...Our respiratory organs, our vision, and our hearing are damaged because of the high amounts of contaminants in the air, water, and soil. A substantial number of people have conditions such as asthma, other respiratory problems or difficulties with additional organs of the body. The contaminants in the air have not only affected humans, but animals as well. The atmosphere contains a lot of dust, which travels from the surface of the Earth and, partially, from space, as strong winds pick up water particles from the seas and oceans. The small pieces of salt contained in the water are brought into the air. As a result of volcano eruptions, forest fires, industrial wastes, etc; air becomes polluted with products not completely burned. There are some basic sources of pollution of the atmosphere: industries, transportation devices, and others.
Due to recent studies, we now know that industrial production and its waste products are the strongest pollutant of the air. Their sources of pollution are thermal power stations, which together with smoke, throw out sulphurous and carbonic gas in the air. The metallurgical enterprises, especially nonferrous metallurgies, fill the air with nitrogen compounds, chlorine, fluorine, ammonia, compounds of phosphorus, particles and compounds of mercury and arsenic, chemical and cement works, to name a few. Harmful gases get into the air as a result of the burning of fuel for the needs of the industry, heating of our homes, transportation needs and the burning and processing of household and industrial wastes. Aerosols are the collective name of firm or liquid particles, which contaminate the air. Firm components of aerosols, in some cases, are especially dangerous to living creatures, because they are linked to the cause of specific diseases. In the atmosphere, aerosol pollution is perceived as smoke, fog, haze or fumes.
Plenty of dust particles are also formed during the industrial activity of many businesses and people. The manufacture of cement and other building materials is also a source of dust pollution in the atmosphere. For these reasons, many people get sick and do not know the cause of their condition. Every person inhales the air and that air is contaminated. More than half of all Americans breathe polluted air, which can damage their health. Most believe it is because the government doesn't fully enforce clean air laws. ''It is clearly time to get serious about enforcing all of the provisions of the Clean Air Act so that we place Americans' health above business and political interests,'' said John Kirkwood, president and chief executive officer of the American Lung Association ("Most Americans", para 3).
The soil is a natural formation that holds a number of qualities necessary for a living creature. One of the most important qualities of the soil it is its fertility. As human beings, we don't fully appreciate the value and the great importance of soil free of contaminants. Frequently, we encounter the remainders of construction sites such as: panels, blocks, bricks covered with ashes, and slag. Automobile parts often are cast out and leak fluids onto the soil. As a result, iron and other metals penetrate the soil. Thus, hazardous compounds of arsenic, mercury, and copper accrue into the soil. Therefore, the ever-increasing cycle of the amounts of contents of lead in the soil is never stopped. We can observe this especially on the sides of our roads and highways. Even such substances as mineral fertilizers, created to enhance the soil, can cause damage.
For many years, different kinds of fertilizers and chemicals were used in agriculture to obtain the best crops. Soil, much like every living creature needs vitamins, needs to replenish its nutrients. These nutrients are found in healthy soil, and it helps grow and protect the plants from insects, bugs, and weed killers. Some pesticides better known as neurotoxins were one group of artificially made chemicals used over a long period of time in agriculture. The excess amount of these pesticides used to "fertilize" and protect the soil turned out to be the ones that harmed the soil the most. But, it didn't just damage the soil. It also made a negative impact on humans, animals, birds, and fish, as well...

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