-
Use of pesticides and fertilizers for Crops (late 60's through early 70's)
Fertilizers and pesticides were used to preserve crops from pests. However, this form of pollution caused poor physical effects to the health of Americans. Annually, pesticide related incidents kill one million people per year. The use of too many pesticides were stopped in the late 1960's. This event was significant because it marked the end of a form of pollution that affected American health. -
First Earth Day
As the awareness of the negative effects that pollution had on people and the environment began to rise, the holiday Earth Day was created. The purpose of Earth Day is to remind people to reduce their massive amounts of energy consumption, and influence them to seek conservative energy habits and regulations. This holiday was a big success, with millions participating worldwide. Celebrated annually, this holiday is a big contributor to the preservation of the environment and Americans. -
Poor Drinking Water Nationwide
An analysis of the nation's water led to the discovery that One - third of the nation's drinking water had chemical levels far higher than the recommended amount. This was a big deal at the time, because of the diseases that can be caused by unsafe water, such as Giardia. I believe that this was significant in the movement for less pollution, and led to acts such as the Clean Water Act and Clean Drinking Water Act. -
The Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act regulated the amount of pollution that could be dumped into the air. This act established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Standards were set for Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone affect ants, Sulfur Dioxide, and Lead. This act has protected the physical health of Americans, and has been instrumental in keeping the air at a safe cleanliness. -
Mercury filled Swordfish
In 1971, the FDA discovered that 87% of swordfish distributed in the United States had levels of mercury much higher than the recommended amount. Effects on Americans included an assortment of side effects and in some cases, death. This was caused by the dumping of pollutants into bodies of water nationwide, and put the health of Americans at risk. This in addition to events such as the poor drinking water led to acts such as the Clean Water Acts, and Safe Drinking Water Acts. -
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act regulated the amount of pollutants that could be dumped into rivers, oceans, and fresh bodies of waters. This act did not allow the dumping of pollutants into navigable waters in addition to inspections of companies to check for unlawful pollution. This act protected the health of Americans and prevented events such as the swordfish incident from happening again, and jeopardizing the health and well being of Americans. -
Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act regulated the cleanliness of water distributed to Americans for consumption. This act allowed the EPA to set safe standards of the drinking water. This act protected the safety of Americans from water - borne diseases such as Giardia, Diarrheal diseases, and more. Annually, there are millions of drinking water - related deaths internationally. This act prevented events such as the unsafe drinking water of 1970 from repeating. -
The Ozone Hole
The purpose of the Ozone is to protect life on Earth from harmful UV rays. In 1985, scientists discovered a hole in the Ozone over Antarctica. If ozone affecting pollutants were to increase, Americans would be at risk for the effects of harmful UV rays, however, because of the Clean Air Act, the Ozone affecting pollutants in the environment are decreasing, and the worry of the effects that the Ozone hole could pose on Americans is also decreasing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QGD-KiqKdE) -
Pollution Prevention Act
The Pollution Prevention Act regulated further regulated air pollution by forcing chemical plants to reduce their pollution by more than half a million tons per year. Similar to the Clean Air act protected the cleanliness of the air, and the Americans that inhaled it. This furthermore helped to prevent health related issues for Americans due to air pollution. -
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill was the spill of 3.19 million barrels of oil into the gulf of Mexico. An oil rig exploded, killing eleven Americans. The spill was catastrophic to marine life in the gulf, and was also devastating emotionally to caring Americans. In addition to emotional effects to Americans, American fishing was affected as well.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvuzuyEKLd8) -
Great Barrier Reef Bleaching
The Great Barrier Reef bleaching is resulting from many years of pollution that have raised the temperature of the water. This causes the water to become more acidic, making the zooxanthellae algae to go into overdrive and produce toxins that are killing the beautiful Great Barrier Reef. This is affecting Americans emotionally in addition to affecting American tourism. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefBlVeCWqw)
