Enviroville: House, Yard
- Pesticides
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals people use to get rid of bugs, mice, and rats that can contaminate food, damage homes, and make allergies and asthma worse. Some pesticides contain chemicals that can harm our bodies and the environment. It is safer and less expensive to keep pests away by picking up your leftover food and clutter.
- Leak from Car
Leak from Car
Oil and antifreeze can leak from your family’s car onto the driveway and street. When it rains, pollution is carried to storm drains and usually flows directly into a lake or stream. Oil and antifreeze can make people and wildlife sick and harm plants. You can stop this pollution by helping your parents clean up leaks immediately. Pour kitty litter or sand on the spill to soak it up. Also remind them to check their vehicles for leaks regularly and fix them promptly.
- Lawn Mower
Lawn Mower
Gas-powered lawn mowers release air pollutants when people mow their grass. On hot, sunny days, the pollutants react with sunlight and form toxic, ground-level ozone that can harm our health. IDEM will issue an Air Quality Action Day advisory on days when ground-level ozone could reach unhealthy levels. If your area receives an advisory, your parents can reduce pollution by waiting until late evening to mow the lawn when temperatures are cooler, or simply wait until another day!
- Compost
Compost
One way to get rid of unwanted food is to have a compost pile. In a compost pile, food and other organic “trash” like leaves decompose and are eaten by worms and tiny living organisms. In several months, the organic material turns into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner that is wonderful for plants. By composting you can waste less food and make a useful product at the same time. Ask your parents about starting a compost pile at home.
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