[ECO]9 Lesser-Known Pollutants and How to Avoid Them in Our Everyday Lives

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9 Lesser-Known Pollutants and How to Avoid Them in Our Everyday Lives

You know the dangers of carbon monoxide, microplastics and greenhouse gasses. You may also know volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) because of how much media attention they’ve received recently. 

Laws try to phase out dangerous substances from entering the air, soil and water. Some are tangible, like plastic bags, while others are invisible and hard to monitor, like methane. Sometimes, a few are sneaky enough to fly under the radar. These lesser-known pollutants are still present and dangerous, so what can you do to stay safe?

1. ****** Carbon

****** carbon is the ****** remnants from diesel engines in land and sea vehicles. Combustion also creates it. Trucks and ships are powerful pushers of this toxic pollutant worldwide. It’s the second-most potential contributor to rising temperatures, only beaten by carbon dioxide. In a century, one ton of ****** carbon

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in warming potential. If this is so concentrated, why isn’t anyone talking about it?

It is a lesser-known pollutant for several reasons. Societies worked tirelessly to normalize fossil fuel-based transportation. This is to humanity’s detriment because now everyone is numb to its polluting impact. Advocating for electrified transportation is the best way to avoid them long term. You can also avoid it by driving less and stop burning waste

2. Visual Pollution

Are you bothered by littered streets covered in trash or a billboard interrupting a gorgeous tree line? These are instances of visual pollution. It may not seem as severe as something like ****** carbon, but it does take a toll on societies. These pollutants do signify other environmental concerns, such as lax littering laws or poor urban management. 

It makes people feel disconnected from their homes and nature because unwanted intrusions disrupt peace. People feel mixtures of emotions when bombarded with visual pollution, including:

• Anger
• Frustration
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Overwhelm

Light pollution is a form of visual pollution often found in metropolitan areas, and these are harmful for wildlife patterns and human sleeping patterns. Avoid visual pollution by cleaning up your town, talking to city councils to restore areas, and adjusting the orientation of lights to reduce spread. Some places get creative with events like Earth Hour in 2018. Around

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for one hour, representing the impact periodic blackouts can have on energy savings and animal movement.

3. Harmful Algal Blooms 

Algae could be a productive facet of an aquatic habitat, but there can be too much of a good thing. HABs pollute the water and air when they produce too much. They may sit in a thick layer on the tops of water bodies, preventing sunlight and nutrients from entering the ecosystem.

HABs harm cities in addition to waterways. Green waste like leaves and lawn clippings may grow algae, releasing toxins. If green waste appears on microorganisms and flushes into waterways, it makes matters more complicated. The high phosphorus levels lead to more HABs.

Homeowners should keep an eye on their area, hiring professionals to clean house sidings and sidewalks if they notice anything. Encouraging the work of other experts like street cleaners is also critical. They

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by disposing of it safely in the city before it has the chance to affect other environments.

4. Propylene Glycol (PG)

What do flavored coffee and antifreeze have in common? They both contain the chemical, PG. You also find this petroleum-based liquid in pharmaceuticals, food coloring and many food products. Some places source it from plants, like soybeans, but this isn’t always true. The fossil fuel version harms the planet and humans, which is why it’s banned in some places.

Steer clear of it by getting used to reading ingredient lists. You may also talk to health professionals to find safe alternatives if you’re worried it’s present in medications.

5. Coal Ash

Coal ash is the leftovers of burning coal. It contains a host of dangerous heavy metals and poisonous substances, including lead and mercury. Coal plants don’t have efficient or ethical ways of dealing with these remnants. It gets trapped in water and seeps into environments, and states

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have felt it the worst.

Replacing coal-based machinery with renewable alternatives is the best way to stand against coal ash pollution.

6. Chromium

Metalworking factories produce tons of chromium and lead, though more focus often goes to the latter. It gets into the water, which is how it makes its way into you. Water treatment facilities do everything they can to get it out, but installing filters in your home isn’t a bad idea.

It also enters the air from manufacturing and processing plants, so installing air monitors is also ideal for the home. Smart monitors measure indoor air quality and pollutant levels of more than just chromium, including:

• VOCs
• Ozone
• Radon
• Particulate matter
• Carbon monoxide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Metals

7. Thermal Pollution

Everything from power plants to car batteries causes thermal pollution. This describes the residual heat radiating from power plants, devices and more. It also comes from processes like deforestation and urban sprawl. It may seem inconsequential, but increasing urbanization and digitization means the world produces more heat than ever.

Thermal pollution may not be as inherently toxic as others on this list, but it is deceptive in contributing to global warming. It could also meld with other forms of air pollution, like heavy metals or particulate matter.

Escaping thermal pollution requires finesse. If you work somewhere emitting it in significant quantities, consider pitching a cooling tower or lake to regulate nearby temperatures. This reduces exposure to yourself and nearby nature.

8. Sound Pollution

Like visual pollution, sound pollution is one many people have dismissed. Cities are loud with cars and static. Events are constantly happening, as concerts, parades and fundraisers name only a few gatherings. Pair this with sirens, construction, barking dogs and conversations, and the outdoors is a noisy place to be.

Disturbances in otherwise tranquil environments disrupt animal and human behaviors. Sound pollution upsets sleep, causes emotional strain and damages hearing. Avoid sound pollution by installing soundproofing around your home and office. Ear plugs are also helpful in some circumstances. You can also practice awareness of the sound pollution you create.

9. Microfibers

Many know the horrors of microplastic beads found in clothes and cosmetics. Microfibers are just as plentiful and in the same products, and they are also plastic-based. Synthetics like polyester carry tons of them, and they are extremely resilient. Six kilograms of clothes could

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in one wash. These materials don’t like to degrade, and they withstand the elements like a pro.

You can stop purchasing clothes containing plastic-laden materials. Choose organic, natural sources instead. There are also products you can place in your machine to catch as many microfibers as possible, though they aren’t 100% effective.

Pervasive Pollutants

It’s a challenge to know where every pollutant is hiding. It’s even more difficult to find consistent, evidence-based information on their impacts. It will take time, advocacy, cooperation and legislation to overcome these toxic influences. As substitutions arise, new pollutants may come out of the woodwork. This is expected, but humanity will keep refining until unnecessary pollutants leave everyday life.

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