sources of pollution essay

• Why Does Water Expand When It Freezes
• Gold Foil Experiment
• Faraday Cage
• Oil Drop Experiment
• Magnetic Monopole
• Why Do Fireflies Light Up
• Types of Blood Cells With Their Structure, and Functions
• The Main Parts of a Plant With Their Functions
• Parts of a Flower With Their Structure and Functions
• Parts of a Leaf With Their Structure and Functions
• Why Does Ice Float on Water
• Why Does Oil Float on Water
• How Do Clouds Form
• What Causes Lightning
• How are Diamonds Made
• Types of Meteorites
• Types of Volcanoes
• Types of Rocks

Types of Pollution

Pollution  is defined as introducing harmful substances (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (light, heat, sound, or radioactivity) into the environment. The harmful elements that damage air, water, and land quality and cause pollution are called pollutants.

Pollution is primarily human-made, but nature can have an adverse effect also sometimes acts as a source of pollution.

What are the Different Types of Pollution: Causes and Effects

The three major types of environmental pollution are air, water, and soil. Besides these three main types, there are noise, light, thermal, and radioactive pollutions.

1. Air Pollution

The air in our atmosphere has a roughly stable chemical composition consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases. Any change in the air composition due to the addition of unwanted gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, chemicals, particulate matter, and biological molecules is called air pollution.

Among all other types of pollution, air pollution is found to have the most diverse impact on Earth.

Sources/Causes

Air pollution can happen from both human-made (anthropogenic) and natural sources. Some of the significant sources of air pollution are given below:

• Burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas
• Exhaust from automobiles and industries
• Indiscriminate cutting of trees (deforestation)
• Wildfires resulting from burning stubble and farm residues
• Release of methane from microbial decay
• Excessive discharge of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released from aerosols sprays, refrigerants, and air conditioners
• Release volcanic ash and gases
• Respiratory disorders in humans such as asthma, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and other lung problems
• Formation of smog that reduces visibility
• Formation of acid rain
• Depletion of the ozone layer
• Global warming
• Hazards to wildlife
• Planting of trees (afforestation) purifies the air
• Use of renewable energy such as sunlight and wind energy and reducing dependence on nonrenewable sources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas
• Increasing efficiency in energy usage
• Use of eco-friendly vehicles
• Cleaning of industry emissions before their release into the atmosphere
• Reducing dependence on vehicles

2. Water Pollution

Water pollution occurs when toxic pollutants and particulate matter are introduced into water bodies such as oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, and aquifers, making them impure and toxic. These contaminants are primarily generated by human activities and sometimes by natural disasters.

Among all other types of pollution, water pollution is found to have the maximum adverse consequences on the ecosystem.

• Industrial and domestic sewage discharge
• Oil spills and natural gas leakage into water bodies from underground sites called petroleum seeps
• Social practices such as washing, bathing, and littering in water bodies and religious practices
• Agricultural runoff containing pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, slurry, debris, and manures
• Mining and drilling sometimes make underground water contaminated
• Floods and storm carrying dust and debris to the water bodies
• Algal bloom (eutrophication) caused due to an increase in nutrients of the water bodies
• Reducing dissolved oxygen in the water bodies thus disrupting aquatic life
• Disturbing the pH and salinity of the water bodies leading to loss of aquatic life
• Increasing the risk of water-borne diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid in humans
• Increasing the level of toxins and pollutants at each successive level of the food chain (biomagnification)
• Proper disposing of domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastes before releasing them into water bodies
• Using sewage treatment methods such as precipitation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis , and coagulation
• Reducing reusing, and recycling of water
• Using plants such as water hyacinth that absorbs heavy metals in areas contaminated with radioactive pollutants

3. Soil Pollution

Sometimes called land pollution, it refers to the degradation of land quality due to unwanted chemicals and other factors in the soil. Such chemicals change the soil’s chemical and biological properties, thus affecting plant growth. Green plants, being the primary producer, absorb those pollutants, which are then passed through the food chain, affecting the whole ecosystem.

Soil pollution can seep into groundwater or run off to the nearest streams and lakes, creating a vicious pollution cycle.

• Intensive farming leading to the overuse of agrochemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, slurry, debris, and manures
• Improper disposal of wastes from paper mills, sugar factories, petroleum, and chemical industries
• Dust particles such as silica dust
• Urban wastes consisting of garbage and rubbish materials, dried sludge, and sewage from households and commercial bodies
• Accidental oil spills from oil refineries
• Radioactive pollutants such as radium, thorium, and uranium from power plants
• Acid rain, increasing the acidity of the soil
• Deforestation that increases soil erosion causing low soil fertility
• Loss of soil fertility making it unfit for agriculture
• Adverse effect on the growth of flora and fauna in the soil
• Groundwater pollution
• Increasing the salinity of the soil, making it unfit for agriculture
• Causing respiratory problems, neuromuscular blockage, and various forms of cancer, especially lung cancer
• Causing nausea, headache, eye irritation, skin rash, and depression
• Use of organic matures instead of artificial fertilizers in agriculture
• Planting of trees (Afforestation)
• Treating solid wastes such as garbage, domestic refuse, and industrial materials before dumping them in landfills
• Recovering and recycling of materials such as plastics, cloth, and glass before dumping

4. Other Types of Pollution

1. Light Pollution

Light pollution refers to the excessive amount of light in the night sky. It occurs due to excessive, misdirected, and inefficient lighting systems by humans. It is also called photo pollution that disrupts the ecosystem by reducing the distinction between night and day.

Although light pollution seems to have a lesser impact than any other form, it is expected to have consequences similar to air or water pollution.

• Increased energy consumption through over-illumination from artificial light sources such as street lighting, domestic lighting, and garage
• Poor planning by engineers while placing street lights and signage
• Overpopulation increases electricity consumption, which increases glare
• Smog and fog due to air pollution reflect light emitted by cities, making the surrounding look much brighter
• Produce behavioral changes in animals. Nocturnal animals, who are active at night, venture out during the daytime. In contrast, diurnal animals, which are active during the day, remain active at night
• Affecting migration pattern in seasonal birds
• Difficulty for astronomers to see the stars properly
• Affecting newly hatched turtles that rely on starlight to guide them from the beach to the ocean. They often head in the wrong direction.
• Causing flowering and developmental patterns in plants
• Inducing smog by destroying nitrate radicals, helping in the dispersion of smog, and causing air pollution
• Inducing a delay in melatonin secretion in humans, which delays sleep at night
• Reducing the use of decorative lightings that produce more light and consumes more energy
• Use of covered bulbs or light that face downwards
• Switching to an LED light that reduces luminance without compromising visibility
• Proper planning during installation of street lights and signage
• Switching off street lights during daytime
• Using glare-free lighting in the outdoors
• Stopping light-trespass

2. Noise Pollution

It refers to the excessive amount of sound in the surroundings disrupting the natural balance. The acceptable amount of sound is about 60 to 65 decibels, which is the same as our everyday conversation.

