1: What did you learn from the videos that you didn't know before?

Ans: From the videos, I got to know about the seriousness of the situation that we all in right now. Also
how fast and effectively it’s affecting all of us. I didn’t know about the Fracking and how it is actively
affecting so many people who live nearby the sites.

2: What surprised you?

Ans: What surprised me was that people like me and you are currently living in such non-escapable
situations. They are bound to live under the threat, knowing that the situation is degrading their lives,
affecting their health on a daily basis. They do NOT have any other options other than to continue to live
in the dire situation.

In the case with fracking, the situation is so dire that the people are subjected to get exposed to water
with hydrocarbon gas mixed with it (which catches flames when subjected to the fire right out of tap).

Also, I was NOT surprised by the attitude of the authorities responsible for the security of the individuals
they are suppose to look after. They are unwilling to acknowledge the hazard that their policies are
causing for these people.

3: What was most interesting?

Ans: There were two instances that interested me in particular and they were:

The mother from the Bill Moyers video: Her dedication to actively pursue the stopping of the
fracking, even to the point that she went to jail for the cause.

She described in details how much relevant data is available to support the current scenario of
Toxic trespassers.

She described how fracking is not only affecting the air quality and increasing the levels of
ground levels of ozone (which is killing people) but also how it is playing its part in affecting the
genetics of the babies being born.

She mentioned that the breast milk, which is responsible for the crucial overall development of
a new born, is highly contaminated with toxic trespassers.

She also mentioned how all their scenario is damaging to the brain development of the kids and
is causing early puberty in girls.

A Mother Fights Toxic Trespassers. Moyers & Company. (19 Apr 2013).https://youtu.be/raW-
IQ3-7CA.
4: For each of the following fossil fuels:

A. List the kinds of pollution caused by

1)extraction,

2) distribution in ships, trains, trucks or pipelines, and

3) consumption by

a) companies and

b) individuals, and

B. how each kind of pollution could be prevented.

1) natural gas :
a) Extraction: Pollution caused by natural gas extraction includes air pollution, water
contamination, and land degradation. Drilling, fracking, and processing can emit greenhouse
gases, toxic chemicals, and volatile organic compounds that contribute to climate change
and harm human health and the environment.
b) Distribution: Natural gas distribution can cause air pollution from leaks and emissions from
pipelines, compressors, and transport vehicles.

c) Consumption:

a) Companies: The combustion of natural gas in power plants, factories, and other
industries produces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate
change, acid rain, and smog.

b) Individuals: The use of natural gas for heating and cooking in homes can emit indoor
air pollution, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.

A Mother Fights Toxic Trespassers. Moyers & Company. (19 Apr 2013).https://youtu.be/raW-
IQ3-7CA.

2) oil :

a) Extraction: Oil extraction causes air pollution, water contamination, and land degradation.
Drilling, pumping, and transporting oil can release methane, volatile organic compounds, and
other pollutants into the air and water. Oil spills from accidents and leaks can cause ecological
damage and harm wildlife.
 b) Distribution: Oil distribution can cause air pollution and water pollution from spills and leaks
during transport by ships, trains, trucks, and pipelines.

c) Consumption:

a) Companies: The combustion of oil in power plants, factories, and other industries
produces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change,
acid rain, and smog.

b) Individuals: The use of oil for transportation, heating, and cooking can emit air
pollution and contribute to climate change.

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico (full documentary) | FRONTLINE.
FRONTLINE PBS|Official. (13 Apr 2022). https://youtu.be/NzrGZCJojUE.

3) Coal:
a) Extraction: Coal mining causes water pollution, air pollution, and land degradation. Surface
mining can destroy ecosystems and cause soil erosion, while underground mining can release
methane and other pollutants into the air and water.
b) Distribution: Coal distribution can cause air pollution and water pollution from spills and leaks
during transport by trains, trucks, and barges.
c) Consumption:
a) Companies: The combustion of coal in power plants produces air pollution,
greenhouse gas emissions, and toxic ash and sludge that can harm human health and
the environment.
b) Individuals: The use of coal for heating and electricity in homes can emit indoor air
pollution and contribute to climate change.

Coal's Deadly Dust (full documentary) | FRONTLINE. FRONTLINE PBS|Official. (21 Apr 2021).
https://youtu.be/650dKRmc0Nk.

B. Prevention of pollution caused by fossil fuels:

Natural Gas:

Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources instead of natural gas.

Reducing natural gas leaks by improving infrastructure and regulations.

Implementing carbon capture and storage technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Oil:
Promoting public transportation, electric vehicles, and other alternatives to fossil-fuel-powered
transportation.

Strengthening regulations to prevent oil spills and leaks.

Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Coal:

Phasing out the use of coal for electricity production.

Encouraging the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Implementing carbon capture and storage technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

5: How do the videos show that it is important to regulate hydraulic fracturing in drilling for natural gas?

Ans:

It is affecting human lives and animal lives on a large scale. People have no where else to go, so they are
bound to live in those areas with polluted water and polluted air with natural gas resulting from the
process of hydraulic fracturing.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other air contaminants released during fracking can harm
neighbouring communities' health and cause respiratory issues.

Extreme amounts of water is employed in the process of hydraulic fracturing. In order to fracture shale
rock and liberate natural gas, hydraulic fracturing uses a lot of water, chemicals, and sand to make a
high-pressure solution that is pumped beneath. These chemicals and drilling debris run the risk of
polluting neighbouring groundwater and surface water sources during this procedure.

Seismic activity, which can result in tremors and other forms of geological disturbance, can also be
brought on by hydraulic fracking.

Being a solid fuel, natural gas releases carbon gases into the atmosphere when it is extracted and
burned.

The disposal of fracking effluent raises additional issues because it includes a variety of pollutants and
compounds that, if not managed and disposed of correctly, can contaminate land and water sources.

A Mother Fights Toxic Trespassers. Moyers & Company. (19 Apr 2013).https://youtu.be/raW-IQ3-7CA.

Gasland 2010. Fluffykins. (11 My 2014). https://youtu.be/6mp4ELXKv-w.

6: Why are natural gas companies not held responsible for polluting well water? Why is hydraulic
fracturing not regulated at the federal level? Who was responsible for exempting fracking from federal
regulation, and what was the connection of that person to fracking? What can be done to prevent
politicians from putting their personal interests and financial gain above the interests of the American
people?

Ans: Depending on the conditions and the supporting documentation, natural gas companies may be
made accountable for contaminating well water. However, it can be difficult to demonstrate a link
between the fracturing process and the pollution of well water, and businesses may contend that the
contamination was brought on by other causes.

Federal and state governments both control hydraulic fracturing, but the scope and severity of those
laws differ from state to state. Fracking is mainly regulated by the federal government on federal
territories and in offshore regions, while state governments are primarily in charge of governing it within
their own boundaries.

In honor of the energy corporation that pushed for it, the exemption of hydraulic fracturing from federal
oversight is referred to as the "Halliburton Loophole." The Energy Policy Act of 2005 introduced the
loophole, which excused hydraulic fracturing from some sections of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Prior to
joining politics, Dick Cheney, who was vice president at the time, was the CEO of Halliburton.

Transparency and accountability in government are crucial to preventing lawmakers from prioritising
their own personal interests and financial benefit over those of the American people. This can be
accomplished by enacting laws governing conflicts of interest, lobbying transparency standards, and
campaign finance change. The people can also hold elected officials responsible by participating in
politics, keeping informed, and voting.

Gasland 2010. Fluffykins. (11 My 2014). https://youtu.be/6mp4ELXKv-w.

Answer the following questions from articles in the readings folder and referenced in the PowerPoints
and the videos An Inconvenient Truth, Glacier Meltdown, Antarctica Ice Cores, None Like it Hot!, Toxic
Trespass and Toxic Baby.

7: In the Glacier Meltdown and Antarctica Ice Cores videos what was the evidence of human-caused
climate change in the changing amount of CO2 and carbon in the glacier ice cores since the industrial
revolution?
Ans: By capturing air bubbles and other atmospheric gases as they develop, ice cores document the
Earth's previous environment. These air pockets' CO2 concentrations can be measured by scientists,
who can then compare the results to earlier data to establish how atmospheric CO2 levels have evolved
over time. Through ice core data, scientists can confirmed that ancient co2 content going back 800,000
years. After the industrial revolution and WW2 the CO2 levels have just keep on rising as we continue to
use more carbon in the atmosphere through fossil fuel power plants, industrial agriculture, air travel.

Even ways you think of as clean technologies like geothermal to create electricity are emitting carbon in
the atmosphere. It is renewable but not 100% carbon free. Due to the volcanic activity bubbling beneath
the surface the CO2 escapes takes place resulting in the glacial melting .

The films demonstrated how the percentage of atmospheric CO2 has drastically grown since the
industrial revolution, when human activities like burning fossil fuels started releasing significant
quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The study of carbon isotopes in the ice cores also showed that human actions, rather than natural
causes like volcanic activity or shifts in the Earth's orbit, are to blame for the rise in atmospheric CO2. It
is clear from the ice core data that the carbon in fossil fuels like coal, gasoline, and natural gas has a
distinctive isotopic trace that is different from the carbon in the atmosphere.

