5.3 Approaches to Pollution Management

Assessment Statements

• 5.3.1 Outline approaches to pollution management with respect to figure 5.

• 5.3.2 Discuss the human factors that affect the approaches to pollution management.

• 5.3.3 Evaluate the costs and benefits to society of the World Health Organization’s ban on the use of the pesticide DDT.

5.3.1 Management

(3 R’s)

5.3.1 Three-Level Model

Replace● Alternatives to the pollutant

o Biodegradable packagingo New refrigerantso Hybrid vehicles

● Alternative choices in lifestyleo Paper or plastico Water bottles

● Reduce, reuse, recycleo Ordered according to what is besto Electronics

http://b2bbusinessnews.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/biodegradable-plastic.jpeg

http://inhabitat.com/compostable-packaging-test-bambu-plates-breakdown/

5.3.1 Three-Level Model

Regulate● Setting/imposing standards

o EPA (US)o UNEPo Ministry of Environmental

Protection (China)● Extraction techniques

o “Clean coal”o Sequestrationo Catalytic converter

http://www.csdimarioenvironmental.com/resources/Environmental_Law_7_09.jpg.opt423x423o0,0s423x423.jpg

5.3.1 Three-Level Model

Restore (most expensive)● Extracting pollutant from

ecosystem● US Superfund● Chernobyl, Ukraine● Replanting/restocking ecosystem● Chuquicamata, Chile● Fresh Kills Landfill → Freshkills

Park (NY, USA)

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5.3.2 Human Factors

“It is unrealistic to expect human activities to cease to pollute the environment.” Davis & Nagle

Economic systemsProduction requires raw materials

Cultural valuesMay not be willing to changeMay not know how to change

Political systemsJobs or environment?

5.3.3 DDT & the WHO

● Dichlordiphenyltrichloroethane● Used extensively during WWII to

control lice and mosquitoes● Insecticide in agriculture● 1955 – WHO began program to

eradicate malaria (with DDT)o Resistance evolved after 6 years

Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Turkey, central America, DDT has lost its effectiveness

o 40,000 tons used worldwide each year (1950-1980)

http://www.icangarden.ca/images/Jpgs/ART/WorkersbeingsprayedDDT.jpg

5.3.3 DDT

● 4-5000 tons produced each yearo India, China, North Koreao India largest consumero Applied to inside of homes

Inside Residual Spraying (IRS) Cheap, persistent, and works

well● Malaria kills 2.7 million

people/yearo Mostly children under 5o Infects 300-500 million/yearo Disease of the “poor”

No research funding

5.3.3 DDT Issues

POP (persistent organic pollutant) Absorbed by soils

Half-life (22 days → 30 yrs)Hydrophobic (not water soluble)Soluble in lipids (fats)

Breaks down into DDE and DDDDDE – Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene

Reproductive toxicants for birdsNeurotoxic

DDD – DichlorodiphenyldichloroethaneCarcinogenicSkin irritant

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http://arcticportal.org/images/stories/Logo_Organization/pops_migration.gif

5.3.3 DDT

Silent Spring1962 -Rachel Carson – American biologistWidespread spraying killing wildlifeCancer in humans

Biomagnifies and bioaccumulatesAgricultural use banned in 1970’s and

1980’s (though not as a vector control)

First banned in Hungary in 1968Norway/Sweden 1970, US 1972, UK 1984

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Rachel-Carson.jpg/300px-Rachel-Carson.jpg

http://sustainable-nano.com/2013/12/17/the-cautionary-tale-of-ddt-biomagnification-bioaccumulation-and-research-motivation/

5.3.3 DDT

Malarial cases are increasing, so what do we do?