I am an environmental studies student who identifies as an environmentalist and I agree with Scott Pruitt's skepticism towards coal.
Now I agree in a different sense. Why do we only focus on coal? I support the idea of having scientists look more into the effects of coal on the environment. That is wonderful! Hell yes I am going to support environmental research! The more information we have the better management plan we can create even if his hypothesis is that coal is not causing climate change.
There are other plenty of other pollutants that are decimating our environment as well as our health.
In pursuit of cerebral dominance, here's a list of some of the things that are surprisingly environmentally related.
Heavy Metals
Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury and Chromium are examples of "heavy metals" which are , "toxic, metallic, high density chemical elements that are poisonous even at low concentrations" Heavy metals present in the body have not only lead to a decrease in organ function (i.e. liver, heart, brain, etc.) but have attached themselves to cells causing a disruption in replication that an lead to cancer and other diseases. A small list of ways people come in contact with heavy metals is: diesel, jet fuel, some paints, some dyes, some soaps, PVC products, soil from smelters, and some pesticides.
Bioaccumulation of Chemicals
The main example of this I wanted to display is Mercury, a neurotoxin (impacts the nervous system). Mercury adds up within the fatty tissue of animals and increases up the food chain. If there was a fish that consumed 3g of mercury in two different fish, it would have 6g of mercury. And this continues up the food chain. The mercury does not disappear. Impacts of different mercury compounds on humans include: memory loss, loss of peripheral vision (if you have Methylmercury Poisoning), muscle weakness, insomnia, poor performance on mental function exams, tremors, headaches and more. A child exposed to mercury in the womb, via the mother, is at risk for: less function of cognitive thinking, poor memory, lack of attention, difficulty with language, and difficulty with visual spatial skills.
Cancer
Cancer occurs due to a replication issue within the cell itself. UV rays have been linked to cellular DNA damage which can cause skin cancer. By depleting the Ozone layer, we are letting in UVA, and UVB. It was used to think that UVA, which is the main ray in tanning booths, was less harmful than UVB. "Studies over the past two decades, however, show that UVA damages skin cells called keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, where most skin cancers occur...UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers." UVB is the cause of skin reddening and also plays a large role developing in skin cancer. UVC is the shortest wavelength that is currently being blocked by the ozone layer. However it is predicted that, "...because of its short wavelength and high energy it would cause severe damage to living cells in both plants and animals if reached the Earth's surface."
Possible Increase in Autism
