Dear Editor,
I am writing to call to attention the effects of pollutants on our planet. Although pollution has always been a popular issue, people are not aware of some useful facts that could help in bettering our health and the environment we all live in.
It is important to start off with knowing the sources of pollution other than the obvious (cars, factories, etc.) and knowing what the costs of continuing this lifestyle are. Pollution is much closer to us than we think.
While many of us might not think of it, there are many chemicals in our food that the government calls GRAS chemicals ‘mdash; Generally Recognized As Safe. Despite the title, no chemical has been tested for the average human lifespan. These chemicals could be inert and take effect later in life.
Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, is a common condiment found in many homes. Testing showed that it caused ants to slow down and become partially immobile. Human response differs from person to person, and there have been cases where aspartame has caused harm to certain people with unexpected results.
The seen forms of pollution are also obviously hazardous to us and our ozone layer. Some can stay in our lungs forever, and other compounds form smog and other toxins.
As college students, we are now independent and can make the choice to drive less and perhaps bike, walk or take public transportation instead. Also as students, we need to learn and set good examples to younger generations.
Many deaths have resulted because of human generated pollution, and our environment is drastically changing (which in turn kills many other living things through the destruction of their habitats). We can ignore the warnings, or stop using manmade chemicals and educate others in warning of what could possibly happen for the sake of our future and our children and so on.