Pollution: Causes and Effects | How to Control Pollution?

Pollution is a big problem that affects our planet, our health, and everything we do. It happens when harmful chemicals are added to the air, water, and land. It’s everywhere – factories, cars, waste, etc. It can make us sick, hurt animals and plants, and even change the weather. But there’s hope. We can limit pollution and protect our home by understanding what causes it and its effects. Here, let’s look at how we can all work together to help control pollution for a cleaner and safer world.

What Is Pollution?

Anything in excess is dangerous such as medicines, alcohol, or even food and water itself. Pollution also carries the same phenomena i.e. any extra addition to the environment either in the form of solid, liquid, or gas and has a greater ratio in comparison to their dispersion, dilution, decomposition, recycling or even getting stored will lead to pollution.

Pollution is when harmful things are added to the environment, like air, water, or land, making it dirty and unsafe. Pollutants are major elements or components of pollution which are generally called waste materials of different forms.

Pollution can come in any form be it to be energy or chemical substances. Major types of pollution are air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, and land pollution. There is no doubt that these have harsh effects on every living organism on this planet. Let’s have a look at its causes:

Causes Of Pollution

It is true that pollution is largely caused by humans, but there are many other factors that also contribute to this problem. These factors include:

Pollution from Vehicles

Carbon Monoxide gas is generally emitted by cars and trucks and when we inhale CO, it blocks oxygen from reaching out to our main vital organs such as the brain and heart. Also, excess emission leads to environmental pollution.

A large amount of goods travel around the globe from one place to another, causing pollution to a greater extent due to transportation. There are other sources of vehicle pollution besides cars and trucks, too:

• Electric Vehicle Waste: As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, their batteries pose a new environmental challenge. Batteries can harm the environment if they’re not disposed of properly because they contain heavy metals and toxic substances.
• Air Travel: As planes release nitrogen oxides and other pollutants, they contribute to global warming and harm the upper atmosphere.
• Ship Pollution: Ships emit large amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, contributing to ocean and air pollution. Marine life and air quality in coastal areas are especially damaged by heavy fuel oil.

Emission of Fossil Fuels

Smog is produced by power plants that burn coal excessively as their main fuel. Though smog is also emitted from vehicles here the quantity is much higher. The result is a toxic gas that now surrounds our planet.

There are other fossil fuel-related activities that cause pollution in ways you might not expect, besides coal-burning power plants:

• Methane Emissions: Whenever natural gas is extracted or distributed, it can lead to methane leaks, a powerful greenhouse gas that increases global warming significantly.
• Oil Spills: Spills from oil extraction and transportation can contaminate water and land, harming marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Fracking: Oil and gas production involving hydraulic fracturing (fracking) generates wastewater and releases various pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polluting the atmosphere and water.

Rise In Carbon Dioxide

Well, you all know why is this happening right? The answer is simple i.e. deforestation. Trees are the only possible thing on this planet that can control heat as well as carbon dioxide but unfortunately, very few trees are left and gases levels are rising.

While deforestation affects carbon dioxide levels, other factors are also at play, making it more serious:

• Energy Consumption: CO2 emissions go up when homes and industries use more energy, especially in coal and natural gas-dependent countries.
• Urbanization: Buildings and expanding cities increase energy consumption and CO2 emissions because of the materials used and the energy required for heating and cooling.
• Deforestation for Agriculture: By cutting down trees, we increase CO2 levels because crops with less carbon sequestration replace trees that absorb CO2.

Global Radiation

Ever heard of solar radiation? It is radiation that comes directly from the sun. However, because the earth has its protective layer called the ozone layer it prevents the sun’s harmful radiation from entering the earth. Unfortunately, depletion of the ozone layer has started and this has led to an increase in skin-related problems.

But the story is not over yet. Aside from sun radiation there is electromagnetic radiation which is also a huge problem and it was earlier related to huge wires which carry electricity to cities but now cell phones, tablets, laptops, WIFI, etc devices carry some amount of radiation which is harmful to health.

