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