Q&a esdm pollution

Compiled by Prof. Purabee Purnasha Mishra. Page 1
Acid Rain
What causes acidic deposition?
Acid deposition - commonly called acid rain - is caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Although
natural sources of sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides do exist, more of the sulphur and of the nitrogen emissions
occurring are of human origin. These primary air pollutants arise from the use of coal in the production of electricity, fr om
base-metal smelting, and from fuel combustion in vehicles. Once released into the atmosphere, they can be converted
chemically into such secondary pollutants as nitric acid and sulfuric acid, both of which dissolve easily in water. The
resulting acidic water droplets can be carried long distances by prevailing winds, returning to Earth as acid rain, snow, or
fog.
What is acid rain?
"Acid rain" is a broad term used to describe several ways that acids fall out of the atmosphere. A more precise term is ac id
deposition, which has two parts: wet (rain, fog, and snow) and dry (particles and gases).
Acid rain's effects include:
harming fish and other organisms living in lakes and streams harming to a variety of plants and animals on land
damaging human health
reducing how clearly we see through the air damaging to materials like those found in statues and buildings.
The specific effects and their severity depends on several factors, including soil and surface water chemistry, the amount of
air pollution that creates acid rain, and the specific species involved. For more information, see the acid rain home page.
Agricultural Burning
What are the local regulations for agricultural burning in my area?
Local burning restrictions vary with current atmospheric and weather conditions. To check whether or not there is a
burning restriction in your area check the local air pollution authority that oversees your county or state.
What are the effects of agricultural burning?
Burning agricultural waste is a source of particulate matter and other criteria pollutants. It can greatly effect the regional
air quality, visibility and ground level ozone potential.
Where can I get a burn permit?
Contact your state or local agency for a permit availability and a allocation location near you..
Air Pollution Complaints
Where do I go to make a complaint about air pollution in my area?
All complaints about violations of air quality, whether from a point source or general regional air quality, should go to the
local air pollution authority. See State and local contacts page.
Carbon Monoxide
What are health effects of Carbon Monoxide?
When we breathe air containing carbon monoxide, it is absorbed through the bloodstream where it displaces oxygen and
bonds with the hemoglobin in your blood. Carbon monoxide has a greater affinity to hemoglobin than oxygen; CO bonds to
hemoglobin about 250 times better than oxygen. Without oxygen, vital organs, your heart and brain become deprived and
will begin to deteriorate. To compensate, your heart rate increases, breathing may become difficult and in the most serious
circumstances cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma and even death will result.
What are the health effects of Carbon Monoxide?
When we breathe air containing carbon monoxide, it is absorbed through the bloodstream where it displaces oxygen and
bonds with the hemoglobin in your blood. Carbon monoxide has a greater affinity to hemoglobin than ox ygen; CO bonds to
hemoglobin about 250 times better than oxygen. Without oxygen, vital organs, your heart and brain become deprived and
will begin to deteriorate. To compensate, your heart rate increases, breathing may become difficult and in the most serious
circumstances cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma and even death will result.
What are the sources of Carbon Monoxide at home?
Clogged chimney, wood stove, wood and gas fireplace, automobile garage, gas and water heater, gas appliances, gas or
kerosene heater, cigarette smoke.
CFC's and the Ozone Layer

