APES Pollution AgendaRichard Czaikowski 3rd period

Morning

Turning on the lightsEvery morning when I wake up I turn on the lights, which requires electricity. The electricity at my house comes from a coal burning power plant. The burning of coal can release sulfur, which leads to an increase in sulfur dioxide. Trace metals such as mercury and lead can be released into the atmosphere when coal is burned, which can cause damage to the central nervous system. Particulate matter released through the combustion of coal is damaging to the respiratory system. To reduce the amount of electricity I use, I can open my windows and use natural light, instead of wasting electricity and turning on the lights.

Hot showerI take a long hot shower every morning. A water heater powered by natural gas is needed to heat up the water for my shower. The burning of natural gas releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Methane from unburned natural gas can also enter the environment. Methane is a very harmful pollutant because compared to carbon dioxide, methane is 25% more efficient at absorbing infrared energy. To reduce this pollution, I can take shorter showers using cold water.

Driving to schoolEveryday I drive my Chevy Trailblazer to school, which releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxides into the environment. These pollutants contribute to smog, damage plant tissue, and damage the human respiratory system. I can reduce pollution from my car by making a carpool. By creating a carpool I can reduce the number of cars on the road, reducing the amount of pollution from cars.

Midday

Water BottleEveryday for lunch I drink a bottle of Ozarka water. Petroleum is used to make the plastic bottle. Petroleum can release carbon dioxide, sulfur, lead, mercury, and arsenic into the environment. Instead of drinking a new bottle of water everyday, I could re-use the same water. This would reduce the amount of plastic I use, thus reducing the amount of pollution created through the burning of petroleum.

LaptopFor most of my classes I use a Dell laptop to take notes. I have to charge my laptop everyday after lunch, which requires electricity generated from the burning of coal. The combustion of coal can contribute to gray smog by releasing sulfur dioxide. The combustion of coal can also release particulate matter that can absorb and scatter sunlight, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth’s surface, which can reduce photosynthesis in plants. To reduce this type of pollution I can begin taking notes by hand, eliminating the need for me to charge my Dell laptop on a daily basis.

Evening

Driving homeEveryday I drive my Chevy Trailblazer home from soccer practice, which releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxides into the environment. These pollutants contribute to smog, damage plant tissue, and damage the human respiratory system. I can reduce pollution from my car by making a carpool. By creating a carpool I can reduce the number of cars on the road, reducing the amount of pollution from cars. I also drive to the gym every evening soon after I get home from soccer. I can begin walking to the gym (it is only a mile from my house) in order to further reduce pollution from my car.

DryerEvery night I do laundry, which requires using a Whirlpool dryer. My dryer is gas powered, so it releases carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the environment. My dyer also releases volatile organic compounds, which leads to ozone formation. The formation of ozone in the troposphere is a dangerous pollutant. To help reduce this pollution I could use a clothesline outside to dry my clothes instead of using a dryer.

Energy VampiresBecause electricity from my house is provided by a coal burning power plant, leaving appliances plugged in uses electricity. Using this electricity causes air pollution from chemicals released into the atmosphere from the burning of coal such as sulfur dioxide, lead, mercury, and particulate matter. To reduce this pollution, I can unplug appliances before I go to sleep such as my Dell computer, Samsung television, and Cannon printer in order to prevent adding pollution into the environment by using unnecessary electricity.