Nice Essay on satus of EPA Thorough discussion of topic, nice facts
Pollution of our environment is an issue that concerns each and
every one of us. 'The threat of environmental degradation now looms
greater than the threat of nuclear war.' Patrick Henry said, 'I know no
way of judging the future but by the past.' In the past man has trampled
on the environment.
'The word 'ecology' means 'a study of home.'' It means
discovering what damage man has done, then finding ways to fix it.The Environmental
Protection Agency is trying to fix our home, the planet Earth.
Destruction of forests, land degradation, atmosperic
contamination, and water scarcity are some of the major environmental
problems. In 1970, the EPA was created by President Nixon to protect the
public health and environment. The cancer-causing DDT was banned in 1972
and was found accumulating in the food chain. The use of lead in
gasoline was phased out in '73 which caused lead levels to drop 98%.
Water Pollution with Trash Disposal of Waste at th...
Environmental Protection Agency Seal
William Reilly EPA AdministratorIn
'74 the agency required drinking water to be physically and chemically
treated. CFCs were banned in '78 and a nation-wide toxic waste site
cleanup program was developed in 1980. The EPA then evacuated Times
Beach, Montana for dangerous levels of dioxin in soil, which was then
criticized for its heavyhandedness and arrogance. Charges of
mismanagement and undue political influence caused the head of the EPA to
resign in '83. 'The deputy director resigns because of charges of making
a 'hit list' of employees to be hired, fired, or promoted because of
political leanings. The former head of the toxic waste cleanup is found
guilty of perjury and obstructing congressional inquiry. A regulation
requiring treatment of hazardous wastes before disposal underground was
made in 1984.' The spill of the Exxon Valdez caused the Environmental...