The forces of nature and humankind's lack of knowledge created what has come to be known as the "Killer Fog"

of 1952. As early as the 13th century, Londoners were burning coal to heat their homes. Later coalburning factories were spewing sulfur dioxide, creating foggy air. In December 1952, a front of stagnant air settled over the city, trapping the sooty pollutants. John Nielsen, reporting for National Public Radio, called it "the deadliest environmental episode in recorded history." Some 12,000 Londoners may have died. This incident opened the eyes of the world to the dangers of air pollution. Have a question? Get an answer from a Medical Professional now!

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What Are the Main Causes of Air Pollution? 10 Causes of Air Pollution

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Definition
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Carbon monoxide and sulfur oxide are considered primary pollutants. These pollutants undergo chemical changes and cause secondary effects such as smog. Air pollution is defined by the existence and integration of toxic compounds in the atmosphere in concentrations high enough to cause harm to humans, animals and the Earth's environment.

Cause
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Burning fossil fuels emits carbon monoxide and sulfur oxide. Automobiles, buses, planes and any form of gas-fueled transportation emit carbon monoxide gases through exhaust systems. Sulfur dioxide is created through the burning of coal, and is associated with industrial waste. Manufacturing processes use coal for fuel, releasing sulfur dioxide into the air through the factory exhaust systems. Sponsored Links

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Effects
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Air pollution is the source of smog, acid rain and possibly global warming. Smog is classified as either photochemical smog or industrial smog. Photochemical smog, often evidenced by the brown cloud hanging over densely populated cities, is created by the interaction of sunlight with molecules of primary pollutants. The resulting chemical reaction is toxic to humans and animals. Industrial smog is characterized by the gray-brown fog that hangs over industrial areas and is attributed to the interaction of sunlight, air molecules and sulfur dioxide. The result is, again, toxic air.

Water Pollution Definition Water Pollution Causes and Effects Water Pollution Solutions Water pollution definition Water pollution can be defined as the inclusion of harmful chemicals and other substances to the natural water. Main Sources of water pollution actually includes the industrial waste, run-off from the fields which are treated with the help of chemical fertilizers & run-off from the areas which have been mined. Water pollution causes and effects Water pollution is essentially caused by activity of mixing the toxic chemicals, sewage water and industrial effluents with the natural drinking water. This is one of the major problems that are generally observed by many in all developing countries. Only few developed countries have actually found out the ways to deal with the water pollution, what is the worst thing is developing nations are facing hard times in resolving these problems. Water pollution sources are listed below. Industrial effluents: Industrial effluents are the very harm full source of water pollution. Through These industrial effluents harmful chemicals will get mixed in to the water and consequently it will create deadly diseases like cancer. There are some Organic pollutants such as salts, dyes, cyanides, greases, suspended solids & oils. These are all included in the industrial effluents. An element called momethyl mercury comes along with the industrial effluents actually enters in to the human body. How it is getting mixed with our body is through water it can cause the brain damage. Above all some direct deaths are reported by just drinking such kind of mixed water. Silt: Silt pollutes the water in its initial stage itself. At the time of silt, the polluted silt or soil from the hills gets carried by the rain water. This rain water is then mixed along with the natural ground water. This actually happens at the time of deforestation. Generally this type of pollution is not very dangerous when the water go deep these polluted soil particles will get stored at the bottom automatically we will get a pure clean water. In some rare cases infecting microorganisms found out with this water. Thermal wastes: Water which got polluted by the thermal pollution usually does not affect the human lives. But it severely affects the life under water .In our day to day life the nuclear and thermal power stations makes the full fledged use of water then disposes it with very high temperature. If you see the aquatic life, that is not very tolerable to make adjustments with the very high temperature water. So they used to die in turn water becomes very dirty. Domestic wastes & Sewage: The next thing that we are going to see in the under the Water pollution causes and effects is Domestic wastes. Because of this type of pollution the human live is getting affected on daily basis. This type of water pollution normally includes detergents & soaps, urine & human excreta. Another one main source is sewage expelled from the house. Highest numbers of microorganisms are surviving in this water. When it gets to mix with our river they actually gets multiplied and become more dangerous. Diseases like jaundice, typhoid, dysentery and cholera are the well known diseases that occurred just because of this kind of water pollution. Radioactive substances: all of us need to deal very carefully with these kinds of radioactive substances. The reason is they used to enter in to our body without our knowledge and will also cause the cancer. Atomic

What Causes Soil Pollution? Soil pollution is a result of many activities and experiments done by mankind which end up contaminating the soil. Here are some of the leading soil pollution causes: Industrial wastes such as harmful gases and chemicals, agricultural pesticides, fertilizers and insecticides are the most common causes of soil pollution. Ignorance towards soil management and related systems. Unfavorable and harmful irrigation practices. Improper septic system and management and maintenance of the same. Leakages from sanitary sewage. Acid rains, when fumes released from industries get mixed with rains. Fuel leakages from automobiles, that get washed away due to rain and seep into the nearby soil. Unhealthy waste management techniques, which are characterized by release of sewage into the large dumping grounds and nearby streams or rivers. The intensity of all these causes on a local or regional level might appear very small and you may argue that soil is not harmed by above activities if done on a small scale! However, thinking globally, it is not your region or my place that will be the only sufferer of soil pollution. In fact, it is the entire planet and mankind that will encounter serious problems, as these practices are evident almost everywhere in the world. Want to know what are those problems which can turn more serious in the near future? What are the Effects of Soil Pollution? The effects of pollution on soil are quite alarming and can cause huge disturbances in the ecological balance and health of living creatures on earth. Some of the most serious soil pollution effects are: Decrease in soil fertility and therefore decrease in the soil yield. How can one expect contaminated soil to produce healthy crops? Loss of soil and natural nutrients present in it. Plants also would not thrive in such soil, which would further result in soil erosion. Disturbance in the balance of flora and fauna residing in the soil. Increase in salinity of the soil, which therefore makes it unfit for vegetation, thus making it useless and barren. Generally crops cannot grow and flourish in polluted soil. Yet, if some crops manage to grow, they would be poisonous enough to cause serious health problems in people consuming them. Creation of toxic dust is another potential effect of soil pollution. Foul smell due to industrial chemicals and gases might result in headaches, fatigue, nausea, etc., in many people. Soil pollutants would bring in alteration in the soil structure, which would lead to death of many essential organisms in it. This would also affect the larger predators and compel them to move to other places, once they lose their food supply. I hope the above discussion was enough to make you understand the severity of the soil pollution causes and effects. Soil pollution can be cured by transporting the contaminated soil layer to some remote place, thus making it once again fit for use. Harmful chemicals from the soil can also be removed by aerating it. These are just 'tentative solutions'. However, let us remember the proverb, 'prevention is better than cure', and follow proper a soil management system, maintain sewage systems, and avoid the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides in the soil. So let us begin the movement of soil pollution prevention from our own lands itself!!! Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soil-pollution-causes-and-effects.html