Ever since people first gathered in settlements there has been pollution. Pollution usually refers to the presence of substances that are either present in the environment where it doesn't belong or at levels greater than it should be.
Air pollution is caused by any undesirable substance, which enters the atmosphere. Air pollution is a major problem in modern society. Even though air pollution is usually a greater problem in cities, pollutants contaminate air everywhere. These substances include various gases and tiny particles, or particulates that can harm human health and damage the environment. They may be gases, liquids, or solids. Many pollutants are given off into the air as a result of human behavior. Pollution occurs on different levels: personal, national, and global.
Some pollutants come from natural sources.
Forest fires emit particulates, gases, and VOCs (substances that vaporize into the atmosphere)
Ultra-fine dust particles created by soil erosion when water and weather loosen layers of soil, increase airborne particulate levels.
Volcanoes spew out sulfur dioxide and large amounts of pulverized lava rock known as volcanic ash.
The major types of air pollution are:
Gaseous pollutants: A different mix of vapors and gaseous air pollutants is found in outdoor and indoor environments. The most common gaseous pollutants are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and ozone. A number of sources produce these chemical compounds but the major man-made source is the burning of fossil fuel. Indoor air pollution is caused by cigarette smoking, the use of certain construction materials, cleaning products, and home furnishings. Outdoor gaseous pollutants come from volcanoes, fires, and industry, and in some areas may be substantial. The most commonly recognized type of air pollution is smog. Smog generally refers to a condition caused by the action of sunlight on exhaust gases from motor vehicles and factories.
The Greenhouse effect prevents the sun's heat from rising out of the atmosphere and flowing back into space. This warms the earth's surface causing the green house effect. While a certain amount of green house gases in the atmosphere are necessary to make the earth warm, activities such as the burning of fossil fuels are creating a gaseous layer that is too dense to allow the heat to escape. Many scientists believe this is causing global warming. Other gases contributing to the problem include cholrofluorocarbons (CFC), methane, nitrous oxides, and ozone.
Acid rain forms when moisture in the air interacts with nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide released by factories, power plants, and motor vehicles that burn coal or oil. This interaction of gases with water vapor forms sulfuric acid and nitric acids. Eventually these chemicals fall to earth as precipitation, or acid rain. Acid rain pollutants may travel long distances, with winds carrying them thousands of miles before they fall as dew, drizzle, fog, snow or rain.
Damage to the ozone layer is primarily caused by the use of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs). Ozone is a form of oxygen found in the earth's upper atmosphere. The thin layer of ozone molecules in the atmosphere absorb some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays before it reaches the earth's surface, making life on earth possible. The depletion of ozone is causing higher levels of UV radiation on earth, endangering both plants and animals.
Particulate matter is the general term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small they can be detected only with an electron microscope. When particulate matter is breathed in, it can irritate and damage the lungs causing breathing problems. Fine particles are easily inhaled deeply into the lungs where they can be absorbed into the blood stream or remain embedded for long periods of time.
Climatic effects: Normally pollutants rise or flow away from their sources without building up to unsafe levels. Wind patterns, clouds, rain, and temperature can affect how quickly pollutants move away from an area. Weather patterns that can trap air pollution in valleys or move it across the globe may be able to damage pristine environments far from the original sources.
Drought
A drought is a period of unusually persistant dry weather that persists long enough to cause serious problems such as crop damage and/or water supply shortages. The severity depends upon the degree of moisture deficiency, the duration, and the size of the affected area.
The major effects of climate change on water systems take place through changes in the hydrological cycle, basically the balance between temperature, and rainfall. Whilst some regions may have higher rainfalls this can evaporate through sustained increases in temperature. The El Niño is strongly linked to droughts, and is a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the Tropical Pacific which has important consequences for weather and climate around the globe.
Air pollution is caused by any undesirable substance, which enters the atmosphere. Air pollution is a major problem in modern society. Even though air pollution is usually a greater problem in cities, pollutants contaminate air everywhere. These substances include various gases and tiny particles, or particulates that can harm human health and damage the environment. They may be gases, liquids, or solids. Many pollutants are given off into the air as a result of human behavior. Pollution occurs on different levels: personal, national, and global.
