Pollution EssayEnvironmental pollution is currently the greatest threat to mankind on Earth. It continues to expand every year. We are bothered by this issue on a financial, physical, and social level. Some fatal diseases have also been caused due to environmental contamination. It is necessary to address the issue of environmental pollution, which is getting worse every day, to reduce its negative consequences on both the people and the environment. Environmental pollution usually has a direct physical impact on people, but it can also have long-term changes in neurochemistry. The most well-known issues caused by pollution include allergies, asthma, eye irritation, nasal obstructions, and many distinct types of respiratory infections. Not only humans but animals are also affected by environmental pollution, damaging their habitat or making it dangerous for them to live there. A significant amount of ozone in the lower atmosphere can cause respiratory difficulties in all species, and acid rain can damage the structure of rivers and oceans, making them hazardous, mainly for aquatic animals. Also, the creatures living near the rivers will not remain untouched by its effect. In fact, environmental pollution, mostly brought about through human activities, has a detrimental impact on the ecosystem, removing its significant levels and causing even worse effects on the upper layers of Earth. Pollution is to blame for issues like ozone depletion, global warming, the greenhouse effect, glacier melting, etc. Environmental contamination mainly comes in five distinct forms, including air, water, noise, radioactive, and soil pollution. Let us talk about each form one by one: Air PollutionAir pollution is the term used to describe the contamination of the air as a result of chemical compounds in the atmosphere that are dangerous to the health of people and other living things or affect the environment or materials. Biological molecules, inorganic and organic particles, and gases like ammonia, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons are just a few examples of the many different types of air pollutants. Causes of Air PollutionThe smoke emitted by the big factories and vehicles is the primary source of air pollution in the environment. Additionally, smoke from burning plants in industrial facilities, atomic plants, and woods contributes to air pollution to a great extent. Effects of Air PollutionHumans are vulnerable to illnesses, allergies, and even death from air pollution. Air pollution puts people at higher risk for a wide range of pollution-related illnesses, including lung cancer, heart disease, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and respiratory infections. A growing body of research indicates that exposure to air pollution may be linked to cognitive impairment, lower IQ scores, a higher chance of developing psychiatric illnesses including depression, and poor perinatal outcomes. Although the impacts of poor air quality on human health are extensive, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of the body are primarily impacted parts. Additionally, it may disrupt the constructed environment by different means, such as climate change, acid rain, ozone depletion, or habitat degradation. Additionally, it might be harmful to other living things like animals and food crops. Both natural and human-made occurrences have the ability to cause air pollution. Prevention and Control of Air PollutionThe actions listed below can be taken to control or reduce air pollution.
Water PollutionWhen water bodies are contaminated, usually as a result of human activity, it is referred to as water pollution or aquatic pollution. It has a negative effect on the supply chain of water, affecting how the water is used. Aquifers, reservoirs, lakes, rivers, seas, and groundwater are examples of bodies of water. When contaminants are deposited into these water bodies, water contamination or water pollution occurs. Causes of water pollutionSewage discharges, industrial & agricultural releases, and urban runoff, including stormwater, are the four main causes of water contamination. It can be divided into two categories: groundwater pollution and surface water pollution (either freshwater pollution or marine pollution). For instance, dumping wastewater that hasn't been properly cleaned into natural waters might cause these aquatic habitats to decline. People who use dirty water for drinking, bathing, washing, or irrigation are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases. Effects of Water PollutionAs a result of water pollution, water bodies are less able to supply the ecosystem services that they would otherwise provide, such as drinking water, causing an increase in waterborne diseases. It also leads to damage to biodiversity. Additionally, it contributes to the eutrophication phenomena, i.e., Fish and other aquatic species may die as a result of this. Prevention and Control of Water PollutionThe following actions may be taken to reduce water pollution:
Noise PollutionNoise pollution, commonly referred to as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the spread of noise that has varying effects on human or animal activities, most of which are to some extent deleterious. Causes of Noise pollutionMachines, transportation, and propagation systems are the main global sources of outdoor noise. The poor urban design may result in noise pollution or noise disintegration. The sound coming out from industrial and residential buildings may lead to noise pollution in nearby areas. Loud music, engines and horns of vehicles such as cars, trains, or planes, lawn-care equipment, construction, electrical generators, wind turbines, explosions, and many other actions by humans are a few of the main causes of noise in residential neighbourhoods. Effects of Noise PollutionHealth and behaviour are both impacted by noise pollution. Unwanted noise can harm one's physiological well-being. Numerous health issues, such as heart problems, high blood pressure, chronic stress, tinnitus, hearing loss, irregular sleep patterns, and other detrimental and upsetting effects, are all linked to noise pollution. A faster loss in cognitive function is also linked to noise pollution. Noise exposure at work can potentially lead to other health problems, such as hearing loss, ear bleeding, etc. Prevention and Control of Noise PollutionThe following actions can be taken to limit or minimize noise pollution:
Radioactive PollutionThe presence of radioactive chemicals in places where their presence is unanticipated or undesirable, such as on surfaces or within solids, liquids, or gases, is referred to as radioactive contamination, also known as radiological pollution. As a result of the radioactive decay of the pollutants, ionizing radiation is produced, creating a risk from this contamination (namely alpha, beta, gamma rays, and free neutrons). The concentration of chemicals, the energy of the radiation being produced, the forms of radiation, and the closeness of the contamination to bodily organs all affect the environment greatly. Causes of Radioactive PollutionBoth natural and man-made factors can be categorized as causes of radioactive pollution. Nuclear fuel and fission products will contaminate the air, soil, nearby humans, plants, and animals after an atmospheric nuclear weapon detonation or a nuclear reactor containment breach. The floor and any rags used to clean up the spill could become contaminated if a radioactive substance, such as uranyl nitrate, were to spill from a vial. The Bikini Atoll, the Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado, the region around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, the region around the Chernobyl disaster, and the region around the Mayak disaster are some notable examples of widespread radioactive contamination. Effects of Radioactive PollutionLow levels of radiation risk on a tiny portion of the body might influence only the cell membrane and cause minor skin irritation. Other acute symptoms of atomic radiation include wounds brought on by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hair and nail loss, and subcutaneous haemorrhage. But, the high radiation exposure carries a danger of acute toxicity that can swiftly kill the victim. The victim typically loses vitality and dies of anaemia, infection and bleeding. Since radiation is exposed to the atmosphere, soils also contain it. The various nutrients in the soil react with radioactive chemicals, destroying those nutrients and making the soil poisonous and infertile as a result. Prevention and Control of Radioactive PollutionThe methods for removing radioactive contamination are listed below:
Soil PollutionThe presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other changes to the natural soil environment are what create soil contamination, soil pollution, or land pollution as a feature of land degradation. Causes of Soil PollutionIndustrial activity, agricultural chemicals, or inappropriate waste disposal are the usual causes of soil pollution. Petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (including naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene), solvents, insecticides, lead, and other heavy metals are the most frequent compounds involved as pollutants in soils. The level of industrialization and the presence of chemical substances are greatly associated with soil contamination. Effects of Soil PollutionHealth hazards, direct contact with contaminated soil, vapour from toxins, or secondary pollution of water supplies inside and beneath the soil are the major factors to worry about soil pollution. Additionally, plants that grow in soils with high concentrations of heavy metals have the potential to transport toxic metals up the food chain. Diseases linked to pollution often arise as a result of this. Prevention and Control of Soil PollutionThe actions listed below should be followed to prevent soil pollution:
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