INTRODUCTION:
Pollution is the presence of
any pollutant in an environment which may cause harm. The two main kinds of
pollution are environmental pollution and human health pollution. There are
several ways of measuring the extent of pollution in a particular area. Pollution
is the eventual result of not only improper disposal of waste but also the
increasing amount of waste disposed. Non-recyclable products like plastic bottles,
plastic bags and food wrappers take a toll on our eyes by blocking them from
seeing vivid colours. Pollution comes in the form of gas that can be harmful
for humans and cause health problems. Cities are polluted by industrial or
commercial activities which create hazardous waste in landfills. Pollution is
when harmful materials (emissions) enter an environment and harm natural
resources or living organisms. Pollution can occur in any human activity but is
most common in industry, agriculture and transport.
Pollution happens when wastes
and harmful materials are dumped in streams, seas or other water bodies. It can
also be anything unwanted flowing or spreading for the ultimate purpose of
spreading or developing a state or area. Environmental pollution is one of the
biggest issues facing the human race today and it’s only getting worse as our
population grows and we continue to destroy nature’s delicate ecosystems for
profit and convenience. But there are plenty of ways to combat this problem,
even on a small scale if you live in an urban area or work in an industrial
setting. Whether you want to help your community or save our world as a whole, easy
steps can help stop environmental pollution by reducing waste, encouraging
sustainable agriculture and utilizing natural resources in creative ways
instead of harmful ones. Take action now to help the environment!
POLLUTION
OF THE ENVIRONMENT:
Environmental pollution or
environmental degradation refers to the negative alteration of natural
environment brought about by human activity. It is the introduction of harmful
pollutants in to the natural environment that cause adverse changes. Environmental
pollution may refer to both anthropogenic and natural sources of impairment or
destruction including climate change, persistent organic pollutants (POPs),
radiation, nuclear waste, chemical and radioactive contamination,
eutrophication (from nutrient runoff), urban decay and ozone depletion.
Environmental pollution has been defined as any change or disturbance to the
environment perceived to be deleterious or undesirable by society and its
prevailing ethic, by which it may directly harm humans health or impair
ecological systems in such a way that human health is threatened.
Environmental pollution or
environmental contamination is one of the ten key threats identified by the
World Conservation Union (IUCN). A pollutant is a substance or energy
introduced by humans in to an environment that has undesired effects or
adversely affects the usefulness of that environment. Pollution can take the
form of chemical substances, particles or energy such as noise, heat or light. Environmental
pollution, also known as environmental contamination can cause adverse effects
on ecosystems, plants, animals as well as humans. The damage can include death
of organisms, diseases, behavioral changes and loss of species. The common
forms of environmental pollution are air pollution, water pollution and noise
pollution. Leading kinds of environmental degradation include depletion of the
ozone layer, global warming, acid rain and surface runoff.
SOURCES
OF POLLUTION:
The major sources of
environmental pollution are industrial and domestic activities that contaminate
air, water and land resources. The sources of pollutants include chemical and
radioactive wastes, factory and vehicle emissions, agricultural runoff,
pesticides, herbicides, urban and rural waste disposal as well as carbon
dioxide emissions from vehicles and other fossil fuel burnings. Awareness of
the effects of human activity on natural environment has grown in recent
decades with the advent of environmental politics and movements such as “Kyoto
Protocol” and “Global Warming”. Environmental pollution can be broken down in to
two groups: point source pollution and non-point source pollution. Point
sources of pollution are concentrated sources of specific pollutants like
factories, while non-point sources are dispersed throughout the environment but
their impact adds up to the same thing – dirty air, water and soil.
Pollution can have many
different sources and causes, ranging from natural occurrences like volcanic
eruptions to man made things like chemical waste. Here we’ll look at how you
can recognize pollution in your environment and what you can do to help prevent
it from happening or clean it up if it does occur. According to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency, there are several main types of
pollution that can threaten the health of human beings, animals and plants.
These types include air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and
radioactive pollution. While environmental pollution can come from natural
sources like volcanic eruptions or earthquakes, industrialization and other
human activities have greatly contributed to the quantity of pollutants
entering our air, water and land systems in recent years.