Full Documentary: Meltdown. Dave Malkoff. (20 May 2020). https://youtu.be/8SwtW97xuiI.

Photo Evidence: Glacier National Park Is Melting Away | National Geographic. National Geographic. (22
Oct 2015). https://youtu.be/ur4I8tYnxP4.

8: What do you think needs to be done to prevent further climate change?

Ans: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide pollution, is the most crucial move
in combating climate change. By switching to greener energy sources, like wind, solar, and hydropower,
as well as increasing energy economy, this can be accomplished.

Promote sustainable transportation, agriculture.

Reduce waste and promote recycling.

Developed nations like United States , have to wake up from their political delusions and lead the cause
with the resources they have and collaborate with the rest of the world. By passing and enforcing
climate-friendly laws and rules like carbon pricing, green energy requirements, and energy efficiency
standards, governments can play a significant role in halting climate change.

New technology must be implemented in a unique way to harness the power of renewable energy
sources.
For instance one of the things that Iceland does in order to overcome the escaping oxygen from the
surface, is that they have built technology to capture powerplant carbon, push it down into the earth
and turn it into solid rock. First, they mix Co2 and other gases with water and then they pump a mile and
quarter below the plant at high pressure. The power company’s goal is to turn all the co2 they produce
into 30 thousand tons of rock per year. They’re working in collaborating with other countries as well.

They use carbon scrubber for ambient air. This isn’t enough to stop from glaciers from melting away but
it’s a start.

Full Documentary: Meltdown. Dave Malkoff. (20 May 2020). https://youtu.be/8SwtW97xuiI.

9: What chemicals from manufacturing and agriculture are polluting water, air and/or consumer
products? List at least 7 chemicals, including PFAS, their sources, what they pollute, and their health
effects. What laws and EPA regulations are needed to get companies to stop and clean up their
pollution?

Ans:

PFAS : Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of synthetic compounds used in many
industrial processes, including the production of emergency foam, nonstick surfaces, and stain-resistant
textiles. They are related to a number of health impacts, including cancer, immune system dysfunction,
and developmental issues, and can contaminate water sources, sediment, and air.

chlorpyrifos : An insecticide used in fields to manage bugs is chlorpyrifos. It is related to

neurodevelopmental effects, including lower IQ and concentration impairments in children, and it can
pollute water and the environment.

dioxins : A class of hazardous compounds known as dioxins can be created during commercial processes
like production and incineration. They are related to a number of health impacts, including cancer and
issues with reproduction and development, and they can contaminate the air and water.

lead : Heavy metal lead is employed in a number of industrial operations, such as extraction and
smelting, as well as the production of batteries. It is related to neurological and cognitive issues,
especially in children, and can contaminate water, air, and land.

mercury : Several industrial operations, including coal-fired power stations, mining, and medical
equipment, use mercury, a heavy metal. It has been associated with neurological and developmental
issues and can pollute water, air, and seafood.

phthalates : A class of compounds known as phthalates is used in many commercial goods, including
plastics, cosmetics, and personal care items. They are related to a number of health impacts, including
reproductive and developmental issues, and they can pollute water and the environment.
Bisphenol A (BPA): BPA is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of some polymers, such as epoxy
compounds and polycarbonate plastics. It is related to a number of health impacts, including
reproductive and developmental issues, and it can taint food and water.

Laws and EPA rules are required to force businesses to halt and clean up their pollution. Regulations on
the emissions and flows of contaminants, specifications for the recording and tracking of pollution, and
sanctions for non-compliance are a few examples. Aside from that, there might be particular laws and
rules that target particular chemicals, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which controls
the production, importation, and handling of chemicals in the US. Pollution can also be decreased
through increased financing for regulatory organizations and stricter implementation of already-existing
laws. In the end, it is likely that a mix of mandatory and optional actions will be required to successfully
handle industrial and agricultural contamination.

The Toxic Baby. Tyrone Hayes + Penelope Jagessar Chaffer. TED.

https://www.ted.com/talks/tyrone_hayes_penelope_jagessar_chaffer_the_toxic_baby

Toxic Trespass - Environmental Links to Children's Health. Splashmonkey13. (16 May 2008).
https://youtu.be/OpdqKAC73CM

10: What toxins are permitted in furniture and toys and why? List at least 5 toxins and their effects.
What do you think needs to be done to prevent toxic furniture and toys from being sold?

Ans:

Formaldehyde is a volatile organic substance that is used in some furnishings and fabrics as a glue. It is
regarded as a carcinogen and may irritate the eyes, sinuses, and oesophagus.

Flame retardants are a class of compounds that are added to devices, furnishings, and other goods to
lower the risk of fire. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), one type of flame retardant, have been
connected to cognitive and developmental impacts.

