| Pollution is contamination by a chemical or | | | | |
| other agent that renders part of the | | | | - Highway vehicles, and shipping, are major |
| environment unfit for intended or desired | | | | contributor to air pollution worldwide. |
| use. These uses also and very importantly | | | | |
| include all wildlife and ecological | | | | - Photochemical air pollution is commonly |
| requirements to sustain life in all its | | | | referred to as 'smog'. Urban air pollution |
| natural forms. | | | | is often caused by a photochemical, and is |
| | | | commonly known as smog. |
| Pollution damages the Earth's land, water and | | | | |
| air. It results in contamination of the | | | | - Radioactive pollution results from |
| earth's environment with materials that | | | | inadequate nuclear safety. |
| interfere with human health, the quality of | | | | |
| life, and the natural functioning of | | | | - Light pollution, includes light trespass, |
| ecosystems (living organisms and their | | | | over-illumination and astronomical |
| physical surroundings). | | | | interference. |
| | | | |
| Pollution is usually caused by human actions, | | | | - Noise is a form of pollution as well but is |
| but can also be the consequence of natural | | | | unlike the others as it is transient; once |
| disasters. Pollution can also occur from | | | | the pollution stops, the environment is free |
| disruption or damage to wastewater collection | | | | of it. |
| and treatment infrastructure due to severe | | | | |
| natural events like hurricanes or flooding. | | | | Recently, there has been a heightened |
| Most types of pollution affect the immediate | | | | interest in the intercontinental transport of |
| area surrounding the source, and reduce as | | | | pollution. European pollution has been |
| you move away from the source. | | | | tracked to Asia, as well as the Arctic. |
| | | | |
| Pollution is often caused by the garbage that | | | | Pollution control involves higher production |
| people throw on the ground or into oceans, | | | | costs for the industries concerned, but |
| lakes or rivers. | | | | failure to implement adequate controls may |
| | | | result in irreversible environmental damage |
| Pollution exists in many forms and affects | | | | and an increase in the incidence of diseases |
| many different aspects of the Earth's | | | | such as cancer. |
| environment. Some main types of pollution | | | | |
| are:- | | | | Pollution can be achieved by reducing or |
| | | | eliminating waste at the source by modifying |
| - Water pollution is a serious global problem | | | | production processes, promoting the use of |
| and the largest water pollution problem is | | | | non-toxic or less-toxic substances, |
| from sewage contaminating watercourses. | | | | implementing conservation techniques, and |
| | | | re-using materials rather than putting them |
| - Air pollution arising from many sources, | | | | into the waste stream. But even with these |
| and is bad in cities. Car transport emissions | | | | new laws air pollution is still on the |
| causes a lot of the air pollution we see. But | | | | increase overall throughout the world. This |
| did you know that air pollution also can | | | | is especially so in the developing countries. |
| exist inside homes and other buildings? Poor | | | | |
| ventilation causes about half of the indoor | | | | We should all do what we can to minimize |
| air pollution problems. Air pollution | | | | pollution and become 'green'. |
| contributes to the greenhouse effect. | | | | |