Pollution | Effects of Pollution

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Pollution | Effects of Pollution | Types of Pollution

Pollution is something we are all aware of in the twenty-first century. It affects us all in various forms. The causes and effects are numerous. There are many types of pollution as well. Pollution is primarily the result of our modern way of life. Pollution can cause disruption to animal and plant life. In humans pollution can lead to many different diseases including many types of cancer. There are different types of pollution, including air pollution, ground and soil pollution and water pollution. These different types of pollution may have different causes but can be all connected to each other.

Air Pollution

Air is essential to life on this planet. Air supplies us with oxygen, which is essential for our bodies to live. Air is 99.9% nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Human activities can release substances into the air, some of which can cause problems for humans, plants, and animals. Air quality is important simply because we can't avoid breathing in the air surrounding us. The average adult breathes in about 20 cubic meters, or 20,000 liters of air daily. Air pollutants can cause a variety of health problems including breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis, lung damage, cancer, and brain and nervous system damage. Air pollution can also irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and reduce resistance to colds and other illnesses. Air pollution can be especially harmful to the very young, the very old, and those with certain preexisting medical conditions. Small portions of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions come from natural sources, such as forest fires, and volcanic action. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, using chemicals and industrial processes are the source of most air pollution. Air pollution and greenhouse gases are the cause of smog, climate change and land and water contamination when pollutants fall in precipitation.

Air pollution is the insertion into the atmosphere of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that damage or cause discomfort to humans and other living organisms, or harms the natural environment. Air pollutants fall into four main categories: persistent organic pollutants, criteria air contaminants, heavy metals and toxics. Individual pollutants differ from one another in their chemical composition, reactions with other chemicals, sources, perserverence, ability to travel through the atmosphere, and the effect they have. Air pollution is often identified with major industries, but the greatest source of emissions is mobile sources, mainly automobiles. Gases such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming, have recently been recognized as pollutants by climate scientists, while they also recognize that carbon dioxide is essential for plant life through photosynthesis. There are several main types of pollution and pollution effects that are frequently mentioned. These include smog, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and holes in the ozone layer. Each of these problems has serious consequences for our health and quality of life as well as for the environment. The exhaust from burning fuels in automobiles, homes, and industries is a major source of pollution in the air. Some environmentalists believe that even the burning of wood and charcoal in fireplaces and barbeques can release significant quantities of soot into the air. Another type of pollution is the release of noxious gases, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and chemical vapors. These can take part in further chemical reactions once they are in the atmosphere, forming smog and acid rain.

The Greenhouse Effect, also referred to as global warming, is generally believed to come from the build up of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is produced when fuels are burned. Plants convert carbon dioxide back to oxygen, but the release of carbon dioxide from human activities is higher than the world's plants can process. The situation is made worse since many of the planet's forests are vanishing, and plant life is being harmed by acid rain. Thus, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is continuing to increase. This buildup acts like a blanket and traps heat close to the surface of our earth. Changes of even a few degrees will affect all of us through changes in the climate. Global warming and climate change is something that we all need to be concerned about as it will either affect us directly with severe weather, floods and droughts or indirectly in food shortages and famines.

Refining oil is a dirty procedure that contributes to pollution and global warming. Refineries that keep cars and trucks running also contribute to global warming. Fuel must be burned to make gasoline from oil, generating carbon-dioxide pollution. Oil refineries pollute not only our air, but also our water and land. Oil refineries are one of the chief sources of air pollution in the North America. Refineries are the single largest stationary source of various organic chemical compounds, and the primary source of urban smog. Refineries are also one of the largest industrial source of toxic emissions and the single largest industrial source of benzene emissions. Our air is polluted by up to one hundred pollutants emitted from the stacks and leaking equipment at refineries. Chemicals emitted from oil refineries include metals like lead, and small dust particles called PM10, which get deep into our lungs and harm our ability to breathe. Finally, refineries emit many gases like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, dioxins, hydrogen fluoride, chlorine, benzene and others. Many of the gases emitted by refineries are toxic to humans, and can cause irreversable damage and even death. They can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, coughing, chest pain, choking, and bronchitis. Emissions from oil refineries also can lead to skin irritations, nausea, eye problems, headaches, birth defects, leukemia, and other types of cancers

