Pollution and Its Types

Commentary

Pollution is the process of making land, water, air or other parts of the environment dirty and not safe or suitable to use. This can be done through the introduction of a contaminant into a natural environment, but the contaminant doesn't need to be tangible. Things as simple as light, sound and temperature can be considered pollutants when introduced artificially into an environment.

The different types of pollution are Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Plastic pollution, radioactive contamination, Light pollution, Thermal pollution, etc

The main causes of pollution are combustion from industry-almost all of the common air pollutants can be by industrial processes ,transportation emission ,agricultural side-effects ,home heating ,home cooking, volcano eruptions, forest fires ,tobacco smoke, metal smelting ,aerosols and CFCs.

Air pollution is the presence of toxic chemicals or compounds in the air, at levels that pose a health risk. Water pollution occurs when harmful substances like chemicals or microorganisms contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other water bodies. Soil pollution is the presence of toxic chemicals in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human health. Noise pollution is unwanted or excessive sound that can have deleterious effect on human health, wildlife, and environmental quality. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian nations, where garbage collection is often inefficient or nonexistent. Radioactive contamination is the deposition of or presence of radioactive substance or within solids, liquids or gases, where their presence is unintended or undesired. Light pollution is the excessive, misdirected or invasive use of artificial outdoor lighting. Thermal pollution is the rise in the temperature of rivers or lakes that is injurious to water-dwelling life and is caused by the disposal of heated industrial waste.

Air pollution causes respiratory infections, heart disease, COPD, stroke and lung cancer. Water pollution causes deadly diseases like cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, tuberculosis, jaundice, etc. Soil pollution can have a number of harmful ecosystems and human, plant and animal health. Noise pollution causes respiratory agitation, racing pulse, high blood pressure, etc. Plastic waste shows negative impact on humans like plastic- contaminated seafood, upsets food chain, groundwater pollution; land pollution, kills animals, etc. Exposing to high levels of radiation can cause acute health effects such as skin burns and acute radiation syndrome. Light pollution causes sleep disorders and other health problems such as headaches, stress, obesity, anxiety. Thermal pollution damages larvae and eggs of fish, killing off some species of fish.

Deforestation and clearing away of forests which purify the air and regulate the balance of environment is the main cause of pollution. More plantations is required. Public awareness is necessary. Recycling of natural wastes, reducing the use of chemicals and fertilizers and reusing the used objects can save the environment from pollution. The clean energy technologies like solar system, wind energy and geothermal are the best options for the solution of environmental issues.

It’s high time to take initiatives to save environment, people must prefer public mode of transportation, must use CNG instead of petrol and diesel and reduce the use of fossil fuels which pollute environment. It is responsibility of each individual to take step to save environment. Our environment is our home. Keeping home clean and pure is necessary to live a healthy and peaceful life.