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Chemistry and Environment Pollution

Man should carefully study the impact of his activity on the surrounding nature. The ecological problem is not simply the environmental pollution problem, but the problem of turning man's uncontrolled impact on nature into a purposeful and planned interaction with the latter.

Some scientists say that human civilization will perish as a result of environmental pollution and depletion of non-renewable natural resources.

The rational utilization of resources and the conservation of nature are a matter of state policy in many countries. All the problems concerning the interaction of man and nature are now of international importance.

The pollution of the Ocean by one particular country affects fishing in the other countries. The Chernobyl disaster was felt in Belorussia, Tula region and even in Scandinavia. So many ecological problems are global problems and can be solved by efforts of all countries.

The ecological problem is one of the pressing problems of our days. It is closely linked to the problems of economic growth, progress in science and technology, natural resources, energy and food supply. An increasing influence on nature and the application of new technological processes may cause catastrophic results.

The accumulation of C02 in the atmosphere, as well as of aerosols, has increased globally by 20%. The formation of C02 layer around the Earth may transform our blue planet into enormous greenhouse and may cause an increase in temperature and raise the level of water in the oceans. The pollution of the environment through chemical, physical and biological agents, together with eases in ionizing radiation produce mutagenic influence and cause genetic defects.

A modern economy is impossible without the concentration of chemicals. We may say that life without chemistry is impossible at present. On the one hand, chemical industry is making life easier, more comfortable, on the other, it is associated by many people with the environmental pollution. For instance, modern agriculture needs fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides. These chemicals help solve the problem of feeding the population on the Earth. But at the same time these chemicals may destroy the flora and fauna. They yield new types of waste products that pollute air, water and soil.

One kilogram of polymer constructional material can replace 4 to 5 kg of ferrous metals, the production of one ton of plastic parts requires 2 to 3 times less energy than for the production of metal parts. Such features of polymers as long durability and resistance to high temperature are needed for the structural materials. But the same qualities may make plastics the cause of fatal pollution. Plastics contribute to our waste disposal problem, because they are non-degradable and remain undecomposed indefinitely. Of all domestic wastes the greatest trouble is given by plastics. They cannot be burned, they only melt and release a smoke which poisons the air. Higher concentrations of heavy metals in the soil pollute it, result in disappearing some species of plants and animals. So chemistry should work out environmentally safe chemical products, low-waste or waste-free technology, water-saving methods, new recycling processes, and create new ways for waste utilization. Some waste can be treated by microbes, because some microbes may be considered as a chemical plant. This is a new trend in technology.

Not long ago scientists have grown microbes which convert polychlorvinyl film into carbon, that is, destroy the plastic. Some plastics may be exposed to UV radiation. The polymer chains that form plastics do not normally break when exposed to UV light. If light-sensitive linking molecules are inserted, the polymer chains unzip in sunlight and the plastic disintegrates.

The most promising way to solve the problem of clean air is to improve technology, because the cleaning systems are complex and costly. In conclusion, it may be summarized that environmental protection is a solution of waste disposal problems and educational activity among people.


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