Once we thought of pollution as【B1】simply smog—the choking, stinging, dirty air that covers【B2】cities. But air pollution,【B3】it is still the most dangerous, is only one type of contamination【B4】several which attack the most basic life functions.
Through the controlled use of insecticides, man has【B5】the land, killing the wildlife. By dumping sewage and【B6】into rivers and lakes, we have contaminated our drinking water. We are polluting the oceans, too, killing the fish and thereby depriving【B7】of an invaluable food supply.
【B8】of the problem is our exploding population. More and more people produce more wastes. But this problem is【B9】by our "throw-away" technology. Each year Americans dispose【B10】7 million autos, 20 million tons of waste paper, 25 millions pounds of toothpaste tubes and 48 million cans. We throw away bun wrappers, newspapers, and paper plates. It is no longer【B11】to reuse anything. Today almost【B12】is disposable.【B13】repairing a toaster or a radio, it is easier and cheaper to buy a new one and discard【B14】,【B15】95 percent of its parts may still be functioning. Baby diapers(尿布),which used to be made of【B16】cloth, are now paper throwaways. Soon we will wear clothing made of paper: "Wear it once and throw it away" will be the【B17】of the fashion consciousness. Where is this all to【B18】？ Are we turning the world into a gigantic【B19】, or is there hope we can solve the pollution problem？ Fortunately, solutions are【B20】. A few of them are positively ingenious.
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