Air pollution also can exist inside homes and other buildings. The health of many people is affected by chemical substances present in the air within buildings. There are many sources of indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke, cooking and heating appliances, and vapors from building materials, paints, furniture, etc. cause pollution inside buildings. In offices the growing use of synthetic materials, modern office equipment (photocopiers, laser printers, and computers), cleaning products, and outdoor air pollution also contribute to indoor air contamination. Radon is a natural radioactive gas released from the earth, and it can be found concentrated in basements. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that forms whenever you burn fuel like propane, natural gas, gasoline, oil, coal and wood. Because it is colourless, odourless and tasteless, it is hard to detect without a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide can cause health problems before it is even noticed and even death. Carbon monoxide poisining can be caused by fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and water heaters if not maintaned properly or when chimneys are blocked or dirty. Idling vehicles in garages that are attached to homes or buildings are anoher source of carbon dioxide as well as barbecues, grills, space heaters and other non-vented fuel-burning appliances that are designed for outdoor use. Mould and dampness, improperly maintained combustion appliances, off-gassing from domestic chemicals and dust mites and their byproducts in the indoor environment can also cause a number of health problems. Harmful chemicals can also be released from synthetic fabrics, furnishings and household products.

The most harmful and widespread contaminant of indoor air is tobacco smoke. Smoking tobacco is the main source of indoor air pollution in the developed world. Tobacco smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals, including 50 that are known to cause cancer. Air pollution has resulted in the increase of ailments related to respiratory infections such as bronchitis, lung diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory allergies, including attacks of severe asthma. Increased air pollution has also caused cases of middle ear infections, which lead to various degrees of hearing loss. Second-hand smoke can drift under doors, through open windows, vents and electrical outlets. Drifting tobacco smoke is a problem for many people who live in multi-unit buildings such as apartments. Studies of secondhand smoke indicate that air pollution in general can affect the heart and circulatory system. Fortunately in many countries laws are becoming much stricter regarding smoking in public places. For example, in some provinces in Canada, smoking is not permitted in restaurants, shopping malls, public buildings, and even licensed bars. From growing tobacco plants to disposal of butts and packaging, the life cycle of a cigarette creates a lot of pollution. Tobacco causes environmental damage where it is used as well as where it is produced. Tobacco cultivation involves a great deal of pesticides, which are used in the early stages of tobacco growth. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers poison farm workers, seep into the soil and pollute waterways and ecological systems, and poison livestock and food crops.

In many countries in the world, steps are being taken to stop the damage to our environment from air pollution. Scientific groups have studied the damaging effects on plant, animal and human life. Legislative groups develop laws to control emissions. Educators in schools and universities are teaching students about the effects of air pollution. Many countries have set legislations on pollution emissions for transportation vehicles and industry. This is usually done to through a variety of coordinating agencies, which monitor the air and the environment. In addition, it is possible to prevent many types of air pollution through personal, careful attention to our actions with regards to the environment. Only through the efforts of scientists, business leaders, legislators, and individuals can we reduce the amount of air pollution on the planet. This challenge needs to be met by all of us in order to assure that a healthy environment will exist for ourselves and future generations.

Soil & Ground Pollution

Soil pollution encompasses the pollution of soils with materials, mostly chemicals that may have negative effects on humans or other organisms. Soil pollution is caused by different sources and has serious consequences. Soil pollution is caused by man made chemicals such as agricultural runoff waters, industrial waste materials, acid precipitation, and radioactive fallout as well as other methods. Soil pollution can also lead to water pollution if toxic chemicals seep into groundwater, or if contaminated runoff reaches streams, lakes, or oceans. Soil pollution also naturally contributes to air pollution by releasing volatile compounds into the atmosphere.

