Final Reflection

Denise Dejesus

Professor Matyakubova

Writing for the Sciences

December 08, 2016

Final Reflection

Writing for the Science has helped me in many ways. With the extensive assignments and even the miniature preliminary assignments, I was able to strengthen my writing abilities. There were three journal entries assigned that required us to read certain articles and papers. This made me become more comfortable reading lengthy articles and summarize it only key points. I also was required to give my own interpretation of what the article showed. I always struggled in past English classes to give my own insight because I always ended up summarizing. However, after repeating the assignments, I got into the habit of interpreting rather than just repeating what was said.

Two of the first papers ever assigned was the Formal Letter of Introduction and the Memorandum. In the letter, I was able to get back into the habit of writing since it had been a couple of months since I wrote a paper. I was able to explain my past education and also explain my future goals. In the Memorandum, I got to be a little more creative. I was able to bring attention to an actual concern, freezing CUNY tuition forever. Although it was a made up petition and memo, I felt comfortable writing it and can truly see myself writing a real memo in the future.

The first major essay that I was required to do was the informative report. This required a lot of research to be done. It was the first time since I started City College that I used the library databases to help me find articles. This assignment was only meant to be 5 pages and honestly I thought that I would not have enough information. However, I found that draft after draft I was able to find a lot of additional information and ended up exceeding the requirement by a couple of pages. I was never really in the habit of writing drafts, but I found that the feedback was very useful. The feedback received after I got my grade was very helpful as well. I never saw major issues with my writing, but because of this class I realized that I never add a lot of pathos.

In the Argumentative paper, my main goal was to get my points across and include pathos. I took into consideration the feedback I received in the informative report and was able to build off of it. The peer reviewing of my paper helped me realize that my counterclaims were unclear. This was very helpful because in the end I was able to fix my mistakes. The Argumentative Paper helped me work on my persuasion skills. I also was able to incorporate stories and images to help portray pathos. In fact, I was told that my image and one of my paragraphs were very powerful, which I was very proud of.

Finally, the final assignments were assigned. I had to give a presentation on the research topic I was working on for my Final Research Report and be graded by my peers. It made me very nervous to think about. However, I calmed myself down by reminding myself that the last couple of months have prepared me for this. I have been taught to give my own thoughts and not be afraid of the critics of others. Students already were aware of how I spoke and how I write because of the peer reviews and group work. I was confident and was able to get an A on the presentation. Next was working on the Final Research Paper.

On the first day of class when I first saw the final paper was going to be 8 pages, I panicked. However, after I saw how easy it was to compose my ideas and thoughts into the informative and argumentative reports, I no long was stressed out. The paper was kindly broken down into parts. I found this extremely helpful because I never felt too overwhelmed. Because of the smaller assignments, my paper did not seem like such a massive assignment.

I now have a newly found confidence within myself. I believe I am capable of writing lengthy papers and have picked up on methods on how to break down bigger assignments in the future. The informative and argumentative reports became very useful in writing my final research paper. I now understand that each assignment was necessary and was carefully placed in a specific order to benefit me throughout the semester. This class was not my original plan but I am so glad l for being part in this experience. Professor Matyakubova truly cared about the students and their writing skills. Because of her, I feel that I have ended this semester with improved writing skills, and I will forever be grateful.

Research Presentation

Argumentative Essay

Denise Dejesus

Professor Matyakubova

Writing for the Science

October 23, 2016

Pollution Revolution

Abstract

            The following paper discusses industrial pollution and enforcing payments of cleanup by polluters. It has been found that industries affect the public health, as well as plant and marine life. Studies have shown connections between industrial air pollution and multiple health problems, such as asthma, reproductive system damage, birth defects, asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, intestinal cancer, liver cancer, heart problems and in extreme cases, death. Accidental spills or improper disposals are harmful to the environment’s water and soil. In past incidents, such as the BP Oil Spill, the public has witnessed the extensive damages that can result from industrial mistakes. Recently, high levels of magnetite pollutant particles were found in the human brains, possibly linking industrial air pollution to Alzheimer’s Disease. Currently, taxpayers’ money is used for the removal of wastes and spills, however, it should be paid for by those responsible, the industrial polluters.

