Earth Day

Earth Day, April 22, is a day to show how much we care about protecting public health and theenvironment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1970 by ExecutiveOrder, and given laws to protect our air, water, land and biological resources by Congress.

Over a quarter century, federal, state, and local governments have spent billions of dollarsimplementing environmental programs that touch the lives of all Americans. These programshave resulted in improved public services, cleaner industries, and a heightened awareness byAmericans of their responsibility to protect the environment.

Some signs of progress include:

Air quality

• From 1970-93, total air pollution emissions declined by 24%. Lead emissions declined by 98%,soot (PM-10) by 71% sulfur oxides (SOx) by 30%, carbon monoxide (CO) by 24%, and volatileorganic compounds (VOCs) by 24%. Only nitrogen oxides (NOx) increased since 1970.

• Average lead levels in children's blood declined by 75% between 1970 and 1993.

• Since 1990, the number of metropolitan areas failing to meet air quality standards dropped bytwo-thirds, from 199 cities to less than 70. The number of people breathing unhealthy levels ofozone dropped by 43 million, and carbon monoxide by 24 million.

• U.S. production of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), the most important stratospheric ozone depletingchemicals, has decreased by over 50% since the signing of an international agreement in 1987.

• Oil spills in the nation's waters declined from 22 million gallons per year in the mid-1970's to 2million gallons in 1992.

• The number of people served by secondary sewage treatment plants increased by 83% from1972 to 1992, and the release of oxygen consuming organic wastes declined by 36%.

• From 1974 to 1989, waters with low levels of dissolved oxygen decreased from about 50% to22 % of the streams monitored.

• Over 190,000 public water systems now serve 243 million people. Drinking water safetystandards help prevent an estimated 200,000 to 470,000 cases of gastrointestinal illness peryear.

• Between 1976 and 1988, pretreatment by industries yielded a 95% reduction of the toxicmetals discharged to sewage plants (and thereafter to surface water).

• From 1988 to 1992, reported releases of 17 priority toxic chemicals declined by 46% (twobillion pounds).

• As of 1994, 108,000 leaking underground storage tanks had been fully cleaned up.

• To date, 291 (of about 1,300) top priority hazardous waste sites have been fully cleaned up. Operations are underway at 95% of the priority sites.

• Banning the use of DDT in the U.S. led to the recovery of the bald eagle, our nationalsymbol, and other threatened bird populations.

• Over 50 other toxic pesticides, such as heptachlor and toxaphene, have also been banned orseverely restricted.

• Through recycling and composting, domestic waste recovery for other uses has increasedfrom 7.1% by weight in 1970 to 21.7% in 1993.

• The area of land and water placed under protected status increased by 300% from 1970 to1990.

• Other notable successes in restoring threatened or endangered species include: peregrinefalcons, gray whales, sea lions, red wolves, and alligators.

• The rate of wetlands loss has declined to about 260,000 acres per year over the decade of1975-85, compared to an estimated average of about 500,000 acres per year over the previoustwo centuries.

Conserving Water

A typical American household can save 50,000-100,000 gallons of water annually by observing afew simple rules:

• Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out; just one leaky faucet can waste as much as 4,000gallons of water per month.
• Install faucet aerators to reduce water usage up to 60 percent. Also install a low-flowshowerhead and take showers instead of baths. Short showers use on-third the water bathsdo.
• Don't let the water run from the tap in the kitchen or bathroom when you are not using it. Turning off the water when you're brushing your teeth can save 4 gallons each time.
• Select a dishwasher with a "light-wash" option and use it only when fully loaded. Whenhand-washing dishes, save up to 15 gallons by soaking dirty dishes in the sink instead ofletting the water run over them.
• When you shop for a new washing machine, consider a water-saving, energy-efficient model.
• Repair leaky toilets and save another 50 gallons a day; install a tank-dam and save five toseven gallons per flush. The new low-flush toilets save over 7,000 gallons a year.
• Water your lawn in the early morning hours when evaporation is slower. In most locations,one inch of water per week to your lawn or garden should be enough.
• Plant indigenous species of shrubs accustomed to local water conditions.
• Set your lawn-mower blades at the 2-3 inch level for healthy grass and better water retention.
• When washing your car, turn the hose off between rinses to conserve about 150 gallons perwashing.

