Topic 14: Bhopal Gas Tragedy

http://www.channel4.com/

India,Bhopal-Union Carbide pesticide plant produces carbaryl and methyl isocyanate in carbaryl manufacture.An accident occur and poisonous vapor burst from the tall stacks of the pesticide plant. Of the 800,000 people living in Bhopal at the time, 2,000 died immediately, and as many as 300,000 were injured. In addition, about 7,000 animals were injured, of which about one thousand were killed.Although survive,many suffers from illneses like gastrointestinal disorders and impaired immune systems.Other than that,since all the water were polluted,many other suffers from dehydration.

These shows how a simple human error can really cost thousands of lifes to be dead.It also damages the whole country's environment badly.The effect does not only can be seen at that time but also years after that.The illnesses would just carry on for generations to come as the pollutant wouldnt just dissappear just like that.These shows how important is it for a country to think twice before setting p big chemical plants like this.

http://www.hu.mtu.edu/hu_dept/tc@mtu/papers/bhopal.htm

Topic 13: Cadmium in fertilizers ; Peanuts

http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/

Cadmium is a naturally occurring mineral which can cause kidney damage if large amounts are eaten. It is found in a wide range of foods including green leafy vegetables, root vegetables, meat, kidneys, seafood and peanuts.Cadmium actually comes from pesticides and therefore there is no way that we can prevent it.It can cause kidney damage if large ammount is taken.

For this,the authorities like Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) has regulates the maximum permitted concentration of cadmium in food.In 1998, a meeting by the ANZFSC came to a decision to reduce cadmium contents in peanuts from 0.1mg/kg to 0.05mg/kg.A proposal by the European Commission to reduce cadmium contents in fertilizers finally came in 2003. Their goal is to reduce cadmium accumulation in soil and prevent agricultural land from becoming unfit for crop growing.

In all,scientific research have shown that peanuts are still safe for us to eat.

These issue is related to Topic 6 and 7.

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/newsroom/factsheets/factsheets1999/cadmiuminpeanuts.cfm
http://www.environmental-expert.com/articles/article1346/article1346.htm

Topic 12: Mercury Poisoning in Siberia

http://leahy.senate.gov/

Like in Japan in 1952,now its in Siberia.More than 1,500 tonnes of mercury have been believe to seep trough the ground and pollute the water there.It get worst when the temperature increases and mercury starts to evaporate causing air pollution too.Mercury is an environmental hazard and if it is not treated carefully, will result in severe consequences.The pollution affects the nervous system, and is a problem for pregnant women and newborn babies.It causes headache, respiratory and istentinal disease,hand tremors,personality changes, hallucinations,sleeping difficulty,memory loss and many more.They get into bodies in 2 ways;by the air we breathe in and the fishes that we eat which has already been contaminated.

There is no way that we can stop these problem.The only thing that we can do is wait and see what happen next.Its been 4 years and mercury content is still in the air and water.And the authorities cant even do a proper clean up because of the lag of funds.

I believe that it is already to late to do anything about this problem.In the first place the company handling the mercury should have the responsibility to dispose of the mercury properly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2062595.stm

Topic 11: Pollution in the Baltic

http://www.nbii.gov/

The Baltic Sea is in a critical condition due to pollution from the Russian city of St. Petersburg - the main polluter of the Baltic Sea. A major contributory river of the Baltic is the Neva river where the city is built on. Because of it ridges and troughs and the narrow outlet to sea, the water can only take 25-30 years to totaly refresh itselfs.Overfishing,untreated and unfiltered sewer flow, dumping of waste and illegal spilages have added on to the problem.Now what is left are only algae and plankton growth,trapped pollutants and starve fish.

This is one of the worst issue that I've ever come across regarding water pollution.Fishes being prevented from consuming,bacteria which kills all marine life, 300-400 cubic metre of unfiltered water,40% untreated water,and it just get worst.I think the th government should have step up earlier in this issue as its already to late to save marine life from extinction.They should put up a law regarding dumping of illegal waste and start collecting funds to build up a sewage collector company and the waste water teatment plant.

Unless they start doing something now,or else its goodbye to those herring.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3007228.stm

Topic 10: Effects of Mining on Environment and Human

http://www.palladiumcoins.com/

Mining and smelting activities has tottaly wipe out a once forested area in Russia.Now,there isnt any place for the grazing of reindeers.Lakes and rivers are vanishing.Russia being a big nation depended badly on this metal industries to boom their economy.Plans to further destroy the environment there are still taking place.Not only the environment and animals are affected but humans are effected in this problems too.Drinking water are polluted and many workers suffer from ill health, ranging from throat irritation to cardio-respiratory disease and cancer.

From this issue,we can learn that mining can really change the whole Earth surface.Firstly,many trees are cut down in the process.For this, they will be less photosynthesis,meaning more carbon dioxide and depletion of oxygen in the air.Then,suphur dioxide emession just continue to increase causeing more health problems to humans like respiritory illness and cardiovascular disease.It also cause acid rain, and thus further damage to the evironment.Other then that,mining has also causes extinction to many species of plant and animals.

Although the prices for these metals have greatly increases,but the metal market just cant stop growing as it becomes more competitive.The only way for this industry to go is up.And so the environment destruction continues.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6103382.stm