Some pollutants come from natural sources.
Forest fires emit particulates, gases, and VOCs (substances that vaporize into the atmosphere)
Ultra-fine dust particles created by soil erosion when water and weather loosen layers of soil, increase airborne particulate levels.
Volcanoes spew out sulfur dioxide and large amounts of pulverized lava rock known as volcanic ash.
The major types of air pollution are:
Gaseous pollutants: A different mix of vapors and gaseous air pollutants is found in outdoor and indoor environments. The most common gaseous pollutants are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and ozone. A number of sources produce these chemical compounds but the major man-made source is the burning of fossil fuel. Indoor air pollution is caused by cigarette smoking, the use of certain construction materials, cleaning products, and home furnishings. Outdoor gaseous pollutants come from volcanoes, fires, and industry, and in some areas may be substantial. The most commonly recognized type of air pollution is smog. Smog generally refers to a condition caused by the action of sunlight on exhaust gases from motor vehicles and factories.
The Greenhouse effect prevents the sun's heat from rising out of the atmosphere and flowing back into space. This warms the earth's surface causing the green house effect. While a certain amount of green house gases in the atmosphere are necessary to make the earth warm, activities such as the burning of fossil fuels are creating a gaseous layer that is too dense to allow the heat to escape. Many scientists believe this is causing global warming. Other gases contributing to the problem include cholrofluorocarbons (CFC), methane, nitrous oxides, and ozone.
Acid rain forms when moisture in the air interacts with nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide released by factories, power plants, and motor vehicles that burn coal or oil. This interaction of gases with water vapor forms sulfuric acid and nitric acids. Eventually these chemicals fall to earth as precipitation, or acid rain. Acid rain pollutants may travel long distances, with winds carrying them thousands of miles before they fall as dew, drizzle, fog, snow or rain.
Damage to the ozone layer is primarily caused by the use of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs). Ozone is a form of oxygen found in the earth's upper atmosphere. The thin layer of ozone molecules in the atmosphere absorb some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays before it reaches the earth's surface, making life on earth possible. The depletion of ozone is causing higher levels of UV radiation on earth, endangering both plants and animals.
Particulate matter is the general term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small they can be detected only with an electron microscope. When particulate matter is breathed in, it can irritate and damage the lungs causing breathing problems. Fine particles are easily inhaled deeply into the lungs where they can be absorbed into the blood stream or remain embedded for long periods of time.
Climatic effects: Normally pollutants rise or flow away from their sources without building up to unsafe levels. Wind patterns, clouds, rain, and temperature can affect how quickly pollutants move away from an area. Weather patterns that can trap air pollution in valleys or move it across the globe may be able to damage pristine environments far from the original sources.
Drought
A drought is a period of unusually persistant dry weather that persists long enough to cause serious problems such as crop damage and/or water supply shortages. The severity depends upon the degree of moisture deficiency, the duration, and the size of the affected area.
The major effects of climate change on water systems take place through changes in the hydrological cycle, basically the balance between temperature, and rainfall. Whilst some regions may have higher rainfalls this can evaporate through sustained increases in temperature. The El Niño is strongly linked to droughts, and is a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the Tropical Pacific which has important consequences for weather and climate around the globe.
Soil
Land or soil pollution can be caused by:
farming
mining and quarrying
household waste
demolition and putting up buildings
factory waste
Pollution detected in soils at daycare centers:
The soil in daycares located near city centres is often polluted with lead and PAH. The source of this pollution is mainly local. Pollution may, in some cases, alsobe due to transported polluted-soil from other places.
Soil and sand surrounding playground apparatus made of wood impregnated with CCA (copper, chromium and arsenic) is in most cases polluted by arsenic that has leaked from the wood.
Sand from certain quarry sites may have a naturally high content of heavy metals, for example arsenic, and is therefore not suitable for use in sand boxes in daycares or playgrounds.
PCB has been detected in soil around some daycares. The source in these cases has been the plaster or paint from nearby buildings.
