Environmental pollution is a broad concept which includes pollution of various biological and physical components of the planet as a result of human activities. On the basis of this definition, environmental pollution can be categorized into various types. When we talk about the different types of environmental pollution, the first thing that is likely to come to your mind is pollution of air, water, and land. However, the fact is that environmental pollution includes much more than the pollution of land, water and air. Other important attributes of environmental pollution include noise pollution, thermal pollution and radiation pollution as well. These environmental issues are much more serious as these pollutants are being dumped in the environment at a much faster rate than the rate at which the environment can accommodate them.
Causes of Environmental Pollution
Environmental pollution causes exist in plenty, and tend to differ from one type of pollution to another. While air pollution is attributed to burning of fossil fuels, water pollution is associated with drainage of waste. Similarly, noise pollution is caused when the level of noise crosses certain decibels and soil pollution or land pollution is caused as a result of contamination of soil due to introduction of chemicals in the same. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural lands results in contamination of soil. These chemicals stay in the soil for a long time, and eventually come in contact with our body through the food that we consume which is grown in this very soil. While thermal pollution is attributed to its use as coolant by power plants and industries, radiation pollution is attributed to accidents involving radioactive substances as a result of human error.
That, however, is just a brief explanation, and each of these causes of pollution are attributed to numerous human activities. For instance, air pollution is caused when various harmful gases are released in the atmosphere from industrial plants and automobiles. The concept of water pollution includes the pollution of fresh water sources as well as oceans. On one hand, freshwater sources are being converted to dumping grounds as a result of industrial water pollution, and on the other, the oceans are bearing the brunt of oil spills and marine transportation. The rate at which waste in dumped is these sources of water is quite threatening in itself, and the same contaminated water is used by a large part of the population.
Effects of Environmental Pollution
That being said, there is absolutely no doubt about the fact that humans are responsible for environmental pollution to a significant extent. The surprising part though, is that we are not aware of the fact that we ourselves are not safe from the hazardous effects of environmental pollution. All the biological and physical components of the planet are related to each other, and harm to any of these components has the tendency of triggering a domino effect on various other components. The end result is large scale destruction. The effects of environmental pollutants on humans and other lifeforms on the planet have already started to surface, and they are only expected to worsen with time.
Air pollution can trigger a number of environmental hazards, including global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, increase in ultraviolet radiations, acid rain, etc., on the planet. Water pollution, on the other hand, is resulting in habitat destruction for number of species which inhabit various water bodies of the world. While some species have already been driven to extinction (such as the Pink Dolphin), others are battling for their basic survival on the planet. Other than agricultural crops, soil contamination is affecting a number of plant species growing on the planet. The fact that we are dependent on plants and animals for a large number of our daily needs only implies that our existence on the planet is to a great extent dependent on their existence here.
Effects of Environmental Pollution on Humans
The effects of air pollution on humans are quite severe. It is considered to be the main cause for ever rising cases of respiratory system problems as well as diseases like asthma and cancer. The effects of water pollution on humans, on the other hand, include a large number of water-borne diseases, ranging from diarrhea and vomiting to gastroenteritis and typhoid. Heavy metals and pesticides which contaminate freshwater sources can also affect our body, and result in damage to nervous system, hormonal problems, etc. Pesticides also enter our body through the food items that we consume, especially those which are grown in contaminated soil. The health hazards associated with consumption of fruits or vegetables grown in contaminated soil include constant headaches, nausea, and serious health problems such as damage to the brain, liver, etc. Similarly, the list of noise pollution effects on humans include hearing problems, sleep disturbance, mental illnesses, etc.
These were some environmental pollution facts provided with the intention of giving you a rough idea about the seriousness of the issue. It's high time we acknowledge the fact that we are the ones who are responsible for various causes of environmental pollution, and being the most intelligent species the onus is on us to take the initiative to save our planet. The need of the hour is to get into a damage control mode to save the environment. That, however, is only possible when we realize that the pollution of various biological and physical components of environment is affecting us and threatening our existence as well.
Causes of Environmental Pollution
Environmental pollution causes exist in plenty, and tend to differ from one type of pollution to another. While air pollution is attributed to burning of fossil fuels, water pollution is associated with drainage of waste. Similarly, noise pollution is caused when the level of noise crosses certain decibels and soil pollution or land pollution is caused as a result of contamination of soil due to introduction of chemicals in the same. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural lands results in contamination of soil. These chemicals stay in the soil for a long time, and eventually come in contact with our body through the food that we consume which is grown in this very soil. While thermal pollution is attributed to its use as coolant by power plants and industries, radiation pollution is attributed to accidents involving radioactive substances as a result of human error.
That, however, is just a brief explanation, and each of these causes of pollution are attributed to numerous human activities. For instance, air pollution is caused when various harmful gases are released in the atmosphere from industrial plants and automobiles. The concept of water pollution includes the pollution of fresh water sources as well as oceans. On one hand, freshwater sources are being converted to dumping grounds as a result of industrial water pollution, and on the other, the oceans are bearing the brunt of oil spills and marine transportation. The rate at which waste in dumped is these sources of water is quite threatening in itself, and the same contaminated water is used by a large part of the population.
Effects of Environmental Pollution
That being said, there is absolutely no doubt about the fact that humans are responsible for environmental pollution to a significant extent. The surprising part though, is that we are not aware of the fact that we ourselves are not safe from the hazardous effects of environmental pollution. All the biological and physical components of the planet are related to each other, and harm to any of these components has the tendency of triggering a domino effect on various other components. The end result is large scale destruction. The effects of environmental pollutants on humans and other lifeforms on the planet have already started to surface, and they are only expected to worsen with time.
Air pollution can trigger a number of environmental hazards, including global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, increase in ultraviolet radiations, acid rain, etc., on the planet. Water pollution, on the other hand, is resulting in habitat destruction for number of species which inhabit various water bodies of the world. While some species have already been driven to extinction (such as the Pink Dolphin), others are battling for their basic survival on the planet. Other than agricultural crops, soil contamination is affecting a number of plant species growing on the planet. The fact that we are dependent on plants and animals for a large number of our daily needs only implies that our existence on the planet is to a great extent dependent on their existence here.
Effects of Environmental Pollution on Humans
The effects of air pollution on humans are quite severe. It is considered to be the main cause for ever rising cases of respiratory system problems as well as diseases like asthma and cancer. The effects of water pollution on humans, on the other hand, include a large number of water-borne diseases, ranging from diarrhea and vomiting to gastroenteritis and typhoid. Heavy metals and pesticides which contaminate freshwater sources can also affect our body, and result in damage to nervous system, hormonal problems, etc. Pesticides also enter our body through the food items that we consume, especially those which are grown in contaminated soil. The health hazards associated with consumption of fruits or vegetables grown in contaminated soil include constant headaches, nausea, and serious health problems such as damage to the brain, liver, etc. Similarly, the list of noise pollution effects on humans include hearing problems, sleep disturbance, mental illnesses, etc.
These were some environmental pollution facts provided with the intention of giving you a rough idea about the seriousness of the issue. It's high time we acknowledge the fact that we are the ones who are responsible for various causes of environmental pollution, and being the most intelligent species the onus is on us to take the initiative to save our planet. The need of the hour is to get into a damage control mode to save the environment. That, however, is only possible when we realize that the pollution of various biological and physical components of environment is affecting us and threatening our existence as well.
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