• Use household chemicals sparingly and according to label instructions.
• At home and at work, conserve paper by using both sides of the page and reusing scrap paper.
• Encourage your local government to start or expand a program to use recycled/recyclablematerials and to dispose of toxic substances responsibly.
• Encourage establishment of special hazardous-waste collection days for your community
• Meet with local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce to promote use of recycledmaterials, eliminate excess packaging, and minimize waste.
• Urge our local service stations to encourage recycling of used oil and car batteries.
• Sponsor special events at work sites and other public places to push recycling,car/vanpooling, mass transit, and purchase of environmentally friendly products.

• Plant indigenous trees in open public and private spaces; then set up a schedule of proper carefor what you planted.
• Construct and repair hiking trails, picnic tables, signs, and other public items to promote safeand environmentally sound outdoor recreation.
• Organize an air- or water-quality monitoring program. For details contact your stateenvironmental agency or EPA Public Information Center (1-888-CALL-EPA)
• Organize cleanups of parks, beaches, woods, alleys, and empty lots.
• Establish neighborhood or community composition programs to convert yard waste, vacuum-cleaner lint, wool or cotton rags, sawdust, shredded paper, and fireplace ash into topsoil.

• Since cars and trucks are a major source of air pollution in most areas, upgrading yourdriving and vehicle maintenance habits can make a substantial contribution to a betterenvironment.
• Combine your trips. Try to avoid driving at times of stop-and-go traffic. Walk or bike forshort errands and leisure activities.
• Share a ride. Carpool whenever feasible. Use mass transit where available
• Avoid jackrabbit starts and stops; maintain a steady speed within cruising range; don't cornerso fast that your tires squeal.
• Keep your tires properly inflated.
• Turn the engine off if it would otherwise idle for more than 30 seconds.
• Use an energy-conserving grade of oil and, where available, "clean fuels."
• Think about ways to save fuel, such as emptying your trunk and back seat of unnecessaryloads to save weight.
• Carefully read and follow the maintenance schedules in your owner's manual.

• Adopt integrated pest management practices in and around your garden and home to cut useof pesticides.
• Buy only enought pesticides to last the season or for immediate use.
• Follow use directions carefully. Use only the amount directed and for the purpose listed. Don't think that twice the dosage will do twice the job.
• Reduce exposure risks in storage. Store pesticides away from kids and pets in a well-ventilated but locked cabinet, and never store them close to food, cleaning compounds, ormedical supplies.
• Keep pesticides tightly closed in original containers, with legible directions and listedantidotes. Never transfer to containers associated with food or drink.
• Never store pesticides where flood waters may inundate them or in the open where containersmight rust and leak into the soil or waterways.
• Dispose of pesticides in accordance with instructions; for guidance, call your local healthdepartment, state environmental agency, solid waste management agency, or EPA regionaloffice.

• Meet with business and community leaders to identify facilities or practices, such as wastedisposal, that are putting neighborhood residents at risk.
• Organize neighborhood cleanup efforts and start integrated pest control systems in localschools and other facilities.
• Survey the need for clean-up in your neighborhood. Bring information to the attention ofappropriate public agencies and community leaders.
• Arrange testing programs to find out if lead from peeling paint in older buildings is affectingchildren, and organize efforts to monitor the safety of drinking water and air.

• Get your organization, school system, or local college to run Earth Day essay, photo, andposter contests.
• Assist your school system in developing dramas about the environment, poetry readings,field trips, and school garden or lab projects.
• Organize a speakers' bureau; arrange talks by experts to schools, business clubs, andcommunity organizations.
• Sponsor science and invention fairs, debates, forums, and competitions related to issues inenvironmental science.
• Set up an Earth Day conference with environmentalists, and industrial, agricultural and laborleaders in your community to exchange views on local and regional concerns.
• Invite local officials, scientists, and environmentalists to participate in public forums todiscuss environmental issues that affect your community.
• Encourage local officials and the news media to assess environmental conditions and trendsin your town or county, comparing the 1970-1995 period with what's projected for 1995-2020.
• Group-tour sewage treatment and water purification plants and energy-efficientdemonstration homes.
• Learn about what chemicals are being released in your community by calling the communityRight-to-Know Hotline at (800)535-0202.
• Encourage libraries, museums, and managers of public and private buildings to displayenvironmental exhibits.
• Present club or association awards to citizens, business leaders, and officials who donate timeto environmental causes.