The Effects of Improper Waste Disposal

It has come to light in the past several years how severely mankind has adversely affected the health of the environment. The improper disposal of waste is one of the worst forms of pollution. It affects the ground, the air, waterways, the wildlife and humans.

Soil Damage

Waste that is not disposed of correctly can contaminate the ground soil. This contamination leaves the soil too toxic for plant life to grow. It also destroys the micro ecosystems of bacteria, bugs and microorganisms that form the basis of the food chain along with plants. The Environmental Protection Agency has specific designations for areas that have suffered soil contamination from improper waste disposal, such as a brownfield or superfund sites. These areas have the potential to be hazardous to human health through contamination of drinking supplies.

 Air Damage

Some pollution from waste is so damaging that it can get into the air. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which can be considered improper waste disposal in some instances, can cause acid rain. Acid rain is harmful to plant life and wildlife; it is also damaging to human infrastructure and art that is located outdoors. The pollution is also then transferred to the ground soil and waterways.

 Water Pollution

It was once acceptable to dump waste and chemicals into rivers and streams. This had a devastating effect on wildlife and water quality. In 1969, two rivers that empty into Lake Erie actually caught fire from the large amounts of chemicals, oil and other wastes that were dumped into the rivers. Wastes that are destructive to waterways can also include human and animal wastes and fertilizers; these wastes cause “blooms” or rapid growth of algae that soon strip the water of oxygen needed by fish. Polluted waterways affect fish, birds and other wildlife. It pollutes waterways so they cannot be used for drinking or even swimming as there are high levels of chemicals, toxins or even the E. Coli bacteria.