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POLLUTION

Any material that harms the atmosphere or the species that exist in that environment is referred to as “pollution” and the harmful material is known as a pollutant. Pollutants create havoc on the environment, including the air, water, and soil.

MAJOR TYPES OF POLLUTION:

1) Air pollution

2) Water pollution

3) Noise pollution

4) Land pollution

5) Soil pollution

6) Plastic pollution

7) Thermal pollution and the list goes on.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Environmental pollution occurs when there is an unfavorable shift in the environment that harms plants and animals. Harmful substances are released into the environment such as water bodies, soil, or air.

Environmental pollution can lead to serious health issues such as:

1) Respiratory disease

2) Different allergies

3) Mental disorders

4) Cancer

5) Cholera

6) Stroke

7) Asthma

CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Due to industrialization, urbanization there has been a rise in environmental pollution. One more important factor contributing to environmental pollution is an increase in population.

Environmental pollution is generally of 5 types namely; air, water, soil, and noise pollution.

1) AIR POLLUTION– It is a widely spreading and major issue today. Due to industrialization, many industries are being set up and they emit smoke, fumes in large amounts through their chimneys. Smoke from automobiles, all this smoke gets to mix with the air and pollute the air that we breathe. Hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide are among the hazardous gases and particulates contained in car exhaust fumes. These gases rise into the atmosphere, where they combine with other gases to produce even more poisonous gases. These poisonous gases harm the organisms, flora, and fauna. The dry leaves, wood, dry garbage are mostly burned in the villages while cooking food also produces air pollution.

MAIN SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION ARE:

a.Industries

b. Garbage burning

c. biomass burning

d. automobile

Example: You must have seen that the farmers of U.P and Haryana burn Paddy(residue called parali)which causes air pollution.

2) WATER POLLUTION: The most threatening environmental problem is water pollution. Industrial waste and sewage water is not treated properly before discharging into water bodies. Agricultural activities making use of fertilizers and pesticides are carried to the groundwater by rainwater. Solid waste is also dumped directly into the water bodies.

MAIN SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION ARE:

a. Industrial waste

b. Untreated sewage

c. Pesticides and herbicides

d. Oil spills

3) SOIL POLLUTION: The degradation of land as a result of human activities and the mismanagement of land resources is referred to as land pollution. This happens when humans use pesticides and herbicides on the soil. Also, when pollutants from other degraded lands are transported to the soil of other areas through rain and floods. Hospitals do not dispose of their biomedical waste properly like used syringes, tools, etc.

MAIN SOURCES OF LAND POLLUTION ARE:

a. Chemical fertilizers

b. Biomedical waste

c. Garbage dumping

d. Use of plastics

4)Noise pollution: Noise is created by factories, household activities, and automobiles. Noise pollution is rising due to the rise in pollution, urbanization. It can impact the human body in a very severe way; it can lead to stress and anxiety, insomnia, etc.

MAJOR SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION ARE:

a. Automobile noise

b. Factories machines noise

c. Loud music at parties

d. Drilling the ground noise

WAYS TO REDUCE POLLUTION

a. Say no to plastic bags

b. Use public transport

c. Say no to crackers

d. Do not burn dry waste

e. Practice principle of 3R’s