www.akcontaminants.org

The identification of harmful contaminants, especially in fresh water, is a serious matter. When it happens in the developing world the negative impact can be much greater. Unfortunately, the ability for citizens and governments, in the developing world, to control such problems is limited by lack of funds and by corruption.

Already more than one billion people on our planet are continually without decent drinking water. As of the year 2000, almost 500 children in our world were dying every hour because of harmful contaminants. More than 95 percent of these deaths Read more »

As talk of global climate change and the negative impacts associated with many of our daily activities is the forefront of the public consciousness, the true effects of our actions are starting to become more and clearer. Non-renewable energy accounts for the vast majority of means of electrical generation worldwide. Unfortunately, the use of these means of fuel for electrical generation has brought both good and bad effects upon the environment and even human health.

As more and more research is being conducted about the environment, health and the means we currently use to generate electricity, we are learning that the way we have been doing things is actually hurting both our environment and our own health.

Environmental Ramifications of Non-Renewable Energy Usage

Coal and oil are the predominant fuels used to produce electricity around the world. Even with new technologies that help to reduce the amount of emission of effluent (waste) of these types of power stations, they still put a strain on the natural balance of our environment. When these materials are burned, they release toxic emissions that are damaging to life as well as adding to the rise in greenhouse gas emissions.

Massive amounts of water are used in the process of generating power and heavy metals and other byproducts of burning non-renewable resources often ends up in the soil. Once there, it can eventually reach the ground water, increasing the level of contaminants in the water, even making it unsafe to drink.

Rise of Clean Energy

Solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy sources provide hope for a future where we can have the technologies and quality of life we are used to, without putting such a strain on the planet. Texas Green Electric Companies provide an alternative for those who have the desire to take part. Supporting these initiatives will help further their availability to more and more people, helping to create a society that runs more cleanly and efficiently.

With new knowledge often means a need for a change in paradigm. For those alive today, it is the realization that we need to change the means with which we power our societies. Electrical power generation accounts for the vast majority of energy consumption around the world, and much of this power comes from non-renewable resources that are degrading our environment. Green electric companies, while still in their infancy, provide hope for a future where technology, health and environment can be achieved in tandem.

The United States, despite having vast expanses of beautiful land, has rampant pollution problems. Contaminated ground water, air filled with smog and chemicals, dumping in rivers and streams and dozens of other problems can lead to both local inconveniences as well as to the toxic wastes of Superfund sites. These places can take years to clean up to the point that nature can begin to encroach, and there are a disturbing number of them all across the country.

In addition to the physical problems of pollution though, there is Read more »

One category of everyday contaminants that many people are not aware of that is in the groundwater is prescription medications. Water treatment plants as well as private wells have been tested and contain traces of prescription medications that have not been completely absorbed by whomever was taking them.

Pets and livestock are also contributors to these contaminants. Pets are being given medications for arthritis, as well as antibiotics at an increasing rate and when they relieve themselves traces of these medicines get into the ground water. This can happen whether you “curb” your pet or not, since urine Read more »

You probably have noticed that there are high levels of smog in your neighborhood. While this may have been of slight concern to you, you did not think much of it. The notion that you should move because there is a lot of smog in your neighborhood is not something that really crossed your mind. However, you may wish to rethink your stance on whether or not you should stay in your neighborhood since there might very well be a serious threat to your health present with the high Read more »

Ninety Seven percent of the world’s fresh water supply is in groundwater. Unfortunately many pollutants created by man such as sewage, pesticides, industrial waste and acid mine drainage end up in our groundwater supply. This type of contamination is widespread. Once the groundwater is contaminated it is very difficult and expensive to remediate. Sometimes it is impossible, and communities need to seek alternate sources of water.

Groundwater pollution is often caused by agricultural or residential pesticide Read more »

Many chemicals found as industrial byproducts are very toxic. But the risk factor increases dramatically when these contaminants are in heavily concentrated in areas where children or susceptive persons reside.

1. Heavy metals are an often-discussed hazard, and for a good reason. Lead was a staple product filler in paints, and local health departments have made great strides to ameloriate these problems. Lead is a neurotoxin shown to decrease measures of cognitive ability. Other common heavy metals include mercury and arsenic.

2. Asbestos. Like it Read more »