Industrial pollution is pollution which can be directly linked with industry, in contrast to other pollution sources.

This form of pollution is one of the leading causes of pollution worldwide; in the United States, for example, the Environmental Protective Agency estimates that up to 50% of the nation's pollution is caused by industry. Because of its size and scope, industrial pollution is a serious problem for the entire planet, especially in nations which are rapidly industrializing, like China. This form of pollution dates back to antiquity, but widespread industrial pollution accelerated rapidly in the 1800s, with the start of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution mechanized means of production, allowing for a much greater volume of production, and generating a corresponding increase in pollution. The problem was compounded by the use of fuels like coal, which is notoriously unclean, and a poor understanding of the causes and consequences of pollution. There are a number of forms of industrial pollution. One of the most common is water pollution, caused by dumping of industrial waste into waterways, or improper containment of waste, which causes leakage into groundwater and waterways. Industrial pollution can also impact air quality, and it can enter the soil, causing widespread environmental problems. Because of the nature of the global environment, industrial pollution is never limited to industrial nations. Samples of ice cores from Antarctica and the Arctic both show high levels of industrial pollutants, illustrating the immense distances which pollutants can travel, and traces of industrial pollutants have been identified in isolated human, animal, and plant populations as well.

Industrial pollution hurts the environment in a range of ways, and it has a negative impact on human lives and health. Pollutants can kill animals and plants, imbalance ecosystems, degrade air quality radically, damage buildings, and generally degrade quality of life. Factory workers in areas with uncontrolled industrial pollution are especially vulnerable. A growing awareness of factory pollution and its consequences has led to tighter restrictions on pollution all over the world, with nations recognizing that they have an obligation to protect themselves and their neighbors from pollution. However, industrial pollution also highlights a growing issue: the desire of developing nations to achieve first world standards of living and production. Those countries that are already industrialized want to keep their place in the World Economy, and those that aren't want a better position in the world economy eg China. As these countries industrialize, they add to the global burden of industrial pollution, triggering serious discussions and arguments about environmental responsibility and a desire to reach a global agreement on pollution issues.

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Air Pollution Caused by Industrie Air pollution is defined as the addition of various hazardous chemicals, particulate matter, toxic substances and biological organisms into the Earth's atmosphere. There are various factors causing air pollution, but what comes from industries and factories is often considered a prime factors in air pollution. According to a study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, it has been found that industrial pollution accounts for approximately 50 percent of the pollution in the United States of America. There are numerous serious ecological implications and health risks associated with industrial air pollution. Some of them are discussed at length below.

Global Warming Global warming is largely considered one of the most hazardous and serious complications associated with air pollution caused by industries and other stationary sources of air pollution. The liberation of certain gases such as methane, or CH4, and carbon dioxide, or CO2, together known as greenhouse gases, is often considered to be prime factors causing global warming. These greenhouse gases often result in an increase in the atmospheric temperature, causing global warming. Global warming has various serious implications both on the ecological balance as well as human health. It often results in the melting of glaciers and snowcapped mountains, resulting in an increase in the water levels of seas and rivers, eventually increasing the risk of floods. Apart from this, global warming also often has numerous serious health risks on humans such as increase in diseases like Lyme, malaria, cholera, dengue and plague, among others.

Acid Rain Industries often emit large amounts of nitrogen and sulphur gases into the Earth's atmosphere. When these gases react with water vapors in the atmosphere, they often change into more aggressive gases, namely nitric acid and sulphuric acid respectively. The rain containing large amounts of these acids is known as acid rain. Acid rain has various health and natural dangers. It results in the erosion of monuments and buildings, makes the soil acidic in nature, resulting in reduction of plant and animal growth, among other issues. Apart from these, acid rain causes serious health disorders such as cancer, skin disorders and even death.

Respiratory Disorders The emission of various gases such as carbon monoxide, or CO, often results in various respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, in individuals. CO damages air passages in individuals, leading to respiratory disorders. However, if carbon monoxide is present in increased levels in the atmosphere, it can even cause the death of the person, by inhibiting oxygen intake by combining with hemoglobin.

Ozone Layer Depletion The ozone layer is a gaseous blanket that helps in supporting and sustaining life on Earth by protecting us from various hazardous radiations such as UV rays. Hence, the addition of some of the above mentioned pollutants often damages the atmosphere, thus causing various health risks in humans such as skin disorders like rashes, irritation and even cancer in severe cases.

Other Effects of Industrial Air Pollution Other common effects often associated with air pollution caused due to industrial emissions include increasing risk of occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis and asbestosis.

Types of Industrial Pollutants

Although there are many types of pollution and sources, industry has contributed its share over the last couple hundred years. Industrial pollution can include air pollution like carbon dioxide, monoxide and ozone; water pollution in the form of petroleum spillage, radiation and heat; and other pollutants like heavy metals. These pollutants make their way into delicate ecosystems and damage wildlife and plant life, as well as public health.

Carbon Dioxide Industrial pollution contributes to the total amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which could be significant or insignificant to the environment depending on the scientist. However, carbon dioxide can still be a danger to health. In addition to displacing oxygen, carbon dioxide can cause headaches, drowsiness and the inability to concentrate.

Ozone Ozone or O3 can be a dangerous form of air pollution if it comes in contact with living things. It's formed by organic gases reacting with nitrogen oxides with sunlight as a catalyst. Ozone is a form of industrial pollution that results from petroleum processing and storage. Ozone can cause breathing difficulties and long term lung tissue damage. It can also damage rubber and some types of plastic. The prevention of excess organic and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants and refineries is one way to limit ozone reactions.

Oil Spills An oil spill is a type of industrial accident in which oil spills or leaks from a source into the environment. An oil tanker running aground and leaking oil into the ocean is an example. Bad weather, human error and terrorism are the usual causes, although some industries may dump oil illegally to cut costs. Oil spills

have detrimental effects on wildlife and the oil may stay in the ecosystem for decades, even after cleanup.

Heavy Metals Heavy metals include lead, mercury, arsenic, zinc, copper and are a danger to the environment and public health. Although many heavy metals are the result of industry, automobiles have begun contributing to this type of pollution too through road runoff. In humans, lead, arsenic and mercury can be very dangerous, causing behavioral and internal problems. Unfortunately, when metals get into the environment, aquatic life tend to be more susceptible because of their close proximity to metals that may have settled along the waterbed.

Water Sometimes, industry can cause water pollution that can damage many types of ecosystems. Aquatic fish and plant life, animals, and humans are all affected. Polluted water can also reach lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater, making the affected area very large. Petroleum, radiation and heat pollution are among the primary causes of industrial water pollution.