Sound levels above 85 decibels are harmful depending on the duration of exposure. Noise above 140 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss. Also, the duration of exposure to the sound is found to have negative health impacts.

• Noise from heavy machines in factories, mills, and industries
• Traffic noise from vehicles (trains and buses) and airplanes
• Construction noises from boring and drilling machines
• Noise from firecrackers and loudspeakers in social events
• Household noises from television, mixer grinders, and music systems
• Loss of hearing and behavioral disorders
• Loss of focus on work leading to low work output
• Stress and Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Lack of sleep and fatigue
• Difficulty in speech and impairment
• Hearing disorders like tinnitus
• Songbirds, such as robins, fail to communicate and find food
• Disrupting sonar, used by marine animals to communicate and locate food
• Honking in public places like hospitals, academic institutions such as schools and colleges should be banned
• Installing adequate soundproof systems in commercial buildings and hospitals
• Afforestation as trees can absorb sound
• Restricting the use of firecrackers during festivities and doing open public rallies

Apart from the types of pollution discussed, there are other forms of pollution called  thermal or heat pollution  and  radioactive pollution .

Thermal pollution is caused due to excessive heat in the environment released from industrial power plants, deforestation, urban sprawl, and air pollution. It increases the Earth’s atmosphere causing drastic climate change and extinction of wildlife. In contrast, radioactive pollution   results from   accidental leakage from nuclear power plants and improper disposal of nuclear wastes. It can cause massive, long-lasting impacts such as cancer, infertility, blindness, and congenital disabilities.

Ans . Air pollution.

Ans . The seven types of pollution are air, water, soil, light, noise, thermal, and radioactive pollution.

Ans . Smog is a type of air pollution. It is a combination of fog and particulate matter that remain suspended in the air.

Ans . Carbon monoxide is a gaseous air pollutant.

Ans . Groundwater pollution can occur due to chemical spills from industries, household runoff during transportation, illegal dumping of wastes, mining operations, and atmospheric depositions.

• Pollution – Nationalgeographic.org
• Pollution: Types, Sources and Characteristics – Open.edu
• Pollution Facts & Types of Pollution – Livescience.com
• Pollution: Sources & Types – Geo.libretexts.org
• How Many Types Of Pollution Are There? – Worldatlas.com

Article was last reviewed on Friday, February 17, 2023

Related articles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Popular Articles

Join our Newsletter

Fill your E-mail Address

Related Worksheets

• Privacy Policy

© 2024 ( Science Facts ). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Environmental pollution is the unwarranted discharge of mass or energy into the planet’s natural resource pools, such as land, air, or water, which detriments the environment’s ecological stability and the health of the living things that inhabit it. There is an intensified health risk and pollution in middle and low-income countries due to the increased use of pesticides, industrialization, the introduction of nitrogen-based fertilizers, forest fires, urbanization, and inadequate waste management (Appannagari, 2017). Air pollution, lead and chemicals exposure, hazardous waste exposure, and inappropriate e-waste disposal all result in unfavorable living conditions, fatal illnesses, and ecosystem destruction. The essay will provide an overview of pollution and proffer solutions to combating pollution for a sustainable environment and health.

In addition to hindering economic development and considerably accelerating climate change, pollution exacerbates poverty and inequality in urban and rural areas. The most pain is always experienced by the poor, who cannot afford to protect themselves against pollution’s harmful effects. The main environmental factor contributing to sickness and early mortality is pollution due to premature deaths resulting from pollution (Appannagari, 2017). Due to the unacceptably high cost to human capital and health, as well as the resulting GDP losses, pollution must be addressed. Through initiatives like reducing black carbon and methane emissions, which are responsible for air pollution and climate change, pollution management can also significantly contribute to climate change mitigation (Appannagari, 2017). Additionally, pollution control can promote competitiveness through, for instance, job growth, increased energy efficiency, better transportation, and sustainable urban and rural development. Below are the various approaches for solutions to health and pollution problems.

First, governments should evaluate pollution as a national and international priority and integrate it into the city and country planning process. Pollution affects the health and well-being of societies and, as such, cannot be solely viewed as an environmental issue (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). All levels of government should give pollution prevention a high priority, incorporate it into development planning, and tie it to commitments regarding climate change, SDGs, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Some options are both affordable and offer good returns on investment.

Secondly, governments should increase funding for pollution control and prioritize it by health impacts. There should be a significant increase in the financing for pollution management in low- and middle-income nations, both from national budgets and international development organizations (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). The most effective international support for pollution reduction is when it mobilizes additional actions and funding from others. Examples include helping towns and nations that are quickly industrializing concerning technical capacity building, regulatory and enforcement support, and support for direct actions to save lives. Monitoring financing initiatives are necessary to determine their cost-effectiveness and to raise accountability.

Thirdly, organizations should work to build multicultural partnerships for pollution control. Public-private partnerships and interagency cooperation can be powerful tools in creating clean technology and energy sources that will ultimately prevent pollution at its source (The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, 2017). Collaborations between ministries that include the ministries of finance, energy, development, agriculture, and transport, as well as the ministries of health and the environment, are crucial in pollution control. Governments should promote monitoring systems that could identify and apportion pollution sources, measure pollution levels, guide enforcement, and assess progress toward goals. The use of new technology in pollution monitoring, such as data mining and satellite images, can boost effectiveness, broaden the monitoring area, and cut costs.

One of the main issues facing the world in the current period is pollution. Natural resources are depleting daily due to car emissions, new technologies, factories, and chemicals added to food. All of these factors seriously harm the world. However, the problems caused by pollution can be prevented by building multicultural partnerships, increasing funding for pollution control, integrating it into the country’s planning process, and adopting new technology for monitoring pollution. Preventing pollution lowers the cost to the environment and the economy.

Appannagari, R. R. (2017). Environmental pollution causes and consequences: A study . North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science and Humanities , 3 (8), 151-161. Web.

Excell High School. (2018). Environmental Science . Excel Education Systems, Inc. Web.

The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health. (2017). Pollution and health: Six problems and six solutions. Knowledge, Evidence, and Learning for Development.

• Environment in the Novel “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn
• The Article "Where the Water Goes" by David Owen
• Climate Change: Reducing Industrial Air Pollution
• Air Pollution Effects on the Health and Environment
• Pollution & Climate Change as Environmental Risks
• The Santa Ana Sucker as an Endangered Organism
• Climate Crisis and Wildlife in Danger
• Red and Blue Ocean: Oklahoma City Case
• Water's Role in Society and Its Applications
• The Decline in Shark Population in Trinidad and Tobago
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, December 18). Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/

"Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." IvyPanda , 18 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences'. 18 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

1. IvyPanda . "Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Environmental Pollution: Causes and Consequences." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-pollution-causes-and-consequences/.