Our health and environment are also at risk from other types of radiation aside from solar radiation:

• Nuclear Accidents: Radioactive materials can leak from nuclear power plants, posing long-term health risks to humans, wildlife, and ultimately whole environment.
• Medical Waste: It is possible to contaminate the environment by improperly disposing of medical waste, including radioactive materials used in treatment.
• Space Debris: Occasionally, satellite debris and other space debris enter the Earth’s atmosphere containing radioactive elements.

Chemical and Agricultural Activities

Without agriculture activities food is not possible but an increase in demand for food and related things results in contamination of soil and water, leading to agricultural pollution.

How? The use of pesticides at an increased level is necessary to keep diseases out of crops and to prevent animals from entering the field of agriculture. This is also a cause of pollution since it directly impacts soil fertility.

There are several other things in agriculture that contribute to pollution beyond pesticides and fertilizers:

• Fertilizer Runoff: Fertilizer runoff causes eutrophication and harms aquatic ecosystems when used excessively.
• Bioaccumulation of Pesticides: Agriculture pesticides can accumulate in the food chain, harming wildlife and humans.
• Soil Degradation: In agriculture, chemical inputs degrade soil health, reducing its capacity to store carbon and sustain biodiversity.

Mining Activities

Mining activities are carried out to extract various minerals below the Earth’s crust. These activities release a massive amount of chemicals and dust particles into the atmosphere.

The mining industry disrupts the surface of the Earth, but it also introduces pollutants into the environment that are less noticeable:

• Acid Mine Drainage: Mining causes exposure to sulfide minerals that react with water and air to create sulfuric acid, harming aquatic life and polluting waterways.
• Habitat Destruction: A loss of biodiversity occurs as a result of mining operations destroying habitats for many species.
• Groundwater Contamination: It is possible to contaminate drinking water supplies with heavy metals and toxic chemicals due to mining.

Also Read: Why Is Open-Pit Mining So Devastating to The Environment?

Industrial Waste

Industries (especially manufacturing industries) release a high level of gases and chemicals into the air polluting the environment. These pollutants lead to various health issues for humans and animals.

Besides gases and chemicals, industrial waste affects the environment in a lot of different ways:

• Microplastic: Microplastics are produced in industries and contaminate water bodies, harming aquatic life and entering the human food chain.
• Thermal Pollution: Often, industrial processes release heated water into rivers and lakes, reducing oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems.
• Electronic Waste: Hazardous substances such as lead and mercury can be released into the environment during the disposal of electronic goods.

Plastic Waste

Plastic waste has become one of the major environmental threats these days. It is non-biodegradable and emits heavy pollutants in the air while burning. Plastic waste also takes more than 100 years to decompose.

It is well known that plastic is non-biodegradable, but there are additional concerns related to plastic waste that intensify its pollution impact:

• Microplastics in the Food Chain: Marine life and human health may be affected by microplastics from degraded plastic waste.
• Plastic in Freshwater Systems: Plastic waste is not only a problem in oceans, it also affects freshwater ecosystems in rivers and lakes.
• Chemical Leaching: In the process of degrading, plastic waste can leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water, affecting the health of plants, animals, and humans.

The infographic below further shows the causes of pollution:

Effects Of Pollution

The pollution on our planet not only destroys its natural look, but also harms our health and the environment. Below we will explore how pollution impacts our lives and the environment.

On Ecosystem Health

As humans, we know that we are the main contributors to pollution on our planet. The thinning of the ozone layer has led to an increase in skin diseases, including cancer, due to increasing exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. This issue puts various atmospheric layers at risk.

Lowering levels of nitrogen oxide could alter the composition of species within an ecosystem. The emission of greenhouse gases, responsible for global warming, has diverse effects on ecosystems, altering climates and habitats.

The combined effects of different pollutants may decrease oxygen levels in certain environments, significantly affecting the survival and health of numerous species across the globe.

