Types of pollution
1. Types of pollution
is the introduction of contaminants
into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or
discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.
Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise,
heat or light.is a major problem all around the world. It has adversely
affected the lives of millions of people and caused many deaths and health
disorders. Pollution is contamination by a chemical or other agent that renders
part of the environment unfit for intended or desired use. Natural processes
have released toxic chemicals into the environment throughout the history of
the earth. Currently, the pollution generated by human activities presents the
most serious problem.are basically 3 types of pollution. They are:
). Air pollution;
). Water pollution;
). Land pollution;of the major
causes of the pollution crisis are as follows:). Deforestation - for the
establishment of factories, industries and due to urbanization in various parts
of the world, trees are cut on a large scale without any adequate efforts to
plant new trees. This leads to deforestation, which has caused a rise in the
pollution levels and distortion of natural order.). Polluted rivers - The
wastewater and liquids from plants and factories are linked with nearby river
water, which are polluted when they release disposal from these units. People
in Developing/Undeveloped countries also pollute rivers by using the water in
these rivers for washing clothes, utensils, bathing and other activities. Oil
spilled from ships pollute oceans around the world.). Sound pollution - the
machines used in factories make noise throughout the day, and this disturbs the
peaceful atmosphere in the vicinity, as machines used without proper covering
lead to sound pollution. It puts heavy mental strain on the people staying in
the nearby areas. Noise is the most pervasive pollution in America.). Air
Pollution - each year industrially developed countries generate billions of
tons of pollutants. Many pollutants come from directly identifiable sources;
sulphur dioxide, for example, comes from electric power plants burning coal or
oil. Others are formed through the action of sunlight on previously emitted
reactive materials (called precursors). For example, ozone, a dangerous
pollutant in smog, is produced by the interaction of hydrocarbons and nitrogen
oxides under the influence of sunlight. Ozone has also caused serious crop
damage. The increasing of number vehicles have also lead to an increase in air
pollution, due to the harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide emitted from these
vehicles. Gases generated in the chemical plants also cause air pollution.
People suffer because of smoke and bad smell from the industrial units
particularly from chemical plants.). Soil pollution - dumping of wastes in many
areas is a major cause of soil pollution. Also, when soil in and near
production areas becomes dirty due to disposal of waste material, such land
cannot be used for agricultural operations.is also caused by iron and steel
mills; zinc, lead, and copper smelters; municipal incinerators; oil refineries;
cement plants; and nitric and sulphuric acid plants.
VI).
Radioactive pollution
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2. Effects of pollution
ecosystem pollution environmental management
There is no shortage of effects out
there from pollution that we all need to be aware of. The effects cause harm to
humans, pets, plants, trees, and aquatic life. All living things are adversely
effected by pollution.the suite of pollutants that taint urban air, fine
suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone pose the most
widespread and acute risks; however, airborne lead pollution is a critical
concern in many cities as well. Recent studies on the effects of chronic
exposure to air pollution have singled out particulate matter as the pollutant
most responsible for the life-shortening effect of unhealthy air, although
other pollutants may also play an important role. These pollutants cause
respiratory and other health disorders.air quality can kill many organisms
including humans. Ozone pollution can cause respiratory disease, cardiovascular
disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. Water pollution
causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to contamination of
drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries. In India, air
pollution is believed to cause 527,700 fatalities a year. Studies have estimated
that the number of people killed annually in the US could be over 50,000.spills
can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution induces hearing loss,
high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance. Mercury has been linked to
developmental deficits in children and neurologic symptoms. Older people are
majorly exposed to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung
disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious
risk. Lead and other heavy metals have been shown to cause neurological
problems.humans and animals can suffer from various health problems including
viruses, cancer, and deformities due to the effects of pollution. Many birth
defects are believed to be the result of pollution and the mother being exposed
to forms of contamination during the development of the fetus. This can also
occur for the young of animals in the wild even though it isn't as widely
spreaded.
