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Pollution

Introduction

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into an environment that causes instability,

disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.

Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or

light. Pollutants, the elements of pollution, can be foreign substances or energies, or

naturally occurring; when naturally occurring, they are considered contaminants when

they exceed natural levels.

Air pollution

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials

that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the

natural environment into the atmosphere.

The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support

life on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been

recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems.

Health effects of Air Pollution:

The World Health Organization states that 2.4 million people die each year from causes

directly attributable to air pollution, with 1.5 million of these deaths attributable to indoor

air pollution. Worldwide more deaths per year are linked to air pollution than toautomobile accidents. Direct causes of air pollution related deaths include aggravated

asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung and heart diseases, and respiratory allergies.

Water pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans,

groundwater). Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of

water; and, in almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and

populations, but also to the natural biological communities. Water pollution occurs when

pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate

treatment to remove harmful compounds.

Causes of water pollution The specific contaminants leading to pollution in water

include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, and physical or sensory changes such

as elevated temperature and discoloration.

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Many of the chemical substances are toxic. Pathogens can produce waterborne diseases

in either human or animal hosts.

Land pollution

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Land pollution is the degradation of Earth's land surfaces often caused by human

activities and their misuse of land resources. It occurs when waste is not disposed

properly. Health hazard disposal of urban and industrial wastes, exploitation of minerals,

and improper use of soil by inadequate agricultural practices are a few factors.

Urbanization and industrialization are major causes of land pollution.

Effects

A large percentage of material that is dumped into waters not only destroys habitats for animals but for humans as well. Below is a list of some impacts of land pollution.

There are some habitats, where aquatic animals feed and live, so there is a risk of

destruction of habitat of aquatic animals.

Noise pollution

Noise pollution (or environmental noise) is displeasing human, animal or machine-

created sound that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. The word

noise comes from the Latin word nauseas meaning seasickness.

The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly construction and transportation

systems, including motor vehicle noise, aircraft noise and rail noise.[1][2] Poor urban

planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side industrial and residential

buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential area.

Indoor and outdoor noise pollution sources include car alarms, emergency service sirens,

mechanical equipment, fireworks, compressed air horns, groundskeeping equipment,

barking dogs, appliances, lighting hum, audio entertainment systems, electric

megaphones, and loud people.

Human health effects

Noise pollution can cause annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels,

tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.