Environmental pollution is the total collection of air, water and solid waste that has resulted from human activity. All forms of pollution can seriously harm the environment, most commonly water pollution which results in the death of aquatic organisms and the depletion of non-renewable sources of water such as lakes and rivers. Air pollution contains various harmful substances such as toxic gases, chemicals, aerosols, and radioactive materials that are released into the atmosphere. These air pollutants may cause serious atmospheric contamination and also affect the earth’s climate and weather conditions.
Pollution refers to any form of physical damage caused to an environment. The most common forms of pollution are water pollution, air pollution and land pollution. Pollution can be either local or global, with the former being more common in towns and cities, while the latter two are much more widespread in the nature and countryside. The main causes of air and water pollution are vehicles, textile, fuel, pesticides, chemicals, and industrial waste.
The major environmental issues facing the world today are air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. Air pollution mainly results from factory emissions and vehicle exhausts. Water pollution mainly occurs through pollution discharge into the environment and via natural processes such as rainfall, runoff and leakage.
Another major environmental pollution problem facing mankind is hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is any item left after the manufacturing process that can have severe effects on the environment if not disposed of properly. Some hazardous wastes can even pollute the environment for centuries. Examples of hazardous waste are pharmaceutical drugs, discarded chemicals, electronics, discarded fuel oil, and other dangerous waste products. A large number of hazardous wastes produced in the course of manufacturing include cadmium, chromium, hydrocarbon fuels, lead acid batteries, and asbestos.
There are a number of pollutants that affect the environment. These impurities are usually produced by industries either before they start manufacturing or during their operations. A large number of pollutants fall under the class of hazardous wastes. They are considered to be environmental pollution because they can cause severe damage not only to the environment but to human health as well. Some of the hazardous waste materials that are particularly dangerous to the environment include chemical wastes, nuclear waste, and radioactive waste.
The production of plastic usually affects the environment indirectly. Although plastic does not pollute the environment directly, it can adversely affect the human health if subjected to great quantities of it. Plastic bottles and other plastic containers trap chemicals that can cause great damage to the environment. These chemicals can be released into the water, soil, air, and the ground. Some major water pollutants include PVC water bottles, polythene bags, and rubber bags.
Emission of electromagnetic radiation and sound also affect the environment indirectly. When the air is filled with noise pollution, people are affected adversely. This is because the increase in the level of noise affects the health of the individuals living near the area in which the noise is generated. The most common causes of electromagnetic radiation and noise pollution are power plants, telecommunications lines, telecommunications towers, and radio and television stations.
A major type of pollution that has a significant impact on the environment is air pollution. Air pollution mainly occurs due to fuel combustion, emissions from factories, aerosols, and pesticides. This type of pollution results in the accumulation of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Emissions from fuel combustion, factory processes, aerosols, pesticides, and landfills are some of the major sources of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Emissions from landfills result in the accumulation of organic pollutants such as oil, grease, and ash.