The Conflict Paradigm The Conflict paradigm does a very good job of explaining racism, sexism, ageism, socioeconomic inequality (wealth and poverty), etc. The Conflict paradigm describes the inequalities that exist in all societies around the globe.

SES is an abbreviation of socioeconomic status and is comprised of the combined effects of income, education, and occupation.

A paradigm is a description of the world of human behavior; it is a description of society. A paradigm is a description of the interactions of human beings within any society. Paradigms are broad viewpoints or perspectives that permit social scientists to have a wide range of tools to describe society, and then to build hypotheses and theories. Paradigms don't do anything but DESCRIBE!

Nitrogen Oxides Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases regulated by the EPA - nitrogen dioxide being among the most important. By far in a way, the leading contributors to nitrogen dioxide emissions are cars and trucks and non-road equipment. Breathing in high levels of nitrogen dioxide can lead to respiratory problems. Nitrogen dioxide irritates the lining of the lungs and causes symptoms such as coughing and wheezing; it also impairs the body’s ability to fight off pulmonary infections and someone exposed to elevated levels of the pollutant may be more susceptible to develop colds and bronchitis.

Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is a gas that forms when fossil fuels are burned. Motor vehicles are the single largest source of carbon monoxide emissions. Nationwide, cars and trucks contribute to more than 50% of all emissions; in cities like Los Angeles, where traffic density is high, their contribution is even greater. Other major sources of carbon monoxide include non-road equipment and fires. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it enters the bloodstream and attaches to hemoglobin, a substance that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. This prevents the blood from carrying adequate amounts of oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues and causes several health effects. At relatively low concentrations, men and women in good health may develop headaches and become fatigued; individuals with heart disease, however, might suffer more serious symptoms such as chest pain.

Lead Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in soil and rock; however, a variety of human activities also release lead into the environment, contaminating our air. Motor vehicles used to be the primary source of lead emissions but, with the phasing out of leaded gasoline, emissions from cars and trucks have declined dramatically. Currently, major sources of lead emissions include industrial processes like ore and metal processing and non-road equipment that utilize lead-containing fuel such as recreational vehicles, farm and construction machinery, lawn and garden equipment, boats, and trains. (Note: This is by far and away the largest contributor in California) Prolonged exposure to lead can cause levels in the blood to rise and trigger a host of harmful effects. The frequency and severity of medical symptoms increases with the concentration of lead in the blood. Elevated lead levels can cause symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite and headache. And, as it accumulates in the body, organs throughout the body can be affected. Infants and young children are especially sensitive to lead and even relatively small elevations in their lead levels can lead to behavioral problems and learning deficits.