There are different ways that soil can become polluted. One is solid waste seepage and leakage from landfills. The discharge of industrial waste into the soil is another method. Access applications of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are another cause of soil pollution. The most common chemicals that cause contaminated soil are solvents, pesticides, heavy medals and petroleum by products. Soil contamination is caused by the presence of man-made chemicals or other mutations in the natural soil environment. This type of contamination typically originates from the rupture of underground storage tanks, application of pesticides, oil and fuel dumping, leaching of wastes from landfills or direct discharge of industrial wastes to the soil. Other common toxic soil pollutants include metals and their compounds, organic chemicals, oils and tars, explosive and toxic gases, radioactive materials, biologically active materials, combustible materials, asbestos and other hazardous materials. These substances commonly arise from the disposal of industrial and domestic waste products in designated landfills or uncontrolled dumps.

Pesticides pollute the soil directly by affecting the organisms that reside in it. In addition to pesticides, organic contaminants include many other components, such as oils, tars, chlorinated hydrocarbons, PCBs and dioxins. Because there is such a large variety of organic substances, their detection and monitoring in the soil is virtually impossible. Heavy metals are present naturally in the soil, but their levels are increased by industry such as non-ferrous industries, power plants, iron, steel and chemical industries. Agriculture, waste incineration, combustion of fossil fuels, and road traffic caused by vehicles contribute to soil pollution as well. Pollution of agricultural soils by heavy metals may lead to reduced agricultural yields and elevated levels of these elements in agricultural products, and therefore their presence in the food chain. Heavy metal deposits on grassland soils remain predominantly in the top few centimetres and are directly ingested with soil by grazing animals such as cattle. Heavy metals are toxic and inhibit the soil's microorganic activity. Their concentration in the soil can linger for many decades.

Ground and soil pollution resulting from oil refineries is a worldwide concern. Petroleum hydrocarbon wastes leaked, emitted or even buried can cause severe damage to the biological system. A polluted area is characterized by; the high levels of emitted pollutants and organic compounds into soil and plants. If the oil storage tank is underground, a small oil leak may go undetected for a long period of time. When an oil leak occurs, it frequently contaminates the surrounding soil. As well, service stations store gasoline in tanks, where leakage resulting in contaminated soil is always a threat.

The wide use of automobiles and other transporation modes in the past century has greatly increased the rate of ground pollution either directly or indirectly. Despite the steady increase in traffic, for example, a reduction in lead emissions has been achieved through incentives to use unleaded petrol. Reduction of heavy metal emissions is the most direct way to decrease the atmospheric deposition of these elements and their build-up in the soil. We are disposing of toxic waste at an alarming rate. Items that we throw out everyday, contribute to ground pollution. One example is e-waste. If we do not dispose of e-waste properly some hazardous components can seep into the ground. In addition to e-waste ground and soil pollution is caused by waste matter that is not decomposable such as glass, metal, cloth, plastic, wood, and paper.

Soil pollution can have devastating effects on animal and human health. All plants and vegetation are dependant on the soil and many animals feed of these plants. When you have soil and water pollution the food chain becomes toxic. Soil contaminants can have significant negative consequences for ecosystems. There are radical soil chemistry changes which can emerge from the presence of many hazardous chemicals even at low concentration of the contaminant species. These changes can be exposed in the alteration of metabolism of endemic microorganisms and insects resident in a particular soil environment. The result can be virtual elimination of some of the primary food chain, which in effect can have major consequences for predator or consumer species. Even if the chemical effect on lower life forms is small, the lower pyramid levels of the food chain may ingest foreign chemicals, which normally become more concentrated for each consuming stage of the food chain. There is a very large set of health consequences from exposure to soil contamination depending on pollutant type and vulnerability of the exposed population. Chromium and obsolete pesticide formulations are toxic to humans. Lead is especially hazardous to young children and chronic exposure to at sufficient concentrations is known to be associated with higher incidence of leukemia. Obsolete pesticides such as mercury and cyclodienes are known to induce higher incidences of kidney damage, some irreversible; cyclodienes are linked to liver toxicity. Organophosphates and carbamates can induce a chain of responses leading to neuromuscular blockage. Many chlorinated solvents induce liver changes, kidney changes and depression of the central nervous system. There is an entire range of further health effects such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash related to some toxic chemicals that get into our soil.

