Air Pollution in Arizona Essay

Introduction

Air pollution is one instance of environmental pollution in Arizona State. This environmental pollution poses a health risk of Arizonians. According to Anderson, Thundiyil, & Stolbach (2012), the oil and gas factories in Arizona's capital, Phoenix emits enormous amounts of gas pollutants into the air every day. The pollutants dumped include methane, toxic air impurities, and toxins that smog the ozone. Toxic air pollutants lead to cancer and other diseases whereas ozone smog can lead to health hazards such as asthma attacks, bronchitis, and emphysema (Graham & McCabe, 2017). Therefore, the pollution oil and gas factories make the ozone smog and damage the health of the Arizonians.

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Causes of Air Pollution in Arizona

As noted, one major cause of air pollution in Arizona is the emission of oil and gases from factories. Most of the manufacturing industries in this state emit carbon and other toxic substances which are harmful to humans, animals, plants and other objects (Grineski, Bolin, & Boone, 2007). A report from environment Arizona Research and Policy ranked Arizona as the fourteenth state in the US with most carbon pollution from its power plants.

According to the report, the primary power plants that emit carbon in the Arizona environment include the Cholla power plant, Navajo Generating station, Mesquite Generating station, Springer Ville Generating station and Coronado Generating Station (Environment Arizona, 2013). Anderson, Thundiyil, & Stolbach, (2012) believe that these power plants are the single largest source of the state's carbon pollution which is responsible for approximately 55% of the state's overall emission.

Another cause is household cleaning products used by Arizonians. Such products include sprays, painting supplies, and air fresheners. Research indicates that these items emit toxic chemicals in the air, thus, causing indoor air pollution.

Effects of Air Pollution in Arizona

Air pollution has a harmful impact on human health and the environment. For instance, toxic air pollutants lead to cancer and other diseases whereas ozone smog leads to health hazards such as asthma attacks, bronchitis, and emphysema (Graham & McCabe, 2017).

Another effect is global warming. The emission of carbon and other toxic pollutants depletes the ozone layer resulting in a global warming effect. With increased temperatures, the formation of icebergs and an increase in sea levels, there is a loss of habitat which signals an impending disaster (Environment Arizona, 2013).

Another effect is eutrophication. According to Anderson, Thundiyil, & Stolbach (2012), eutrophication occurs when high amounts of nitrogen present in some toxins develop on the surface of the sea and change into algae. This condition affects species of fish, animals, and plants.

Another effect is acid rain. During the burning of fossil fuels, harmful gases such as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are released into the atmosphere to cause acid rains. Acid rains corrode the surfaces of iron sheets, cause damages to humans, animals, and plants.

Solution to Air Pollution in Arizona

One solution to air pollution in Arizona is cleaning up the dirtiest power plants to avoid the emission of toxins. Another solution is formulating strong federal standards to prevent the discharge of pollutants from oil and gas industry more so on federal lands like the one in San Juan basin (Anderson, Thundiyil, & Stolbach, 2012). The Bureau of Land Management waste rules and Environment Protection Agency (APA) policies are significant for the health of Arizonians.

Conclusion

Overall, air pollution is a major environmental issue in Arizona. Pollution from oil and gas factories affects human and animal health. It leads to respiratory and heart problems such as asthma and cancer. Cleaning the dirtiest power plants can help reduce air pollution in Arizona. Besides, Arizona needs strong federal standards to prevent the emission of pollutants from oil and gas industry. The Bureau of Land Management waste rules and Environment Protection Agency (APA) policies are significant for the health of Arizonians.

References

Environment Arizona. (2013). Retrieved December 5th, 2018, from https://environmentarizona.org/news/aze/arizona-ranks-14th-global-warming-pollution-power-plants

Anderson, J. O., Thundiyil, J. G., & Stolbach, A. (2012). Clearing the air: a review of the effects of particulate matter air pollution on human health. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 8(2), 166-175.

Google. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5th, 2018, from https://www.google.com/search?q=smog+ozone+pollution+in+arizona&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6gqaSpInfAhXOyqQKHYlHCVgQ_AUIDygC&biw=1366&bih=608

Graham, J., & McCabe, D. (2017). Health Risks in Arizona from Oil and Gas Air Pollution. 1. http://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/CATF_FactSheet_HealthEffects_AZ.pdf

Grineski, S., Bolin, B., & Boone, C. (2007). Criteria air pollution and marginalized populations: environmental inequity in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Social Science Quarterly, 88(2), 535-554.