Toxic substances (substances that harm the environment) are produced everywhere. Your car produces them, your house produces them, cigarettes produce them, and industry produces them.  Toxic substances can contaminate air, water, and soil supplies.  We will explain each type of contamination, list some ways you can help, and also give you a list of some common toxic substances.

AIR

The atmosphere contains many contaminants, like the chemical vapors from the industry and the gases released by car engines. In the atmosphere, many reactions occur that can change the composition of toxic substances. Some toxins actually become less harmful in the atmosphere, but others become more dangerous. Gases are not the only contaminants which reach the atmosphere; liquids and even small solids also pollute the air.  Sometimes these contaminants mix with the water in the atmosphere and become acid rain.  Others are involved in ozone-destroying reactions.

When a large amount of toxic particles are mixed with an atmospheric factor, an atmospheric inversion can take place. What is this atmospheric factor? Well, when the temperature of the ground is higher than the atmosphere, all the toxic particles come down to the ground. This happens because of the difference in density of the air masses - cold air weights more than hot air.

You might have heard by now about acid rain. But do you know what creates it? Or what it is?  Many industrial plants release the gases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide into the atmosphere.  These toxins mix with water in the air and react to form nitric acid and sulfuric acid. These two acids are very strong - concentrate, one drop can put a hole in your carpet. Think about how plants and animals might be affected by this sort of chemicals being put in the environment.  Europe especially has a big problem with acid rain  - many forests have been destroyed because of it.

WATER

All the water on earth considered together is called the hydrosphere. Inside the hydrosphere there are always cycles. Toxic wastes use these cycles to travel long distances. Water provides toxins with a perfect medium to react with other chemicals, or with the water itself.

Imagine that you are in a lake. You want to drink water from that lake, but on the other side of the lake there is an industrial plant dumping chemicals into the water. Should you drink water or not? Well, there are a lot of factors to consider. First, consider the size of the lake.   In this case, the bigger the better, since a larger supply of water would do more to dilute the chemical pollutant. But how big is big enough to protect your health?  Now consider whether the toxic is soluble or not (will it remain on the surface of the water)?  Many toxins are soluble in water, meaning they can be in the water supply without your realizing it.  For example, the soluble chemical benzene can cause cancer, while mercury can kill in a second.   But just because a soluble chemical is “hidden,” doesn’t mean that only soluble pollutants can be deadly.  Several years ago in Alaska, a ship transporting petroleum crashed and spilled 4 million gallons of oil into sea.  You know from your kitchen that oil isn’t soluble – it floats on the water’s surface.  This petroleum spill killed millions of animals and ended commercial fishing in the area.  Hundreds of oil spills occur each year; many aren’t as well-publicized as the Alaskan spill.  Think about this, and be as analytical as possible.

Water has an important ability (or property): it can attract other substances.  When these substances are pulled by water they become charged particles called ions. When this happens, it is very easy to join together toxic ions and make a more toxic substances.  Thus water, like air, is a medium that transports toxic substances.

SOIL

Many toxic substances evaporate from the ground and enter to the atmosphere. Eventually, these same substances will come back down to the soil. In the soil, some organisms transform them. For example, take ammoniac gas and mix it with water. When it rains the ammoniac can be transformed into two different substances: nitrate that is very good for plants, or nitrite, a harmful substance.

Soil pollutants do one of the following:

1.      Are absorbed by plants and then eaten by animals.

2.      Are dissolved in rain and end up in water as pesticides.

3.      Enter the atmosphere (especially if it is a volatile substance)

4.      Remain in the soil (solid substances, such as metals, can be there forever)

Toxic pollution, as you can see, is a big problem – one that spans from a flower petal to giant companies.  But just because the problem may be big doesn’t mean you can’t help.  The following points are the TEN COMMANDMENTS to reduce toxic substances around you.

1.      Don’t Smoke.

2.      Read the contents of a container of chemical substances CAREFULLY.

3.      Conserve energy -- Repair heat leaks in your home.  Buy electronic products with high energy saving ratings. Car pool, or bike. Don’t use lights, the car, or electrical devices when it is not necessary.

4.      Reduce, reuse, and recycle -- Buy products made with recycled materials.  Use non-throwaway products.  Recycle papers, bottles, and cans. Give away used toys, clothes, furniture, etc. -- don’t throw them away!

5.      Use alternate, earth-friendly products instead of dangerous chemical products.

6.      Evaluate your home for radon contamination.

7.      Evaluate the quality of your home’s water.

8.      Don’t ignore the security rules at work or school labs. Use gloves and appropriate clothing and eye protectors, masks, ventilators and emergency showers.

9.      Support local and global environmental legislation.

10.  Share your knowledge with others.

In conclusion, there are many types of pollutants, some more harmful than others. None of them disappear. They will always be part of the environment, in one form or another. Every time you buy a product, read the label and see what impact it may have on the environment. Try always to follow the Ten Commandments to reduce pollution.

What follows is a list of common toxic substances. Look at some products (such as cleaners) in your house and consider what they’re made of.  And remember, the definition of what is toxic changes all the time.  Some chemicals we consider harmless today may be discovered to be dangerous tomorrow.

Acetone

Acetic Acid

Oxalic Acid

Aluminum

Ammoniac

Arsenic

Aspartame

Barium

Benzene

Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfates

Cadmium

Zinc

Chloride

Chloride Acid

Vinyl Chloride

Chrome

DDT

Dioxin

Mercury

Nickel

Nitrates

Carbon

Nitrogen Oxides

Photochemical oxidants

Lead

Plutonium

 Helpful link: http://www.worldwildlife.org/frame_toxics.htm