• CBSE Class 10th
• CBSE Class 12th
• UP Board 10th
• UP Board 12th
• Bihar Board 10th
• Bihar Board 12th

Top Schools

• Top Schools in India
• Top Schools in Delhi
• Top Schools in Mumbai
• Top Schools in Chennai
• Top Schools in Hyderabad
• Top Schools in Kolkata
• Top Schools in Pune
• Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

• JEE Main Knockout April
• Free Sample Papers
• Free Ebooks
• NCERT Notes
• NCERT Syllabus
• NCERT Books
• RD Sharma Solutions
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions for Class 11
• NCERT solutions for Class 10
• NCERT solutions for Class 9
• NCERT solutions for Class 8
• NCERT Solutions for Class 7
• JEE Main Exam
• JEE Advanced Exam
• BITSAT Exam
• View All Engineering Exams
• Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
• Top Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
• Top IITs in India
• Top NITs in India
• Top IIITs in India
• JEE Main College Predictor
• JEE Main Rank Predictor
• MHT CET College Predictor
• AP EAMCET College Predictor
• GATE College Predictor
• KCET College Predictor
• JEE Advanced College Predictor
• View All College Predictors
• JEE Advanced Cutoff
• JEE Main Cutoff
• GATE Registration 2025
• JEE Main Syllabus 2025
• Download E-Books and Sample Papers
• Compare Colleges
• B.Tech College Applications
• JEE Main Question Papers
• View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

• MBA College Admissions
• MBA Colleges in India
• Top IIMs Colleges in India
• Top Online MBA Colleges in India
• MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
• BBA Colleges in India
• XAT College Predictor 2025
• SNAP College Predictor
• NMAT College Predictor
• MAT College Predictor 2024
• CMAT College Predictor 2024
• CAT Percentile Predictor 2024
• CAT 2024 College Predictor
• Top MBA Entrance Exams 2024
• AP ICET Counselling 2024
• GD Topics for MBA
• CAT Exam Date 2024
• Download Helpful Ebooks
• List of Popular Branches
• QnA - Get answers to your doubts
• IIM Fees Structure
• AIIMS Nursing
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
• Medical Colleges accepting NEET
• List of Medical Colleges in India
• List of AIIMS Colleges In India
• Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
• NEET College Predictor
• NEET PG College Predictor
• NEET MDS College Predictor
• NEET Rank Predictor
• DNB PDCET College Predictor
• NEET Result 2024
• NEET Asnwer Key 2024
• NEET Cut off
• NEET Online Preparation
• Download Helpful E-books
• Colleges Accepting Admissions
• Top Law Colleges in India
• Law College Accepting CLAT Score
• List of Law Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Delhi
• Top NLUs Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
• Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

• CLAT College Predictor
• MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
• AILET College Predictor
• Sample Papers
• Compare Law Collages
• Careers360 Youtube Channel
• CLAT Syllabus 2025
• CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
• NID DAT Exam
• Pearl Academy Exam

Predictors & Articles

• NIFT College Predictor
• UCEED College Predictor
• NID DAT College Predictor
• NID DAT Syllabus 2025
• NID DAT 2025
• Design Colleges in India
• Top NIFT Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in India
• Top Interior Design Colleges in India
• Top Graphic Designing Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
• Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Interior Design Colleges in Bangalore
• NIFT Result 2024
• NIFT Fees Structure
• NIFT Syllabus 2025
• Free Design E-books
• List of Branches
• Careers360 Youtube channel
• IPU CET BJMC 2024
• JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam 2024
• IIMC Entrance Exam 2024
• Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
• Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
• Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
• List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
• CA Intermediate
• CA Foundation
• CS Executive
• CS Professional
• Difference between CA and CS
• Difference between CA and CMA
• CA Full form
• CMA Full form
• CS Full form
• CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Charted Accountant
• Credit Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Top Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
• Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
• Top B.Com Colleges in India
• IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
• MCA Colleges in India
• BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

• Information Technology Courses
• Programming Courses
• Web Development Courses
• Data Analytics Courses
• Big Data Analytics Courses
• RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
• Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
• Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
• Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
• Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
• List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
• GPAT Result
• GPAT 2024 Admit Card
• GPAT Question Papers
• NCHMCT JEE 2024
• Mah BHMCT CET
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
• B.Sc Hotel Management
• Hotel Management
• Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

• Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
• UPSC IAS 2024
• SSC CGL 2024
• IBPS RRB 2024
• Previous Year Sample Papers
• Free Competition E-books
• Sarkari Result
• QnA- Get your doubts answered
• UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
• CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
• SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
• NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

• NDA Application Form 2024
• UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
• CDS Application Form 2024
• CTET Admit card 2024
• HP TET Result 2023
• SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
• UPTET Notification 2024
• SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

• SSC CHSL 2024
• UP PCS 2024
• UGC NET 2024
• RRB NTPC 2024
• IBPS PO 2024
• IBPS Clerk 2024
• IBPS SO 2024
• Top University in USA
• Top University in Canada
• Top University in Ireland
• Top Universities in UK
• Top Universities in Australia
• Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
• Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in China
• Study in Europe

Student Visas

• Student Visa Canada
• Student Visa UK
• Student Visa USA
• Student Visa Australia
• Student Visa Germany
• Student Visa New Zealand
• Student Visa Ireland
• CUET PG 2025
• DU Admission 2024
• UP B.Ed JEE 2024
• LPU NEST 2024
• IIT JAM 2025
• AP OAMDC 2024
• Universities in India
• Top Universities in India 2024
• Top Colleges in India
• Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Bihar
• Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
• Central Universities in India
• CUET DU Cut off 2024
• IGNOU Date Sheet 2024
• CUET DU CSAS Portal 2024
• CUET 2025 Syllabus
• CUET Result 2024
• CUET Participating Universities 2024
• CUET Previous Year Question Paper
• IGNOU Result 2024
• E-Books and Sample Papers
• CUET College Predictor 2024
• CUET Exam Date 2024
• CUET Cut Off 2024
• NIRF Ranking 2024
• IGNOU Exam Form 2024
• CUET PG Counselling 2024
• CUET Counselling 2024

Engineering Preparation

• Knockout JEE Main 2024
• Test Series JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

• Knockout NEET 2024
• Test Series NEET 2024
• Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

• JEE Main One Month Course
• NEET One Month Course
• IBSAT Free Mock Tests
• IIT JEE Foundation Course
• Knockout BITSAT 2024
• Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

• IT & Software Certification Courses
• Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
• Programming And Development Certification Courses
• Business and Management Certification Courses
• Marketing Certification Courses
• Health and Fitness Certification Courses
• Design Certification Courses

Specializations

• Digital Marketing Certification Courses
• Cyber Security Certification Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
• Business Analytics Certification Courses
• Data Science Certification Courses
• Cloud Computing Certification Courses
• Machine Learning Certification Courses
• View All Certification Courses
• UG Degree Courses
• PG Degree Courses
• Short Term Courses
• Free Courses
• Online Degrees and Diplomas
• Compare Courses

Top Providers

• Coursera Courses
• Udemy Courses
• Edx Courses
• Swayam Courses
• upGrad Courses
• Simplilearn Courses
• Great Learning Courses

Causes of Pollution Essay

Pollution is the result of dangerous compounds, or pollutants, interacting with the elements of the natural environment. There are many different types of pollution—soil, air, water, and land pollution. Whatever type of pollution it is, it has a negative impact on our environment, people, animals and ecosystem as a whole. Here are some essays on ‘Causes of Pollution’ that students can refer to for their school assignments and projects.

