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THE TRUTH ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS Robert N. Golden, M.D. University of Wisconsin–Madison General Editor Fred L. Peterson, Ph.D. University of Texas–Austin General Editor John V. Perritano Principal Author The Truth About Environmental Hazards Copyright © 2010 by DWJ BOOKS LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact: Facts On File, Inc. An imprint of Infobase Publishing 132 West 31st Street New York, NY 10001 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Perritano, John. The truth about environmental hazards / John Perritano, principal author; Robert N. Golden, general editor, Fred L. Peterson, general editor. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN-13: 978-0-8160-7646-8 (hardcover: alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-8160-7646-4 (hardcover: alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978-1-4381-2973-0 (e-book) 1. Natural disasters—Popular works. 2. Environmental disasters—Popular works. 3. Environmental health—Popular works. I. Golden, Robert N. II. Peterson, Fred (Fred L.) III. Title. GB5018.P47 2010 363.7—dc22 2009022200 Facts On File books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quantities for businesses, associations, institutions or sales promotions. Please call our Special Sales Department in New York at (212) 967-8800 or (800) 322-8755. You can find Facts On File on the World Wide Web at http://www.factsonfile.com Text design by David Strelecky Composition by Mary Susan Ryan-Flynn Cover printed by Art Print, Taylor, PA Book printed and bound by Maple Press, York, PA Date printed: May 2010 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper. CONTENTS List of Illustrations Preface How to Use This Book Environmental Hazards: A Part of Daily Life v vii xi 1 A-to-Z Entries Air Pollution Allergies Asbestos, Uses and Health Risks of Bacteria, Types and Importance of Carbon Monoxide Carcinogens, Sources and Dangers of Chemical Pollution, Causes and Hazards of Clean Water, Sources and Uses of Desertification, Causes and Effects of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Dangers of Environmental Conservation, History and Benefits of Fires, Causes and Environmental Dangers of Global Warming Groundwater, Sources and Use of 11 13 17 22 25 30 34 41 44 48 53 56 60 63 69 Hazardous Waste Disposal Herbicides, Types, Uses, and Dangers of Hurricanes and Tornadoes Insecticides, Types, Uses, and Dangers of Landfills and Superfund Sites Lead Poisoning Nuclear Energy Oil Spills Ozone Layer Radiation Radon Rain Forests, Depletion of the Recycling Volcanic Activity Water Pollution Hotlines and Help Sites Glossary Index 72 76 81 88 92 97 101 107 112 118 124 130 135 140 146 151 159 171 LIST Of ILLUSTRATIONS Air Quality Index Common Allergies and Allergic Reactions Asthma and Allergies Mesothelioma Deaths Unnecessary Drugs Breathing Carbon Monoxide Common Types of Childhood Cancer Childhood Cancer Deaths Water Deaths Worldwide, 2003 Extent of Desertification Deadly Waves Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Per Person International Views on Global Warming What Happens to E-Waste? Atlantic Ocean Temperature and Major Hurricanes Top States with Superfund Sites Blood Lead Levels in Rhode Island Lead Poisoning in Children v 14 18 20 24 29 30 36 40 45 50 54 65 67 75 83 95 97 100 vi The Truth About Environmental Hazards Sources of Radiation Exposure in the United States Risks of Radon Exposure Tropical Deforestation Rates, 2000–2005 Generation and Recovery of Materials 120 127 132 136 PREfACE The Truth About series—updated and expanded to include 20 volumes— seeks to identify the most pressing