Air
Pollutant
|
Health
Effect
|
Environmental
Effect
|
Carbon
Monoxide
|
Reduces ability of blood to bring oxygen to
body cells and tissues; cells and tissues need oxygen to work. Carbon
monoxide may be particularly hazardous to people who have heart or
circulatory (blood vessel) problems and people who have damaged lungs or breathing
passages
|
|
Lead
|
Brain and other nervous system damage;
children are at special risk. Some lead-containing chemicals cause cancer in
animals. Lead causes digestive and other health problems.
|
Lead
can harm wildlife
|
Ground
Level Ozone
|
Breathing problems, reduced lung function,
asthma, irritates eyes, stuffy nose, reduced resistance to colds and other
infections, may speed up aging of lung tissue
|
Nitrogen
Oxides (NOx)
|
Lung damage, illnesses of breathing passages
and lungs (respiratory system)
|
Nitrogen dioxide is an ingredient of acid rain
(acid aerosols), which can damage trees and lakes. Acid
aerosols can reduce visibility.
|
Particulate
Matter
|
Nose and throat irritation, lung damage,
bronchitis, early death
|
Particulates are the main source of haze that
reduces visibility
|
Sulfur
Oxides (SOx)
|
Breathing problems, may cause permanent damage
to lungs
|
SO2 is an ingredient in acid cause permanent
damage rain (acid aerosols), which can to lungs damage trees and lakes. Acid
aerosols can also reduce visibility.
|
Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs)
|
In addition to ozone (smog) effects, many VOCs
can cause serious health problems such as cancer and other effects.
|
In addition to ozone (smog) effects, some VOCs
such as formaldehyde and ethylene may harm plants.
|
Water
Pollutant
|
Health
Effect
|
Contaminated
Sediment
|
Metals, PAHs, and organics listed above are
toxic to various plants and animals, including people. These contaminants
tend to biomagnify as they travel up the food chain. All
have been linked to health problems in people.
|
Disinfection
By products
|
Acute and chronic gastrointestinal illness,
cancer, liver toxicity, and reproductive and developmental disorders
|
Dredged
Materials
|
Microbial
Pathogens
|
Acute and chronic gastrointestinal illness,
cancer, liver toxicity, and reproductive and developmental disorders
|
Pollutant
|
Health
Effect
|
Arsenic
|
Skin damage; circulatory system problems;
increased risk of cancer
|
Barium
|
Increase
in blood pressure
|
Benzene
|
Anemia; decrease in blood platelets; increased
risk of cancer
|
Cadmium
|
Kidney
damage
|
Cyanide
|
Nerve damage or thyroid problems
|
Lead
|
Infants and children: Delays in physical or
mental development. Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure
|
Mercury
|
Kidney
damage
|
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCBs)
|
Skin changes; thymus gland problems; immune
deficiencies; reproductive or nervous system difficulties; increased risk of
cancer
|
Nervous system, kidney, or liver problems
|
Trichloroethylene
(TCE)
|
Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
|
. Pollution control
control is a term used in
environmental management. It means the control of emissions and effluents into
air, water or soil. Without pollution control, the waste products from
consumption, heating, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and
other human activities, whether they accumulate or disperse, will degrade the
environment. A variety of approaches have been developed to manage existing
pollution. These include punishment of polluters through regulation, taxation,
fines, toxic tort suits, and other disincentives; encouragement of nonpolluting
approaches through tax and other incentives; and education of the public. The
increased awareness of the potential harmful effects of pollution has had a
major impact on industries and on individuals, particularly the young, who have
led the way in activities such as recycling. Risk assessment has developed as a
useful technique to estimate the risks of environmental pollutants and to establish
priorities for environmental control and remediation efforts. These efforts to
manage existing pollution are largely a form of secondary prevention in that
the pollution already exists and the focus is on lessening the extent or the
effects.our government and others should think seriously about the issue of
environmental pollution and begin to act or it may have an adverse effect on
our future generations.