Soil pollution comprises the pollution of soils with materials, mostly chemicals, that are out of place or are present at concentrations higher than normal which may have adverse effects on humans or other organisms. It is difficult to define soil pollution exactly because different opinions exist on how to characterize a pollutant; while some consider the use of pesticides acceptable if their effect does not exceed the intended result, others do not consider any use of pesticides or even chemical fertilizers acceptable. However, soil pollution is also caused by means other than the direct addition of xenobiotic (man-made) chemicals such as agricultural runoff waters, industrial waste materials, acidic precipitates, and radioactive fallout.
Soil pollution can lead to water pollution if toxic chemicals leach into groundwater, or if contaminated run off reaches streams, lakes, or oceans. Soil also naturally contributes to air pollution by releasing volatile compounds into the atmosphere. Nitrogen escapes through ammonia volatilization and denitrification. The decomposition of organic materials in soil can release sulfur dioxide and other sulfur compounds, causing acid rain. Heavy metals and other potentially toxic elements are the most serious soil pollutants in sewage. Sewage sludge contains heavy metals and, if applied repeatedly or in large amounts, the treated soil may accumulate heavy metals and consequently become unable to even support plant life.
What effect does soil pollution have on humans?
The major concern is that there are many sensitive land uses where people are in direct contact with soils such as residences, parks, schools and playgrounds. Other contact mechanisms include contamination of drinking water or inhalation of soil contaminants which have vaporized. There is a very large set of health consequences from exposure to soil contamination depending on pollutant type, pathway of attack and vulnerability of the exposed population. Chromium and obsolete pesticide formulations are carcinogenic to populations. Lead is especially hazardous to young children, in which group there is a high risk of developmental damage to the brain,while to all populations kidney damage is a risk.Chronic exposure to at sufficient concentrations is known to be associated with higher incidence of leukemia. Obsolete pesticides such as mercury and cyclodienes are known to induce higher incidences of kidney damage, some irreversible; cyclodienes are linked to liver toxicity. Organophosphates and carbamates can induce a chain of responses leading to neuromuscular blockage. Many chlorinated solvents induce liver changes, kidney changes and depression of the central nervous system. There is an entire spectrum of further health effects such as headache,nausea,fatigue(physical),eye irritation and skin rash for the above cited and other chemicals.
Many effects may occur due to soil pollution. Human health is adversely affected by the pollution of soil. Some soil pollutants can cause carcinogenic effects and others may destroy the brain, nervous system, kidney function and so many health problems such as headache, fatigue, eye-irritation, skin diseases etc. The effects due to soil pollution are- Disruption of soil ecosystem as well as the whole earth ecosystem; May cause decreasing of soil microbes; Alteration of metabolic activities of plants;Sometimes soil pollution may cause eutrophication; May decrease the soil fertility and many other problems.The soil pollution is increasing day by day. So we must control or prevent such kind of problem for our safe environment by taking all possible steps immediately. The systems that can be adopted for the controlling of soil pollution are as follows- Proper treatment of solid and liquid industrial wastes;Proper control and management of agricultural wastes;Proper dumping and treatment system may be applied for controlling of municipal and domestic wastes;Control of over population growth;Deforestation should be stooped;Avoiding or/and restricting the use of highly toxic and persistence chemicals;
"A growing number of people lack basic needs, like pure water and ample food. They become more susceptible to diseases driven by malnourishment, and air, water and soil pollutants," Pimentel concludes. He and his co-authors call for comprehensive and fair population policies and more conservation of environmental resources that support human life.
"Relying on increasing diseases and malnutrition to limit human numbers in the world diminishes the quality of life for all humans and is a high-risk policy," the researchers conclude.
Land or soil pollution can be caused by:
farming
mining and quarrying
household waste
demolition and putting up buildings
factory waste
Pollution detected in soils at daycare centers:
The soil in daycares located near city centres is often polluted with lead and PAH. The source of this pollution is mainly local. Pollution may, in some cases, alsobe due to transported polluted-soil from other places.
