the danger to the animals should nonetheless be overlooked since they make it an environmental hazard (Smith, 2000)
The major sources of drinking water in New York City
There are several sources of water that is used by the people in New York ranging from rivers estuaries and lakes. The watersheds are however the sources of clean drinking water in New York. They are used because they provide clean water and are at the same time a public utility available to the residents of New York (Elbert, 2009)
Treatment of drinking water
The drinking water is treated using chlorine (to destroy dangerous viruses and bacteria). It is also treated with fluoride (to prevent decaying of teeth) as well as orthophosphate (to avoid metals, inclusive of lead, from getting released as a result of plumbing). These processes are considered best to ensure that the drinking water is safe and clean for domestic consumption (Freeman, 2007).
Is bottled water better than tap water
Most Americans consume bottled water. Bottled water is appealing and may appear safe and clean for drinking but there are several incidences that provide proof that not all bottled water is any better ( if not worse) than the tap water. It has also been evidenced that several of the bottling companies have been in the business just for commercial purposes, rather than treating water and making it safe for drinking (Roman, 2010)
The bottled water industry mostly presents an image of purity and cleanliness. However, inclusive testing has revealed that surprising arrays of chemical pollutant are present in every brand of bottled water. Such include toxic byproducts of chlorination. Cancer-causing pollutants in bottled water bought in five states (California, North Carolina, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia,) and also D.C. considerably exceeded the deliberate standards recognized by the bottled water industry (Naidenko, Liba, Sharp, 2008). Unlike the tapped water whereby consumers are given the results on annual basis, bottled water industry does not disclose the results of the contaminant testing. The industry hides under the claim that is usually held with similar safety standards as the tap water. But with campaigns of promotion flooded mountain springs images and prices which are about 1,900 times the usual price of the tap water clients are led to think they are purchasing a product which is purified to a degree further than the water from the garden hose (Sharp, 2008).
Laboratory tests that were conducted at one of the leading water value laboratories for EWG established that ten popular types of branded bottled water, bought from stores and retailers in nine states and D.C., contained thirty eight pollutants and a standard of eight contaminants per brand. One-third of these chemicals are not synchronized in bottled water. For example, in Acadia and Sams Choice brands, the level of a number of chemicals goes beyond legal restrictions in California and industry-sponsored deliberate security standards. In addition, four of the brands contained bacteria pollutants (Liba, 2009).
Americans currently drink twice the amount of bottled water as consumed ten years ago, for a total of more than 9 billion gallons and production proceeds approaching 12 billion. Purity ought to be part of the price usually the cost of 3.79 per gallon, is 1,900 times the cost of public tap water. (Naidenko, Liba Sharp, 2008). EWGs tests show that in certain cases, the industry could be distributing a beverage which is just a little cleaner than the normal tap water, sold at premium prices. The health penalties of exposure to these compound mixtures of pollutants like those in bottled water have not yet been studied (Owen, 2006)
Swimming bans due to pollution and fishing bans
Serious toxic waste disposal problems in Onondaga Lake happened as a result of industrial discharges and sewage disposal linked to population increase and industrialization. This led to the banning of swimming in the lake and also the prohibition of the consumption of fish from the lake (Younger, 1999).
The dangers of nitrogen oxide
Just because no one has died yet or suffered from nitrogen oxides effects does not mean that the current federal emission standards for this pollutant should be relaxed. Studies and investigations have already shown enough evidence of many serious risks and dangers resulting from the exposure to or contact with nitrogen oxides for continued and regular basis. Nitrogen oxides are toxic and whether or not they have resulted to death does not make them less toxic or harmless to human life (Alice, 2008).
Nitrogen oxides are gases composed of oxygen and nitrogen. Nitrogen oxide is released into the air by motor vehicle exhausts, oil, burning of coal and natural gas particularly from electric power plants. Nitrogen oxides are regular pollutants existing in nearly the entire atmosphere of the United States. Exposure to very high levels of these oxides can simply cause death, collapse, swelling of tissues and rapid burning of upper respiratory tract. In addition, it results to difficulties in breathing, fluid accumulation in the lungs and throat spasms. It interferes with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body thus leading to fatigue, headaches, blue color in the lips and skin and dizziness (Stacey, 2009).
There are more serious effects of nitrogen oxide because industrial contact with this substance can result to damage of developing fetus, cause genetic mutations and generally reduce the fertility in women. A continued exposure to it can cause permanent damage to the lungs. Long-term contact to nitrogen oxides in smoke can generate serious problems in the respiratory system, together with damage to the lung tissues and decline in the functioning of the lungs. Exposure to small quantities of nitrogen oxides in smoke can cause irritation of the nose, throat, eyes, and lungs. It can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, nausea and fatigue. These factors therefore make the nitrogen oxides a potential danger to human life and health and as such the federal emissions standards should be emphasized but not relaxed. Relaxing of these standards amounts to exposing Americans to serious health related disorders in the future (Magraw, 1991).
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