Here are some other things worth noting about pollution and the ecosystem:

• Biodiversity Loss: The health of an ecosystem depends on a variety of species for pollination, pest control, and other essential functions. Pollution is causing many species to go extinct, reducing biodiversity.
• Coral Reef Degradation: Due to pollution, especially from chemicals and rising temperatures, coral reefs are bleaching and dying, which is detrimental to marine life and coastal protection.
• Soil Degradation: Plant growth and food production are negatively affected by chemical spills, industrial waste, and excessive pesticide use in the soil.

Effects On Plants and Trees

The effects on plants and trees are higher and are still increasing. Do you know about acid rain? Yes, it has a direct impact on small plants, especially growing ones. Acid rain mixes with soil and contaminates it. Also, we are cutting down trees, so how will small plants be able to grow securely?

In the environment, smog can reach the layer that blocks sunlight from reaching the plants and can damage the photosynthesis process, which damages the plants.

The impact on flora goes beyond acid rain and deforestation, affecting plants and trees in several ways:

• Growth Inhibition: Agricultural and food production can be affected by toxic pollutants in the air and soil.
• Forest Dieback: Trees are weakening and getting more vulnerable to diseases and pests due to pollution and climate change.
• Genetic Damage: In some cases, pollutants can cause genetic mutations in plants that may result in a reduction in biodiversity as well as the loss of species that are vital to the stability of ecosystems.

Effects on Animal’s Life Cycle

Yes, acid rain affects negatively on animals skin and health as they drink water from ponds and rivers and the composition of rain with them leads to toxicity. Aside from that, because of land pollution, microorganisms will die and there will be adverse effects since the first layer of the food chain will be affected.

The animals suffer not just from direct impacts, but also from less visible, but equally harmful, changes to their environments:

• Reproductive Issues: Pollution can cause reproductive failures and birth defects in wildlife, threatening their survival.
• Behavioral Changes: The presence of pollutants can affect animal behavior, such as migration patterns and feeding patterns, which can affect survival.
• Habitat Disruption: Pollution degrades habitats, forcing animals to migrate to new areas where they may not survive, further endangering them.

Effects on Humans

We create pollution and now we suffer because of it. The effects of pollution on humans lead to severe long-term damage to our health. All respiratory system problems like skin diseases and asthma or even cancer are associated with it.

Water pollution-borne diseases like dengue and malaria can almost kill us if not properly treated. Eating high chemically produced food can damage internal organs and the nervous system and lead to diseases like Typhoid.

Particularly young children are especially affected because their minds are still developing and with all pollution present in the environment can affect them badly. With the rise in global warming outdoor workers and laborers suffer the most and indoor workers too where no air conditioning is available.

Human health is affected by pollution in a variety of ways, including some lesser-known but serious effects:

• Mental Health Impact: The effects of pollution not only poses a physical health risk, but also negatively impacts mental health, causing increased stress, depression, and impairment of cognitive ability.
• Cardiovascular Diseases: Even young people are at risk for cardiovascular diseases as a result of long-term exposure to air pollution.
• Immune System Damage: Individuals who are exposed to pollutants regularly may have a weaker immune system, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases and reducing their ability to recover.

Climate Change and Global Warming

Climate change is a global issue we are dealing with. Pollution disturbs climate conditions worldwide.

Increased levels of environmental pollution are also responsible for the rising of Earth’s temperature, commonly known as global warming.

The consequences of pollution are more alarming as we dig deeper into its role in climate change and global warming:

• Accelerated Ice Melt: The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers is being accelerated by pollution, contributing to rising sea levels and changing global climate patterns.
• Ocean Acidification: CO2 levels are making the oceans acidic, affecting marine life and food chains.
• Shifts in Weather Patterns: Weather patterns are shifting as a result of pollution-induced global warming, leading to unpredictable seasons and affecting agriculture and water resources.

Extreme Weather Conditions

The climate change and global warming caused due to pollution that further leads to extreme weather events like heat waves, deadly storms, a rise in sea levels, droughts, floods, etc.

Pollution also contributes to today’s extreme weather conditions in several critical ways, including:

• Increased Fire Incidence: Wildfires are getting worse and more frequent because of pollution and global warming.
• Loss of Habitats: A combination of extreme weather events and pollution is destroying habitats, displacing people and animals.
• Food and Water Security: A changing climate threatens food production and water supplies, causing food shortages and water shortages.