Soil and sand surrounding playground apparatus made of wood impregnated with CCA (copper, chromium and arsenic) is in most cases polluted by arsenic that has leaked from the wood.
Sand from certain quarry sites may have a naturally high content of heavy metals, for example arsenic, and is therefore not suitable for use in sand boxes in daycares or playgrounds.
PCB has been detected in soil around some daycares. The source in these cases has been the plaster or paint from nearby buildings.
Soil pollution comprises the pollution of soils with materials, mostly chemicals, that are out of place or are present at concentrations higher than normal which may have adverse effects on humans or other organisms. It is difficult to define soil pollution exactly because different opinions exist on how to characterize a pollutant; while some consider the use of pesticides acceptable if their effect does not exceed the intended result, others do not consider any use of pesticides or even chemical fertilizers acceptable. However, soil pollution is also caused by means other than the direct addition of xenobiotic (man-made) chemicals such as agricultural runoff waters, industrial waste materials, acidic precipitates, and radioactive fallout.
Soil pollution can lead to water pollution if toxic chemicals leach into groundwater, or if contaminated run off reaches streams, lakes, or oceans. Soil also naturally contributes to air pollution by releasing volatile compounds into the atmosphere. Nitrogen escapes through ammonia volatilization and denitrification. The decomposition of organic materials in soil can release sulfur dioxide and other sulfur compounds, causing acid rain. Heavy metals and other potentially toxic elements are the most serious soil pollutants in sewage. Sewage sludge contains heavy metals and, if applied repeatedly or in large amounts, the treated soil may accumulate heavy metals and consequently become unable to even support plant life.
What effect does soil pollution have on humans?
The major concern is that there are many sensitive land uses where people are in direct contact with soils such as residences, parks, schools and playgrounds. Other contact mechanisms include contamination of drinking water or inhalation of soil contaminants which have vaporized. There is a very large set of health consequences from exposure to soil contamination depending on pollutant type, pathway of attack and vulnerability of the exposed population. Chromium and obsolete pesticide formulations are carcinogenic to populations. Lead is especially hazardous to young children, in which group there is a high risk of developmental damage to the brain,while to all populations kidney damage is a risk.Chronic exposure to at sufficient concentrations is known to be associated with higher incidence of leukemia. Obsolete pesticides such as mercury and cyclodienes are known to induce higher incidences of kidney damage, some irreversible; cyclodienes are linked to liver toxicity. Organophosphates and carbamates can induce a chain of responses leading to neuromuscular blockage. Many chlorinated solvents induce liver changes, kidney changes and depression of the central nervous system. There is an entire spectrum of further health effects such as headache,nausea,fatigue(physical),eye irritation and skin rash for the above cited and other chemicals.
Many effects may occur due to soil pollution. Human health is adversely affected by the pollution of soil. Some soil pollutants can cause carcinogenic effects and others may destroy the brain, nervous system, kidney function and so many health problems such as headache, fatigue, eye-irritation, skin diseases etc. The effects due to soil pollution are- Disruption of soil ecosystem as well as the whole earth ecosystem; May cause decreasing of soil microbes; Alteration of metabolic activities of plants;Sometimes soil pollution may cause eutrophication; May decrease the soil fertility and many other problems.The soil pollution is increasing day by day. So we must control or prevent such kind of problem for our safe environment by taking all possible steps immediately. The systems that can be adopted for the controlling of soil pollution are as follows- Proper treatment of solid and liquid industrial wastes;Proper control and management of agricultural wastes;Proper dumping and treatment system may be applied for controlling of municipal and domestic wastes;Control of over population growth;Deforestation should be stooped;Avoiding or/and restricting the use of highly toxic and persistence chemicals;
"A growing number of people lack basic needs, like pure water and ample food. They become more susceptible to diseases driven by malnourishment, and air, water and soil pollutants," Pimentel concludes. He and his co-authors call for comprehensive and fair population policies and more conservation of environmental resources that support human life.
"Relying on increasing diseases and malnutrition to limit human numbers in the world diminishes the quality of life for all humans and is a high-risk policy," the researchers conclude.
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