Form4 wk4 env411 dqs
1.This week I am asking you to select either the Clean Water Act or the Clean Air Act, do some research and decide how effective the Act has been.
Some suggestions of places to start:
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/search/site/clean%20water
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/09/so-what-does-clean-air-act-do
Start off your post with a quick 101 on your chosen act and then do a web search on “Clean Water Act Violations” or “Clean Air Act Violations” and scan the headlines. How successful do YOU think your chosen Act is? What could be done different to get different outcomes?
Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 250 words (aim for 250-500 words) and include at least 2 to 3 properly cited, appropriate sources (the new environmental regulation) beyond your course text/lecture notes/readings.
2.I chose to write about the Clean Air Act since I grew up knowing the value of clean air. I was raised in southern California which is known for its smog problems. I remember having smog alert days where recess or P.E. would be cancelled due to the poor air quality.
The Clean Air Act was brought into law in 1970 during the peak of the environmental movement of the time. Smog seen in cities all over the nation inspired the act, but it was revised over time to address air pollutants that cause damage to the ozone layer. The Clean Air Act sets health standards for air quality. These standards set forth limits to common air pollutants. These pollutants are called “criteria pollutants” (Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). Over the years since the acts implementation progress has been noted in air quality (Environmental Protection Agency, 2013).
The six criteria pollutants have dropped over the approximate 4 decades by an average of 72% (Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). Along with this many deaths and diseases have been prevented. The National Wildlife Federation claims that it “prevented: 205,000 premature deaths; 21,000 cases of heart disease; 672,000 cases of chronic bronchitis; 843,000 asthma attacks; 18 million child respiratory illnesses; and 189,000 cardiovascular hospitalizations” in the first twenty years following the establishment of the Clean Air Act (National Wildlife Federation, 2013).
Personally I think the act has been effective. Not only have the criteria pollutants diminished since the acts inception, but it has decreased despite increases in gross domestic product and population. There are some criticisms of the cost-effectiveness of the Act. This is related to the rigidity of the standards placed (Power, 2010). I believe however that the rigidity is one of the main contributing factors to the success of the act and thus worth the high costs.Kimberly
Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). Air Pollution and the Clean Air Act. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/.
National Wildlife Federation. (2013). The Clean Air Act: 40 Years of Success Protecting Public Health & Environment. Retrieved from http://www.nwf.org/pdf/Policy-Solutions/CleanAirActFactSheet.pdf.
Power, Stephen. (2010). Why the Clean Air Act May Be Past Its Prime.Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304620304575165722795673014.
What do you think? 250 words minimum response with book, peer reviewed articles/websites references/citation
3. The Clean Water Act started off in 1948 as the Federal Water Pollution Act. The purpose was to establish the basic structure to regulate pollutants that are discharged in to the United States Water ways. The Clean Water Act was key to the EPA implementing programs that establish pollution controls and setting standards for wastewater standards for industry (EPA,2014).
In 2014 the EPA raided a Company named Billmark located in Haltom City, Texas for Clean Water Act violations. Haltom City is located outside Fort Worth, Texas, near the Village Creek water treatment plant. The officials and EPA found high level of Cadmium in the water supply (Jerome,2014).
Cadmium is a minor metallic element, one of the naturally occurring components in the earth’s crust and waters, and present everywhere in our environment. Exposure to certain forms and concentrations of cadmium is known to produce toxic effects on humans. Long-term occupational exposure to cadmium at excess concentrations can cause adverse health effects on the kidneys and lungs (Cadmium,2014).
The cadmium, has been found in discarded wastewater from the company. The long term effects can lead to several cancer and other health risks (Jerome,2014).
I think the raid was effective, in the sense that the EPA was able to shed light on the wrong doing of this specific company. This information should be disseminated to the local pubic to inform them and help protect them. I do think the Clean Water Act was effective, a company when against the grain, trying to cut corners and the EPA and local government choose to step-up and fight back.Todd
EPA.(n.d.).Retrieved September 23, 2014.
Jerome, S. (2014, March 1). EPA Raids Texas Company On Clean Water Act Violations. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
All the information on Cadmium.(n.d.).Retrieved September 23, 2014.
What do you think? 250 words minimum response with text book, peer reviewed articles/ websites references/ citations.
Lesson Reading/ References:
http://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act
http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/
Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson
OVER
RATING
YEARS