What are CFC's?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They
are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as
refrigerants. CFC= s react with sunlight in the earth's stratosphere to break down the protective ozone layer, a layer of gas
that shields the earths surface from damaging UV-B rays.
What are ozone and the ozone layer?
Ozone (O3) is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. The oxygen we breathe (O2) is similar but has only two oxygen
atoms. High up in a region of the upper atmosphere known as the stratosphere, light rays can break down breathable
oxygen into two individual oxygen atoms. Single oxygen atoms are quite reactive, and ozone is formed when one of these
lone oxygens bump into and combine with O2.
But ozone isn't very stable either. If a high-energy light ray, in particular ultraviolet-B (UV-B), strikes an ozone molecule, it
too will break down, back to the lone oxygen and O2. Other molecules naturally found in the stratosphere, such as nitrous
oxide, can also react with O3 and break it down.
Over time, as the atmosphere formed, the reactions that create and break down ozone came into a dynamic equilibrium.
The result was a small residual amount of ozone concentrated in a band between nine and twenty-two miles high in the
stratosphere. This is the band popularly referred to as the ozone layer. But the equilibrium is delicate, and ozone is rare
even in the ozone layer. For every ten million molecules of air, two million are breathable O2, and only three are ozone. Yet
this small amount of ozone is enough to prevent most UV-B radiation from reaching the surface of the earth. (from UCS).
How is increased surface UV-B radiation harmful?
The harmfulness of UV-B stems from the high energy of these light rays, which allows them to penetrate deeply into water,
leaves, and skin. Because of this, increased UV-B radiation can harm the metabolism of cells and even damage genetic
material. Although living organisms have always been exposed to some UV-B, cellular repair mechanisms evolved to
protect against its damaging effects. The problem with increased UV-B is that it causes more damage than the natural
protection can cope with. Increased UV-B radiation leads to increased incidence of such problems as skin cancer, eye
damage and cataracts, and possible inhibition of immune system function in humans as well as other animals. Plants also
suffer under increased UV-B, and their vulnerability could result in reduced crop yields, damage to forest ecosystems, and
decreased populations of phytoplankton in the world's oceans.
What has been done to protect the ozone layer?
Through extensive research, scientists identified the human-produced chemicals that are responsible for the destruction of
stratospheric ozone. As evidence emerged on the extent of the threat to the ozone layer, the international community
agreed to control ozone-depleting substances and schedule a timetable for completely phasing them out. This agreement
is known as the Montreal Protocol and is a monumental achievement in international cooperation and environmental
protection. Furthermore, the protocol provides for an on-going process so that, as the scientific understanding of ozone
depletion improved, the phasing out process could be accelerated. The agreement also provides a powerful precedent for
similar international efforts to deal with global warming and loss of biodiversity.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency is charged with enforcing the terms of the Montreal Protocol.
The treaty provisions are given the force of law through the Clean Air Act of 1990. Accordingly, chlorofluorocarbon, carbon
tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform production ended at the end of 1995; methyl bromide is currently scheduled to be
phased out by 2001; and all hydrochlorofluorocarbons will be phased out by 2030.
Is ozone depletion related to global warming?
No. Ozone depletion and global warming are separate problems, though some agents contribute to both.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the principle cause of ozone deletion, but they also happen to be potent heat-trapping
gases. Still, CFCs are responsible for less than 10 percent of total atmospheric warming, far less than the 63 percent
contribution of carbon dioxide. Thus, attention paid to CFCs has been on their ozone depletion role. This will change as
CFCs are phased out and replaced by hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs such as R-134a).
These chemicals have little or no effect on the ozone layer but are strong heat-trapping gases. As their concentration in the
atmosphere is already rising, the likely net effect in the future is that reductions in the CFC-related contribution to global
warming will be offset by the presence of HCFCs and HFCs. (UCS)
Cleaner Diesel fuel
What is ultra low sulfur diesel?
Because of the harmful effects that diesel fuel emissions can have on human health and the environment, the EPA has

