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| Air Pollution |
Nature
Air pollution creates many detrimental issues for the environment. Ozone is responsible for several billion dollars' worth of crop loss in the U.S. each year. It also damages forest ecosystems. Nitrogen oxides in the air result in environmental hazards such as acid rain and eutrophication. Eutrophication occurs when a body of water lacks sufficient oxygen, producing an environment that is destructive to fish and other forms of life. Together, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides are the major precursors to acid rain, which is associated with the acidification of lakes and streams. Acid rain also accelerates corrosion of buildings and monuments.
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| Health |
Health
Many different aspects of pollution affect our health detrimentally, whether or not we are consciously aware of it. A number of the pollutants include:
- Ozone
- Particulate Matter
- SO2
- Lead
- Carbon Monoxide
While each of these individually pose at potential threats to human health, when coupled, they produce detrimental effects such as:
- diminished lung function
- respiratory inflammation and illness
- damaged lung tissue
- increased vulnerability to cancer, pulmonary congestion, asthma, and influenza
- neurological impairments such as seizures, mental retardation, and/or behavioral disorders
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| TRAX |
Traffic Investment
In Utah County, lawmakers have attempted to improve pollution by decreasing pollution produced by cars. They have begun to invest in alternate forms of transportation such as UTA TRAX and Frontrunner. These forms of transportation are inexpensive, quick, and relatively convenient, and yet, most people do not utilize them. It's important to realize that tax dollars pay for the development of this transportation, which should create more motivation for citizens to utilize these forms of transportation. On top of all this, these forms of transportation bolster the economy significantly.
