We only have one planet, and our natural environment is a gift that all Americans are entitled to enjoy. However, this does not stop some people from destroying that planet.
In the US alone, 1.5 million tons of trash is illegally dumped each year. The bulk of this is done by companies, rather than individuals. When actors decide to dump toxic and harmful waste in our forests, beaches, seas, and fields, everyone suffers.
Open dumping continues to be a major environmental, social, and health problem in 2024. Read on to find out exactly when this widespread practice is so harmful to you, your loved ones, and your community.
Environmental Dangers of Open Dumping
The environmental hazards of illegal waste disposal are too numerous to list in full here. No matter what type of trash it is – be it hazardous waste or household waste – the cost to our environment is immense.
Waste destroys biodiversity, killing off entire communities of plants and animals. The impact of this on our wider ecosystem may reverberate for decades to come. Open dumping pollutes waterways, making swimming spots, fishing areas, and our drinking water unusable.
On top of all of this, open dumping is a blight on our landscapes. It destroys the viability of our land, drives away residents and tourists, and takes away opportunities for all of us.
Health Dangers of Open Dumping
Open dumping presents an active and widespread threat to human health. Trash dumps create breeding grounds for deadly disease-carrying vectors. This includes cholera, hepatitis, dengue fever, and a huge range of respiratory illnesses that continue to senselessly kill Americans to this day.
Untreated dumping sites cause toxins to seep into the ground and into our water supplies. This kills crops, spreads disease to the livestock we eat, and can cause serious illness to anyone who comes into contact with said toxins. Open dumping can and does kill people, which is why it needs to stop.
Legal Dangers of Open Dumping
Given the dangers of open dumping, it is against the law across America. There are serious legal penalties for individuals and companies caught engaging in this practice, including fines, prison time, and seizure of assets.
This means that, if you know someone is doing this, you have the power to act. You can call an environmental attorney who can launch legal proceedings against them.
In fact, you can even contact a dedicated solid waste pollution attorney at no cost to you, whose sole job is to wield the law to bring these polluters to account. It is essential to act if you know someone is engaging in open dumping, for the health of your environment and your community.
Stay in the Loop with Your Health
Open dumping is not just an environmental problem, but a major health threat. By staying up to date on the dangers and knowing what you can do to stop it, you can ensure a healthier world for your loved ones.
For more deep insights into the health dangers and benefits we all face in a changing world, we have got you covered. Make sure to consult our dedicated Health pages for tips you can trust.