imposed a new rule requiring cleaner diesel fuel to be sold by September 2006 for use in large diesel trucks and bus es.
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a clean burning mono-alkyl ester-based oxygenated fuel, made from vegetable oil, cooking grease, or animal
fats. Currently, the most common source is virgin rapeseed oil, with biodiesel also being processed from recycled frying oils.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be domestically produced from agricultural resources, simple to use, biodegradable,
nontoxic and free of sulfur and aromatic compounds and meets the 2007 sulfur standards. Biodiesel is registered as a fuel
and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meets clean diesel standards established by the
California Air Resource Board (CARB). Neat biodiesel fuel (100% biodiesel) has been designated as an alternative fuel by
the Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
What are ASTM standards? (Biodiesel.org)
All engines are designed and manufactured for a fuel that has certain characteristics. In the US, the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM). In the case of diesel fuel (and biodiesel), the responsibility for setting standards lies within
ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants. In order to assure that the standards are rigorous and robust,
ASTM committee D02 is comprised of fuel producers, engine equipment manufacturers, and third party interests (users,
government agencies, consultants). ASTM also uses a complicated ballot process in which a single negative vote is enough
to defeat a ballot, so this is a true consensus organization. An ASTM standard is not easily achieved. Some standards can
take over 10 years to gain agreement and be issued by ASTM. This rigorous, time-consuming process is why ASTM
standards are recognized and adopted by others worldwide.
ASTM fuel standards are the minimum accepted values for properties of the fuel to provide adequate customer satisfaction
and/or protection. For diesel fuel, the ASTM standard is ASTM D 975. All engine and fuel injection manufacturers design
their engines around ASTM D 975. In cooperative discussions with the engine community early in the biodiesel industry's
development, engine manufacturers strongly encouraged the biodiesel industry to develop an ASTM standard for biodiesel
fuel which would allow them to provide their customers with a more definitive judgment on how the fuel would affect
engine and fuel system operations compared to ASTM D 957 fuel for which an engine was designed.
Delegations
Diesel Particulate Matter
What is Diesel Particulate Matter?
Diesel particulate matter is part of a complex mixture that makes up diesel exhaust. Diesel exhaust is commonly found
throughout the environment. Diesel exhaust is composed of two phases, either gas or particle and both phases contribute
to the risk. The gas phase is composed
of many of the urban hazardous air pollutants, such as acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The particle phase also has many different types of particles that can be classified by
size or composition. The size of diesel particulates that are of greatest health concern are those that are in the categories
of fine, and ultra fine particles. The composition of these fine and ultra fine particles maybe composed of elemental carbon
with adsorbed compounds such as organic compounds, sulfate, nitrate, metals and other trace elements. Diesel exhaust is
emitted from a broad range of diesel engines; the on road diesel engines of trucks, buses and cars and the off road diesel
engines that include locomotives, marine vessels and heavy duty equipment.
How Do I Get Exposed to Diesel Particulate Matter?
The most common exposure pathway is breathing the air that contains the diesel particulate matter. The fine and ultra fine
particles are respirable which means that they can avoid many of the human respiratory system defense mechanisms and
enter deeply into the lung. In the National Scale Assessment, there are several steps used to characterize public health
risks. For diesel particulate matter, not all of the steps could be completed but a qualitative assessment was provided that
provided modeling estimates of population exposures. The estimated population exposure concentrations for diesel
particulate matter were the highest exposure concentrations in all of the New England states. EPA has medium confidence
in the overall NATA estimate for diesel particulate exposure based on the emissions and exposure modeling.. Exposure to
diesel particulate matter comes from both on road and off road engine exhaust that is either directly emitted from the
engines or aged through lingering in the atmosphere.
How Can Diesel Particulate Matter Affect My Health?
Diesel exhaust causes health effects from both short term or acute exposures and also long term chronic exposures, such
as repeated occupational exposures. The type and severity of health effects depends upon several factors including the
amount of chemical you are exposed to and the length of time you are exposed. Individuals also react differently to
different levels of exposure. There is limited information on exposure to just diesel particulate matter but there is enough
evidence to indicate that inhalation exposure to diesel exhaust causes acute and chronic health effects.

