Attention Getter: Video Clip youtube/watch?v=Gi-p-qDjsVg&feature=related

1. Attention Getter: Video Cliphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi-p-qDjsVg&feature=related

2. Environmental Health: Water PollutionLauren Dobler and Jessica McEntyre

3. Facts • Water pollution is contamination of water that causes negative effects on life and health. • Water can be contaminated in many ways by sewage, chemicals, radioactive wastes, and other substances being accidently spilled or dumped into fresh water. • Plastic litter is also a major water pollutant, causing enormous destruction to marine life. It is believed that annually plastic litter is responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 marine mammals, 1 million sea birds and countless fishes. • It is believed that water pollution is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases responsible for around 15,000 deaths each day. • About 20% of the world's population lacks access to safe drinking water and about 50% lacks adequate sanitation.

4. Facts • Over 73 different kinds of pesticides have been found in the groundwater that we eventually use to drink. • 1.2 trillion gallons of sewage, storm water and industrial waste are discharged into U.S. waters every year. • 40% of America's rivers are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life. • Even worse are America's lakes—46% are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life. • Americans use over 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides every year, which eventually washes into our rivers and lakes

5. How to prevent water pollution! • Do not dump garbage or toxic chemicals into lakes, streams, rivers, ponds, storm sewers, or ditches. • Do not pour toxic chemicals down the drain or into the toilet. Dispose of them at hazardous waste collection centers. • Plant trees and shrubs to discourage water runoff and soil erosion. • Support community efforts to clean up rivers, lakes, and streams, and to preserve wetlands.

6. Works Cited www.grinningplanet.com www.all-recycling-facts.com