HAZARDOUS
EFFECTS:
The effects of environmental
pollution are far reaching and affect every single one of us, so it’s time we focus
attention to what’s happening in our world and try to clean it up before it’s
too late. As our population increases and the amount of pollutants we produce
skyrockets, it’s important to understand the health risks of environmental
pollution. We all know that air pollution is harmful to our lungs but what
about the rest of our bodies? In this article, we’ll discuss some of the
different health risks posed by environmental pollution and outline steps you
can take to limit your exposure to harmful pollutants. Environmental pollution can lead to very
serious health risks that have the potential to reduce your lifespan and even
alter your physical appearance, especially if you’re exposed to these chemicals
over a long period of time. Here are some of the most common health risks from
environmental pollution that we’ll discuss in more detail below...
Environmental pollution can
cause direct harm to humans, plants, and animals that live in these affected
ecosystems. It can also lead to secondary health issues when individuals are
exposed to polluted air, soil and water sources. The health risks of
environmental pollution vary by pollutant and exposure route but they can
include damage to the lungs and respiratory system, cardiovascular disease,
reproductive problems, skin conditions, cancer, cognitive impairment,
developmental issues in children, reproductive disorders in women and death. In
fact, it’s estimated that 4-7 million people die each year as a result of their
exposure to harmful chemicals in the environment. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) states that air pollution alone has caused around 120,000 deaths
each year in the United States since 2000 and that doesn’t count the toxic
chemicals and other pollutants found in our water supply and soil. Environmental
pollution can be a scary thing to think about.
HOW
TO GET RID FROM POLLUTION?:
Environmental pollution has
become an epidemic in today’s society and while some are aware of it, most
people don’t know what they can do to help the issue or even prevent it. This
article provides that you can adopt to make the environment cleaner for
everyone else around you. Environmental pollution may seem like it's only
affecting our planet but the reality is that it affects us too. Whether it's
our air, water or soil, we are all being affected by this pollution on some
level. Luckily, there are many ways we can protect ourselves and our planet
from environmental pollution - both at home and out in the world around us.
Environmental pollution happens when human activity has an adverse effect on
the environment and the ecosystem in which we live, work and play. We may be
able to reduce our ecological footprint with concerted effort, but only if
we’re aware of the problem in the first place. In this article, you’ll learn
about some strategies for reducing the pollution.
STEP
AWAY FROM THE FAST FASHION:
The textile industry is one of
the most polluting in the world. In fact, it’s responsible for 10% of all
greenhouse gas emissions – more than the entire aviation industry. A lot of
this pollution comes from the way our clothes are made. Fast fashion is an
industry that’s built on low prices and high turnover. This means that clothes
are often made quickly and cheaply, with little regard for the environment.
They’re also frequently shipped around the world which increases the risk of
them being lost or damaged. When they finally get to a store, they go on sale
within days or weeks and then either end up in landfill or as waste to be
recycled in to other products. If you want to help save the planet, think about
your clothing choices: fast fashion leads to poor quality clothing, poor
quality clothing leads to you not wearing something out before it needs
replaced. Instead of buying new clothes every time there’s a trend, buy pieces
that can be mixed and matched and repurposed over time. You’ll save money in
the long run because you won’t have to replace your wardrobe every season.
RECYCLE
EVERYTHING:
One of the easiest ways to help
reduce environmental pollution is to recycle everything you can. Not only does recycling
help reduce pollution but it also helps conserve resources and saves energy. In
fact, recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to light a 100 watt bulb
for more than 3 hours! We should all do our part in helping the environment by
making an effort to recycle as much as possible. Recycling not only reduces
waste but it also saves money and time. Imagine how many trees would need to be
cut down if we didn't recycle paper products. In addition, recycling helps
preserve natural resources that are quickly disappearing due to overuse and
deforestation. Finally, it makes sense financially: imagine what you would pay at
the store if every item was packaged individually? The cost of raw materials
and production are avoided when items are recycled. So, get out there and start
reducing your carbon footprint today with some easy steps that will have a huge
impact on the world around us! The best way to eliminate pollution is by
recycling everything possible so it doesn't have an impact on our environment
in the first place.
