environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.” Wiki explains pollution as “the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change.” Simply put, Environmental Pollution is something that brings harm to our environment and in turn to the people who exist based on the environment. Environmental Pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate the surroundings; which brings about changes that affect our normal lifestyles adversely. Pollutants are the key elements or components of pollution which are generally waste materials of different forms. Pollution disturbs our ecosystem and the balance in the environment. With modernization and development in our lives pollution has reached its peak; giving rise to global warming and human illness. Air Pollution Water Pollution Soil pollution Noise pollution Radioactive pollution Light pollution Industrial activities: The industries all over the world that brought prosperity and affluence, made inroads in the biosphere and disturbed the ecological balances. The pall of smoke, the swirling gases, industrial effluents and the fall-out of scientific experiments became constant health hazards, polluting and contaminating both air and water. The improper disposal of industrial wastes are the sources of soil and water pollution. Chemical waste resulting from industry can pollute lakes, rivers and seas and soil too as well as releasing fumes. Dumping solid waste: Household and commercial waste pollutes the environment when not disposed of properly. Vehicles: The smoke emitted by vehicles using petrol and diesel and the cooking coal also pollutes the environment. The multiplication of vehicles, emitting black smoke that, being free and unfettered, spreads out and mixes with the air we breathe. The harmful smoke of these vehicles causes air pollution. Further, the sounds produced by these vehicles produces causes noise-pollution. Rapid urbanization and industrialization: The urbanization and the rapid growth of industrialization are causing through environmental pollution the greatest harm to the plant life, which in turn causing harm to the animal kingdom and the human lives. Population overgrowth: Due to the increase in population, particularly in developing countries, there has been surge in demand for basic food, occupation and shelter. The world has witnessed massive deforestation to expand absorb the growing population and their demands. Combustion of fossil fuels: The combustion of fossil fuels pollutes the air, the soil and the water with noxious gases such as CO2 and CO. Agricultural waste: Fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture are key causes of environmental pollution. In general, any substance introduced by the people into the atmosphere which has a damaging effect on the living organisms as well as on the environment is considered as air pollution. Another perspective of looking at air pollution could be through the gases or substances that hold the potential to hinder the atmosphere or the well-being of the living beings surviving in it. The sustainability of all living organisms is due to a combination of gases that collectively form the atmosphere, and hence the imbalance caused by the change in the percentage of these gases or substances can be harmful to survival. Outdoor : The pollutants outside the built environment fall under this category. Examples include: Fine particles produced by the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. the coal and petroleum used in traffic and energy production) Noxious gases (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, chemical vapours, etc.) Ground-level ozone (a reactive form of oxygen and a primary component of urban smog) Tobacco smoke Indoor : The particulates, carbon oxides and other pollutants carried by the indoor air or dust fall under this category. Examples include: Gases (carbon monoxide, radon etc.) Household products and chemicals Building materials (asbestos, formaldehyde, lead etc.) Outdoor indoor allergens (cockroach and mouse dropping, etc.) Tobacco smoke Mould and pollens Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and other factory combustibles are one of the major cause of air pollution. Pollutants emitted from vehicles further contribute to the degradation of the environment. Carbon Monoxide produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel is another major pollutant along with the Nitrogen Oxides, that are produced from both natural and man-made processes. Agricultural Activities: Ammonia is a very common byproduct of the agriculture-related activities and is one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere. The use of insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture also leads to the emission of harmful chemicals causing pollution. Exhaust from Factories and Industries: Manufacturing industries and petroleum refineries release a large amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and chemicals into the air thereby depleting the quality of air. Mining Operations: During the process of mining, huge volumes of dust and other chemicals are released into the air causing massive air pollution and leading to deteriorating health conditions of mining workers and nearby residents. Indoor Air Pollution: Household cleaning products, painting supplies etc. emit toxic chemicals in the air while