 The dictionary explains pollution as “the

presence in or introduction into the

environment of a substance which has
harmful or poisonous effects.” Wiki explains
pollution as “the introduction of
contaminants into the natural environment
that cause adverse change.” Simply put,
Environmental Pollution is something that
brings harm to our environment and in turn
to the people who exist based on the
environment.
 Environmental Pollution occurs when
pollutants contaminate the surroundings;
which brings about changes that affect our
normal lifestyles adversely. Pollutants are
the key elements or components of
pollution which are generally waste
materials of different forms. Pollution disturbs
our ecosystem and the balance in the
environment. With modernization and
development in our lives pollution has
reached its peak; giving rise to global
warming and human illness.
 Air Pollution
 Water Pollution
 Soil pollution
 Noise pollution
 Radioactive pollution
 Light pollution
 Industrial activities: The industries all over the world that brought
prosperity and affluence, made inroads in the biosphere and disturbed
the ecological balances. The pall of smoke, the swirling gases, industrial
effluents and the fall-out of scientific experiments became constant
health hazards, polluting and contaminating both air and water. The
improper disposal of industrial wastes are the sources of
soil and water pollution. Chemical waste resulting from industry can
pollute lakes, rivers and seas and soil too as well as releasing fumes.
 Dumping solid waste: Household and commercial waste pollutes the
environment when not disposed of properly.
 Vehicles: The smoke emitted by vehicles using petrol and diesel and the
cooking coal also pollutes the environment. The multiplication of
vehicles, emitting black smoke that, being free and unfettered, spreads
out and mixes with the air we breathe. The harmful smoke of these
vehicles causes air pollution. Further, the sounds produced by these
vehicles produces causes noise-pollution.
 Rapid urbanization and industrialization: The
urbanization and the rapid growth of industrialization
are causing through environmental pollution the
greatest harm to the plant life, which in turn causing
harm to the animal kingdom and the human lives.
 Population overgrowth: Due to the increase in
population, particularly in developing countries, there
has been surge in demand for basic food,
occupation and shelter. The world has witnessed
massive deforestation to expand absorb the growing
population and their demands.
 Combustion of fossil fuels: The combustion of fossil
fuels pollutes the air, the soil and the water with
noxious gases such as CO2 and CO.
 Agricultural waste: Fertilizers and pesticides used in
agriculture are key causes of environmental pollution.
 In general, any substance introduced by the
people into the atmosphere which has a
damaging effect on the living organisms as
well as on the environment is considered as air
pollution. Another perspective of looking at air
pollution could be through the gases or
substances that hold the potential to hinder
the atmosphere or the well-being of the living
beings surviving in it. The sustainability of all
living organisms is due to a combination of
gases that collectively form the atmosphere,
and hence the imbalance caused by the
change in the percentage of these gases or
substances can be harmful to survival.
 Outdoor :
 The pollutants outside the built environment fall under this
category.
 Examples include:
 Fine particles produced by the burning of fossil fuels (i.e. the coal
and petroleum used in traffic and energy production)
 Noxious gases (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide,
chemical vapours, etc.)
 Ground-level ozone (a reactive form of oxygen and a primary
component of urban smog)
 Tobacco smoke
 Indoor :
 The particulates, carbon oxides and other pollutants carried by
the indoor air or dust fall under this category.
 Examples include:
 Gases (carbon monoxide, radon etc.)
 Household products and chemicals
 Building materials (asbestos, formaldehyde, lead etc.)
 Outdoor indoor allergens (cockroach and mouse dropping,
etc.)
 Tobacco smoke
 Mould and pollens
 Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal,
petroleum and other factory combustibles are one of the major cause of air pollution.
Pollutants emitted from vehicles further contribute to the degradation of the
environment. Carbon Monoxide produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel is
another major pollutant along with the Nitrogen Oxides, that are produced from both
natural and man-made processes.
 Agricultural Activities: Ammonia is a very common byproduct of the agriculture-related
activities and is one of the most hazardous gases in the atmosphere. The use of
insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture also leads to the emission of harmful
chemicals causing pollution.
 Exhaust from Factories and Industries: Manufacturing industries and petroleum refineries
release a large amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and
chemicals into the air thereby depleting the quality of air.
 Mining Operations: During the process of mining, huge volumes of dust and other
chemicals are released into the air causing massive air pollution and leading to
deteriorating health conditions of mining workers and nearby residents.
