Effects of Environmental Pollution

Introduction

Environmental pollution is caused by adverse changes in our environment, which damages a variety of plants, and animals, including humans. Contaminants lead to environmental pollution. They are any substances that can pollute the environment. It could be solid, liquid, or gaseous. It is produced in large concentrations because of certain human activities as well as natural events. This problem is increasing over the period. The ecological crisis is worsening by the day, and it must be discussed so that its adverse consequences on society & environment can be reduced.

What is Pollution?

Pollution exposes us to the universe of dangerous substances. Pollutants are the name given to these dangerous substances. Pollutants like volcanic ash could be the natural cause. Human activity, such as trash or factory runoff, can also cause pollution. Contaminants degrade the quality of the air, water, as well as land.

Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution occurs when the ecosystem has been unable to absorb & neutralise the dangerous impact of human events over time. Environmental pollution is rising rapidly because of rapid population expansion as well as industrialization. As an outcome, agricultural discharges, radioactive elements, toxic metals, industrial effluents & detergents poison the water. The surface leaching of various toxic elements has infected even underground water.

Types of Environmental Pollution

Air pollution

To put it simply, air pollution is caused by a combination of solid & gas particulates in the atmosphere. Pollutants released into the atmosphere by automobiles, pollen, factory chemicals, & dust exacerbate the problem. Ozone, a gaseous oxygen substance, is a significant cause of air pollution in urban societies. Smog is another name for ozone- induced air pollution. Volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide $\mathrm{(CO)}$, Sulphur dioxide $\mathrm{(SO_{2})}$, ozone $\mathrm{O_{3}}$, nitrogen dioxide $\mathrm{NO_{2}}$, & airborne particulates are the most well-known air pollutants.

Water Pollution

Water is polluted by insecticides & chemical waste, organic volatile compounds, herbicides, animal waste, food waste, heavy metals, or other pollutants. Contamination of water happens when harmful materials, such as microbes or chemicals, pollute a lake, stream, aquifer, river, ocean, or other body of water, making it toxic and lowering its quality for living beings or the ecosystem.

Land and Soil Pollution

In advanced industrialised civilizations, fossil fuels have broken down virtually all limits by becoming an essential component of our routine. To fulfil our most basic needs, we rely on fossil fuels. These are also used in commodities such as polymers of all sorts, detergents, solvents, lubricating oils, and a variety of industrial chemicals in the power generation sector.

Effects of Air Pollution

• Sulphur dioxide is a major source of lung disease. Nitrogen oxides emitted by buses; trucks, & 2-wheelers end up causing eye discomfort.

• Carbon monoxide is a well-known extremely dangerous gas. It completely restricts oxygen from blending with haemoglobin once it enters the bloodstream.

• High levels of air pollution can result in coughing, heart disease, respiratory problems, wheezing, & irritation of the nose, skin, & throat. Human diseases caused by air pollution include heart attacks, asthma, & respiratory complications. It can cause a variety of health issues in animals, such as birth defects, reproductive disorders, & diseases.

• There are several environmental consequences of air pollution. Acid rain is distinguished by high levels of sulfuric acids $\mathrm{(H_{2}SO_{4})}$, & nitric acid $\mathrm{HNO_{3}}$ that are generated because of the combustion of fossil fuels & the discharge of sulphur oxides into the environment. Acid rain harms trees, bodies of water & acidified soils, making it difficult for fish & marine lifeforms to sustain.

Effects of Water Pollution

• Chemical toxins are discovered in potable water across the water system, varying in concentrations from barely noticeable to potentially dangerous levels to one’s health. It's challenging to evaluate the health risks of these toxins, particularly since researchers are still learning about how toxins respond in the body to decimate cells & cause disease.

• Substances in toxic doses can have instant or long-term health implications. Acute effects typically occur quickly after a large dose of a drug. Acute health effects include lung irritation, dizziness, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, & even death.

• The death of marine species is perhaps the most significant impact of water pollution, and it has the potential to disrupt the food chain.

Effects of Land and Soil Pollution

• Contamination of land & soil has serious impacts on humans, plants, microbes, & marine life. Polluted land & soil can cause skin & respiratory problems, plus various types of cancer.

• These dangerous substances affect humans through direct skin contact, eating fruits & vegetables grown in polluted soils, & breathing in particle & dust- polluted air.

• When it comes to soil degradation or soil erosion, deforestation is the most serious problem. Forests & ecosystems are being damaged because of tree cutting & loss of forest cover. Deforestation commonly disrupts the atmosphere, limiting the amount of pollution that is naturally eliminated. Provided that biomass is responsible for the bulk of human emissions, which is a key concern.

Conclusion

Environmental pollution occurs when the ecosystem becomes incapable of soaking up & neutralising the dangerous effects of urbanisation over time. Pollutants are any substances that can pollute the environment. It can be solid, liquid, or gaseous. The 3 significant types of pollution such as air, water, and land pollution. High levels of air pollution can increase the risk of heart disease, wheezing, coughing, & respiratory problems, but also irritation of the skin, nose, & throat. Chemical pollutants are noticed in drinking water across the water system, varying in concentrations from hardly noticeable to potentially hazardous levels to human health. Deforestation, soil erosion, & land loss is the most serious problem of land pollution.

FAQs

1. What exactly is Pollution Prevention, & why Is It necessary?

It refers to any practice that lowers, eradicates, or inhibits pollution at its source. When the overall pollution generated is lowered, there is not much garbage to treat, dispose of, or control. In addition, there are fewer risks to the surroundings & public health. It has huge benefits because it eliminates the necessity of expensive waste treatment & clean-up investments.

2. What are the consequences of pollution?

Pollution levels above a certain threshold can lead to wheezing, cardiovascular disease, breathing difficulties, coughing, &, as well as irritation of the throat, nose & eyes. It can also worsen heart attacks, asthma, & certain lung conditions.

3. Write about the impacts of oxides of nitrogen on the human body?

Oxides of nitrogen emitted by 2 wheelers; buses & trucks irritate the lungs & eyes. Inhaling huge quantities of these oxides can result in internal bleeding, gum inflammation, pneumonia, or even cancer.

4. What are the environmental consequences?

Environmental consequences are defined as any changes in the environment, positive or negative, causing full or partial by an organisation’s activities.

5. Why is it so difficult to address & solve environmental issues?

They are hard to solve because of their nature, so there is no better way to solve them. Environmental issues, as well as social & economic issues, frequently overlap.