Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
yard to see what pests are there and then use pesticides only if
natural predators cannot keep them in check.
Emerging Concerns
Do not flush unused pills down the toilet. Avoid products
with CECs including paints, room fresheners, plastic shower
curtains, clothes, and other items made with PVC fabric. Do
not use antimicrobial hand cleaners containing triclosan or
triclocarban. Warm water and soap or alcohol-based sanitiz-
ers are equally effective at removing germs. If you use exfoli-
ants to massage your skin, check the ingredients. Also check
the ingredients in your toothpaste, shampoo, and soap. If you
see “polyethylene” or another type of plastic, you are releasing
plastic microbeads into the water when you wash the product
off. There are alternative products that use natural ingredients.
And in general, talk to people about ocean pollution.
Consider becoming active by lobbying (e.g., writing letters
to the editor, visiting politicians, advocating to chambers of
commerce and rotaries for more recycling and strengthening
policies to prevent water pollution) and joining groups whose
policies you support.
What are the overall status and trends of marine pollution?
Overall, there is good news and bad news. Some of the major
types of pollutants are decreasing, including persistent
organic pollutants like DDT and PCBs, which are no longer
being manufactured or used in most countries. Levels of trace
metals, however, have not shown overall downward trends.
The persistence of contaminants in bottom sediments is one
reason that things are not improving as fast as we might like.
New activities such as seabed mining, especially in vulnerable
environments such as the deep ocean or the Arctic, are likely
to produce new pollution unless preventative measures and
regulatory frameworks are put in place beforehand. Getting
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