Air pollution

Air pollution in China is still a serious issue. Breathing in air 

in Beijing for one day is the equivalent of smoking 40 cigarettes. 

Air pollution kills an estimated 4,000 people a day in China.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/18/china-air-pollution-far-worse-than-thought-study.html

In my hometown of Chillicothe, OH the MEAD spreads pollution

daily. The MEAD emits around 34 tons of volatile organic compound 

and 33,000 lbs. of hazardous waste every year. The EPA is working 

on a project to reduce workers exposure to solvents and solvent vapors as

well as focusing on the health of Chillicothe residents.

http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/p2/p2regint/MeadCorp.pdf

EPA and Air Pollution

After visiting the Ohio EPA webpage and browsing through the Ohio standards, I found that Ohio has good to moderate air quality overall. I did not know that there were "safe" levels of lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM10, PM2.5, ozone, and sulfur dioxide but Ohio has full attainment on all of them. I was also unaware of the 5 year testing period for these toxins. There were only 5 violations of the Ohio EPA code in 2014. In Chillicothe, the paper mill (MEAD) emits pollutants and hazardous wastes every day. In the summer after it rains, the smell of sulfur dioxide is very present and covers the entire city. According to Ohio EPA, the Chillicothe MEAD emits over 34 tons of volatile organic compounds and 33,000 lbs. of hazardous waste every year. Many citizens of Chillicothe have breathing problems, mostly the elderly. Those that live near the MEAD either work for the company or are from low income families. There are homes and buisnesses within 100 feet of the MEAD. 2015 studies from The Ohio State University have shown that the emissions from the MEAD are linked to Mesothelioma cancer. Unfortunately, the research shows that zones to watch out for exposure include the entire Chillicothe School System. Ohio's sulfur dioxide levels have not been tested since January of 2013 and will not be tested again until 2018 but it one of the major air quality issues in Chillicothe. 

According to National Geographic, carbon dioxide is the number one pollutant around the world, which is to blame for global warming. Over the past 150 years, the Earth has been the warmest it has ever been due to the pumping of carbon dioxide into the air. The next largest pollutants are methane and chlorofluorocarbons, which cause holes in the ozone layer and come from areosols and refrigerants. Although countries that are industrialized like the United States are trying to lower the amounts of sulfur dioxide emitted into the air, studies have shown that lower sulfur dioxide levels may create worse global warming issues because without it, there is no blockage from direct sunlight (http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution-overview/). The only way humans can help stop global warming and reduce the amount of air pollution around the world would be to drive less and bike and walk more, reduce reuse and recycle, and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide individually or reducing one's carbon footprint. One way the government and the world as a whole has helped reduce greenhouse gasses is the Kyoto Protocol which states that countries will cut back on carbon dioxide emissions because air pollution is not only effecting the country you live in, it is spreading into developing countries and causing people to fall ill because of our pollution. Along with the Kyoto Protocol, many companies and worksites are giving incentives to those who make "greener" choices. Most people do not realize that the choices we make today will stay on Earth as their personal footprint. A lot of people turn away from green actions and behaviors because of the cost. There are many ways to help reduce air pollution but it starts with the individual.

Websites used:

http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/p2/p2regint/MeadCorp.pdf

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/18/china-air-pollution-far-worse-than-thought-study.html

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/general/naaqs.aspx

http://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/27/ams/AR2004_web.pdf

http://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-exposure/states/ohio/chillicothe/

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution-overview/

http://38.106.5.41/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentID=2640