Introduction to Pollution and Environmental Protection

Flashcards covering the definition, causes, effects, historical policies, and prevention methods of pollution based on the lecture transcript.

What is pollution?

The introduction of harmful materials called pollutants into the environment.

What is the number one source of air pollution?

Burning fossil fuels, which are nonrenewable resources like coal, oil, and natural gas.

What is smog?

A thick fog or haze of air pollution.

What specific type of pollutant was identified as the cause of the hole in the ozone layer in the 1980s?

Chlorofluorocarbons, which were found in products like hairspray and refrigerators.

What is runoff?

Rainwater that carries loose soil, chemicals from farms and lawns like fertilizers, and trash into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

What material is plastic made from, and how long can it take to break down?

Plastic is made from oil and can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down.

Why do sea turtles in the ocean consume plastic bags?

They eat plastic bags mistaking them for jellyfish.

What law did the US government enact in the 1970s to regulate pollutants put into bodies of water?

The Clean Water Act.

How does saving electricity by turning off lights help fight pollution?

Less power used means less electricity needs to be generated by burning fossil fuels.

What are the three R's that individuals can do to combat pollution?

Reduce, reuse, and recycle.