100 Words Essay Causes of Pollution

200 words essay causes of pollution, 500 words essay causes of pollution.

Pollution is the release of undesired elements into the environment, which can harm our planet. Water pollution, air pollution, soil contamination, and noise pollution are the four basic forms of pollution. Our reckless actions have resulted in pollution of many types. We directly dump waste into bodies of water, which causes water contamination. Vehicles and Industrial waste that emit smoke into the air generate air pollution, which makes it difficult for all living things to breathe. Directly depositing the waste into landfills leads to soil pollution. Although it cannot be seen, noise pollution is a severe type of pollution that can harm our ears.

Environmental pollution is caused by a variety of human activities. Global population growth and widespread development have led to a rise in human activity, including deforestation, industrialization, and urbanisation, among other things. Each of these activities has a different impact on the environment. For example, industrialization pollutes air and water bodies because manufacturing sectors produce a large amount of harmful pollutants in both gaseous and liquid forms. Lack of effective management causes these contaminants to be released into the environment, causing pollution of the air and water sources. Similarly, vehicles used for transportation run on fossil fuels, which when burned release dangerous chemicals like Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide etc.

These gases then interact with the atmosphere, generating air pollution that is the cause for several respiratory diseases and also result in genetic problems in both plants and animals. Even while human actions like deforestation didn't directly cause pollution, they nonetheless make the planet less able to combat it. Natural air filters and buffer zones are provided by forests. In addition to absorbing noise pollution, they also convert carbon dioxide into vital oxygen. When more forests are destroyed, the concentration of these harmful chemicals in the atmosphere rises, which has a negative impact on both human and animal health.

The natural order of our ecosystems has been disturbed by pollution, which has had serious negative impacts on the inhabitants of Earth. Unchecked and unlawful activities that abuse natural resources and disregard regulations established by pollution control boards around the nation are the main cause of pollution. A pollutant can be in any form. It might be a liquid, a solid, or even a gas. No matter what condition the pollutant is in, if it is not controlled, it could have catastrophic repercussions on our natural ecosystem.

Factors Leading To Pollution

We've covered a few of the key causes of environmental contamination below. All of the elements are related to human activities and the human desire to extend, explore, and grow.

Plastic Usage | One of the primary contributors to environmental degradation is the excessive use of plastic in consumable products like bags and other consumable materials. Plastic is not biodegradable and will remain in the environment in its current form for generations. Thin plastic bags shatter into tiny fragments that end up in the land and water bodies, polluting them.

Industrialisation | Our pursuit of economic development has given rise to several industries around the world. As a result, many manufacturing businesses release harmful gases into the atmosphere. Industrial emissions may also include solids, chemicals, and harmful gases. These compounds are freely released into the environment by industries due to a lack of appropriate policies, which in turn results in environmental damage.

Fossil Fuels | The primary fuel for transportation vehicles is fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are byproducts of burning fossil fuels. The quantity of these harmful chemicals in the atmosphere increases as the number of automobiles on the road increases. Additionally, businesses that produce fossil fuels release toxic gaseous compounds that are particularly bad for the environment.

Heavy Machinery And Development | Every minute, new buildings are being built; within a few hours, people and equipment can be transported between locations using large jet liners and transportation vehicles. The biggest sources of noise pollution are these large equipment used in construction and aircrafts. Despite not being as serious as air and water pollution, noise pollution nevertheless has a negative influence on both the environment and human health.

Agricultural Activities | Agricultural practices, such as the use of chemical fertilisers, damage the soil, causing soil pollution. Modern fertilisers contain chemicals that, while temporarily increasing crop productivity, are bad for the environment in the long run. These substances mix with the soil and are later carried away by runoff into our surface and groundwater supplies.

How To Combat Pollution

After becoming aware of the damaging effects of pollution, everyone has a duty to take steps to prevent it. We should be aware of every precaution that can be taken to reduce pollution. For instance, we should avoid using fireworks during celebrations, use public transit or carpool, use loudspeakers sparingly, and stop from honking in public to lessen noise pollution. We must keep this situation in mind at all times so that we can react appropriately. It is our responsibility to practise caution and spread awareness among people around us at first. We should take actions that are good for the environment, including planting more trees, using less plastic, using more eco-friendly household items, etc.When addressing global pollution, always keep in mind that every small action now will have a greater impact tomorrow.

Applications for Admissions are open.

Tallentex 2025 - ALLEN's Talent Encouragement Exam

Register for Tallentex '25 - One of The Biggest Talent Encouragement Exam

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

TOEFL ® Registrations 2024

Accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide

PTE Registrations 2024

Register now for PTE & Unlock 10% OFF : Use promo code: 'C360SPL10'. Limited Period Offer!

JEE Main high scoring chapters and topics

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Study 40% syllabus and score upto 100% marks in JEE

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Certifications

We Appeared in

Essay on Pollution In English For Students

Essay on Pollution for Students: Explore Essay on pollution in varying lengths, including 100, 150, 200, 600, and 800 words.

November 19, 2023

Table of Contents

Essay on Pollution: Pollution is a big problem that happens when harmful things get into the air, water, and land around us. It can be from factories, cars, or even how we throw away our trash. Pollution is not good because it can make people and animals sick and can even change the weather. It’s not just a problem in one place – it’s everywhere, and it affects the whole world. In this essay, we’re going to talk about the different kinds of pollution, where it comes from, and why we all need to work together to make things better for our planet.

CBSE Class 10 Toppers List 2024 

Short Essay on Pollution

Below, we present concise and comprehensive essays on pollution in English to enhance your understanding. Upon reviewing these essays, you will gain insights into the definition of pollution, its primary causes, methods for prevention, and more. These resources can prove valuable for your academic assignments, such as essay writing, speech delivery, or paragraph composition in school or college.

CBSE Admit Card 2024 Out

Essay on Pollution in 100 Words

Pollution happens when harmful stuff gets into nature and makes things bad. There are different kinds of pollution like dirty air, dirty water, dirty soil, too much noise, and too much light. The sources of pollution are diverse, ranging from industrial activities to household waste. Pollution has severe consequences on ecosystems, human health, and the overall well-being of our planet. Addressing pollution is a collective responsibility that requires global awareness and sustainable practices. Governments play a crucial role in enforcing regulations, promoting renewable energy sources, and raising awareness about the importance of environmental conservation.

