Pesticides In The Water example essay topic

Silent Spring by: Rachel Carson Review: This book was focused on the concern of pesticides that industries, along with us as individuals, have been dumping (both knowingly and unknowingly) into water. Carson was concerned that the chemicals which the farmers spread on their fields, and even the chemicals we use in our homes (among others), in the end, might come back around and harm us. The beginning of the book tells a story of a place, that was once so beautiful, turned dead and ugly due to a "strange blight that crept over the area" and destroyed everything. Later in the book, she goes on to explain that chemicals, particularly one known as DDT, are the major cause of environmental damage and the near extinction of many bird species. The book states that pesticides have a long life-span when exposed to the environment, affecting it negatively for many years. It also discusses how these pesticides can inadvertently affect people.

She uses the example that people sometimes use pesticide to kill mosquitoes. These mosquitoes might then be eaten by a fish, which is then eaten by a bird, which is then eaten by mammals, including humans. There is also the concern that pesticides can be lethal when someone is exposed to them multiple times over a long-term period. Although the direct exposure to the chemical at the time of application may not harm you, there is a chance that the chemical may build up in body fat, leading to high levels of toxins in that person.

The book also notes that pesticides have the tendency to spread from where they were applied. Pesticides dropped from the air over fields (like crop dusting) can easily drift if there is even just a slight wind. The chemicals that are sprayed on the ground, even household weed killers, have a tendency to wash into local streams and rivers with the first rain. This has caused many incidents of fish, numerous miles down a river, to be found dead due to the toxins in the water. Carson states that the best way to eliminate a pest problem is to use natural predators, which are non-toxic, and a better long-term solution then pesticides, since many pests will become immune to most chemicals.

Reaction: This book was written in 1962, and since then the problem of polluted water has only increased. It was clear to me that Carson was extremely concerned with environmental problems that were happening in that time period, and she wanted to let people know that it needed to end soon, or else the problem will only get worse. In my opinion, although I was not around in the 1960's, things have gotten worse since then. Not only are individuals still using household pesticides to kill unwanted insects, but now larger industries are adding to the pesticides in the water by dumping other chemicals and toxins in it. Since the population is constantly increasing, so are towns and industries which lead to an increase of pollutants, toxins, and wastes. I have read that the amount of wastes that are trying to be filtered through pipes is more then those pipes can handle, therefore causing an overflow.

This overflow leaks into near-by rivers and lakes causing dangerously polluted water. I have always been a person that is concerned for the environment in which I, and my children, will have to live. I am disturbed at the fact that water, and even the fish that live in the water (as described in the book), might be harmful to me. I do not want to be scared to drink my tap water, or to enjoy a fish for dinner.

No one should have to wonder whether these things are safe. You don't have to do research to know that we are polluting our own water. It is sporadically in newspapers and on the television, so I am sure that people are well-aware of this problem. I don't really understand why our water continues to become more and more polluted even though everyone should be aware of the affects it could have on us.

I agree with much of what Carson spoke about in this book, and I agree that the problem needs to be solved sooner, rather then later.