We are the first generation to pollute the environment to this extent and the last one who can do something about it
- Introduction
- Types of Pollution
- Impact of Pollution on Environment
- Impact of Pollution on Individual’s Heath
- Actions to Take for Pollution-Free Environment
- Conclusion
Introduction
Pollution is the introduction of unwanted substances into the natural environment, degrading the quality of natural resources and adversely affecting the environment. It can be anything from chemical substances to energy, such as heat, noise, or light. The agents that are degrading the environment in any sense are called pollutants. They can be pesticides, volcanic ash, trash and sewage, factory runoffs, car exhaust, burning coal for electricity, etc.
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These pollutants can pollute air, water, soil, and other environmental components. They slowly make their way to our food chain, and we can figure out the consequences only when they have already entered our bodies.
The disturbing fact is that there is more than one type of pollution. Our Mother Earth is getting damaged in various forms. However, the comforting part about the situation is that there are measures that can be adopted to slow down and prevent the intensity of damage caused.
The various types of pollution that exist in the environment are:
Air pollution
Any hazardous is caused by substances that exist in the air, whether natural or manufactured. Air pollution is invisible but can be seen at high intensity. The most concerning air-polluting chemicals include - particulate matter, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. People who live in metropolitan cities are at higher risk; however, every living being is somewhat affected. It is more serious because these hazardous particles are invisible to the naked eye and cause serious health problems in inhalation.
Air pollution is responsible for one in six deaths worldwide, and the number is growing over time.
Water pollution
Water gets contaminated with natural or manufactured chemicals. Like air pollution, water pollution can be seen in some cases and is invisible at low intensity. When natural gas or oil leaks into a water source, water pollution is considered natural. While nature contributes to water pollution, human activities contribute a bigger share in the problem.
Acid rain is a phenomenon that can result from air pollution and water pollution. It might sound like the plot of an end-of-the-world sci-fi movie; it is an actual chemical process.
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is persistent, disturbing, or unwanted noise in the environment. Noise might not contaminate air or water, but it adversely affects society. Whenever pollution is concerned, we might not think of unwanted noise as an environmental crisis. However, it is considered pollution because it affects the quality of life of those living in the environment and like other forms of pollution, it is also connected to various health issues.
Sources of air pollution include - Emission products, aeroplanes and helicopters, construction sites and equipment, cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, transport equipment, and many others.
Various studies show that noise pollution results in - stress-related illnesses, hearing loss, high blood pressure, sleep disruption, loss of productivity, speech interference, etc.
Land or Soil pollution
Both land and soil pollution can be used interchangeably, as soil pollution is a major cause of land pollution when chemicals and other changes in the natural soil cause land degradation. Major contributors to soil pollution are - Certain industrial activities, improper waste disposal, agricultural chemicals, etc. Deforestation, garbage accumulation, and climate changes are other reasons behind land degradation.
Polluted soil is less fertile and unfit for agricultural practices. Flora and fauna directly dependent on soil for survival are severely impacted. In humans, it causes respiratory problems and diseases related to the lungs.
Impact of Pollution on the Environment
Pollution can severely impact the environment in various forms.
Acid rain - Acid rain results from excessive harmful amounts of nitric and sulphuric acids in the environment due to air and water pollution. These acids are formed by nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. In the environment, acid rain damage trees and causes soil and water bodies to acidify, making the water unsuitable for some fish and other wildlife. It also speeds up the decay of buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our national heritage.
Haze - Haze worsens the clarity, color, texture, and form of what we see. It is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollutant particles in the air. Haze-causing pollutants are directly emitted into the atmosphere through different sources such as – power plants and industrial and construction activities.
Adverse impact on wildlife – Toxic air, water, and soil pollutants also impact wildlife in several ways. Like humans, wildlife also experiences health-related issues when exposed to toxins over time. The results are congenital disabilities, reproductive failure, and diseases in animals.
Depleting the ozone layer – This gas occurs at ground level and the Earth’s upper atmosphere, called the stratosphere. When this is ground level, it can be harmful to human health. In the atmosphere, this ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays. However, because of human activities, this ozone layer is getting depleted. Thinning of the protective ozone layer can cause increased amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth, which leads to skin cancers, cataracts, and impaired immune systems.
Impact of Pollution on Individual’s Health
People can’t avoid air as they must breathe, water as they must drink, and land as they must grow on it. A damaged environment severely impacts an individual’s health every second. When these harmful substances affect human beings, they affect health systems and cause various illnesses, diseases, and abnormalities. Environmental pollution can be different, but it impacts all people leading to physical, psychological, and behavioral effects.
Physical effects
Humans can suffer from various physical disabilities because of contaminated environments. For example - lead damages a human’s neurological, hematological, immunological, and reproductive systems causing physical disabilities. Particulate matter PM severely damages human cardiovascular and respiratory systems through pollution and increases human mortality.
Psychological effects
Noise pollution can severely disrupt the psychological balance of humans. A continuous noise level greater than 30 dB” causes problems with falling asleep and deep sleep. Lack of sleep gradually lowers productivity at work and study performance. Moreover, constant noise makes humans easily annoyed, irritated, and aggressive. Excessive noise also disturbs the communication process. It affects concentration and leads to constant fatigue and decreased working capacity.
Behavioral effects
Not just physical and psychological health troubles, environmental pollution also can affect the behavioral patterns of a human being. For example –noise pollution directly impacts aggressive behavior with lots of anger. Speech and sleep disturbances caused by noise pollution harm individuals’ behavior.
Therefore, it is certain that there is an evident relationship between pollution and health problems caused by today’s air, water, land, and noise contaminations, which affect the health of all human beings.
Actions to Take for a Pollution-Free Environment
Use public transports
Public transport is a sure way to reduce air and land pollution. Less gas and energy will be used, and fewer toxins will be released into the atmosphere. It will help you to save money, you will also contribute to lesser emissions, and the number of vehicles on the road will be reduced.
Reuse and recycle
The concept of reuse and recycling is not just for saving resources, but it also helps reduce pollution emissions. Recycled products take less power and energy.
Say no to plastic bags
Plastic takes a long time to decompose and can be very harmful to the environment as it is made of oil. Alternatively, you can use paper bags as they decompose easily and are recyclable.
Use fans instead of ACs
The heat emitted by ACs is bad for the environment and takes up a lot of energy. A better alternative for ACs is the use of fans that are also power and energy efficient.
Implement afforestation
The best way to save the environment and make it a better place for future generations is by planting more and more trees. Grow as many trees as possible. It helps release fresh oxygen and makes the environment better for every living organism.
Conclusion
Pollution and its negative contributions to climate change and the environment can be seen in the everyday lives of individuals, from smog in the air to rainforest depletion to the melting of the polar ice caps. Environmental contamination will take us forward towards our very end. To slow down this destruction process, organizations, such as – Lovely Foundation NGO, are working towards taking corrective measures. Citizens on the global level should be made aware of the consequences, and they should be encouraged to take small steps and reduce the activities that adversely affect the environment.