Causes & Effects of Pollution

Environmental pollution is currently the biggest challenge facing the word today.
In the United States 40% of rivers and 46% of lakes are too polluted for fishing, swimming, and aquatic life. Not surprising though
when 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated storm water, industrial waste, and untreated sewage are being discharge annually into
American waters.
One-third of the topsoil in the world is already degraded, and with the current rate of soil degradation caused be improper agricultural
and industrial practices, and deforestation, most of the world’s topsoil could be gone within the next 60 years.
The Great Smog in 1952 killed 8000 people in London. This event was caused by a period of cold weather combined with windless
conditions that formed a dense layer of airborne pollutants, mostly from coal plants, over the city.
There are many sources of pollution and each one has its own effect on the environment and living organisms. This article will discuss
the causes and effects of the different kinds of pollution.
Causes
The causes of pollution are not just limited to fossil fuels and carbons emissions. There are many other types of pollution including
chemical pollution into bodies of water and soil through improper disposal practices and agricultural activities, and noise and light
pollution created by cities and urbanization as a result of population growth.

1. Air Pollution

There are two types of air pollutants, primary and secondary. Primary pollutants are emitted directly from their source, while
secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.
The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity produces both primary and secondary pollutants and is one of the biggest
sources of air pollution.
The fumes from car exhausts contain dangerous gases and particulates including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon
monoxide. These gases rise into the atmosphere and react with other atmospheric gases creating even more toxic gases.
According to The Earth Institute, the heavy use of fertilizer for agriculture is a major contributor of fine-particulate air pollution, with
most of Europe, Russia, China, and the United States being affected. The level of pollution caused by agricultural activities is thought
to outweigh all other sources of fine-particulate air pollution in these countries.
Ammonia is the primary air pollutant that comes from agricultural activities. Ammonia enters the air as a gas from concentrated
livestock waste and fields that are over fertilized.
This gaseous ammonia then combines with other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfates created by vehicles and industrial
processes, to create aerosols. Aerosols are tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause heart and pulmonary
disease.
Other agricultural air pollutants include pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. All of which also contribute to water pollution.

2. Water Pollution

Nutrient pollution is caused by wastewater, sewage, and fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients in these sources end up in bodies of
water and promote algae and weed growth, which can make the water undrinkable and depleted oxygen causing aquatic organisms
to die.
Pesticides and herbicides applied to crops and residential areas concentrate in the soil and are carried to the groundwater by
rainwater and runoff. For these reasons anytime someone drills a well for water it must be checked for pollutants.
Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water pollution, by creating primary and secondary pollutants including sulphur, lead
and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil spills.
In developing countries around 70% of their solid waste is dumped directly into the ocean or sea. This causes serious problems
including the harming and killing of sea creatures, which ultimately affects humans.

3. Land & Soil Pollution

Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of human’s activities and the misuse of land resources. This occurs when humans
apply chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides to the soil, dispose of waste improperly, and irresponsibly exploit minerals through
mining.
Soil is also polluted through leaking underground septic tanks, sewage systems, the leaching of harmful substances from landfill, and
direct discharge of waste water by industrial plants into rivers and oceans.
Rain and flooding can bring pollutants from other already polluted lands to soil at other locations.
Over-farming and over-grazing by agricultural activities causes the soil to lose its nutrient value and structure causing soil degradation,
another type of soil pollution.
Landfills can leach harmful substances into the soil and water ways and create very bad smells, and breeding grounds for rodents
that transmit diseases.
4. Noise & Light Pollution

Noise is considered an environmental pollutant caused by household sources, social events, commercial and industrial activities, and
transportation.
Light pollution is caused by the prolonged and excessive use of artificial lights at night that can cause health problems in humans and
disrupt natural cycles, including wildlife activities. Sources of light pollution include electronic billboards, night sports grounds, street
and car lights, city parks, public places, airports, and residential areas.
Effects
The effects of pollution can be seen every day, all around you. Pollution is destroying ecosystems and drinking water, and wreaking
havoc on human and environmental health.

