Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment through human activity or natural disasters. There are several types of pollution including water, air, land, and noise pollution. Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged into bodies of water without treatment and can disrupt food chains and spread disease. Air pollution from vehicle and industrial emissions releases particulate matter and gases that can cause respiratory illnesses. Land pollution stems from improper waste disposal, mining, and misuse of soil, which degrades the land and contaminates water and soil. Noise pollution from transportation and construction disrupts humans and animals, impacting health, productivity, and biodiversity.
Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) 2024Final.pptx
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1. Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant into
the environment. It is created mostly by human
actions, but can also be a result of natural
disasters. Pollution has a detrimental effect on any
living organism in an environment, making it
virtually impossible to sustain life.
2. Types of Pollution
There are three main types of pollution:
Water pollution
Air pollution
Land pollution
Noise pollution
3. Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies
(e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater).
Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged
directly or indirectly into water bodies without
adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds
4. Affects of Water pollution
The effects of water pollution are varied and depend on what
chemicals are dumped and in what locations.
Boston Harbor is a strong example of how badly pollution can
damage bodies of water. The water is filled with toxic waste and
sewage, and routinely receives more waste when rainfall pushes it
into the harbor. Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well.
Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals.
Later, these animals are consumed by fish and shellfish, 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.
5. Air Pollution
Air is the ocean we breathe. Air supplies us with oxygen which is essential for our bodies to
live. Air is 99.9% nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and inert gases. Human activities can
release substances into the air, some of which can cause problems for humans, plants, and
animals. There are several main types of pollution and well-known effects of pollution which are
commonly discussed. These include smog, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and "holes" in the
ozone layer. Each of these problems has serious implications for our health and well-being as
well as for the whole environment. One type of air pollution is the release of particles into the air
from burning fuel for energy. Diesel smoke is a good example of this particulate matter . The
particles are very small pieces of matter measuring about 2.5 microns or about .0001 inches.
This type of pollution is sometimes referred to as "black carbon" pollution. The exhaust from
burning fuels in automobiles, homes, and industries is a major source of pollution in the air. Some
authorities believe that even the burning of wood and charcoal in fireplaces and barbeques can
release significant quanitites of soot into the air.
Another type of pollution is the release of noxious gases, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and chemical vapors. These can take part in further chemical
reactions once they are in the atmosphere, forming smogand acid rain.
6. Af fects of Air pollution
Many different chemicals in the air affect the human body in negative
ways. Just how sick people will get depends on what chemicals they are
exposed to, in what concentrations, and for how long.
Older people are highly vulnerable to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with
heart or lung disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at
serious risk.
Many diseases could be caused by air pollution without their becoming
apparent for a long time. Diseases such as bronchitis, lung cancer, and
heart disease may all eventually appear in people exposed to air pollution.
7. Land Pollution
• Land pollution is the demolition of Earth's land surfaces often caused by
human activities and their misuse of land resources. It occurs when waste is
not disposed properly. Health hazard disposal of urban and industrial
wastes, exploitation of minerals, and improper use of soil by inadequate
agricultural practices are a few factors.Urbanization and industrialization are
major causes of land pollution. The Industrial Revolution set a series of
events into motion which destroyed natural habitats and polluted the
environment, causing diseases in both humans and many other species of
animals.
8. Type of Land pollution
• Mining
• Modern mining projects leave behind disrupted communities, damaged
landscapes, and polluted water.
• Mining also affects ground and surface waters, the aquatic life, vegetation,
soils, animals, and the human health.
• Soil pollution
Soil is polluted by many ways:
• When pollutants get mixed with air, this causes acid rain. Acid rain
degrades the top soil and leads to soil erosion.
• Garbage dumping, specially plastics, degrade the soil fertility as they are
non biodegradable therefore making the soil infertile and uncapable to be
irrigated.
• Chemical fertilizers and pesticides,when over used pollute the soil and also
penetrate into ground water and make it non potable.
9. Noise pollution
• Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal, or
machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity
or balance of human or animal life. The word noise may be from
the Latin word nauseas, which means disgust or discomfort. The
source of most outdoor noise worldwide is
mainly construction andtransportation systems, including motor
vehicle noise, aircraft noise, and rail noise. Poor urban
planning may give rise to noise pollution, since side-by-side
industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution
in the residential area.
• High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in
humans, a rise in blood pressure, and an increase in stress and
vasoconstriction, and an increased incidence of coronary artery
disease. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by
altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with
reproduction and navigation, and contribute to permanent
hearing loss.
10. Affects of noise
pollution
• Noise pollution disturbs our health and behavior in a
number of ways including deafness causing lack of sleep,
irritability, indigestion, heartburn, high blood pressure,
ulcers, and heart disease. Just one noise explosion from
a passing truck drastically alters our endocrinal,
neurological, and cardiovascular functions in many
individuals. If this is prolonged or frequent, the
physiological disturbances become chronic and
contribute to mental illness.
• Increased noise levels gives rise to a lack of
concentration and accuracy at work, and reduce ones
productivity and performance. Difficult tasks can be
impaired, and instructions or warnings difficult to be
heard and interpreted,causing accidents.