CBSE Result 2024

Essay on Pollution in 150 Words

Pollution is a pressing environmental issue affecting our planet. It occurs when harmful substances contaminate the air, water, or soil. The primary sources of pollution include industrial activities, vehicle emissions, improper waste disposal, and deforestation. Air pollution, caused by the release of pollutants into the atmosphere, leads to respiratory problems and climate change. Water pollution, resulting from the discharge of chemicals and waste into water bodies, poses a threat to aquatic life and human health.

Soil pollution occurs when pollutants, such as pesticides and industrial waste, degrade the quality of soil, impacting plant growth and food safety. Noise pollution, caused by excessive noise from various sources, can lead to stress and hearing loss. Light pollution disrupts natural ecosystems and affects wildlife behavior. To address pollution, individuals must adopt sustainable practices, industries must implement cleaner technologies, and governments must enforce stringent environmental regulations.

CBSE Class 12th Toppers List 2024 OUT

Essay on Pollution in 200 Words

Pollution is a global challenge that poses a threat to the health of our planet and its inhabitants. It manifests in various forms, including air, water, soil, noise, and light pollution. The consequences of pollution are far-reaching, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being. Industrial activities, urbanization, and improper waste management contribute significantly to pollution.

Air pollution, caused by the release of pollutants into the atmosphere, leads to respiratory diseases, climate change, and environmental degradation. Water pollution results from the discharge of chemicals, sewage, and industrial waste into rivers, lakes, and oceans, harming aquatic life and contaminating drinking water sources. Soil pollution occurs when pollutants like pesticides and heavy metals degrade the quality of soil, affecting plant growth and food safety.

Noise pollution, generated by traffic, industrial machinery, and other human activities, can have adverse effects on human health, causing stress, sleep disturbances, and hearing loss. Light pollution, caused by excessive artificial light in urban areas, disrupts natural ecosystems and interferes with the behavior of nocturnal animals.

Addressing pollution requires collective efforts at individual, community, and governmental levels. Individuals can contribute by adopting eco-friendly practices, reducing waste, and using sustainable modes of transportation. Industries must invest in cleaner technologies and adhere to strict environmental standards. 

Long Essay on Pollution 

Pollution is a complex and multifaceted environmental issue that poses a significant threat to the sustainability of our planet. It is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, resulting in adverse changes that affect ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Pollution can take various forms, including air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise pollution, and light pollution, each with its unique set of challenges and consequences.

Sources of Pollution

The sources of pollution are diverse and often interconnected. Industrial activities, urbanization, transportation, agriculture, and improper waste management contribute significantly to the release of pollutants into the environment. Industrial processes emit a variety of pollutants, including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and toxic chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on air quality and contribute to climate change.

Vehicle emissions, stemming from the burning of fossil fuels, release pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and respiratory diseases. Improper disposal of waste, both solid and liquid, contaminates water bodies and soil, posing threats to aquatic life, plant health, and food safety.

Agricultural practices, including the use of pesticides and fertilizers, contribute to soil and water pollution, affecting both the environment and human health. Deforestation and urbanization disrupt natural ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and the displacement of wildlife. Noise pollution, resulting from human activities such as traffic, construction, and industrial processes, can have adverse effects on human health, causing stress, sleep disturbances, and hearing loss.

Consequences of Pollution

The consequences of pollution are severe and far-reaching. Air pollution is a major contributor to respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure to air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Water pollution poses threats to aquatic life and human health. Contaminated water sources can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, affecting millions of people globally. Soil pollution affects plant growth and food safety, as pollutants like pesticides and heavy metals accumulate in the soil and enter the food chain.

Noise pollution can have physiological and psychological effects, causing stress, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Light pollution disrupts natural ecosystems and interferes with the behavior of nocturnal animals, affecting their reproductive patterns and migration.

Global Impact

Pollution is not confined to local or regional boundaries; it has a global impact. Greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, contribute to global warming and climate change. The rise in global temperatures leads to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events, posing threats to unsafe ecosystems and communities.

The pollution of oceans with plastic waste has become a global crisis, with millions of tons of plastic entering the oceans annually. This not only harms marine life but also affects human health, as microplastics enter the food chain through seafood consumption.

Loss of biodiversity is another consequence of pollution, as ecosystems are disrupted and species face habitat destruction and pollution-induced stress. The decline of pollinators, such as bees, due to exposure to pesticides, has implications for agriculture and food security.

Addressing Pollution

Addressing pollution requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach at individual, community, and governmental levels. Individuals can contribute by adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives, such as reducing energy consumption, using eco-friendly products, and practicing responsible waste disposal.

Communities can organize clean-up initiatives, promote recycling programs, and raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. Educational institutions play a crucial role in fostering environmental awareness and sustainability practices among students.

Governments must enact and enforce stringent environmental regulations to curb pollution. Incentives for industries to adopt cleaner technologies, invest in renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable waste management practices are essential. International cooperation is crucial to address global environmental challenges, with countries working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat plastic pollution, and protect biodiversity.

Essay on Pollution in 800 Words

Pollution, the presence of unwanted substances known as pollutants in the environment, poses an immediate and severe threat to the delicate balance of our ecosystems. The recognition of the urgent need to address pollution is essential if we are to preserve the Earth and its biodiversity. This essay explores the various facets of pollution, its types, and the impact it has on major Indian cities such as Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, and Varanasi.

What is Pollution?

Pollution occurs when external compounds, primarily generated by human activities, enter the environment as unwanted entities known as pollutants. These pollutants cause significant harm to the environment, affecting water bodies, air, flora, and fauna. The consequences of pollution extend globally, contributing to phenomena like the greenhouse gas effect, global warming, and acid rain.

Effects of Pollution on Major Indian Cities

Imagine bustling cities in India, like Delhi or Varanasi, filled with life and energy. However, there’s a problem casting a shadow over this vibrancy – pollution. In this exploration, we’re going to look at how pollution affects the air, water, and soil in cities such as Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, and Varanasi. The goal is to understand the challenges these cities face and why it’s so important for everyone to work together to tackle pollution and ensure a healthier future.

Pollution Level in Delhi

Delhi, the National Capital Territory, faces a dire situation in terms of air quality index (AQI). According to the World Health Organization, Delhi ranks lowest among 1650 major cities worldwide. The air quality, especially during the winter months from October to December, rapidly deteriorates, reaching hazardous levels.

The AQI for Delhi remains moderate (101-200) from January to September but spikes during winter, often surpassing 500. Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels soar well beyond safe limits, primarily due to factors such as vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and the traditional practice of burning paddy crop roots in neighboring states.

