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