Question #1
Air pollution poses a negative environmental impact on kids since kids who are exposed to polluted air are more likely to develop lung complications. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions not only help in combating climate change but also a reduction in air pollution. The oil industry contributes to air pollution through combustion of fossil fuels as well as through chemicals that are used during the extraction process.
Question # 2
Asthma is still a health threat to not only people living the US but also the rest of the world. One of the major risk factors associated with asthma is air pollution such being exposed to near-roadway air pollution. Many residential and commercial buildings are increasingly being constructed near roadways. The growing populations and improving economies mean more vehicles on the road. Although there have been attempts to clean up the cities by encouraging the use of renewable energy technologies, the strategy has not resulted in insignificant reduction since the increasing number of vehicles that burn carbon fuels offset the gains that have been made.
Question #3
Possible air pollution related risk factors associated with associated lung malfunctioning and asthma according to research findings are exposure nitrogen dioxide, air toxins from fracking chemicals, acidic vapor, particulate matter, and elemental carbon. Causes of these risks factors include combustion of fossil fuels, drought, and oil extraction operations (hydraulic fracturing).
Question #4
A combination of efforts have been employed to minimize air pollution, and they include developing the optimal mix of policies targeting reduction of urban sprawl and encouraging walking and the use of mass transit. Other methods include greenhouse gases emitted by motor vehicles by increasing use of public transportation, reducing the distance travelled by vehicles, and development of fuel efficient vehicles. The housing developers have been given incentives to encourage them to develop residential houses closer to rail service or bus transit to encourage people to use fuel-efficient means of travel. Individuals have also been actively involved in advocating for the protection of the public from exposure to toxins and also by informing policy makers about the promotion of safer practices, toxic threats, and strengthening of environmental protection efforts.
Question #5
The first thing that needs to be done is to collect statistics about the most prevalent respiratory complications in various places of the country. Then the next step is to develop a map showing the intensity of prevalence in the whole country. After the map has been generated, an assessment of air pollution in school areas will be carried out to determine the level of concentrations of pollutants by the quantity and by type. The statistics will also be analysed to find out the population that is mostly affected by the pollutants. After identifying the air pollutants by type and quantity, the next step to follow is an assessment to determine the origin of the pollutants. Once the source of the pollutants has been known, the next thing is to come up with policies to address this. EPA collects information regarding air pollution while hospitals collect information regarding respiratory complications in all parts of the country that is useful in this context and I think there will be a lot of information to make the right conclusions.
Question #
The current conditions do not indicate the right track to reducing risks associated with air toxins. This is because there are other factors which can offset the gains made. The increased extraction of oil to satisfy the demand may add more toxins into the air because the oil extracting companies do not show any sign of reducing air pollutants associated with oil extraction chemicals. The rise in population also means more vehicles on the road, and therefore there will be increased emission of greenhouse gases. The development of renewable energy options and fuel efficient vehicles is slow. Manufacturing companies are also actively releasing harmful toxins into the air which have the potential to increase respiratory complications.