causing air pollution. Suspended Particulate Matter: Popular by its acronym SPM, it is another cause of air pollution. While referring to the particles afloat in the air, the SPM is usually caused by dust, combustion etc. respiratory diseases (including asthma and changes in lung function) cardiovascular diseases adverse pregnancy outcomes (such as preterm birth) even death in some cases Cancer due to mutation Global Warming: With increased temperatures worldwide, the resulting increase in sea levels and the melting of ice from the colder regions and icebergs, or the loss of habitat have already signalled an impending disaster if actions for preservation and normalization aren’t undertaken soon. Acid Rain: Harmful gases like the nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides released into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels combine with water droplets during rain forming acids and leading to acid rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to living organisms, plants and monuments. Eutrophication: It is a condition where a high amount of nitrogen present in pollutants gets accumulated on the surface of a water body, leading to the deposition of green algae. Reducing the amount of sunlight entering and the dissolved oxygen in the water, it really affects the aquatic life. Effect on Wildlife: Toxic chemicals present in the air affect wildlife and force it to move to new places and change habitats leading to an imbalance in the flora and fauna of a particular area. Depletion of Ozone layer: Ozone exists in the Earth’s stratosphere and is responsible for protecting the mankind from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The Ozone layer is getting depleted due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere resulting in an increased effect of UV rays causing skin and eye diseases. Using Public Mode of Transportation: Encourage people to use more and more public modes of transportation to reduce pollution. Also, try to make use of carpooling which is indeed a good option to save energy and money. Conserving Energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out. A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to produce electricity. Switching off fans and lights while going out can reduce the amount of fuel being used. Understanding the Concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Do not throw away the items that are no longer of any use but reuse them. For instance, use the old jars to store cereals or pulses. Use items that are biodegradable and can be recycled. Emphasizing on Clean Energy Resources: Clean energy technologies like solar, wind and geothermal energy are on high these days. Governments of various countries have been providing grants to consumers who are interested in installing solar panels for their homes and offices. Using Energy Efficient Devices: The CFL lights consume less electricity as compared to their counterparts. They last longer, consume less electricity, lower the electricity bills and also help you to reduce pollution by consuming less energy. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (like oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, aquifers and groundwater) usually caused due to human activities. Water pollution is any change in the physical, chemical or biological properties of water that will have a detrimental consequence o any living organism. Drinking water, also called Potable Water, is the water that is considered safe enough for human and animal consumption. This is water that is generally used for drinking, cooking, washing, crop irrigation etc. These days chemicals, bacteria and other pollutants are even affecting our drinking water. Sources of Water Pollution Domestic Waste Industrial effluents Insecticides and pesticides Detergents and Fertilizers Effects of Pollution of Water Diseases: In humans, drinking or consuming polluted water in any way has many disastrous effects on our health. It causes typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and various other diseases. Destruction of Ecosystems: Ecosystems are extremely dynamic and respond to even small changes in the environment. Water pollution can cause an entire ecosystem to collapse if left unchecked. Eutrophication: Chemicals in a water body, encourage the growth of algae. These algae form a layer on top of the pond or lake. Bacteria feed on this algae and this decreases the amount of oxygen in the water body, severely affecting the aquatic life there. Effects the food chain: Disruption in food chains happens when toxins and pollutants in the water are consumed by aquatic animals (fish, shellfish etc) which are then consumed by humans. Prevention Save Water: Conserving water is our first aim. Water wastage is a major problem globally and we are only now waking up to the issue. Simply small changes you can make domestically will make a huge difference. Better treatment of sewage: So treating waste products before disposing of it in a water body helps reduce water pollution on a large scale. Agriculture or other industries can reuse this wastewater by reducing its toxic contents. Use environmentally friendly products: By using soluble products that do not go on to become pollutants, we can reduce the amount of water pollution caused by a household. Also known as Land Pollution, this occurs due to incorporation of unwanted chemicals in the soil due to human activities. Use of insecticides and pesticides absorbs the nitrogen compounds from the soil making it unfit for plants to derive nutrition from. Release of industrial waste, mining and deforestation also exploits the soil. Since plants can’t grow properly, they can’t hold the soil and this leads to soil erosion. Food is a big contributor to landfill waste. Causes of Soil Pollution Soil pollution can be natural or due to human activity. However, it mostly boils down to the activities of the human that causes the majority of the soil pollution such as heavy industries, or pesticides in agriculture. 