There are ways that we can all contribute to stopping ground and soil pollution. People should be educated and made aware about the harmful effects of littering. Items used for domestic purposes should be reused or recycled and personal litter should be disposed properly. Organic waste matter should be disposed in areas that are far away from populated areas. Inorganic matter such as paper, plastic, glass and metals should be reclaimed and then recycled. Industries need to be held more accountable by governments and consumers regarding the dumping of industrial waste into the soil as well as the air and water.

Water Pollution

The world is running out of water. Humans are polluting, depleting, and diverting its finite freshwater supplies so quickly, we are creating massive new deserts and generating global warming from below. This, along with variations in water availability, means that the water to produce food for human consumption, industrial processes and all the other uses is becoming scarce. Right now there are over one billion people on this planet without adequate drinking water. In many parts of the world, surface waters are too polluted for human use. Ninety per cent of wastewater in the Third World is discharged untreated. Eighty per cent of China's and seventy five per cent of India's surface waters are too polluted for drinking, fishing, or even bathing. The story is the same in most of Africa and Latin America. Even in North America large water bodies like the Great Lakes are dumping spots for some heavy industries. Water scarcity threatens economic and social gains and is a potent fuel for wars and conflict. A water crisis that will hit Asia and other parts of the world is eminent if we don't change our ways.

Over two-thirds of the earths' surface is covered by water and water pollution is a large factor that affects earth's ecosystem. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies and comprises of ocean pollution, river pollution, lake pollution and groud water pollution. Water pollution can come from various sources. Industry and agriculture involves the use of various chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industry can contaminate lakes and rivers. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills. It is easy to dispose of waste by dumping it into a river or lake. In large or small amounts, discharged intentionally or accidentally, it may be carried away by the current, but will never totally vanish. It will reappear downstream in changed form or diluted. Freshwater bodies have some ability to break down some waste materials, but not in the quantities discarded by modern society. This overload that results, called pollution, eventually puts the ecosystem out of balance. Most often our waterways are being polluted by municipal, agricultural and industrial wastes, including many toxic synthetic chemicals, which cannot be broken down at all by natural processes. Even in tiny amounts, some of these substances can cause serious harm to human and animal health.

We are polluting our water supply at an alarming rate. Water pollution has many causes and characteristics. Organic wastes such as sewage put high oxygen demands on the receiving water leading to oxygen depletion with potentially harsh impacts on the whole eco-system. Industries discharge a variety of pollutants in their wastewater including heavy metals, organic toxins, oils, and solids. Discharges can also have thermal effects, especially those from power stations, and these also reduce the available oxygen. Silt-bearing runoff from many activities including construction sites, deforestation and agriculture can also add to damaging ecological systems. Population growth alone does not account for increased water demand. Since 1900, there has been a six-fold increase in water use for only a two-fold increase in population size. Higher water usage is associated with rising standards of living and consumption.

