Pollution in South Carolina

Polluted Stormwater In South Carolina

What Precisely Is Non – Point Source Pollutant?

Non-point sources (NPS), also referred to as polluted runoff, are a type of pollution that originates from a variety of dispersed sources.

Non – point sources (NPS) differ from point source pollution in that they originate from specific sources, such as sewage treatment plants and industrial facilities, whereas point source pollution (PS) is carried by water flowing over land, such as rainfall runoff. As water travels across land, it picks up and transports contaminants that contaminate the water it flows through.

Oil and sediment from roads, agricultural chemicals from fields, fertiliser, pesticides, and pet waste in urban and suburban regions are examples of pollutants. Fertiliser, pesticides, and pet waste in industrial and suburban regions are also examples. Either directly or indirectly, the polluted water reaches a nearby body of water.

Storm drain systems, on the other hand, can be utilised.

It appears that a storm drain has spilled.

Pollution From Nuclear Power Plants Has Several Sources

Everyone is accountable for their contribution to the NPS reservoir’s contamination.

Agricultural operations in rural areas contribute nutrients, toxic compounds, and waste to the environment as a result of the use of fertilisers, pesticides, and animal breeding methods, as well as the waste produced by these methods.

Suburban and urban residents have had the greatest impact on the cost of pollution in their communities. Through typical gardening practises, homeowners generate a variety of nutrient and toxic compounds (mowing, fertilising, watering, & pesticide application, for example). Eventually, these nutrients and hazardous chemicals enter nearby waterways.

Vehicle fluids, paint, and common household items all contain potentially hazardous compounds that are, among other things, released during their use, storage, and improper disposal. It is possible to introduce bacteria into suburban and urban areas through the improper disposal of pet waste and the use of poorly designed or maintained septic systems. In addition, it is essential to note that a large number of contaminants, such as nutrients, toxic chemicals, viruses, silt, and trash, collect on roads, carparks, roofs, driveways, and sidewalks, among other locations. This is particularly true in urban settings.

All of these structures have the capacity to rapidly transport contaminants to nearby bodies of water.

What Is The Source Of Our Concern?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water pollution from nuclear power plants is the most significant factor contributing to the deteriorating water quality in our country. In addition to bodies of water such as lakes and estuaries, toxic runoff has an impact on the entire environment.

In reality, it’s likely that you won’t have to look much further than your neighbourhood creek or drainage pond to find pollution sources to address. It is possible that polluted water in your neighbourhood or even in your own backyard will result in a variety of issues, ranging from overgrown ponds and fish deaths to the closure of shellfish beds and contamination of drinking water.

Pollution by ozone in South Carolina

The number of days with dangerously high ozone levels in Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson remained unchanged from the previous year’s report. In terms of ozone pollution, the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area tied for 122nd position, barely ahead of Charleston.

Even healthy persons can be harmed by ozone pollution, but children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma are more at risk. Inhaling ozone-polluted air can provoke asthma episodes in asthmatic children and adults, resulting in their transportation to the doctor’s office or emergency room. Ozone has the ability to reduce human lifespans.”

This article reveals that ozone is less likely to form due to climate change and is more difficult to remove from the atmosphere. In the “State of the Air” report for the year 2020, it was determined that significantly more persons were exposed to dangerous ozone pollution than in the three previous assessments.

The State Of South Carolina’s Particle Pollution

Using data from the “State of the Air” report for 2020, it was determined that particle pollution levels in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area were significantly lower than in the previous year’s research. The metropolitan region’s year-round particle pollution levels reached their highest levels ever, exceeding the national guideline and matching it for 94th position among the most polluted cities.

Charleston tied for 150th place in this year’s report due to the fact that its levels stayed unchanged.

The author states that particle pollution has the capacity to lodge deep into the lungs and possibly enter the bloodstream. Deen added, “It has the potential to cause asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and lung cancer.” Coal-fired power plants, diesel emissions, wildfires, and wood-burning appliances are among the numerous sources of particulate pollution.

According to the report, particle pollution levels have reduced year after year in recent years due to the cleanup of coal-fired power plants and the retirement of ageing, polluting diesel engines. According to Deen, “the rise in particle pollution observed across the nation in this year’s report is a worrisome reminder that we must intensify our efforts to reduce this lethal pollution.”

The “State of the Air” 2020 project also monitored short-term spikes in particle pollution, which can be exceptionally hazardous and even lethal. According to the survey, Florence has zero days where short-term fine particulate matter reached dangerous levels, placing it on the list of the cleanest cities in the world.

The Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area experienced fewer days with poor air quality and tied with Greenville, South Carolina, for 40th rank in terms of short-term particle pollution. Additionally, Charleston (T-48th) experienced an improvement in air quality, with fewer days of poor air quality.

Everyone has the right to breathe healthy, clean air. In honour of the 50th anniversary of the Air Quality Act, Deen reminded everyone that “today, Americans breathe cleaner air thanks to the enactment of this pioneering legislation.” Similarly, this year’s data indicates that we must work for clean air, especially to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our community. It is vital that our leadership, not only in South Carolina but also on a national scale, take immediate and significant action to combat climate change and other threats to the air quality we all breathe.”