 Indoor Air Pollution: Household cleaning products, painting supplies etc. emit toxic
chemicals in the air while causing air pollution.
 Suspended Particulate Matter: Popular by its acronym SPM, it is another cause of air
pollution. While referring to the particles afloat in the air, the SPM is usually caused by
dust, combustion etc.
 respiratory diseases (including asthma
and changes in lung function)
 cardiovascular diseases
 adverse pregnancy outcomes (such as
preterm birth)
 even death in some cases
 Cancer due to mutation
 Global Warming: With increased temperatures worldwide, the resulting
increase in sea levels and the melting of ice from the colder regions and
icebergs, or the loss of habitat have already signalled an impending disaster
if actions for preservation and normalization aren’t undertaken soon.
 Acid Rain: Harmful gases like the nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides released
into the atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels combine with water
droplets during rain forming acids and leading to acid rain. Acid rain can
cause great damage to living organisms, plants and monuments.
 Eutrophication: It is a condition where a high amount of nitrogen present in
pollutants gets accumulated on the surface of a water body, leading to the
deposition of green algae. Reducing the amount of sunlight entering and
the dissolved oxygen in the water, it really affects the aquatic life.
 Effect on Wildlife: Toxic chemicals present in the air affect wildlife and force it
to move to new places and change habitats leading to an imbalance in the
flora and fauna of a particular area.
 Depletion of Ozone layer: Ozone exists in the Earth’s stratosphere and is
responsible for protecting the mankind from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The
Ozone layer is getting depleted due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbon
and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere resulting in an increased
effect of UV rays causing skin and eye diseases.
 Using Public Mode of Transportation: Encourage people to use
more and more public modes of transportation to reduce
pollution. Also, try to make use of carpooling which is indeed a
good option to save energy and money.
 Conserving Energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are
going out. A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to produce
electricity. Switching off fans and lights while going out can
reduce the amount of fuel being used.
 Understanding the Concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Do
not throw away the items that are no longer of any use but reuse
them. For instance, use the old jars to store cereals or pulses. Use
items that are biodegradable and can be recycled.
 Emphasizing on Clean Energy Resources: Clean energy
technologies like solar, wind and geothermal energy are on high
these days. Governments of various countries have been
providing grants to consumers who are interested in installing
solar panels for their homes and offices.
 Using Energy Efficient Devices: The CFL lights consume less
electricity as compared to their counterparts. They last longer,
consume less electricity, lower the electricity bills and also help
you to reduce pollution by consuming less energy.
 Water pollution is the contamination of
water bodies (like oceans, seas, lakes, rivers,
aquifers and groundwater) usually caused
due to human activities. Water pollution is
any change in the physical, chemical or
biological properties of water that will have
a detrimental consequence o any living
organism.
 Drinking water, also called Potable Water, is
the water that is considered safe enough
for human and animal consumption. This is
water that is generally used for drinking,
cooking, washing, crop irrigation etc. These
days chemicals, bacteria and other
pollutants are even affecting our drinking
water.
 Sources of Water Pollution
 Domestic Waste
 Industrial effluents
 Insecticides and pesticides
 Detergents and Fertilizers
Effects of Pollution of Water
 Diseases: In humans, drinking or consuming polluted
water in any way has many disastrous effects on our
health. It causes typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and
various other diseases.
 Destruction of Ecosystems: Ecosystems are extremely
dynamic and respond to even small changes in the
environment. Water pollution can cause an entire
ecosystem to collapse if left unchecked.
 Eutrophication: Chemicals in a water body,
encourage the growth of algae. These algae form a
layer on top of the pond or lake. Bacteria feed on this
algae and this decreases the amount of oxygen in
the water body, severely affecting the aquatic life
there.
 Effects the food chain: Disruption in food chains
happens when toxins and pollutants in the water are
consumed by aquatic animals (fish, shellfish etc)
which are then consumed by humans.
Prevention
 Save Water: Conserving water is our first aim.
Water wastage is a major problem globally
and we are only now waking up to the issue.
Simply small changes you can make
domestically will make a huge difference.
 Better treatment of sewage: So treating waste
products before disposing of it in a water body
helps reduce water pollution on a large scale.
Agriculture or other industries can reuse this
wastewater by reducing its toxic contents.
 Use environmentally friendly products: By using
soluble products that do not go on to become
pollutants, we can reduce the amount of
water pollution caused by a household.
