Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse change. It is created mostly by human actions, but can also be a result of natural disasters. Pollution has a detrimental effect on any living organism in an environment, making it virtually impossible to sustain life. 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. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. Pollution is the addition to the ecosystem of something which has a detrimental effect on it. One of the most important causes of pollution is the high rate of energy usage by modern, growing populations.
What are the different types of pollution?
Pollution harms the Earth’s environment and its inhabitants in many ways. The three main types of pollution are:
- Air Pollution.
- Water Pollution.
- Land Pollution.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the accumulation in the atmosphere of substances that, in sufficient concentrations, endanger human health or produce other measured effects on living matter and other materials. Among the major sources of pollution are power and heat generation, the burning of solid wastes, industrial processes, and, especially, transportation. The six major types of pollutants are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulates, sulphur dioxide, and photochemical oxidants. Examples of Air Pollution
- Noise Pollution - Noise pollution or unwanted sounds that are carried by the air, have an irritating and detrimental effect on humans and other animals. Careful planning of streets and buildings in towns and better control over noisy vehicles may add to the control of noise pollution.
- Tobacco Smoke - Tobacco smoke is one of the major forms of pollution in buildings. It is not only the smoker who is infected, but everyone who inhales the polluted air. There is a very strong connection between smoking and lung cancer. Bronchitis is common among smokers and unborn babies of mothers who smoke also suffer from the harmful effects of smoking.
- Exhaust Gases of Vehicles - Pollution from exhaust gases of vehicles is responsible for 60% of all air pollution and in cities up to 80%. There is a large variety of harmful chemicals present in these gases, with lead being one of the most dangerous.
- Combustion of Coal - The combustion of coal without special precautions can have serious consequences. If winds do not blow away the poisonous gases, they can have fatal effects and may lead to death.
- Acid rain - Acid rain is the term for pollution caused when sulphur and nitrogen dioxides combine with atmospheric moisture to produce highly acidic rain, snow, hail, or fog. The acid eats into the stone, brick and metal articles and pollutes water sources. Coal in South Africa is rich in sulphur SO2 and the power stations in the Mpumalanga Province could be responsible for acid rain over other areas of our country.
What are the sources of air pollution?
Some of the main contributors to air pollution are:
- Automobile emissions
- Tobacco smoke
- Combustion of coal
- Acid rain
- Noise pollution from cars and construction
- Power plants
- Manufacturing buildings
- Large ships
- Paint fumes
- Aerosol sprays
- Wildfires
- Nuclear weapons
Control Measures of air pollution
Although individual people can help to combat air pollution in their own immediate environment, efficient control can be best achieved by legislation. Some commonly enforced control measures include –
- The establishment of more smokeless zones;
- Control over the kinds of fuel used in cars, aeroplanes, power stations, etc.
Facts about Air Pollution
Here are a few facts about air pollution:
- Almost 232 million different types of vehicles are driven by Indian citizens every day, adding greenhouse gases into the air
- Indian vehicle emissions contribute 45% to global warming
- The average adult consumes 3,000 gallons of polluted air every day
- Vehicle exhaust contributes to 60% of carbon monoxide emissions in the Indian and up to 95% in large cities
- Every year many people Indian die of lung cancer, which is a direct result of air pollution.
How to Prevent Air Pollution
The number one way to prevent air pollution is to walk or bike more and drive less. This will prevent fossil fuels from polluting the air. Here are some other ways to prevent air pollution:
- Carpool or join a ride share with friends and co-workers
- Don’t smoke
- Keep your car maintenance up-to-date
- If you have to drive, do your errands at one time
- Don’t buy products that come in aerosol spray cans
- Avoid using lighter fluid when barbecuing outside
- When you drive accelerate slowly and use cruise control
- Always replace your car’s air filter
- Use a push or electric lawnmower rather than a gas-powered one
- Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners that can emit fumes
- Inspect your gas appliances and heaters regularly
Water Pollution
Water pollution is the introduction into fresh or ocean waters of chemical, physical, or biological material that degrades the quality of the water and affects the organisms living in it. This process ranges from simple addition of dissolved or suspended solids to discharge of the most insidious and persistent toxic pollutants (such as pesticides, heavy metals, and no degradable, bio accumulative, chemical compounds). Examples of Water Pollution
- Industrial affluent - Water is discharged from after having been used in production processes. This waste water may contain acids, alkalis, salts, poisons, oils and in some cases harmful bacteria.
- Mining and Agricultural Wastes - Mines, especially gold and coal mines, are responsible for large qualities of acid water. Agricultural pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides may wash into rivers and stagnant water bodies.
- Sewage Disposal and Domestic Wastes - Sewage as well as domestic and farm wastes were often allowed to pollute rivers and dams.
What are the sources of water pollution?
Some of the main contributors to water pollution are:
- Factories
- Refineries
- Waste treatment facilities
- Mining
- Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
- Human sewage
- Oil spills
- Failing septic systems
- Soap from washing your car
- Oil and antifreeze leaking from cars
- Household chemicals
- Animal waste
Control Measures
The following measures can be used to stop water pollution:
- Every intelligent people should be wise enough not to pollute water in any way;
- By research and legislation, the pollution of water bodies, even though not entirely prevented, must be effectively controlled.
Facts about Water Pollution
Here are a few facts about water pollution:
- Over two-thirds of U.S. estuaries and bays are severely degraded because of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution
- Every year almost 25% of U.S. beaches are closed at least once because of water pollution
- Over 73 different kinds of pesticides have been found in the groundwater that we eventually use to drink
- 1.2 trillion gallons of sewage, storm water and industrial waste are discharged into U.S. waters every year
- 40% of U.S. rivers are too polluted for aquatic life to survive
- Americans use over 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides every year, which eventually washes into our rivers and lakes
How to Prevent Water Pollution
The best way to prevent water pollution is to not throw trash and other harmful chemicals into our water supplies. Here are a few more ways you can prevent water pollution:
- Wash your car far away from any storm water drains
- Don’t throw trash, chemicals or solvents into sewer drains
- Inspect your septic system every 3-5 years
- Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers that can run off into water systems
- Sweep your driveway instead of hosing it down
- Always pump your waste-holding tanks on your boat
- Use non-toxic cleaning materials
- Clean up oil and other liquid spills with kitty litter and sweet them up
- Don’t wash paint brushes in the sink
Land Pollution
Land pollution is the degradation of the Earth's land surface through misuse of the soil by poor agricultural practices, mineral exploitation, industrial waste dumping, and indiscriminate disposal of urban wastes. It includes visible waste and litter as well as pollution of the soil itself. Examples of Land Pollution
- Soil Pollution - Soil pollution is mainly due to chemicals in herbicides (weed killers) and pesticides (poisons which kill insects and other invertebrate pests). Litter is waste material dumped in public places such as streets, parks, picnic areas, at bus stops and near shops.
- Waste Disposal - The accumulation of waste threatens the health of people in residential areas. Wastes decays, encourages household pests and turns urban areas into unsightly, dirty and unhealthy places to live in.
What are the sources of land pollution?
Some of the main contributors to land pollution are:
- Chemical and nuclear plants
- Industrial factories
- Oil refineries
- Human sewage
- Oil and antifreeze leaking from cars
- Mining
- Littering
- Overcrowded landfills
- Deforestation
- Construction debris
Control Measures
The following measures can be used to control land pollution:
- Anti-litter campaigns can educate people against littering;
- Organic waste can be dumped in places far from residential areas;
- Inorganic materials such as metals, glass and plastic, but also paper, can be reclaimed and recycled.
Facts about Land Pollution
Here are a few facts about land pollution:
- Every year one American produces over 3285 pounds of hazardous waste
- Land pollution causes us to lose 24 billion tons of top soil every year
- Americans generate 30 billion foam cups, 220 million tires and 1.8 billion disposable diapers every year
- We throw away enough trash every day to fill 63,000 garbage trucks
- Every day Americans throw away 1 million bushels of litter out their car window
- Over 80% of items in landfills can be recycled, but they’re not
How to Prevent Land Pollution
The best way to prevent land pollution is to recycle. Here are a few other ways you can reduce land pollution:
- Reuse any items that you can
- Buy biodegradable products
- Store all liquid chemicals and waste in spill-proof containers
- Eat organic foods that are grown without pesticides
- Don’t use pesticides
- Use a drip tray to collect engine oil
- Buy products that have little packaging
- Don’t dump motor oil on the ground
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