Mercury—emitted by smokestacks and released to the environment from common household products like old thermometers—is a persistent heavy metal that ends up in rivers, lakes and oceans and accumulates in the tissues of fish and animals, including people.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance in many rocks, and low levels of arsenic can be found in groundwater as a result of the erosion of rock minerals. However, high levels of arsenic in drinking water are often associated with industrial pollutants,
According to Harvard biology professor Jim Hanken, “Overall, the situation has definitely gotten worse. The problem is more serious than we originally thought.” Scientists are particularly concerned because frogs are considered a “sentinel species”
The U.S. ranks 45th out of the 142 countries evaluated by the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), which measures overall environmental progress using 20 core indicators, including urban air quality, environmental regulations and resource use
The ingredient that gives some athletic shoes their cushioning support is sulfur hexafluoride, known as SF6. It’s a popular man-made gas with a uniquely buoyant chemical structure. Unfortunately, SF6 is also an unusually persistent global warming
Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the diesel, or internal combustion, engine between 1892 and 1897. Interestingly, instead of running on today’s petroleum-based diesel fuel, at the time his engine used peanut oil. Dr. Diesel speculated,
Antiperspirants often contain aluminum, zirconium or both. These substances tighten or close underarm skin pores in order to block sweat glands and the moisture they produce. While underarm products often contain both antiperspirants and deodorants, deodorants alone do not contain aluminum.
While cotton is more biodegradable (and less flammable) than polyester fabrics, the heavy use of chemical aids by most cotton farmers has many green organizations concerned. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) says the cotton industry uses approximately
Clay-based cat litters contain crystalline silica, the main component in sand, rock and mineral ores. A possible health threat from these litters is posed by silica dust, which can be kicked up and breathed in by both cats and humans.
Despite common beliefs, there is no evidence that feeding wild birds changes their migratory patterns or makes them in any way more dependent on people, according to John Bianchi, a spokesperson for the National Audubon Society.”