            We only get one chance at life, so it is important to work together to maintain our health and wellbeing. Although caused by nature in some cases, human activities and progression harm the quality of life (Atkins and Koth). During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the Industrial Revolution introduced technological advances, such as the steam engine, which led to the creation of many industrial factories. There has been a noticeable rise in pollution since the increase in factories. In the early 1990’s, laws, such as The Clean Air Acts, were passed to try to lower the impact industries were having. The amount of pollutants released were reduced. However, even the slightest exposure to pollutants is still a cause of concern today. Much of the earth’s pollution can be traced back to industrial causes. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), industries cause 50 percent of the pollution in the United States. Any form of pollution that is made or caused by industrial practices is referred to as industrial pollution (Cause and Effects of Industrial Pollution). There are many arguments on whether industrial polluters or the public should have to pay for environmental cleanups. Some industrial owners feel they pay enough taxes to the government and do not want to have any additional costs. However, the impact is far too great for them not to pay. It has been found that industrial factories place public health at risk (Atkins and Koth). Industrial pollutants are also harmful to plants and increases animal extinction. Although industrial factories do not feel solely responsible for the pollution and do not want to pay, it is necessary that industrial polluters pay for environmental cleanups, as they impose potential threats to human, plants, and marine life, as industrial pollution continues to rise.

The different types of pollution emitted by industries are dangerous to the health of humans. The most silent but severe is by air. Air is essential for human survival, and since it is everywhere, it is unavoidable. Air pollutants heighten the risks of getting asthma, reproductive system damage, birth defects and more. An example of air pollutants released by industrial factories are asbestos, which could lead to asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, intestinal cancer and liver cancer (Industrial Water and Water Pollution). Some of these illnesses are life threatening diseases and in severe cases can result in deaths. Recently in September 2016, the study “Magnetite Pollution Nanoparticles in the Human Brain”, found that high levels of magnetite pollutant particles were found in the human brains from inhalation. Magnetite is magnetic iron oxide compound and is toxic (Prince). For the past 20 years, it was believed that magnetite pollution was biological. However, this study proves that external sources, such as industrial pollution, can be the cause (Maher et al.). High levels of magnetite particles are sometimes found in the brains of Alzheimer's Disease patients, therefore forming speculations on whether industrial pollution can be a factor of this disease and other neurodegenerative diseases (Prince). 

People with Alzheimer’s Disease are not the only possible victims. Industrial pollution affects anyone and they may not even be aware of it. It has been found that those who live in urban places also have higher levels of magnetite particles in their frontal lobe (Devon). The article, Causes and Effects of Industrial Pollution, states “Manufacturing industries release large amounts of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air thereby depleting the quality of air.” During production, factories consume energy and release many toxic and harmful fumes and chemicals into the atmosphere. The particles spread through the air and in most cases, humans are unaware that these can be the substances that they are breathing in. No one living in urban areas can be completely protected from the air. Even the unborn are unsafe from the pollution. Pregnant women who live in these urban areas can expose

Figure 1: Courtesy of UCLA Institute of Environment and Sustainability http://www.environment.ucla.edu/reportcard/article1700.html

their unborn babies to these toxins and have birth defects. As seen in Figure 1, the time of contact with the toxic air has an effect on the development of the baby while in the womb. The darker blue lines represent the time when major morphological abnormalities can happen, while the light blue lines show minor morphological abnormalities and functional defects. Heart abnormalities can form in the womb starting at the second month of pregnancy due to the continuous inhalation of carbon monoxide (Ritz). The figure also demonstrates that the fetus can face interrupted placental development, growth restriction, reduced weight gain, and premature birth. The early years are important for child development and health. So, if babies are being affected before being born, this places future generations at risk.

            The air can sometimes be fatal. In the documentary “Meet American Super Polluters,” 48-year-old Tina Dearing tells her story of how her life has been affected by industrial pollution. Tina lived in Huntingburg, Indiana, which is within 30 miles of two of Indiana’s largest coal plants. She became a widow after her husband passed from an unexpected heart attack at the age of 57. She speculated that it was caused due to the excessive exposures to the polluted air so she did research. Tina mentions a 10 yearlong study, “Association between air pollution and coronary artery calcification within six metropolitan areas in the USA (the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution),” that found that the reason why people have shorter lifespans in areas with poor air quality was because pollution accelerates harmful substances in the human arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Tina hopes to find a way to put a stop to the massive pollution that is emitted from the industries near her. She said that some mornings, her family would have difficulty breathing because of the poor air quality. She is tired of suffering, she has already lost someone dear to her, and now it is affecting her children too. Tina wants others to be aware, and make industrial polluters pay for their consequences.  