DON’T
BUY PLASTIC BOTTLES:
Plastic bottles are one of the
biggest culprits when it comes to environmental pollution. Not only does the
production of plastic bottles create pollution but the bottles themselves often
end up in our oceans and landfills, where they take centuries to decompose.
Plus, bottled water is often no cleaner or healthier than tap water, so there’s
really no need to buy it in the first place. Here are a few easy ways to cut
down on your use of plastic bottles:
1) Bring reusable cups with you
everywhere you go.
2) Use a refillable container
for drinking water at home or work.
3) Carry around a reusable
bottle for convenience and quick hydration on-the-go. You can find these
containers almost anywhere these days!
4) Drink filtered tap water
instead of buying bottled water. The cost will be cheaper and the water is just
as clean and healthy as that found in any store.
5) Give up other single use
plastics like straws, utensils, forks, spoons, coffee cup lids, yogurt tub lids
etc. These small changes may seem insignificant at first glance but together
they can make a huge difference in the world we live in today!
Don’t
Use Plastic Bags:
We can all help reduce environmental
pollution simply by refusing to use plastic bags. It’s an easy change to make
in our daily lives that can have a big impact. Here are a few reasons why you
should ditch plastic bags:
1) They’re made from petroleum,
a non-renewable resource.
2) They pollute our land and
water.
3) They’re a danger to
wildlife.
4) They take centuries to
decompose.
5) In the meantime, they
release toxic chemicals in to the soil and water. Marine lives mistake them for
food and eat them which then clog their stomachs making it difficult for them
to eat anything else.
6) Plastic bags also attract
heat, so they give off heat which makes global warming worse because of the
greenhouse effect.
TAKE
SHORTER SHOWERS:
Water pollution is one of the
leading causes of environmental pollution. Every time you take a shower, you
use water that's been contaminated with pollutants. By taking shorter showers,
you can help reduce water pollution. Don't flush the toilet more frequently
than necessary. Waste from your toilet goes in to the sewage system and
eventually ends up in rivers and lakes. In order to limit how much waste is put
in to these bodies of water, try limiting how many times you flush your toilet
each day to five or six times.
BUY
PRODUCTS WITHOUT HARMFUL CHEMICALS:
It's hard to tell which
products contain harmful chemicals because companies aren't required to list
them on the label. One way to avoid these toxic products is by reading labels
before buying anything new for your home.
LOOK
FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS WHEN SHOPPING:
You can do your part to reduce
environmental pollution simply by being mindful of the products you purchase.
When shopping, look for items made from sustainable materials like bamboo or
organic cotton. Also, choose products that are free of harmful chemicals and
pollutants. By making these small changes, you can help protect the environment
and keep our planet clean. It is important to take care of this amazing world
we live in. Although it requires a lot of work, it will be worthwhile in the
end! There are so many simple ways that you can go about protecting the
environment: replacing your plastic bags with reusable ones, recycling as much
as possible, reducing electricity usage by turning off appliances when not in
use and cutting down on driving miles. Think about all of the little things you
do each day; these small steps add up over time. Even if we just try our best
to make one change at a time, it could make a huge difference. The only way to
really solve the problem is if everyone gets involved - it's not just an
individual problem but a global one.
COMPOST
YOUR ORGANIC WASTE:
Composting is one of the most
effective ways to reduce environmental pollution. It helps to recycle organic
waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, releasing methane gas in to the
atmosphere. Composting also enriches the soil which reduces the need for
chemical fertilizers. Here are a few easy steps to start composting. Buy a
compost bin and a scooper at your local hardware store; place organic waste
(such as food scraps) in to the bin and use the scooper to turn it over every
week or so; give it time (a few months) before turning it again so that
bacteria can break down all of the material. Repeat this process until there’s
no more room in your bin! If you live in an apartment building, you can ask the
management company if they offer compost bins for residents to borrow. A nearby
garden will probably take any extra compost from you when you're done with it -
just ask around your neighbourhood and make sure not to bring animal products
in to the mix since they'll attract pests.