Acute exposure to diesel exhaust may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, some neurological effects such
as lightheadedness. Acute exposure may also elicit a cough or nausea as well as exacerbate asthma. Chronic exposure in
experimental animal inhalation studies have shown a range of dose dependent lung inflammation and cellular changes in
the lung and there are also diesel exhaust immunological effects. Based upon human and laboratory studies, there is
considerable evidence that diesel exhaust is a likely carcinogen. Human epidemiological studies demonstrate an association
between diesel exhaust exposure and increased lung cancer rates in occupational settings.
At What Levels Should I Be Concerned?
There areseveral types of health hazard information to provide a quantitative "threshold of concern" or a health benchmark
concentration at which it is expected that no adverse health effects occur at exposures to that level. Health effects
information on carcinogenic, short and long term non carcinogenic end points are used to establish selective protective
health levels to compare to the modeled exposures levels. Unfortunately the exposure response data in human studies are
considered too uncertain to develop a carcinogenic unit risk for EPA's use. There is a Reference Concentration (RFC) that is
used as a health benchmark protective of chronic non carcinogenic health effects but it is for diesel exhaust and not
specifically set for diesel particulate matter which is what was modeled in NATA. The RFC for diesel exhaust, which includes
diesel particulate matter is 5 ug/m3. This value is similar to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard established for fine
particulate matter which is 15ug/m3.
What Can I Do To Minimize My Risk?
Avoid idling if you have a diesel vehicle, this means turn off your engine when your vehicle is not in motion. Keep your
diesel vehicle well tuned and maintained. If possible, retrofit diesel engines with pollution control de vices. If purchasing
trucks or buses, consider buying those that meet EPA's new standards ahead of schedule.
Health Assessment Document for Diesel Exhaust EPA HQ
NOx (Nitrous Oxides)
Where does NOx come from?
Natural sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) include volcanoes, lightening strikes and biological decay. Estimates range from
between 20 million and 90 million tons per year NOx released from natural sources, compared to around 24 million tons
from human sources world-wide. Nitrogen oxides are produced when fossil fuels are burned. The major sources of NOx in
the UK in 1999 were road transport (44%), power stations (21%) and industry (including iron and steel, and refineries)
(12%).
What are effects of NOx on Air Quality?
health effects of nitrogen oxides are similar to those caused by ozone. However, health effects of nitrogen oxides only
occur when higher concentrations are absorbed. Nitrogen oxides are fashioned during high-temperature combustion.
What is done to regulate NOx emissions by mobile and stationary sources?
Various control technologies are applied to combustion technologies. For a full description of the regulations imposed on
NOx by the EPA please see the page describing NOx as a criteria pollutant.
Ozone/Stratospheric and Ground level
What is ozone?
Ozone is a gas that is made up of three oxygen atoms (O3 ). Ozone is classified as either stratospheric (good ozone) or
ground level (bad ozone.
What difference between stratospheric and ground level ozone?
Stratospheric ozone or A good ozoneis a layer surrounding the earths atmosphere. It protects all life on earth from the
damaging effects of the sun's rays. Ground level ozone is formed by a photochemical reaction between atmospheric
oxygen (O2) and smog forming chemicals at the earths surface. It is odorless and colorless, but can have profound effects
on the human respiratory system.
What is the Ozone Hole?
The ozone hole is a well-defined, large-scale destruction of the ozone layer over Antarctica that occurs each Antarctic
spring. The word "hole" is misnomer; the hole is really a significant thinning, or reduction in ozone concentrations, which
results in the destruction of up to 70% of the ozone normally found over Antarctica. The A hole or A thinning of the ozone

layer is a result of a heat catalyzed reaction between Chloroflorocarbon and Ozone that breaks it down into atmospheric
oxygen (O2) and an oxygen radical. Once ozone is broken down, it takes a much more energy and time to react back into
its original form.
Particulate Matter
What is particulate matter?
Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets .
Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot
or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with an electron microscope. Some particles are
directly emitted into the air. They come from a variety of sources such as cars, trucks, buses, factories, construction sites,
tilled fields, unpaved roads, stone crushing, and burning of wood. Other particles may be formed in the air from the
chemical change of gases. They are indirectly formed when gases from burning fuels react with sunlight and wa ter vapor.
These can result from fuel combustion in motor vehicles, at power plants, and in other industrial processes.
How does particulate matter adversely affect human health and the environment?
Many scientific studies have linked breathing PM to a series of significant health problems, including: aggravated asthma
increases in respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficult or painful breathing chronic bronchitis decreased lung
function premature death. Particulate matter can also cause visual impairment and is a major cause of reduced visibility or
A haze that is a common problem in many of our national parks and urban areas. PM can cause deposition of heavy metals
and other environmental solids that contaminate soil and water across large distances. This long range deposition can,
making lakes and streams acidic changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river basins depleting the
nutrients in soil damaging sensitive forests and farm crops affecting the diversity of ecosystems.
Pollution Prevention
What is pollution prevention?
Pollution Prevention (P2), also known as "source reduction," is any practice which reduces, eliminates, or prevents
pollution at its source. By reducing the total amount of pollution that is produced, there is less waste to control, treat, or
dispose of, and there are less hazards posed to public health and the environment. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
How can pollution prevention be achieved?
Pollution may be prevented by many types of approaches. Reduction of pollutants can be achieved by using raw materials,
energy, and water more efficiently. Conserving and protecting natural resources can also reduce the amount of waste
produced.
Actions which may prevent and reduce pollution include:
product redesign
substitution of raw materials
process or equipment modifications
improvements in maintenance, training, inventory control, or housekeeping
Why is pollution prevention important?
Preventing pollution offers important benefits, as pollution never created avoids the need for expensive investments in
waste management and cleanup. By anticipating the future, pollution prevention reduces both financial costs (waste
management and cleanup) and real environmental costs (health problems and environmental damage). As a result,
pollution prevention holds the exciting potential of protecting the environment and strengthening economic growth through
more efficient production and natural resource use.
How does pollution prevention fit into national policy?
The ranking of environmental management strategies is as follows:
1.Prevention--reduce pollution at the source
2.Reuse--reuse/recycle when you can not reduce
3.Treatment--treat pollution when you can not reduce or
reuse/recycle
4.Disposal--safely dispose of pollution as a last resort

