Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that causes harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or that damage the environment. Nowadays, pollution is getting critical and demands global concern. Pollution effects are indeed many and wide-ranging, vary from mildly irritating to lethal. There is no doubt that excessive levels of pollution are causing massive damages to human, flora and fauna, as well as the wider environment. The impacts are indirectly inflicting to the ecosystem, disrupting the balance of the nature.
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| Effect of pollution on health |
Air pollution is a release into the atmosphere of any substances like chemicals or airborne particles, which are harmful both to the human and animal health as well as the health of the wider environment. Air pollution brings dangerous effects to human health such as irritation of eyes and nostrils, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and even lung cancer. Plus, it can also causes acid rain, global warming and greenhouse effect. This will influence the ecosystem as animals and plants cannot adapt themselves to the harsh environment and eventually die. Furthermore, harmful substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) will trigger the ozone depletion and causes ultra-violet (UV) radiation penetrating the ozone layer easily.
As solutions, use electric-powered cars instead of fuel-powered cars to reduce the emission of carbon monoxide, limiting the air pollution. Usage of non-leaded fuel in vehicles can also reduce harmful gases produced, which is a vital contribution in solving the pollution.
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| In this modern era, the air we breath are no longer fresh and clean. |
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies like lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment. The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that inhabits water-based ecosystems. Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by fish. Later, these animals are consumed and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels. Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well. People can get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood that has been poisoned. Ecosystems can be severely affected or destroyed by water pollution. To prevent water pollution, never dispose trash and harmful chemicals into water supplies like rivers and oceans. It is greatly encouraged to use non-toxic cleaning materials to clean our cars and household appliances.
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| Image of contaminated river captured |
Furthermore, there are specific treatments to handle water pollution such as industrial water treatment, denitrification, sewage treatment and more. WHO (World Health Organization), WQA (Water Quality Association) and WEF (Water Environment Federation) are part of the organizations which concerned with water pollution.
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| Our earth is covered by 71% of water with the remainder consisting of continents and islands. However, the water bodies on earth is terribly polluted due to human activities. |
Noise pollution occurs due to one of modern science’s best discoveries – the motor vehicle, which is responsible for about ninety percent of all unwanted noise worldwide. The effect of noise pollution is deteriorating the health of people.
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| Noise pollution in housing areas |
Roadway noise is a major source of exposure especially from tires and horn. High level of noise can wake people from sleep and keep them awake for the whole night. Jerking up in a sudden can cause irritation, depression or even insomnia. Chronic exposure can lower the hearing ability or cause deafness. One of the solution to overcome this effect is to build roadway a distance away from neighborhood. On the other hand, noise pollution will affect the animal’s communication which used in relation for reproduction or navigation. Whales will beached themselves after being exposed to loud and high-pitched noise released by military sonar. For mitigation, the government should enforce laws to limit the noise released by military sonar.
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| Excessive noises could damage our hearing! |
Radioactive pollution is defined as the physical pollution of air, water and the other radioactive materials. The ability of certain materials to emit the proton, gamma rays and electrons by their nuclei is known as the radioactivity. Radioactivity is toxic because it forms ions when it reacts with biological molecules which can then form free radicals.
A small amount of radiation exposure can have serious and cumulative biological consequences. It can damage proteins, membranes and nucleic acid. It destroys DNA by destroying nitrogenous base through breaking the strands, cross-linking bases. It results in cancer, genetic birth defects, death, retardation and other diseases. High exposure to radiation early on in gestation can have damaging effects on the brain. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, radioactive waste should be disposed cautiously. Wastes with low radiation must be put into the sewage. Nevertheless, all radioactive controls should be operated under safe supervision.
Land pollution can be described as any type of man-made waste that is deposited on land. Land pollution indirectly affects the respiratory system of human beings. Breathing in polluted dust or particle can result in a number of health problems related to the respiratory system. In addition, skin problems are often diagnosed due to land pollution too. It is said that the improper disposal of household wastes leads to allergic reactions on skin.
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| Effect of land pollution to the environment |
Moreover, land pollution has serious effect on wildlife. Flora, which provides food and shelter to wildlife, are destroyed. In short, the effective way to solve the problem arose from land pollution is by recycling the garbage. Waste matters that are not decomposable such as glass and paper should be reclaimed and send to the recycling centre. Eventually, recycling reduces the number of items buried in landfills. Apart from that, people should lead a life of proper waste disposal. Also, industries should play a role on not disposing toxic waste products to the ground. Thus, landfills can be free from any form of poisonous chemicals.
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| Critical land pollution in New Delhi |
Saving the environment is no longer an issue, it is a survival truth. Individuals, organizations and governments need to come together and join hands to protect what is left of our planet so that the future is not wiped out before it is time for curtain call. People should realize that actions we did to the environment will eventually hit back at us at the end as our actions is inter-connected to the nature. Hence, we should play our respective role in solving the pollution issues and saving our mother nature. Save our environment, save our earth!
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| Cease pollution! |
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| The acknowledgement of the significance of saving our mother nature should begin from the young generations. Save our earth! |
