116 Chapter 5 Community and Environmental Responsibilities
chemicals, especially fertilizers and pesticides, into nearby streams.
Animal wastes from feedlots have seeped through soil, contaminating
some water supplies.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is the excessively high sound level to which people
are subjected in their everyday lives. Modern machines, such as jet
planes and jackhammers, introduce dangerously loud noises to the
environment. Amplifi ed sounds from concerts also add to the problem.
One of the major dangers of noise pollution is loss of hearing since
constant exposure can damage it. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) standards limit the noise level of newly built vehicles and
equipment. Many communities enforce local rules to reduce loud,
irritating noises in residential neighborhoods.
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste is a by-product of society that poses a danger
to human health or the environment when not properly managed.
Hazardous waste has at least one of four characteristics. It may ignite,
corrode, chemically react with another material, or be toxic. Toxic waste
can cause injury if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin.
What can be done to reduce hazardous waste in the environment?
Become an advocate of continued EPA monitoring of illegal dumping.
Support community programs that inform the public about hazardous
waste and provide collection sites for their proper disposal.
At home, make sure items requiring special disposal are handled
appropriately. For instance, used motor oil, antifreeze, certain batteries,
and empty pesticide containers should be taken to special collection
sites. The products should not be placed with other household trash.
Look for labels on paints, pesticides, solvents, and other consumer
products that contain special disposal alerts.
How You Can Help
Individuals can play an important role in preserving and protecting
the environment. They can learn how to use natural resources to achieve
a better standard of living. They can recognize that misused resources
lead to pollution and other negative consequences. Finally, they can
make a strong commitment to maintaining the health of the environment.
Conserve Resources
One way you can help conserve natural resources is by recycling. To
recycle means reprocessing resources to use them again. See 5-5. Some
recyclable items are aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, and paper.
Old furniture and appliances can also be recycled.
Analyze
and
Solve
Imagine you are adapting
this section to be studied
by teens in another part
of the world. What other
topics would you want to
add? What topics could you
delete because they would
not be applicable?