Radiation
What is radioactivity?
Some atoms (for instance uranium) are unstable and tend to change into other types of atoms. When they change they
release energy and sometimes particles.These atoms are radioactive and the energy or particles released is radiation.
Radiation can damage materials, including living tissue.
Is all radioactivity manmade?
We don't usually think about it, but radioactivity is part of the natural world. We are all exposed to background radiation
which includes cosmic rays, radon, and radioactive materials (like uranium) in rocks and soil. Background varies with
location. Radiation exposure in Denver, for instance, is generally higher than in Seattle because of differences in altitude
and natural radioactivity in the environment. There is no indication, however, that Denver cancer risks are any higher as a
result.
What about radiation risks?
Generally speaking there are high levels and low levels of radiation exposure . High levels include atomic bomb exposures
and exposures from some industrial accidents. We know that people exposed to high levels of radiation can become
sick.Radiation sickness or poisoning can occur within days or weeks of exposure. People exposed to high levels also have
an increased risk of cancer over the long term. Low levels of exposure (such as from regulated sources and background
exposures) are different. They are not high enough to cause radiation sickness. When it comes to cancer risk, the data on
effects is all based on high level exposures. It is not known for certain whether or not low levels of exposure increase
cancer risk. To be protective for public health purposes, the assumption is generally made that even small exposures could
have some risk. Therefore exposures are reduced as much as practical.
Are some types of radiation worse than others?
Different radiations present different kinds of problems. Gamma radiation is like X-rays: penetrating and shielded by lead
and other dense materials. Note that x-ray machines are not radioactive. They create radiation when turned on. Beta
radiation often accompanies gamma and consists of energetic electrons. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two
neutrons (the nucleus of a helium atom). They do not penetrate paper or skin, but could be of concern if inhaled or
ingested. For alpha, protecting from inhalation or ingestion is the first concern. For gamma, most of the exposure comes
from the radiation field produced by the source (like an x-ray beam). Reducing time of exposure, increasing distance from
the source, and using shielding are standard methods for controlling gamma radiation exposure. Some radioactive
materials target specific organs (radioactive iodine targets the thyroid).
Are microwaves and radio waves radiation?
Microwaves and radio waves are a kind of electromagnetic radiation, but they lack the energy needed to break chemical
bonds in cells. They are called A non-ionizing radiation to distinguish them from higher energy radiation such as gamma
rays. Non-ionizing radiation has not been shown to cause the same health effects as ionizing radiation.
What is my largest source of radiation exposure?
By far the average person's largest source of radiation exposure is from naturally-occurring radiation, primarily radon
indoors. Another significant source of exposure is the medically-related radiation most of us receive as part of medical
exams and treatment. Exposure from regulated sources is maintained as a very small fraction of these levels.
Aerosols
•
• Aerosols in the Stratosphere
Asbestos
• Indoor Air Quality
• Asbestos in Your Home
• Asbestos Health Effects
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Protect Your Family and Yourself from
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (PDF)(2pp,
Lead (Pb)
• Lead in Air
• Lead and Compounds
• National Air Quality Trends
• Nonattainment Areas
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Ozone Depletion Glossary
Mercury (Hg)
• EPA Mercury Site
• Clean Air Markets

