The Clean Water Act of 1972 is the US law that regulates water pollutants and surface water quality. It is a significant accomplishment for public health because the government recognized the need to protect our water from industrial runoff, sewage, and other substances that pollute bodies of water, and that these unwanted substances must be separated from clean, clear water to keep it “clean.” Although the Earth consists mainly of water, the exponential growth of the human population and need for clean water is much greater. In order to sustain and meet this need, it is our human responsibility to create and follow governmental policies and actively protect our water from pollution. Animals who live and/or highly depend on these waters are greatly impacted. If their ecosystem is polluted, these creatures can become sick, genetically mutated, and/or die. This is an added factor that could also affect human health because many people rely and consume these creatures and the waters they reside in. Closely tied to our health, the human body requires water to run its cellular processes smoothly. If we consume polluted water, those unwanted chemicals will affect cell growth and organ function and can make our body sick. Furthermore, if we do not maintain our clean water, we won’t be able to sustain the lives of billions of people and other creatures living on this earth.
Using the “What’s on my food” website, I searched the general food items which comprised the previous night’s dinner: chicken breast, rice, green beans, and water. My search began with mild results, but became progressively worse as I went to the next food item. Chicken breast was found to have 7 pesticide residues; 2 presenting with developmental or reproductive toxins. Rice was found to have 15 residues, with 10 suspected hormone disruptors. Green beans had 44 residues; 21 of which were suspected hormone disruptors and 11 were neurotoxins. For water, there were 14 suspected hormone disruptors and 9 developmental or reproductive toxins among the 59 residues found. These findings are nothing to be proud of, but it made me realize how our diet greatly impacts our overall health. Although the general population may be working towards a well-balanced diet, the food items they consume—no matter how “healthy”—are actually causing internal chaos as the pesticide residues wrea...
It is truly unfortunate that the water issue persists. Water is essential for daily living. Policy makers and the government must know the consequences of environmental misuse and abuse. It affects every living creature, no one is immune to the effects of a destroyed plant.
ReplyDeleteWater is essential for every process of life. I like your tie to the importance of water in our own health and our own human body processes. Although this act was enacted in 1972, it is important to continue the advocacy for policies that protect our drinking water.
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