1.INDUSTRIAL WASTE Steel, pesticides, textiles, drugs, glass, cement, petroleum, etc. are produced by paper mills, oil refineries, sugar factories, petroleum industries and others as such. 2.URBAN WASTE Urban waste consists of garbage and rubbish materials, dried sludge and sewage from domestic and commercial waste. 3.BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Biological agents work inside the soil to introduce manures and digested sludge (coming from the human, bird and animal excreta) into the soil. 4.AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES The soil of the crops is polluted to a large extent with pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, slurry, debris, and manure. 5.RADIOACTIVE POLLUTANTS Radioactive substances such as Radium, Thorium, Uranium, Nitrogen, etc. can infiltrate the soil and create toxic effects. The Effects of Soil Pollution Soil pollution affects plants, animals and humans alike. While anyone is susceptible to soil pollution, soil pollution effects may vary based on age, general health status and other factors, such as the type of pollutant or contaminant inhaled or ingested. However, children are usually more susceptible to exposure to contaminants, because they come in close contact with the soil by playing in the ground; combined with lower thresholds for disease, this triggers higher risks than for adults. Therefore, it is always important to test the soil before allowing your kids to play there, especially if you live in a highly industrialized area. Diseases Caused by Soil Pollution Humans can be affected by soil pollution through the inhalation of gases emitted from soils moving upward, or through the inhalation of matter that is disturbed and transported by the wind because of the various human activities on the ground. Soil pollution may cause a variety of health problems, starting with headaches, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, eye irritation and potentially resulting in more serious conditions like neuromuscular blockage, kidney and liver damage and various forms of cancer. It is caused when a noise which is of higher intensity than 85 db reaches our bare ears. It may lead to psychological problems like stress & hypertension. It can also lead to permanent hearing impairment, which is worse. It is mainly caused by loud pumps and compressors in the chemical industries. Even marriage functions and rock music concerts are often ignored contributors to this type of pollution. This is considered one of the most dangerous pollution because of its permanent effects. An unarrested upset in a nuclear plant , careless nuclear waste disposal, etc. It can cause cancer – skin, blood, infertility due to exposure, birth defects and blindness; It has the ability to permanently change soil, air and water – the major sources of life. It can even cause mutation in species which can propagate for ages. This is caused as a result of excessive heat release in the environment. This leads to irreversible and undesirable changes of almost permanent nature. Industries and Vehicles are direct contributors to this. Deforestation is an indirect contributor.Other than the greenhouse gases,zyada this has increased the earth’s temperature, and has potential to cause drastic climatic changes; and wildlife extinction. before after Whenever illumination available is more than what’s required in an area, this pollution kicks in. It is more noticeable in big cities, on advertising boards and billboards, mainly during large scale events, vis-a-vis Concerts, sport events & even marriages, at night. It mainly affects the astronomical observations by making the stars very difficult to observe & study. Environment Degradation: Environment is the first casualty for increase in pollution weather in air or water. The increase in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to smog which can restrict sunlight from reaching the earth. Thus, preventing plants in the process of photosynthesis. Gases like Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of Oil spill may lead to death of several wildlife species. Human Health: The decrease in quality of air leads to several respiratory problems including asthma or lung cancer. Chest pain, congestion, throat inflammation, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease are some of diseases that can be causes by air pollution. Water pollution occurs due to contamination of water and may pose skin related problems including skin irritations and rashes. Similarly, Noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress and sleep disturbance. Global Warming: The emission of greenhouse gases particularly CO2 is leading to global warming. Every