Groundwater pollution is often caused by pesticide contamination from the soil, this can infect our drinking water. Groundwater pollution occurs when contaminants find their way into the ground water area. There are many sources of these contaminants including pesticides, nitrates, salt buildup and microorganisms. Contamination of drinking water sources by sewage can occur from raw sewage overflow, septic tanks, leaking sewer lines, land application of sludge and partially treated wastewater. Sewage itself is a complex mixture and can contain many types of contaminants. The greatest threats posed to water resources arise from contamination by bacteria, nitrates, metals, trace quantities of toxic materials, and salts. Seepage overflow into drinking water sources can cause disease from the ingestion of microorganisms such as E Coli, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Hepatitis A, and helminths. Dumps and landfills are a threat to water supplies when water percolates through waste, picking up a variety of substances such as metals, minerals, organic chemicals, bacteria, viruses, explosives, flammables, and other toxic compounds. Run-off from mines and stockpiles pose a threat to drinking water sources due to the release of salts, metals, and acid drainage. Removal of salts and metals from water resources is difficult and very costly. Urban run off is another source of ground water contamination and can consist of water that has drained from man-made non-porous surfaces in densely populated areas. These surfaces consist of roads, freeways, sidewalks, roofed structures, parking lots, airports and industrial sites

Offshore drilling is a threat to economic livelihood in coastal regions and toxic to our coastal environment. Environmentally sensitive and safe offshore drilling methods do not exist. While drilling technologies have improved, accidents can and still do happen. In addition to the dangers of oil drilling, offshore natural gas drilling has significant environmental consequences for our coast and marine life with chronic water pollution and air pollution and onshore industrialization. In addition to the threat of a major accident or spill, there are routine discharges of spent drilling mud that contain heavy metals and other toxins which accumulate in marine organisms, and produced water pumped from below the seafloor containing elevated levels of radium, which contaminate seafloor sediments and marine organisms. Also produced are substantial amounts of pollutants into the air from the massive machinery operating on each drilling rig, and the on-shore refineries and ports that will be built on our coastline? Our ocean, coastal marshes and waters, marine fisheries, and our tourism industry, are all affected from offshore drilling. Ocean transportation of oil is very risky as is noticeable by the continuous spills of oil along our coastline.

Noise Pollution

While most of us are familiar with environmental pollution and industrial pollution, a frequently overlooked type of pollution is noise pollution. A common form of noise pollution is from transportation. This includes cars, trucks and other motorized vehicles. Some motorcyles can be extremely noisy being very disturbing for some people. If you live near a major highway you hear the constant sound of cars and transport trucks speeding by. Other sources of noise pollution are office equipment, factory machinery, construction work, appliances, power tools and audio entertainment systems. In rural areas, train and airplane noise can disturb wildlife habits, thereby affecting the way in which animals in areas around train tracks and airports hunt and mate. Noise pollution can cause types of hearing loss, annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects. High levels of noise pollution can also contribute to headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, heart and digestive problems, and immune system disorders. In some extreme cases moise pollution can even lead to suicide in people with pre existing mental disorders.

No one on earth can escape the sounds of noise that is unwanted and disturbing and this causes a nuisance to the listener. Noise is a disturbance to the human environment that is escalating at such a high rate that it is becoming a major threat to the quality of human lives. In the past half century, noise in all areas, especially in urban areas, have been increasing rapidly. While tougher regulations are one way to combat noise pollution, smarter urban planning and improved building design will also help to create a quieter environment. Steps that can be taken include using dead-end streets and car-free malls as sites for residential complexes. Other things that could be done to lower noise pollution is to depress freeways and arterial roads below the level of adjoining residential areas, creating the maximum separation between roads and new buildings, and using natural topographic features to the best acoustic advantage. It is up to every business and individual to have respect for others in regards to loud destructive noises in specific areas and times. We can control the volume on our stereos and televisions. We need to pass tougher laws in regards to loud motorcycles and other vehicles. While a lot of industrial noise and noise pollution from our modern lifestyle cannot be avoided we need to find a way to cut down on noise pollution.

The present generation and the coming generations have to solve the pollution problem if they want to survive. Pollution is a problem like cancer in which death is sure but slow. Environment pollution is assuming dangerous proportions all through the globe. This is the gift of modern living, industrialization and urbanization. Unless timely action is taken we have a forbid and bleak future for the world.

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