 Also known as Land Pollution, this occurs
due to incorporation of unwanted
chemicals in the soil due to human
activities. Use of insecticides and pesticides
absorbs the nitrogen compounds from the
soil making it unfit for plants to derive
nutrition from. Release of industrial waste,
mining and deforestation also exploits the
soil. Since plants can’t grow properly, they
can’t hold the soil and this leads to soil
erosion.
 Food is a big contributor to landfill waste.
Causes of Soil Pollution
 Soil pollution can be natural or due to
human activity. However, it mostly boils
down to the activities of the human that
causes the majority of the soil pollution
such as heavy industries, or pesticides in
agriculture.
1.INDUSTRIAL WASTE
 Steel, pesticides, textiles, drugs, glass,
cement, petroleum, etc. are produced by
paper mills, oil refineries, sugar factories,
petroleum industries and others as such.
2.URBAN WASTE
 Urban waste consists of garbage and
rubbish materials, dried sludge and sewage
from domestic and commercial waste.
3.BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
 Biological agents work inside the soil to
introduce manures and digested sludge
(coming from the human, bird and animal
excreta) into the soil.
4.AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
 The soil of the crops is polluted to a large
extent with pesticides, fertilizers,
herbicides, slurry, debris, and manure.
5.RADIOACTIVE POLLUTANTS
 Radioactive substances such as Radium,
Thorium, Uranium, Nitrogen, etc. can
infiltrate the soil and create toxic effects.
The Effects of Soil Pollution
 Soil pollution affects plants, animals and
humans alike. While anyone is susceptible
to soil pollution, soil pollution effects may
vary based on age, general health status
and other factors, such as the type of
pollutant or contaminant inhaled or
ingested. However, children are usually
more susceptible to exposure to
contaminants, because they come in close
contact with the soil by playing in the
ground; combined with lower thresholds for
disease, this triggers higher risks than for
adults. Therefore, it is always important to
test the soil before allowing your kids to play
there, especially if you live in a highly
industrialized area.
Diseases Caused by Soil Pollution
 Humans can be affected by soil pollution
through the inhalation of gases emitted
from soils moving upward, or through the
inhalation of matter that is disturbed and
transported by the wind because of the
various human activities on the ground. Soil
pollution may cause a variety of health
problems, starting with headaches, nausea,
fatigue, skin rash, eye irritation and
potentially resulting in more serious
conditions like neuromuscular blockage,
kidney and liver damage and various forms
of cancer.
 It is caused when a noise which is of higher
intensity than 85 db reaches our bare ears.
It may lead to psychological problems like
stress & hypertension. It can also lead to
permanent hearing impairment, which is
worse. It is mainly caused by loud pumps
and compressors in the chemical industries.
Even marriage functions and rock music
concerts are often ignored contributors to
this type of pollution.

 This is considered one of the most
dangerous pollution because of its
permanent effects. An unarrested upset
in a nuclear plant , careless nuclear
waste disposal, etc. It can cause cancer
– skin, blood, infertility due to exposure,
birth defects and blindness; It has the
ability to permanently change soil, air
and water – the major sources of life. It
can even cause mutation in species
which can propagate for ages.
 This is caused as a result of excessive
heat release in the environment. This
leads to irreversible and undesirable
changes of almost permanent nature.
Industries and Vehicles are direct
contributors to this. Deforestation is an
indirect contributor.Other than the
greenhouse gases,zyada this has
increased the earth’s temperature, and
has potential to cause drastic climatic
changes; and wildlife extinction.
before
after
 Whenever illumination available is more
than what’s required in an area, this
pollution kicks in. It is more noticeable in
big cities, on advertising boards and
billboards, mainly during large scale
events, vis-a-vis Concerts, sport events &
even marriages, at night. It mainly
affects the astronomical observations by
making the stars very difficult to observe
& study.
 Environment Degradation: Environment is the first casualty for
increase in pollution weather in air or water. The increase in the
amount of CO2 in the atmosphere leads to smog which can
restrict sunlight from reaching the earth. Thus, preventing plants
in the process of photosynthesis. Gases like Sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxide can cause acid rain. Water pollution in terms of
Oil spill may lead to death of several wildlife species.
 Human Health: The decrease in quality of air leads to several
respiratory problems including asthma or lung cancer. Chest
pain, congestion, throat inflammation, cardiovascular disease,
respiratory disease are some of diseases that can be causes by
air pollution. Water pollution occurs due to contamination of
water and may pose skin related problems including skin
irritations and rashes. Similarly, Noise pollution leads to hearing
loss, stress and sleep disturbance.