Pollution Level in Noida

Noida, bordering Delhi in western Uttar Pradesh, faces similar challenges with poor air quality. Intensive construction activities, heavy vehicular pollution, and cold winter air contribute to the formation of a thick smog, impacting the Air Quality Index. The PM levels in Noida compete with Delhi, often reaching hazardous levels during the winter months.

Pollution Level in Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad frequently tops the list of North Indian cities with the worst AQI and pollution levels. Industrial pollution and waste burning are major contributors to Ghaziabad’s poor air quality. Located on the outskirts of the city, industries emit dense smoke, exacerbating pollution. The PM10 levels in Ghaziabad often surpass permissible limits, reaching alarming levels, especially during festivals like Diwali.

Pollution Level in Lucknow

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, experiences fluctuating AQI levels, ranging from moderate to poor. While not as severe as Delhi NCR, the air quality in Lucknow is still alarming, demanding concrete action. The quantity of suspended Particulate Matter has increased significantly in residential areas, posing health risks. The city’s air contains fine PM2.5 particles, reaching hazardous concentrations.

Pollution Level in Varanasi

Varanasi, the ancient pilgrimage city and the parliamentary constituency of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, faces environmental challenges due to ongoing construction activities. Varanasi’s AQI is ranked third on the World Health Organization’s list of the fifteen most polluted cities globally. The ongoing construction work contributes to a decline in air quality, with AQI reaching up to 300, falling in the “Poor” category. Particulate Matter, especially PM2.5, poses health risks to the city’s residents.

The impacts of pollution are profound, impacting ecosystems, biodiversity, and the well-being of humans. Prolonged exposure to air pollutants is associated with cardiovascular diseases, while contaminated water sources contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases. Soil pollution poses risks to food safety, and noise pollution leads to stress and hearing loss. Additionally, light pollution disrupts wildlife behavior.

Importantly, pollution transcends local boundaries; its consequences are felt globally. Greenhouse gas emissions contribute significantly to global warming, causing adverse effects on climate patterns. The accumulation of plastic waste in oceans not only harms marine life but also infiltrates the food chain, posing threats to human health. Furthermore, pollution-induced stress and habitat destruction contribute to the loss of biodiversity, impacting ecosystems on a global scale.

Stringent environmental regulations need to be implemented and enforced by governments to combat pollution effectively. Offering incentives to industries for adopting cleaner technologies, investing in renewable energy sources, and practicing sustainable waste management is vital. International cooperation is essential to tackle global environmental challenges, with countries collaborating to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, combat plastic pollution, and safeguard biodiversity.

Pollution remains a pressing issue affecting major Indian cities, with severe implications for the environment and public health. The need for immediate and concerted efforts to address pollution is evident, as evidenced by the deteriorating air quality in cities like Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, and Varanasi. It is imperative that governments, industries, and individuals collaborate to adopt sustainable practices, enforce regulations, and invest in technologies that mitigate the environmental impact. Only through collective action can we hope to mitigate the menace of pollution and ensure a healthier and sustainable future for our planet.

Pollution is a critical environmental issue that demands urgent attention and concerted efforts at local, national, and global levels. The consequences of pollution are profound, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. It is imperative that individuals, communities, industries, and governments work together to adopt sustainable practices, enforce regulations, and invest in technologies that minimize the environmental impact.

The battle against pollution requires a shift in mindset, where environmental sustainability becomes a priority in decision-making processes. By addressing pollution, we not only protect the health of our planet but also ensure a better quality of life for current and future generations. It is a collective responsibility to preserve the beauty and diversity of our natural environment and create a sustainable and harmonious coexistence between human activities and the ecosystems that support life on Earth.

Essay on Pollution FAQs

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, leading to adverse changes. It can take various forms, including air, water, soil, noise, and light pollution.

Primary sources of pollution include industrial activities, vehicle emissions, improper waste disposal, deforestation, and agricultural practices that involve the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Pollution has severe consequences on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. It can lead to respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, soil degradation, habitat loss, and disruptions in wildlife behavior.

Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure to air pollutants is linked to cardiovascular diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Water pollution occurs when chemicals and waste are discharged into water bodies. It poses a threat to aquatic life by contaminating their habitats and disrupting ecosystems. It can also affect human health through the consumption of contaminated water.

Environment Essay In English For School Students

Morning Walk Essay in English For School Students

.st1{display:none} Related Articles

• NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 1 Chemical Reactions and Equations
• RS Aggarwal Solutions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 25 Exercise 25.1 Graphs
• RS Aggarwal Solutions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 25 Graphs
• NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 13 Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
• RS Aggarwal Solutions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 23 Exercise 23.1 Pie Charts
• RS Aggarwal Solutions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 21 Exercise 21.2 Data Handling
• UK Board Compartment Result 2024 OUT Today @ubse.uk.gov.in
• NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 12 Electricity
• RS Aggarwal Solutions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 24 Probability
• RS Aggarwal Solutions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 21 Exercise 21.1 Data Handling

Have doubts?

Our support team will be happy to assist you!

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Pollution Essay in English for Students

Essay on Pollution for Students

Being aware of pollution is quite mandatory for all the students these days. In order to become a responsible citizen of the world for future generations, every child should know how human activities are leaving an impact on the environment and nature. This topic is quite crucial. And, school children should learn how to write an interesting essay on ‘Pollution’ effortlessly. Take a glance below. 

A Few Things to Keep in Mind:

Never ever hurry to write the essay.

Think properly and jot down your thoughts before proceeding.

Divide your write-up into a few segments such as - introduction, main body - you can make a few points as per the topic and a conclusion.

Try writing short paragraphs. Short and crisp sentences are also a great way to avoid silly mistakes.

Adding factual data wherever required is important such as year, date etc.

Note: ➤ Unlock your dream college possibilities with our NEET College Predictor !

Essay on Pollution

Introduction.

Pollution has become a very common yet serious issue in today’s world. It has been there in different forms since a long time even before human evolution such as volcanic eruptions, wildfire which lead to various photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. The current concern is that it is rising day by day due to various resources of pollutants. And, one of the main pollutants are humans and man-made machines. It is right to say that pollution is damaging the mother earth severely and we, humans, should play our part to prevent it from happening.

What is Pollution?

Pollution sepsis is the presence of contaminants in the natural environment that causes harm and damage and therefore leads to adverse changes.

Kinds of Pollution

There are mainly three kinds of pollution - 1) Air Pollution, 2) Water Pollution, and 3) Soil Pollution. 

Air Pollution

Air Pollution occurs due to the presence of harmful gases and substances in the air. It is due to vehicle emission, dust and dirt, poisonous gasses from the factories etc. To reduce air pollution, we should use carpooling or public transport rather than using our private mode of transportation whose harmful gas emission only adds to the problem, we should also actively avoid burning trash or other materials etc.

Water Pollution

Water Pollution happens when toxic substances get mixed in various water bodies such as lakes, oceans, rivers etc. Here toxic substances refer to the Chemical fertilizer, Industrial waste, Sewage and wastewater, Mining activities, Marine dumping etc.

