The good news is that through innovative science and technology, regular monitoring, environmentally-
aware policies, and established treatment methods, some of the effects of pollution
can be contained and reduced. Many important action steps have already been taken:
“scrubbers” have been installed on coal power plants to reduce air emissions of pollutants;
microorganisms are being used to break down pollutants in sewage; wetlands and buffer zones
have been created along rivers and streams to absorb excess fertilizers; and oil dispersants are
being used to treat oil spills.