The infographic below illustrates further the effects of pollution:

How to Control Pollution?

Are you feeling that as humans, we are harming our planet for some monetary gain? Don’t worry (but we should though) – here’s a twist. Being the most intelligent species on the planet, we can come up with various methods to reduce pollution.

We understand that we can’t eliminate pollution completely because it has become a part of our daily activities, such as using cell phones, driving vehicles, and other forms of transportation. Living without these things seems nearly impossible.

Now, focusing on our main goal, how can a typical person control pollution? Here are some ways to do so:

Recycling

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new products and objects. How can we contribute? By purchasing products labeled as recycled to support nature. Plastics, metal cans, glass bottles, paper, and rubber are all examples of recyclable materials. E-waste recycling is particularly important, as it involves recycling old technology and defective device’s part by part, determining which parts can be repaired or reused, with completely defective parts going through complete recycling.

Reusing

This should not be confused with recycling. Reusing means using something again, while recycling involves breaking down waste to prepare it for manufacturing as a raw material. For example, buying or selling used cell phones, re-gifting old clothes, and refilling printer cartridges instead of buying new ones.

Also Read: What Is the Difference Between Reuse and Recycle?

Waste Exchange

The waste produced by your company may be useless to you but valuable to other companies looking for that specific waste to reuse. Using waste materials from one company as resources for another is a sustainable practice. As a result, waste is reduced and natural resources are used more efficiently across industries.

For example, a paper manufacturing company produces a significant amount of wood pulp waste, a byproduct of the paper-making process. In the area, there is a company that produces Eco-friendly packaging materials and needs raw materials such as wood pulp to do so. As part of a direct waste exchange, the paper manufacturer gives the Eco-friendly packaging company its wood pulp waste. In return, the packaging company provides a set amount of packaging materials for the paper maker’s products at a reduced price or in exchange for barter.

Both companies benefit from this kind of waste exchange: The paper company saves money on waste disposal and gets Eco-friendly packaging, while the packaging company gets a steady, cost-effective supply of raw materials. The system creates a win-win situation by transforming one company’s waste into another’s resource.

By integrating waste exchange into our pollution control strategies, we can significantly reduce industry’s overall environmental footprint, promoting a circular economy where resources are maximized and waste is minimized.

In everyday life, every person can focus on these actions:

• Use environmentally safe products that do not directly harm natural resources even after disposal.
• Report illegal dumping practices, as the Earth belongs to everyone, not just a few individuals.
• Use a dustbin and avoid littering because you couldn’t find a bin nearby.
• Quit smoking, as it harms your health, or at least avoid smoking in no-smoking areas.
• Avoid burning plastic in open areas, as it is toxic when inhaled, especially by children. It’s best not to burn plastic at all.
• Store rainwater for purposes like washing your car or cleaning your home.
• Plant as many trees as you can in your area to ensure fresh air.
• Use cloth and paper bags for grocery shopping.
• Embrace solar and wind energy, using solar cookers at home or solar rechargeable batteries.
• Prefer carpooling or public transport to minimize emissions.
• Consider using zero-emission electric cars or bikes.
• Walk short distances when possible.
• Choose LPG over non-renewable resources like coal.
• Print or photocopy on both sides of the paper.
• Follow energy-efficient tips strictly to protect the environment from pollution.
• Manufacturing industries should use fuels with lower sulfur content.
• Properly follow 3 R’s of environment i.e., Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
• Afforestation will help in rising oxygen levels and reduce global warming overall.

Conclusion

We are all aware of the problem of pollution. It is caused by things like cars, factories, and trash. Pollution can make our air, water, and soil dirty. This can cause health problems for people, animals, and plants. All over the world, pollution’s effects are increasing and need special attention. Appropriate action must be taken to address pollution causes. In order to solve this problem, we have to use less plastic, recycle more, and use renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Keeping our planet clean isn’t a one-day task, but a continuous process involving collective effort from all around the world. We all need to do our part to maintain the health of our planet.