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution depicts the contamination of soil due to the presence of toxic substances due to Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, deforestation, industrial waste etc . To maintain the soil’s fertility, the government must limit the usage of fertilizers and plant more trees.

There are a few other pollutants causing pollution apart from the aforementioned ones, such as Radioactive pollution. This is one of the rarer types of pollution. It occurs due to the presence of radioactive substances such as the presence of nuclear waste in air, solids, liquids or any other place.

Effects of Pollution on Human Health

Pollution is increasingly having a major effect on the health of human lives. People are gettin g affected by different types of deadly diseases due to the various pollution in air, water and soil. Here are the different diseases humans face due to different pollution.

Due to Air Pollution

Air is an essential part of human life. Humans cannot live without breathing air. But, air pollution causes major damage to human lives. Here are some of the major diseases caused due to air pollution.

Lung cancer

Major coronary heart disease

Respiratory problems

Due to Water Pollution

Water is another source of life. Any living being cannot survive without drinking water. But the continuous degradation and pollution of major water bodies are also causing deadly diseases to humans and animals. It is also affecting marine life. Since water is consumed all the time, it’s pollution is causing a lot of deadly diseases. Some of the major diseases caused by water pollution are as follows:

Hepatitis A

Diarrhoea 

Due to Soil Pollution

Soil is an important part of our lives. The land on which we are walking or travelling is made with soil. Due to all the chemicals mixed with the soil and degradation due to the same, it is inevitable that many harmful chemicals come in contact with our body and cause many skin diseases or in forms of food crops that are planted on such polluted soil. Direct contact can cause a lot of problems for us humans. Some of the major diseases caused due to soil pollution are as follows:

Different types of cancer

Damage of the nervous system due to contact with lead present in the soil.

liver and kidney failure

What are the Different Methods to Reduce Pollution?

The degrading quality of all the important elements like air, water and soil is affecting the lives of many children, adults as well as animals. We need to keep our environment safe and use effective methods to reduce pollution. 

Methods to reduce Air Pollution

Some of the effective methods to reduce air pollution are as follows:

Regulation of air through chimneys: The industries should disintegrate the harmful gas from the air prior to its release from the chimneys. They should check and avoid using harmful gases, which are the major causes of air pollution.

Use of public transport or cycle: If you are travelling to distant places, it is recommended to take public transport. Or if you are going to any shops or buying any garment, it is always better to use your cycle. Public transport can take you to different places along with other people; this will help reduce air pollution. If you can cycle, it will reduce air pollution and another added benefit is that it will keep your health in check.

Reduction of fires and smokes: In the dry season, many people burn plastic, papers, dry leaves, which creates a big fire and smoke that creates a harmful layer of fog suspended in the atmosphere. It is better if you stop burning plastic to reduce smoke.

Methods to Reduce Water Pollution

Some of the effective methods to reduce water pollution are as follows:

Avoid disposing of plastic and waste materials: To keep the water free from any pollution, the first thing is to avoid disposing of any sort of plastics or food waste water material in water. The waste materials get dissolved in the water and harm the aquatic life along with those who drink the water. 

Reduce use of chemicals: you should avoid purchasing harmful chemical products that can get mixed with the water and pollute it. The biggest examples are pesticides and insecticides, which causes a major effect on marine life.

Reduce use of detergents: Detergents have many strong chemicals which can cause the leather to water and wash your clothes. If these detergents get mixed with water, they can pollute the soil.

Methods to Reduce Soil Pollution 

Some of the methods to reduce soil pollution are as follows:

Avoid disposing of harmful chemicals: The industries should avoid disposing of harmful chemicals in the soil. It can change the structure and components of the soil making it an unusable surface of land for vegetation. 

Eat food in biodegradable containers: As you dispose of the food containers in dustbins, it is good to use biodegradable food containers despite using plastic containers, which are harmful to the soil.

Plant more trees: The structure of the soil can be improved by planting more trees. Trees help to hold the soil together and improve the soil quality. Hence we should plant more trees.

How to Reduce Pollution Gradually?

Upon learning about the harmful effects of pollution, it is everyone’s responsibility to take some steps towards prevention. We should be aware of all the possible preventive measures to help reduce every kind of pollution such as to curb air pollution, we should avoid bursting crackers during any festival or using public transport or carpool to reduce air pollution or cutting down the usage of loud loudspeaker, and public honking would help in noise pollution. We should always be aware of this situation and take measures accordingly. It’s us who should be cautious in the beginning and make everyone else surrounding us conscious as well. We should take eco-friendly steps like planting more trees, reducing the usage of plastic, using more sustainable products in the household etc. while talking about the pollution of the entire world, you should always remember that every small step will lead to a bigger impact one day.

In a nutshell, every kind of pollution leaves a huge negative impact on our environment, human lives, animals etc. We, as responsible citizens, must take steps towards a better tomorrow. We must join hands to take various initiatives and fight against this problem. A lot of innocent lives are put in danger due to pollution every day. If we don’t do anything from now on or take a stand to make the earth pollution-free, then the doomsday will be upon us very soon.

FAQs on Pollution Essay in English for Students

1. Why should one refer to Vedantu?

All the reading materials at Vedantu are curated by the subject-matter experts who have years of experience in the respective field. The content is well - researched and compiled into easy readable format for the benefit of students. Students can refer to these resources with ease and learn things at their own pace. Most importantly all the content on Vedantu is provided for free and it can be easily downloaded into PDF from both the website and mobile application of Vedantu. 

2. How can I download reading material from Vedantu?

Accessing material from Vedantu is extremely easy and student-friendly. Students have to simply visit the website of  Vedantu and create an account. Once you have created the account you can simply explore the subjects and chapters that you are looking for. Click on the download button available on the website on Vedantu to download the reading material in PDF format. You can also access all the resources by downloading the Vedantu app from playstore. 

Essay On Environmental Pollution

Table of Contents

Short Essay On Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment. It is a major problem in today’s world and has a profound impact on both the natural world and human lives.

The sources of environmental pollution are numerous and varied, including industrial activities, transportation, and household waste. One of the most significant contributors to environmental pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This not only contributes to air pollution, but it also has a significant impact on climate change, causing rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and melting of polar ice caps.

Another major source of environmental pollution is the disposal of hazardous waste. This includes chemicals, batteries, and electronic waste, which contain toxic substances that can contaminate soil and groundwater, leading to serious health problems for both humans and wildlife.

The effects of environmental pollution are far-reaching and often devastating. It can cause serious health problems for humans, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. Additionally, environmental pollution can have a significant impact on wildlife, causing a decline in biodiversity and threatening species with extinction.

To address environmental pollution, it is essential that we take a multi-faceted approach, addressing both the causes and consequences of pollution. This may involve reducing the use of fossil fuels and implementing clean energy technologies, as well as improving waste management and increasing public awareness about the impact of pollution.

