Our society has produced many kinds of pollution, some are more dangerous than others. Types of air pollution include particulate and gaseous emissions and odour. Water, air and land pollution are three of the most common types of pollution. Gather information to design specific pollution prevention or remediation programs. Different types of pollution are categorized based on the part of the environment which they affect or result which the particular pollution causes. Environmental pollution is any discharge of material or energy into water, land, or air that causes or may cause acute shortterm or chronic longterm detriment to the earths ecological balance or that lowers the quality of life. Soil is the thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the earth. Land, air, and water are all affected by pollution. Water pollution is defined as the presence in groundwater of toxic chemicals and biological agents that exceed what is naturally found in the water and may pose a threat to human health andor the environment. Pollution, addition of any substance or form of energy to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed or stored in a harmless form. These waters become polluted when rainwater runoff carries pollutants into the. Henry habicht then deputy administrator, m ay 28, 1992, explaining the agencys understanding and approach to pollution prevention. Categorized study of pollution helps to understand the basics in more detail and produce protocols for the specific types. During and following this period, many definitions of pollution arose.
Environmental pollution is defined as the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earthatmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected. Additionally, water pollution may consist of chemicals introduced into the water bodies as a result of various human activities. Each of these types has its own distinctive causes and consequences. Its effects can range from higher disease risks to rising temperatures. Some sources define smog as the presence of unnatural levels of groundlevel ozone, while other sources say things like fog mixed with smoke.
We are surrounded by pollution which animal tests have clearly failed to prevent. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse. Pollution is anything that makes the earth dirty and unhealthy. Environment definition of environment by merriamwebster. Determine whether program goals, such as compliance with pollution regulations or imple mentation of effective pollution control actions, are being met. Environmental pollution is any discharge of material or energy into water, land, or air that causes or may cause acute short term or chronic long term detriment to the earths ecological balance or that lowers the quality of life. This voluntary, concerted plan is intended to allow the authorities to.
Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substancesenergies or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is a negativeundesirable change in the environment, usually the addition of something hazardous or detrimental. Pollution definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Reducing the degree or intensity of, or eliminating, pollution. Environmental pollution, types, causes, impact and. Water pollution definition of water pollution by the.
The positive side of this confusion is that program providers have some leeway in how they define at risk for. Pdf causes, consequences and control of air pollution. It means the control of emissions and effluents into air, water or soil. The term pollution, or pollution damage, is often used interchangeably with the term environmental damage, but could have a broader conceptual meaning. But the issue is more complicated than it first appears. Pollution definition, the act of polluting or the state of being polluted. Pollution definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Pollution control is a term used in environmental management. For example, if chemicals are burned in a factory, and the smoke rising out of the chimneys carries pollutants, the air becomes polluted.
Noise pollution is commonly generated inside many industrial facilities and some other workplaces, but it also comes from highway, railway, and airplane traffic and from construction activities. The passage of one substance into or through another. The act or process of polluting or the state of being polluted, especially the contamination of soil, water, or the atmosphere by the discharge of. All it wanted was low levels of pollution and plenty of lime in the water. They are also classified as primary, meaning they are created at a particular source, or secondary, meaning they. A pollutant may cause long or shortterm damage by changing the growth rate of plant or animal species, or by interfering with human amenities, comfort, health, or property values. Environmental pollution is a global problem and is common to. A number of definitions of the term are examined and alternatives suggested. A pollutant may be defined as a physical, chemical or biological substance released into the environment which is directly or indirectly harmful to humans and other living organisms they are. Environmental pollution is the unfavorable alteration of our surroundings, wholly or largely as a byproduct of mans actions, through direct or indirect effects of the changes in the energy pattern, radiation levels, and chemical and physical constitution and abundance of organisms. Surface water pollution is the pollution of aquatic systems that are above ground, such as streams, lakes and rivers. Etymology and use of the term pollution canadian science. Many of the things people use every day come in packages, like food, games, school supplies, and electronics. In this article, well answer these three questions.
Define the term pollution and explain it by giving example. Pollution is something introduced into the environment that is dirty, unclean or has a harmful effect. Contamination of rivers, lakes and seas by fertilizers, pesticides, sewage, and oil or toxic waste from ships and factories. In general, substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource. Of pollution and taboo 1966 exploring cultural definitions of. Factory and sewage discharge pipes are examples of point source pollution. Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. Anji reddy mareddy, in environmental impact assessment, 2017.
The grime of industrial pollution is as far from a middleclass issue as you can get. Environmental pollution, types, causes, impact and management. Soil pollution is defined as the buildup in soils of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or diseasecausing agents, which have adverse effects on plant growth and animal health. Noise pollution, unwanted or excessive sound that can have deleterious effects on human health and environmental quality. The addition of harmful chemicals to natural water. Air pollution, facts and information national geographic. Water pollution definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Nantes has taken advantage of the opportunities offered by european directive 200249ec to develop an environmental noise prevention plan ppbe, on the basis of noise maps, involving the 24 cities in the nantes metropolitan area. Water pollution definition of water pollution by the free. Pollution can vary depending on the context and the purpose for which seawater is being used.
I guess in the terms of climate change pollution is defined as carbon emissions, cfcs aerosols. They can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. However, rain may cause some of this pollution to fall down to the land. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Environmental pollution is the undesired spread of toxic chemicals into the aquatic and terrestrial habitats of the world. For example, releasing inadequately treated wastewater into natural water bodies can lead to degradation of aquatic ecosystems.
