This break I am sure everyone was glued to his or her television sets watching the Japan tragedy unfold. After a level nine earthquake, the country was then hit with a tsunami that led to the complete break down of nuclear plants. Overheating caused some of the plants to explode, releasing massive amounts of toxic waste and radiation into the air. Not only will Japan be dealing with the tragic death counts from the natural disaster, and the ruins it left the country in, but also public health and environmental concerns. Air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain. Acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrade water quality and threaten aquatic life. Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere. Japan is facing a long and difficult road ahead of them.
Look for my next entry, where I'll focus on the health factors from this environmental crisis.