Phthalates are a class of compounds found in some toys and other goods made of plastic and vinyl. They
have impacts on reproduction and development and can interfere with hormone activity.

Lead is a heavy element that is present in a variety of paints, polymers, and devices. It has an impact on
neurological and cognitive processes, especially in young infants.

Cadmium is a poisonous element that is present in some plastics, batteries, and electrical components.
It is categorized as a toxin and may harm the kidneys and lungs.

DDT (Dichloro diphenyle tri choro ethan): pesticide

To prevent toxic furniture and toys from being sold :

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which governs the safety of children's products
in the United States, is one example of a current law that should be strengthened. This might entail
extending the list of substances that are prohibited as well as stepping up testing regularity and rigour.
In order for customers to make educated decisions about the goods they purchase, there may be a need
for greater transparency and labelling regulations. Encouragement of producers to use better
components and procedures, such as non-toxic flame retardant substitutes, is another strategy. The
demand for safer goods may also rise as a result of greater public knowledge and instruction about the
possible health impacts of toxic substances in furnishings and toys.

The Toxic Baby. Tyrone Hayes + Penelope Jagessar Chaffer. TED.

https://www.ted.com/talks/tyrone_hayes_penelope_jagessar_chaffer_the_toxic_baby

Toxic Trespass - Environmental Links to Children's Health. Splashmonkey13. (16 May 2008).
https://youtu.be/OpdqKAC73CM

11: What regulations are needed to prevent more derailments of train cars carrying toxic materials, such
as happened recently with the Norfolk Southern train derailment in E. Palestine, Ohio? What toxic
chemicals were being transported, what are they used for, and how did they pollute air, water and soil?
What are the problems with the plans to transport polluted soil and incinerate it?

Ans: regulations are needed to prevent more derailments of train cars carrying toxic materials:

Enhanced infrastructure: To lower the risk of derailments, train lines and bridges should be routinely
inspected and kept.

Increased safety requirements: Tank trucks used to carry dangerous materials should adhere to tighter
safety requirements, including having sturdier materials and thicker walls.

More frequent inspections: To spot possible dangers, railroads should check their machinery, trains, and
tracks more frequently.

Increased employee training: Train railroad employees correctly on handling dangerous products and
handling crises.

Several tank cars carrying ethanol and styrene monomer were engaged in the Norfolk Southern railroad
derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Styrene monomer is a combustible liquid used to create polymers
and rubber, whereas ethanol is a flammable spirit used as fuel. Residents in the area had to be
evacuated as a consequence of the accident, which released ethanol and started a fire. Additionally, the
surrounding rivers were polluted by the ethanol discharge, which might have an effect on aquatic life
and drinking water.
The contaminated soil is intended to be moved and burned in order to resolve the pollution brought on
by the accident. This strategy, however, has a number of flaws. The airborne harmful pollutants that can
be released during incineration may have an effect on the local population's health. Additionally, it
might not completely rid the earth of all contaminants and it might be costly. Furthermore, if spills or
mishaps happen while moving contaminated soil, both employees and the ecosystem may be at risk.

'I Don’t Feel Safe': Ohio’s Derailed Train Left a Cloud of Distrust. VICE News. (25 feb 2023).
https://youtu.be/ifPxwQOqnkY

Bibliography

A Mother Fights Toxic Trespassers. Moyers & Company. (19 Apr 2013).https://youtu.be/raW-
IQ3-7CA.

Coal's Deadly Dust (full documentary) | FRONTLINE. FRONTLINE PBS|Official. (21 Apr 2021).
https://youtu.be/650dKRmc0Nk.

Full Documentary: Meltdown. Dave Malkoff. (20 May 2020). https://youtu.be/8SwtW97xuiI.

Gasland 2010. Fluffykins. (11 My 2014). https://youtu.be/6mp4ELXKv-w.

'I Don’t Feel Safe': Ohio’s Derailed Train Left a Cloud of Distrust. VICE News. (25 feb 2023).
https://youtu.be/ifPxwQOqnkY

Photo Evidence: Glacier National Park Is Melting Away | National Geographic. National Geographic. (22
Oct 2015). https://youtu.be/ur4I8tYnxP4.

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico (full documentary) | FRONTLINE.
FRONTLINE PBS|Official. (13 Apr 2022). https://youtu.be/NzrGZCJojUE.

The Toxic Baby. Tyrone Hayes + Penelope Jagessar Chaffer. TED.

https://www.ted.com/talks/tyrone_hayes_penelope_jagessar_chaffer_the_toxic_baby

Toxic Trespass - Environmental Links to Children's Health. Splashmonkey13. (16 May 2008).
https://youtu.be/OpdqKAC73CM