Motor  vehicles  create  most  of  our  air  pollutants through   their   release   of   unburned   fuel   vapors (hydrocarbons).  Oil  becomes  a  pollutant  when  ships spill  it  during  refueling  operations  or  as  a  result  of collision  or  grounding.  Several  million  gallons  of  oil may  ruin  and  pollute  miles  of  coastline  as  a  result  of such accidents. EFFECTS OF POLLUTION Pollution produces physical and biological effects that  vary  from  mildly  irritating  to  lethal.  The  more serious of the two are the biological effects. Physical Effects The physical effects of pollution are those that we can   see,   but   they   include   effects   other   than   actual physical damage. Oil spills. One obvious physical effect of pollution is the result of oil spills that are caused by ship collisions or   other   accidents.   Oil   spilled   into   the   seas   coats everything it touches. It fouls boat hulls, pier pilings, and  shore  structures;  spoils  the  beauty  of  nature  by killing fish and birds; and makes beaches unusable. In addition to the physical effects, oil spills require costly cleanup operations. Air pollutants. Air pollutants damage a wide variety of   materials.   Burning   oil   and   coal   produce   sulfur oxides,  which  cause  steel  to  erode  two  to  four  times faster   than   normal.   When   combined   with   other pollutants   (soot,   smoke,   lead,   asbestos,   and   so   on), sulfur oxide particulates cause corrosion to occur at an even  faster  rate.  By  themselves,  particulates  damage and   soil   materials,   structures,   and   equipment.   Air pollutants  speed  the  erosion  of  statues  and  buildings, which in some instances, destroys works of art. Biological Effects The most serious result of pollution is its harmful biological  effects  on  human  health  and  on  the  food chain of animals, birds, and marine life. Pollution can destroy vegetation that provides food and shelter. It can seriously disrupt the balance of nature, and, in extreme cases, can cause the death of humans. P e s t i c i d e s ,    w h i c h    i n c l u d e    h e r b i c i d e s    a n d insecticides,  can  damage  crops;  kill  vegetation;  and poison  birds,  animals,  and  fish.  Most  pesticides  are nonselective; they kill or damage life forms other than those intended. For example, pesticides used in an effort to control or destroy undesirable vegetation and insects often destroy birds and small animals. Some life forms develop immunity to pesticides used to destroy them. When that happens, we develop more potent chemicals and the cycle repeats itself. The   widespread   use   of   pollutants,   such   as   oil, chemicals, and fertilizers, pollutes our waterways. The biological effect of water pollution is its danger to our water   supplies;   we   require   water   to   survive.   Water pollutants are also dangerous to all forms of marine life. Oil   is   an   especially   harmful   pollutant.   It   kills surface-swimming  animals  and  sea  birds  and,  once  it settles on the bottom, harms shellfish and other types of marine life. The primary pollution concern of Navy personnel involves  pollution  produced  by  shipboard  wastes.  In addition   to   oil,   shipboard   wastes   include   sanitary wastes,   galley   and   laundry   waters,   chemicals,   solid wastes,   and   combustion   by-products   of   oil-   and gasoline-driven engines. Pollutants produced by ships are   similar   to   those   generated   by   municipal   and industrial operations. NAVY PROGRAMS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL Based   on   an   Executive   Order,   all   government agencies must provide leadership in the protection and enhancement   of   the   quality   of   our   air   and   water r e s o u r c e s .   T h e y   a l s o   m u s t   c o m p l y   w i t h   a l l environmental  laws  and  regulations.  Accordingly,  the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and   other   authorities   have   issued   several   pollution control   instructions.   Those   instructions   cover   the abatement (lowering) of air, water, and noise pollution. In addition, we have a program to preserve our natural, cultural, and historic resources. Clean Air Act Under the Clean Air Act, each state has the primary responsibility   for   assuring   air   quality.   All   naval 1-2 Student Notes: