Pollution is the adding of harmful substances to the environment.

Introduction to
Pollution

Pollution is the process whereby various harmful substances are added to the environment (land, water, air etc.) by human and natural activities.

The various types of pollution that exist are:

• air pollution
• water pollution
• land pollution
• noise pollution

Natural activities that cause pollution are, for example, volcanic eruptions, sandstorms and natural forest fires. These events cause a large amount of substances such as ash and dust, which are harmful to our health, to be added to the environment.

Although some natural events may contribute to pollution, human activities have a more harmful impact to the environment.

How do humans contribute to pollution?

As the world population increases rapidly, there is an increasing demand for food, materials and energy. The activities that produce these products tend to pollute the environment.

DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES

Homes and offices produce a lot of rubbish and sewage every day.

INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Some by-products of industries are highly hazardous e.g. sulphur dioxide.

AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Farms, too, produce a lot of waste. Waste from animals, pesticides and herbicides are washed into rivers and then into the sea.

How does pollution affect our environment?

Pollution has adverse effects on all living and non-living things.

Some of these effects are:

EFFECTS ON MAN

Air pollution can cause breathing problems and eye, throat and skin irritation. When solid waste is not properly treated and disposed of, it can become a breeding for pests and disease can spread.

EFFECTS ON PLANTS

Leaves find it difficult to manufacture food in polluted air. When trees begin to lose their leaves, they may eventually die. When there is too much chemical content in the water absorbed by the roots, it can also affect plant life.

EFFECTS ON ANIMALS

Oil spills in the seas and oceans result in birds and animals (e.g. penguins and seals) being coated in oil. This makes it difficult for them to float and keep warm and they may eventually die. Solid waste in the water encourages the growth of algae which depletes water of oxygen and kills marine life.

EFFECTS ON BUILDINGS

Air pollution discolours and corrodes buildings and statues, e.g. the Louvre Museum in France, historical buildings in London and the Taj Mahal in India are all covered with a layer of pollutants.

First subtopic: Air Pollution