65k,About PDF)
• Automobiles and CO (PDF)(4pp,
21k,About PDF)
• Carbon Monoxide Nonattainment Areas
• Integrated Science Assessment on Carbon
Monoxide
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• CFC Phaseout
• Title VI of the Clean Air Act
• Myth: CFCs Are Heavier Than Air
• Black Market CFCs and You
Criteria Air Pollutants
• The Six Common Air Pollutants
• The Plain English Guide To The Clean Air
Act
• Green Book Nonattainment Areas for
Criteria Pollutants
• Integrated Science Assessments
Ground Level Ozone
• EPA Ground Level Ozone Site
• Good Up High, Bad Nearby
• Health and Environmental Effects
• Automobiles and Ozone (PDF)
• AIRNow
• Integrated Science Assessment of Ozone
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)
• Air Toxics Website: Basic Facts
• Pollutants and Sources
• Health Effects Notebook
• Hazardous Air Pollutants Information
• Radionuclides
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC)
• HCFC Phaseout Schedule
• Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
• EPA Nitrogen Oxides Site
• NOx Trading Programs
• Indoor Air Quality: NO2
• Integrated Science Assessment of Nitrogen
Dioxide
Particulate Matter (PM)
• EPA Particle Pollution Site
• Effects of Particulate Matter
• Integrated Science Assessment of
Particulate Matter
Propellants
• Acceptable Substitute Propellants
Radiation
• Radiation Protection Program
Radon
• Indoor Air Quality: Radon
Refrigerants
• CFCs and Substitute Refrigerants
• Vehicle Air Conditioners
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
• EPA Sulfur Dioxide Site
• Acid Rain Program
• Integrated Science Assessment of Sulfur
Dioxide
Toxic Air Pollutants (see Hazardous Air Pollutants)
Volatile Organic Compounds
• Indoor Air Quality: VOCs

Are there litter laws where you live? If so, what is the penalty for littering?
Do you think cars should be banned from city centers?
Do you think people should recycle newspapers?Why or why not?
Do you think there are lessons to learn from nature?
How has the world changed since you were a child? (technology, values,
environment, health)
How often is garbage collected in your neighborhood?
If humans are really intelligent and not simply manipulated by their genes like any
other animal, why can't they do anything about overpopulation?
What are some things that can be recycled?
What are some things that your community is doing to help the?
What are some things which you recycle?
What are some types of pollution?
What are some ways that you can reduce pollution in this country?
What can you do to help prevent pollution?
What can you do to make this world a better place?
What do you think of people who smoke cigarettes indoors?
Which is more important, increasing people's standard of living, or protecting the
environment?
• Think of a situation in your area involving this issue.
• Which side would you choose?
Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people or the
government? Explain.
What is the most important issue facing the environment today?
Do you know about any anti-pollution programs in your community?
• What about programs in your native country?
Do you usually drink bottled water? Why or Why not?
If you could chooseone alternative energy sourceto develop which one would
you choose?Why?

Are companies more or less environmentally responsible now than they were in
the past? Why do you think that is?
Do you think recycling is an important community service?
• Do you recycle?
Who should pay for the costs associated with renewable energy?
Should we make the development of renewable energy sources an economic
priority?
What are some ways energy is wasted?
What types of energy are popular in your native country?
What is the main problem with renewable energy sources?
What can large cities do to improve their air quality?
How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve people's
standard of living?
Do you think overpopulation is an important environmental issue? Why or why
not?
Should an environmental levy be imposed on SUVs not used in the farming
community?
• How would this help the environment?
Should gas for motorists be more expensive?
• What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Do think global warming is real?
• Do you think this is an effect of pollution?
Are worried about global warming?
If you live on an island or on the coastdoes this increase the danger from global
warming? Why?
What's happening to forests in the world?
What happens when we remove forests?
What can we do to protectforests?
Why should we recycle?
Does your local government make it easy or hard for citizens to recycle?
Are there people in your country who make their living from picking-up other
people's garbage?

Compiled by Prof. Purabee Purnasha Mishra. Page
10
How is pollution effecting the environment of the United States today?
• How about your own country?
Does your country have a smoking ban law in place?
What are the benefits/ disadvantages of a smoking ban?
How do individual decisions about number of children affect overall population
numbers?
What is global warming?
Do you think nuclear power safe? Who should be allowed it and why? Who
should police it?
In what ways can we save more water? Please tell your experiences.
What should we do to increase the awareness about environmental pollution?
Do you have any ideas on how to minimize the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam
boxes?
Does your local government make it easy or hard for citizens to recycle?

Q&a esdm pollution

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