Air is not the only thing that factories contaminate. Industrial activities taint water and soil, harming other forms of life. Industries who use fertilizers increase the amount of nitrates and phosphates that are removed from the soil and enter bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes (Industrial Water and Water Pollution). Nitrates and phosphates are plant nutrients and are essential to its growth (NOAA’S National Ocean Service). In large amounts, they develop eutrophication, which creates an excessive number of algae. When the excessive algae die, the water may become hypoxic (lacking in oxygen) causing physical stress on marine animals (NOAA’S National Ocean Service). In other cases, if there is no oxygen remaining, the water becomes anoxic, causing not only the algae to die but the animals as well (NOAA’S National Ocean Service). In both cases, living organisms respond negatively to the activities of industries.

Sometimes, industries act carelessly and conduct improper disposal of materials, or cause accidental spills, endangering the health of plants and marine life. Exposures to metallic pollutants, such as mercury and lead, can cause illnesses and attack the body as they are poisonous (Industrial Water and Water Pollution). Oil spills are accidental but one of the most harmful pollutant to marine life (Industrial Water and Water Pollution). Because oil does not dissolve, plants cannot get the proper amount of sunlight they need to conduct photosynthesis, resulting in a stunt of its growth and eventually die. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon had caught on fire and sank, releasing tons of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. As seen by Figure 2, the oil was spreading throughout the water. According to the Washington Post, four days after the incident, the spill was 50 miles wide and

Figure 2: Courtesy of PBS Newshour http:/www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/bp-oil-spill-hurt-gulf-coast-wildlife-livelihoods/

about 80 miles long and it would be weeks before the spill can be clean. Marine scientists were very concerned because this oil spill would lead to many long term damages to marine life. The incident lasted for months, continuously spilling more oil into the Gulf. According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), 21 species of dolphins and whales were affected. The NWF also found that the spill is also responsible for the death of about five million larval fish and 167,000 sea turtles. Because of this spill, some of these species were decreased by half and will take hundreds of years to repopulate and recover from the damages.

Some may argue that by forcing industrial companies to pay for pollution cleanups it can negatively affect the economy. If owners are responsible for making payments for the waste cleanups, unemployment rates may rise to avoid facing any financial losses. Regardless of how responsible they are when handling waste products, these companies are forced to already pay taxes for waste management, regulatory compliance, and underutilized material inputs (Adler). However, if industrial polluters do not pay for the waste, the taxpayers would have to continue to pay for the cleanup. Therefore, individuals would have to give up a portion of their earnings towards the sanitation facility. Even President Obama believes that the industries are subject to becoming careless with their actions since they do not pay for their mistakes or misjudgments (Obama: We Will Fight Oil Spill With Everything We Got). By enforcing taxes on the industries, the environment would be more sanitary. As a result, it would be beneficial to economy, as they can redirect the funds to some other causes.

It may not be fair to have all industries pay a certain quota, but this may be the way to ensure the safety of all living things. Many organizations have been created to work on keeping the world clean, by having industries pay for the mess they caused, it will be easier to access money for the organizations. Making all Americans pay for cleanups through the government seems unfair. If the industries were to agree to pay for cleanups, it would help in the quest to improve our quality of life.

Works Cited

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"Causes and Effects of Industrial Pollution." Conserve Energy Future. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct.                    2016.                                                                                                                                      

Devon, L.J. "City Dwellers' Brains Are Contaminated by Industrial

Pollution."NaturalNews. N.p., 28 Sept. 2016. Web. 13 Oct. 2016.

Hopkins, Jamie S. "Meet America's Super Polluters" USA Today. N.p., 29 Sept. 2016.

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"How You Can Help Wildlife Impacted by the BP Oil Spill" National Wildlife

Federation. N.p., 2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.

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"NOAA's National Ocean Service Education: Estuaries." US Department of Commerce,

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. N.p., Mar. 2008. Web. 13 Oct.

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Prince, Michael. "Industrial Air Pollution Leaves Magnetic Waste in the Brain."Industrial Air

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