Pollution results to over 100,000 deaths. This is according to research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Research from the institute’s laboratory conducting studies in the environment and aviation bases its findings that most emissions emanate from road transportation. It also emerges that road transportation is the single cause of pollution, and also results to premature death. In Baltimore for instance, Maryland is the city with highest deaths due to pollution, with over 100,000 deaths linked to air pollution as a result of industrial smoke. Pollution from transport sources is high. This is because most drivers cover more miles, with medium and heavy duty trucks accounting for over 6% of vehicles on United States highways.
Most sources of pollution in the United States are due to commercial and human residential activities from the equipment used in most households (“Air Pollution”). This is because most households use electricity which produces this byproduct in large quantity. Emissions from electricity generation also result to high levels of sulphur content in the air. Other sources such as nuclear power plants also cause pollution, with the Midwest regions of the United States experiencing this pollution due to sulphur emission.
Coal plants are United States top pollutants, with most emitting carbon dioxide and known to produce about 3 million tons of carbon annually. This affects human life within the surrounding industrial facilities.
On the other hand in southern California, marine pollution is common as a result of port activities and shipping. The BP oil spill within the Gulf of Mexico is an example, which emitted close to 4 million barrels of oil, destroying marine life. In other areas, water pollution also occurs due to perchlorate emission from military activities (Thomas and Copeland, 112).
Chemical spills from industrial facilities in the State of Virginia caused water contamination. The spill resulted to water pollution within the metropolitan areas of Charleston, as a result of the Elk River chemical disaster.
There are also cases of thermal pollution that results to water pollution in coastal waters. This is due to the dumping of hot water from power plants and factories. Thermal pollution is widespread in the United States, and a major cause of depletion of rivers. This is because high temperatures of these processed substances kill aquatic life and destroys the aquatic ecosystem. These sources of thermal pollution are electrical power factories, which emit water after cooling machines at the factory. Radioactive pollution is also common in the United States with areas like Texas and Kentucky affected due to the presence of nuclear facilities. These areas are prone to radioactive isotope pollution. The areas have government facilities that produce radioactive materials from atomic weapons. The Hanford Washington weapons complex is such an example that emits radioactive particles. This weapons complex contains an underground storage tank that stores radioactive waste. This contaminates buildings as a result of spent nuclear fuel that emanates from the storage tank. The United States experiences pollution from different quarters. These sources contribute to various forms of pollution. Transportation and household equipment account for most of United States pollution. Other than that, industrial processes also contribute immensely to the current state of pollution. There is the need to help implement laws in order to reduce pollution. This will help sustain life and to protect the ecosystem.
Works cited
"Air Pollution." Air Pollution. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2014. http://www.cleanerandgreener.org/resources/air-pollution.html
Thomas, Sarah V, and Claudia Copeland. Water Pollution Issues and Developments. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2008. Print.