other day new industries are being set up, new vehicles come on roads and trees are cut to make way for new homes. All of them, in direct or indirect way lead to increase in CO2 in the environment. The increase in CO2 leads to melting of polar ice caps which increases the sea level and pose danger for the people living near coastal areas. Depletion of the Ozone Layer: Ozone layer stops ultra violet rays from reaching the earth. UV exposure in excess can lead to skin cancer. Due to release of CFCs & aerosols in the atmosphere which contributed to the depletion of ozone layer. This removes the sheet that protects us from the harmful UV-rays which is more than just threatening. Infertile Land:Constant use of pesticides, insecticides & other chemicals causes the soil to become infertile. Soil is the major and in some cases the only source of nutrition for plants & vegetables. Importance of these can never be overstated. But due to infertile soil, plants will not be able to grow properly. Industrial waste also affects the fertility of the soil. Pollution not only affect humans by destroying their respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems; it also affects the nature, plants, fruits, vegetables, rivers, ponds, forests, animals, etc, on which they are highly dependent for survival. It is crucial to control pollution as the nature, wildlife and human life are precious gifts to the mankind. The water we drink the vegetables are all contaminated to-day. As a result of this contamination our world is afflicted with a quite a number of incurable diseases. Environmental pollution affects water sources which mean that there is less fresh water available for drinking, washing, cooking and irrigating crops. Nothing in this world is immune, no life is safe and the future of this world is bleak. The factories are mostly built in populated areas and the smoke-emitting vehicles ply through the congested areas. Besides causing immense disturbances, there are increasing case of pulmonary tuberculosis and thrombosis and various sorts of brain and heart complications. Air-pollution may cause severe lungs-diseases, asthma, brain-disorder diseases, etc. Soil-pollution may have negative effect on farm output ratio. It can also contaminate the ground water. Noise-pollution have negative effects on hearing or auditory sense organs. It can also cause deafness, tiredness, and mental losses. The heat generated by industries and vehicles causes thermal pollution by raising the environmental temperature of the nearby areas. Many scientists believe that we are living in an era of mass extinction, due to human made environmental pollution. Gas emission pollution is being mitigated in a variety of ways with car emission control, electric and hybrid vehicles and public transportation systems. Not all major cities have successful implementation and decent public transportation in place, but the world is working on this issue constantly and we have managed to reduce emissions profoundly over the last decade. There is much catching up to do. The cost of radioactive power plants is becoming apparent and the days of coal power plants are nearly dead. The radiation is a serious issue. Radioactive leakage from power plants and nuclear testing have already contaminated oceanic life to such a degree that it will take hundreds of years to return to normal. More radiation solutions are in the works with various ecologically friendly power technologiesbeing built every day. Solar power is a fantastic solution. Now that solar radiation is at a climactic peak, we can reap power from the sun using solar panel systems. These range from home systems to larger scale systems powering entire communities and cities. Wind power is coming into play. This may not seem like much at first, but when you get about 100 feet off the ground, there is a great deal of wind up there. By building wind turbines to harvest natural wind energy, electricity is produced. Wind turbine power and solar power are both powerful forces against fossil fuel power and radioactive power. The one problem here is power companies. They want to stay with radioactive power plants because they actually can’t be removed. It has become the crusades of many individuals and small corporations to make the switch and there are plenty of people following this as populations cry out for help. Electromagnetic radiation (ER) reduction. Once major manufacturers of computers and electronic devices realized the blatant potential for huge ER emissions directly into the eyes and brains of users, they started to implement hardware protocols to minimize risks and reduce ER production significantly. Newer devices are in the lead to knock this problem out and, fortunately, this is working. Pollution control, in environmental engineering, any of a variety of means employed to limit damage done to the environment by the discharge of harmful substances and energies. Specific means of pollution control might include refuse disposal systems such as sanitary landfills, emission control systems for automobiles, sedimentation tanks in sewerage systems, the electrostatic precipitation of impurities from industrial gas, or the practice of recycling. For full treatment of major areas of pollution control, see air pollution control, wastewater treatment, solid-waste management, and hazardous- waste management.