1. Effects of Air Pollution

High levels of air pollution can cause an increased risk of heart attack, wheezing, coughing, and breathing problems, and irritation of
the eyes, nose, and throat. Air pollution can also cause worsening of existing heart problems, asthma, and other lung complications.
Like humans, animals can suffer from a number of health problems due to air pollution, including birth defects, reproductive failure,
and diseases.
Air pollution causes a number of environmental effects in addition to the effects on humans and animals.
Acid rain contains high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids that are created by oxides and sulfur oxides released into the air by the
burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain damages trees and acidifies soils and water bodies, making the water too acidic for fish and other
aquatic life.
Nitrogen oxides released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels also contribute to the nitrogen responsible for toxic algae blooms.
The release of man-made compounds including hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, and halons formerly used as
coolants, foaming agents, pesticides, solvents, aerosol propellants, and fire-extinguishers are depleting the ozone. The ozone layer
in the stratosphere forms a protective layer that reflects harmful ultraviolet rays back into space that would otherwise destroy animal
and plant life.

2. Effects of Water Pollution

Water pollution is a serious threat to humans, animals, and aquatic life.

The effects of water pollution depend on which chemicals are being dumped where. Bodies of water that are near urbanized areas
tend to be heavily polluted by dumbing of garbage and chemicals, both legally and illegally, by industrial plants, health centers, and
individuals.
By far the biggest consequence of water pollution is the death of aquatic creatures, which can disrupt the entire food chain. Pollutants
such as cadmium, mercury, and lead are eaten by tiny aquatic organisms that are then eaten by fish and shell fish, becoming more
concentrated with each step up the food chain and causing serious problems in humans and wildlife.
Nutrient pollution can cause toxic algal blooms in drinking water sources that create toxins that kill fish and other aquatic animals.
Direct exposure to this toxic alga causes serious health problems in humans including neurological effects, respiratory problems,
stomach and liver illness, and rashes.
A consequential problem is created when disinfectants used to treat drinking water reach water polluted with toxic algae, they react
creating dioxins. Dioxins are extremely harmful chemical compounds that have been linked with reproductive and development
problems, and even cancer.
Nitrates, caused by fertilizers, also contaminate drinking water and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, babies who
consume water that is high in nitrates can become seriously ill with blue-baby syndrome, which causes shortness of breath and blue-
tinted skin, and can lead to death if not treated early.

3. Effects of Land & Soil Pollution

Land and soil pollution has substantial consequences for humans, animals, microorganisms and aquatic life. Contaminated land and
soil can cause various problems on the skin, respiratory problems, and even different kinds of cancers.
These toxic substances come into contact with the human body directly through eating fruits and vegetables that have been grown
in polluted soils, being consumed through drinking water that has been contaminated, direct contact with the skin, and breathing in
air polluted with particles and dust.
Deforestation is the biggest concern when it comes to land degradation and soil erosion. Clear cutting of vegetation and tree cover
creates harsh conditions that destroy ecosystems and habitats.
Deforestation also creates an imbalance in atmospheric conditions, reducing the amount of carbon that is naturally taken out of the
atmosphere. This is a serious problem considering that most pollution created by people is carbon based.
4. Effects of Noise & Light Pollution

Noise pollution can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, irritability, hearing loss, and sleep loss resulting in decreased productivity.
Oil drills, submarines, and other vessels on and in the ocean can cause excessive noise that has resulted in the injury or death of
marine animals, especially whales.
Too much light causes eye strain and stress, harming our eyes and decreasing our quality of life. Light pollution also causes a decrease
in the hormone melatonin that helps us to fall asleep, resulting in restlessness and fatigue.
Many mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles are photoperiodic meaning their movement, mating, growth and development, and
eating cycles are regulated by natural light patterns. Light pollution can interfere with these natural behaviors and cycles, causing a
decrease in wildlife populations.
Conclusion
Pollution needs to be dramatically reduced because it is destroying the environment we live in, contaminating our food and water,
causing diseases and cancers in humans and wildlife, and destroying the air we breathe and the atmosphere that protects us from
harmful ultra-violet radiation.
It is the responsibility of every living person to protect the environment, and with the population ever increasing, pollution problems
are only going to get worse unless we do something about it.
Protecting the environment is a long and daunting task, requiring continuous planning, governmental policies, and public and
industrial participation. However the result of ignoring the problem will be catastrophic and life as we know it will begin to end.
By decreasing waste, implementing recycling policies, banning dangerous agricultural chemicals, and developing safe renewable
energy we can significantly reduce the amount of pollution going into the environment annually and increase our quality of living.
Everyone is entitled to clean air to breathe, water to drink, and public lands to enjoy. If you have any ideas on how to reduce pollution,
please drop a comment and share your thoughts.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IS AN INCURABLE
 DISEASE. IT CAN ONLY BE PREVENTED.
-BARRY COMMONER

