• Question: what is the worst kind of pollution

    Asked by anon-218914 to Shannah, Richard, Matthew (known as Kaan by, johnpaterson, Emma, Anna on 17 Jun 2019.
    • Photo: Richard Gammons

      Richard Gammons answered on 17 Jun 2019:

      All pollution is bad, but toxic pollution which kills aquatic life is worse in my book!

    • Photo: Emma Markham

      Emma Markham answered on 17 Jun 2019:

      When I think of worst pollution a few things come to mind.

      One is Leaded Petrol, this helped the fuel ignite and prevented damage to the exhaust valve, the only problem was that Leaded petrol has caused more exposure
      to lead than any other source worldwide. It contaminating air, dust, soil, drinking water and food crops, it has caused harmfully high human blood lead levels around the world, especially in children. Lead causes problems in the brain and leads to death. Lead in petrol was banned in the EU in 2000.

      Another pollution was Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which was nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays and in old fridges and freezers. CFC’s are a gas and it ends up in the higher atmosphere, where it destroyed some of the ozone layer, reducing the protection it offers the earth from the sun’s harmful UV rays. CFCs were banned in 1987 and the Ozone layer has begun to repair.

      I think these two examples are great because it shows that when scientists and government work together, identify a dangerous chemical causing pollution, we can then work together to ban it and find alternatives which are safer for the environment.

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