Amber Springer Chemistry 102 Environmental Toxicology Studies in California showed that there may be major economic problems due to the use of pesticides and <a href="/keyword/hazardous-chemicals/" >hazardous chemicals</a> . Although the chemicals used to treat pest problems and for the treatment of plants, sufficient research has not been done to determine if the positive effects of the chemicals are truly greater that the negative effects. Some believe that the state California is in is due to the complacent use these potentially extremely <a href="/keyword/hazardous-chemicals/" >hazardous chemicals</a> . Other research has shown that some of the chemicals that are harmful to animals are also harmful to humans, but humans are affected on a different scale. The chemicals used to kill the plants may also have a devastating effect on the plant tissues as well. Many times the chemicals that are killing the animals that live on these plants eventually kill the plants because the chemicals that the plants need for survival are removed by the dangerous toxins in the pesticides. The effect of pesticides and other such chemicals may be very effective, but until sufficient research is done to make sure that these chemicals are safe to the plants they are used on, as well as the animals and humans that are not meant to be harmed, their use should be very limited. Not only is the use of pesticides not safe, the transportation of these chemicals is not safe as well. Organophosphates are a type of pesticides that poison insects and mammals primarily by phosphorylation of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme at nerve endings. Outdoor Air Pollution (Jamila's Article) Although many advances have been made to attempt to reduce the number of carcinogens in the air, there are still very many pollutants harming the people in the world. The combustion of fossil fuels for power generation or transportation is the source of most of the organic and inorganic compounds which create a lot of pollution. The radionuclides are emitted as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels as well as from mining operations. 1,3-Butadiene is an example of a chemical that creates pollution, but is necessary for comfortable living. It is emitted in automotive exhaust and has been considered to be a carcinogen. Although there is a strong connection between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, there is also a correlation between the amount of pollution in the air and lung cancer. While smoking is entirely optional to its users, they still choose to smoke. Surely, smoking will be around for a long time. The pollution in the air is due to chemicals that are necessary for everyday living. Acid Rain and Soil Chemistry( Rachel's Article) The formation of soil is a natural process that sometimes includes acid rain. Acid rain is extremely significant in soil formation. The Sulfur and Nitrogen gasses emitted from the air have a strong effect on the formation of the soil. Scientists argue that when testing pH, the acidity of acid rain is not that much different from natural rain. The major difference is the hydrogen ion activity which can change dramatically from small changes in pH. Total acidity is not related to pH. This determines if a given reaction is possible. Scientists believe that to say acid rain is as benign as natural rain does not coincide with chemical theory and ecological understanding.