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Causes of Environmental Pollution

Let us first take a look at the causes of environmental pollution:

1. Industries: Industries have been polluting our environment especially since the
beginning of the industrial revolution, as mentioned above, notably due to the
increasing use of fossil fuels. In the 19th century and for a significant part of the
20th century, coal has been use to make machines work faster, replacing human
force. Though pollution by industries mainly causes air pollution, soil and water
contamination can also occur. This is particularly the case for power-generating
industries, such as plants producing electricity (May they be a dam, a nuclear
reactor or some other type of plant).

Also, the transportation of this energy can be harmful to the environment. We can
take as an example the transportation of petrol through pipelines; if there is a leak
in the pipeline, soil will automatically be polluted. At the same time, if the tanker
transporting the petrol from its production plant to the place where it will be
consumed leaks or sinks, the water will get contaminated.

2. Transportation: Ever since men abandoned animal power to travel, pollution

of the environment has become higher and higher. Its levels have only been
increasing until now. Similarly to industries, pollution caused by transport can
mainly be attributed to fossil fuels. Indeed, humans went from horse carriages to
cars, trains (which, before electricity, used to be propelled by coal), and airplanes.
As the traffic is increasing every day, pollution follows that evolution.

3. Agricultural Activities: Agriculture is mainly responsible for the contamination

of water and soil. This is caused by the increased use of pesticides, as well as by
the intensive character of its production. Almost all pesticides are made from
chemical substances and are meant to keep diseases and threatening animals away
from the crops. However, by keeping these forms of life away, harm is almost
always made to the surrounding environment as well.

Furthermore, as agriculture gets more and more intensive to feed the increasing
world population, more environments and ecosystems are destroyed to make space
for the crops. Some of them, like rapeseed –used to make oil – demand a lot of
space for a relatively small output.
4. Trading Activities: Trading activities including the production and exchange of
goods and services. Concerning goods, pollution can be caused by packaging
(which often involves the use of plastic, which is made from fossil fuels) or
transport, mainly.

5. Residences: Finally, residential areas provide their fair share of pollution as

well. First, to be able to build homes, natural environment has to be destroyed in
one way or another. Wildlife and plants are driven away and replaced by human
constructions. As it requires the work of industries, construction itself is also a
source of contamination of the environment. Then, when people settle in, they will
produce waste every day, including a part that cannot be processed by the
environment without harm yet.

Effects of Environmental Pollution

Now that we have identified the main causes of environmental pollution, let us
study the negative effects it has:

1. Effects on Humans: The effects of environmental pollution on humans are

mainly physical, but can also turn into neuro-affections in the long term. The best-
known troubles to us are respiratory, in the form of allergies, asthma, irritation of
the eyes and nasal passages, or other forms of respiratory infections. Notably,
these well spread affections can be observed when air pollution is high in cities,
when the weather gets hot, for instance. On top of that, environmental pollution
has been proven to be a major factor in the development of cancer. This can
happen for example when we eat reminiscences of pollutants used in the
production of processed foods, or pesticides from the crops. Other, rarer, diseases
include hepatitis, typhoid affections, diarrhoea and hormonal disruptions.

2. Effects on Animals: Environmental pollution mainly affects animal by causing

harm to their living environment, making it toxic for them to live in. Acid rains can
change the composition of rivers and seas, making them toxic for fishes, an
important quantity of ozone in the lower parts of the atmosphere can cause lung
problems to all animals. Nitrogen and phosphates in water will cause overgrowth of
toxic algae, preventing other forms of life to follow their normal course. Eventually,
soil pollution will cause harm and sometimes even the destruction of
microorganisms, which can have the dramatic effect of killing the first layers of the
primary food chain.

3. Effects on Plants: As for animals, plants, and especially trees, can be

destroyed by acid rains (and this will also have a negative effect on animals as well,
as their natural environment will be modified), ozone in the lower atmosphere block
the plant respiration, and harmful pollutants can be absorbed from the water or
soil.

4. Effects on the Ecosystem: In short, environmental pollution, almost

exclusively created by human activities, has a negative effect on the ecosystem,
destroying crucial layers of it and causing an even more negative effect on the
upper layers.

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