? 1—What is Pollution? 24 Environmental Pathways
Possible Answers for (this is not meant to be an inclusive list):
Urban Assessment of “Drawing Out” Pollution
Item How It Might Whom or What It
Circled Cause Pollution Might Affect
example: motor oil stains at rain can wash oil into storm drain that humans, animals
Fast Lube empties to lake or stream.
gasoline pump nozzle may release toxic fumes, under- humans, plants, animals
ground storage tanks may leak.
truck or car exhaust releases pollutants into the air. fish, animals
litter may get into storm drain, ugly. fish, aquatic insects
exposed soil at construction site rain can wash soil into storm drain that humans, fish
empties to lake or stream.
pet waste rain can wash nutrients and bacteria into humans, fish, aquatic
storm drain that empties to lake or stream. insects
leaking cans from autobody and rain can wash chemicals into storm drain humans, good insects,
paint shops that empties to lake or stream. animals
Suburban Assessment of “Drawing Out” Pollution
Item How It Might Whom or What It
Circled Cause Pollution Might Affect
example: person spraying garden toxic chemicals may get into water supply. humans, good insects
pesticides and animals
person applying lawn chemicals toxic chemicals may get into water supply. humans, animals
person cleaning paint rollers toxic chemicals can wash into storm drain humans, plants, animals
that empties to lake or stream.
car exhaust releases pollutants into the air. humans, fish, aquatic insects
motor oil on driveway rain may wash oil into storm drain that fish, animals
empties to lake, or stream.
litter may carry chemicals that can get into humans, fish
storm drain, ugly.
dogs rain can wash nutrients and bacteria into humans, birds, fish, animals
storm drain that empties to lake or stream.
Rural Assessment of “Drawing Out” Pollution
Item How It Might Whom or What It
Circled Cause Pollution Might Affect
example: trash dumped along can pollute lakes or streams, toxic humans, animals
river bank chemicals may get into water supplies.
farm chemicals leaking on ground rain may wash into lakes or steams. humans, aquatic insects, animals
exposed soil on stream bank rain may wash into lakes or streams. aquatic insects, fish
motor oil on the ground oil may get into the groundwater, can humans, fish, aquatic insects
wash into lakes or streams.
animal waste rain may wash waste into lake or stream. humans, fish, aquatic insects
tractor releases pollutants into the air. humans, plants, animals
farming area (exposed soil) rain may wash eroded soil into lake or animals, plants, aquatic life
stream.