 Global Warming: The emission of greenhouse gases particularly
CO2 is leading to global warming. Every other day new industries
are being set up, new vehicles come on roads and trees are cut
to make way for new homes. All of them, in direct or indirect
way lead to increase in CO2 in the environment. The increase in
CO2 leads to melting of polar ice caps which increases the sea
level and pose danger for the people living near coastal areas.
 Depletion of the Ozone Layer: Ozone layer stops ultra
violet rays from reaching the earth. UV exposure in excess
can lead to skin cancer. Due to release of CFCs & aerosols
in the atmosphere which contributed to the depletion of
ozone layer. This removes the sheet that protects us from
the harmful UV-rays which is more than just threatening.
 Infertile Land:Constant use of pesticides, insecticides &
other chemicals causes the soil to become infertile. Soil is
the major and in some cases the only source of nutrition
for plants & vegetables. Importance of these can never
be overstated. But due to infertile soil, plants will not be
able to grow properly. Industrial waste also affects the
fertility of the soil.
 Pollution not only affect humans by destroying their
respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems; it
also affects the nature, plants, fruits, vegetables, rivers,
ponds, forests, animals, etc, on which they are highly
dependent for survival. It is crucial to control pollution as
the nature, wildlife and human life are precious gifts to the
mankind.
 The water we drink the vegetables are all contaminated to-day. As a
result of this contamination our world is afflicted with a quite a number
of incurable diseases.
 Environmental pollution affects water sources which mean that there is
less fresh water available for drinking, washing, cooking and irrigating
crops.
 Nothing in this world is immune, no life is safe and the future of this world
is bleak.
 The factories are mostly built in populated areas and the smoke-emitting
vehicles ply through the congested areas. Besides causing immense
disturbances, there are increasing case of pulmonary tuberculosis and
thrombosis and various sorts of brain and heart complications.
 Air-pollution may cause severe lungs-diseases, asthma, brain-disorder
diseases, etc.
 Soil-pollution may have negative effect on farm output ratio. It can also
contaminate the ground water.
 Noise-pollution have negative effects on hearing or auditory sense
organs. It can also cause deafness, tiredness, and mental losses.
 The heat generated by industries and vehicles causes thermal pollution
by raising the environmental temperature of the nearby areas.
 Many scientists believe that we are living in an era of mass extinction,
due to human made environmental pollution.
 Gas emission pollution is being mitigated in a variety of ways with car
emission control, electric and hybrid vehicles and public transportation
systems. Not all major cities have successful implementation and decent
public transportation in place, but the world is working on this issue
constantly and we have managed to reduce emissions profoundly over
the last decade. There is much catching up to do.
 The cost of radioactive power plants is becoming apparent and the
days of coal power plants are nearly dead. The radiation is a serious
issue. Radioactive leakage from power plants and nuclear testing have
already contaminated oceanic life to such a degree that it will take
hundreds of years to return to normal. More radiation solutions are in the
works with various ecologically friendly power technologiesbeing built
every day.
 Solar power is a fantastic solution. Now that solar radiation is at a
climactic peak, we can reap power from the sun using solar panel
systems. These range from home systems to larger scale systems
powering entire communities and cities.
 Wind power is coming into play. This may not seem like
much at first, but when you get about 100 feet off the
ground, there is a great deal of wind up there. By building
wind turbines to harvest natural wind energy, electricity is
produced. Wind turbine power and solar power are both
powerful forces against fossil fuel power and radioactive
power. The one problem here is power companies. They
want to stay with radioactive power plants because they
actually can’t be removed. It has become the crusades
of many individuals and small corporations to make the
switch and there are plenty of people following this as
populations cry out for help.
 Electromagnetic radiation (ER) reduction. Once major
manufacturers of computers and electronic devices
realized the blatant potential for huge ER emissions directly
into the eyes and brains of users, they started to
implement hardware protocols to minimize risks and
reduce ER production significantly. Newer devices are in
the lead to knock this problem out and, fortunately, this is
working.
 Pollution control, in environmental engineering, any
of a variety of means employed to limit damage
done to the environment by the discharge of harmful
substances and energies. Specific means of pollution
control might include refuse disposal systems such as
sanitary landfills, emission control systems for
automobiles, sedimentation tanks in sewerage
systems, the electrostatic precipitation of impurities
from industrial gas, or the practice of recycling. For
full treatment of major areas of pollution
control, see air pollution control, wastewater
treatment, solid-waste management, and hazardous-
waste management.