These include stroke and heart disease, respiratory illness and cancers. Pollution 1 when only shortterm economic gains are made at the cost of the longterm ecological benefits for humanity. For example, releasing inadequately treated wastewater into natural water bodies. Air pollution is a mix of particles and gases that can reach harmful concentrations both outside and indoors. You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. There are many different types of pollution, usually named for the location that has become polluted. Environment definition is the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded. Pollution definition of pollution by the free dictionary. Water bodies include for example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. First noting that the word pollution has been used in two distinct senses. Pdf etymology and use of the term pollution researchgate. The pollution of industrial land gave rise to the name brownfield, a term now common in. Definitions and classifications used in the study of air pollution are introduced. Pollution is the combination of gas molecules and harmful molecules of degraded plastic, fossil fuels, and evaporated dinosaur urin.
Narrowly defined, its another term for soil contamination for example, by factory chemicals or sewage and other wastewater. Pollution is legally defined as the wrongful contamination of the atmosphere, water or soil to the material injury of the right of an individual. A pollutant may cause long or short term damage by changing the growth rate of plant or animal species, or by interfering with human amenities, comfort, health, or property values. Sources of water pollution in the united states include industrial waste, runoff from fields treated with chemical fertilizers, and runoff from areas that have been mined. Causes, effects, and solutions for today and tomorrow since people living in the twentyfirst century have the likelihood of experiencing the effects of harmful pollution, looking at the causes of this water and air pollution is definitely vital in halting its devastating consequences. Land pollution is the destruction or contamination of land or groundwater as a result of the deposition of solid or liquid material on the land itself or underground.
However, the term has no consistent definition and can be viewed as stigmatizing certain groups. Pollution is the process of polluting water, air, or land, especially with poisonous. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. What is water pollution environmental pollution centers. Environmental pollution an overview sciencedirect topics.
Pollution is a word that you hear almost every day in the news, at school and in daytoday conversations. Also introduced are a brief history of air pollution. See epas about pdf page to learn more epa definition of pollution prevention memorandum pdf 4 pp, 27 k. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. Pollution which enters the water from a specific, easytoidentify site is called point source pollution. Today, pollution is occurring on a vast and unprece. The presence of a substance in the environment that because of its chemical composition or quantity prevents the. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities. For example, normal seawater has some small particles of plants or sand in, and when the sea is considered as the habitat of marine animals, one would not think of these particles as pollutants whereas one would definitely define toxic chemicals as pollutants. Scientists are constantly studying how the different types of pollution affect the environment and how it can be controlled.
The term indoor air pollution may seem a little vague at first, but once you understand what it actually includes you may be very surprised. Water pollutants include chemical contamination from waste sites, chemical wastes from industrial discharges, heavy metals such as mercury and lead, sewage waste, food processing waste. For environmental health science students air pollution mengesha admassu, mamo wubeshet university of gondar in collaboration with the ethiopia public health training initiative, the carter center, the ethiopia ministry of health, and the ethiopia ministry of education august 2006. Meanings of environment synonym discussion of environment. Water pollution results when contaminants are introduced into the natural environment. Soil is the thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the earths rocky surface. Recso marine pollution terminology 3 introduction t he marine pollution terminology booklet is prepared to provide the readers with the most abbreviations, glossary of terms and terminologies related to the marine oil spill activities within the arabian gulf and around the world. Pollution, also called environmental pollution, the addition of any substance solid, liquid, or gas or any form of energy such as heat, sound, or radioactivity to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. Water pollutants include chemical contamination from waste sites, chemical wastes from industrial discharges, heavy metals such as mercury and lead, sewage waste, food processing waste, fertilizers and pesticides. Polluting definition of polluting by merriamwebster. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Environmental pollution is one of the most serious problems facing humanity and other life forms on our planet today. Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events such as forest fires and active volcanoes, use of the word pollution generally implies that the.
Pollution definition is the action of polluting especially by environmental contamination with manmade waste. For example, if oil is dumped into a local creek, it is said to be an example of water. Response to emergencies, such as spills and floods. Water pollution occurs when water is contaminated with chemicals and foreign substances that are harmful to humans, plants and animals.
The term air pollution is used so commonly that you may not think definitions are necessary. We need a better definition of her responsibilities. Without pollution control, the waste products from overconsumption, heating, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and other human activities, whether they accumulate or disperse, will degrade the. Particulate matter pm, also called particle pollution, is a general term for extremely small particles and liquid droplets in the atmosphere pm 2. Pollution definition of pollution by merriamwebster. Some would say that these are natural elements of our planet but on the scale we produce waste elements due to our technology and the s. Presence of matter gas, liquid, solid or energy heat, noise, radiation whose nature, location, or quantity directly or indirectly alters characteristics or processes of any part of the environment, and causes or has the potential to cause damage to the condition, health, safety, or welfare of animals, humans, plants, or property. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. This is a glossary of words, phrases, acronyms and abbreviations used in air pollution control and air pollution monitoring. We can define land pollution either narrowly or broadly. Dictionary 1979 gives the middle english preferred definition. The term at risk is used frequently to describe children and youth and has a strong intuitive meaning. Certain natural phenomena causing deterioration in the quality of water, air, or soil. In this article, well define it more widely to include garbage and industrial waste, agricultural pesticides and fertilizers, impacts from mining and other forms.
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