Pollution has become a global concern. It has changed the face of our beautiful Earth. It is slowly destroying our environment and making it difficult to survive here. Several species of flora and fauna have become extinct because of the harmful impact of pollution and
Pollution has become a global concern. It has changed the face of our beautiful Earth. It is slowly destroying our environment and making it difficult to survive here. Several species of flora and fauna have become extinct because of the harmful impact of pollution and many others are on the verge of extinction. This can be a gas (like CO2), a solid (such as plastic), a liquid (such as oil) or something organic like bacteria.
It is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants. In 2015, pollution killed 9 million people in the world. As defined by the Wikipedia as well.
Some types of Pollution
Air pollution is the most hazardous pollution. The primary cause of this pollution is industrial and vehicular smoke. The harmful gases emitted by these sources pollute the air and make it difficult to breathe. The increase in the number of factories and vehicles has led to a rise in air pollution. Air pollution causes Bronchitis and Lung diseases which are two common health problems.
The industrial and household waste often finds its way into the rivers and other water bodies thereby polluting them. Our once pure and pious water bodies have now become a breeding ground for several diseases as these have been filled with many waste plastic products, chemical wastes, and other non-biodegradable wastes. Same effects to have the clean drinking water as well. In fact, Globally, three in 10 people do not have access to safe drinking water and six in 10 people do not have access to safe and clean sanitation facilities, severely affecting their health and livelihoods. Water pollution has especially become a threat to marine creatures as well. Several of them die each day because of this pollution.
Land Pollution can be simply defined as the degradation of earth surface, The industrial and household waste that doesn’t get dumped in the water keeps lying on the land. This causes land pollution which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies and other insects that cause various deadly diseases.
Noise pollution is caused due to high-intensity sound made by machines installed in factories. It is also caused due to the vehicles on the road, the bursting of firecrackers and music played on loudspeakers. Noise pollution can cause stress and impact the brain adversely. It can also cause hearing impairment.
It is an excess, unwanted or inappropriate light over an area. Light pollution may be in the form of Urban Glow- Excessive unwanted glare over an urban area, Trespass- light falling without want, intent or need, Glare- Excessive light or bright light and Clutter- An unwanted group of lights like in an over lit urban area.
This refers to the presence of unwanted radioactive substances in the atmosphere. Radioactive Pollution could be a result of radioactive weapon explosion or testing, mining and handling radioactive substances or accidents in radioactive power plants. Radioactive substances present in the atmosphere pollute even natural water resources, making them harmful to consumption or even domestic use.
Thermal Pollution refers to a sudden change in the temperature of water bodies; a change that is big enough to disturb its ecological balance. The use of water as coolants in various industries is the main reason for Thermal Pollution. When the water used as a coolant is suddenly released back into the water bodies, it decreases its overall oxygen content, as gases are less soluble in hotter liquids; as a result, aquatic life suffers due to sudden change in temperature and oxygen scarcity.
What can be the Sources and Causes?
The smoke emitted by vehicles using petrol and diesel and the cooking coal also pollutes the environment. The multiplication of vehicles, emitting black smoke that, being free and unfettered, spreads out and mixes with the air we breathe. The harmful smoke of these vehicles causes air pollution. Further, the sounds produced by these vehicles produces causes noise-pollution.
The industries all over the world that brought prosperity and affluence, made inroads in the biosphere and disturbed the ecological balances. The pall of smoke, the swirling gases, industrial effluents and the fall-out of scientific experiments became constant health hazards, polluting and contaminating both air and water. The improper disposal of industrial wastes are the sources of soil and water pollution. Chemical waste resulting from industry can pollute lakes, rivers and seas and soil too as well as releasing fumes.
Due to the increase in population, particularly in developing countries, there has been surge in demand for basic food, occupation and shelter. The world has witnessed massive deforestation to expand absorb the growing population and their demands.
Dumping solid waste
Household and commercial waste pollutes the environment when not disposed of properly.
Rapid urbanization and industrialization
The urbanization and the rapid growth of industrialization are causing through environmental pollution the greatest harm to the plant life, which in turn causing harm to the animal kingdom and the human lives.
Combustion of fossil fuels
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