In conclusion, environmental pollution is a serious problem that has a profound impact on both the natural world and human lives. To address this problem, it is essential that we take a comprehensive approach, addressing the causes and consequences of pollution and working to reduce its impact on the environment. By taking action now, we can protect the future of our planet and ensure a healthy and sustainable future for generations to come.

Long Essay On Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution is one of the biggest threats to our planet today. It affects both the environment and human health, and it’s becoming more and more pervasive in our daily lives. In this essay, we’ll explore what environmental pollution is, how it affects us, and what the most effective solutions are to reduce its impact on people and the planet.

Introduction

There are many different types of environmental pollution. Some of the most common include air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination. Each type of pollution has different causes and effects. Air pollution is typically caused by emissions from factories and automobiles. These emissions can contain harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. Water pollution is often caused by sewage or agricultural runoff. This pollution can contaminate drinking water supplies and make people sick. Soil contamination can be caused by hazardous waste disposal or mining operations. This contamination can make crops unsafe to eat and cause health problems in people who come into contact with it.

Causes of Environmental Pollution

There are many causes of environmental pollution. The most common cause is the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. These chemicals can come from factories, power plants, cars, and other sources. They can pollute the air, water, and soil. They can also cause health problems for people and animals.

Other causes of environmental pollution include sewage, agricultural runoff, and mining. Sewage can contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can pollute water supplies. Agricultural runoff can contain pesticides and fertilizers that can pollute rivers and lakes. Mining can release harmful metals and minerals into the environment.

Types of Pollutants and Their Impact on the Environment

There are many different types of pollutants that can have an adverse impact on the environment. Some of the most common pollutants include:

• Air pollution – This is one of the most visible forms of pollution and can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory illnesses.

• Water pollution – This can lead to contamination of drinking water supplies and also harm marine life.

• Soil pollution – This can contaminate crops and lead to soil erosion.

• Light pollution – This can disrupt the natural circadian rhythms of animals and cause light-sensitive species to suffer.

All of these pollutants can have a serious impact on the environment, both in terms of the immediate damage they cause and also the long-term effects. It is therefore important to be aware of the different types of pollutants and their potential impacts.

Effects Of Environmental Pollution

There are many effects of environmental pollution. Some of the most common include air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination.

Air pollution is one of the most harmful forms of environmental pollution. It is a major contributor to respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. Air pollution is also a leading cause of climate change.

Water pollution is another major problem caused by environmental pollution. It can contaminate drinking water supplies, damage aquatic ecosystems, and make recreation in waterways unsafe.

Soil contamination can occur when pollutants such as chemicals or oil spills enter the ground. This can make crops difficult to grow and can contaminate food supplies. Soil contamination can also cause health problems if people come into contact with contaminated soil or eat contaminated food.

Prevention and Control Measures

There are a number of things that individuals can do to help prevent and reduce environmental pollution. One of the most important things is to educate yourself and others about the issue and its causes. This can help raise awareness and create a demand for change. Another key prevention measure is to support businesses and industries that are working to reduce their pollution output. This includes voting with your wallet by patronizing companies that have green policies in place, and investing in cleaner energy sources. Finally, you can take action in your own life to reduce your impact on the environment. This includes conserving energy, recycling, driving less, and composting.

In conclusion, environmental pollution has become a major global concern and it is important for us to take proactive steps to reduce the amount of pollutants that are entering our environment. We can start by reducing our consumption of single-use products, switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, and engaging in conscientious recycling habits. By taking these actions we can help protect our planet from further harm caused by environmental pollution.

Manisha Dubey Jha is a skilled educational content writer with 5 years of experience. Specializing in essays and paragraphs, she’s dedicated to crafting engaging and informative content that enriches learning experiences.

Related Posts

Essay on importance of yoga, essay on cow, climate change essay, essay on slaver, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Essay on Air Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on air pollution.

Essay on Air Pollution – Earlier the air we breathe in use to be pure and fresh. But, due to increasing industrialization and concentration of poisonous gases in the environment the air is getting more and more toxic day by day. Also, these gases are the cause of many respiratory and other diseases . Moreover, the rapidly increasing human activities like the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation is the major cause of air pollution.

How Air Gets Polluted?

The fossil fuel , firewood, and other things that we burn produce oxides of carbons which got released into the atmosphere. Earlier there happens to be a large number of trees which can easily filter the air we breathe in. But with the increase in demand for land, the people started cutting down of trees which caused deforestation. That ultimately reduced the filtering capacity of the tree.

Moreover, during the last few decades, the numbers of fossil fuel burning vehicle increased rapidly which increased the number of pollutants in the air .

Causes Of Air Pollution

Its causes include burning of fossil fuel and firewood, smoke released from factories , volcanic eruptions, forest fires, bombardment, asteroids, CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), carbon oxides and many more.

Besides, there are some other air pollutants like industrial waste, agricultural waste, power plants, thermal nuclear plants, etc.

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is also the cause of air pollution because air pollution produces the gases that greenhouse involves. Besides, it increases the temperature of earth surface so much that the polar caps are melting and most of the UV rays are easily penetrating the surface of the earth.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Effects Of Air Pollution On Health

Moreover, it increases the rate of aging of lungs, decreases lungs function, damage cells in the respiratory system.

Ways To Reduce Air Pollution

Although the level of air pollution has reached a critical point. But, there are still ways by which we can reduce the number of air pollutants from the air.

Reforestation- The quality of air can be improved by planting more and more trees as they clean and filter the air.

Policy for industries- Strict policy for industries related to the filter of gases should be introduced in the countries. So, we can minimize the toxins released from factories.

Use of eco-friendly fuel-  We have to adopt the usage of Eco-friendly fuels such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), bio-gas, and other eco-friendly fuels. So, we can reduce the amount of harmful toxic gases.

To sum it up, we can say that the air we breathe is getting more and more polluted day by day. The biggest contribution to the increase in air pollution is of fossil fuels which produce nitric and sulphuric oxides. But, humans have taken this problem seriously and are devotedly working to eradicate the problem that they have created.

Above all, many initiatives like plant trees, use of eco-friendly fuel are promoted worldwide.

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{ “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Mention five effect of air pollution on human health?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “The major risk factor related to human health are asthma, lung cancer, Alzheimer, psychological complications, and autism. Besides, there are other effects of air pollution on a person’s health.”} }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is the effect of air pollution in the environment?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”:”Acid, rain, ozone depletion, greenhouse gases, smog are many other things are the cause of air pollution that affect the environment severely.”} }] }

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

• Random article
• Teaching guide
• Privacy & cookies

by Chris Woodford . Last updated: November 22, 2022.

Photo: Air pollution is obvious when it pours from a smokestack (chimney), but it's not always so easy to spot. This is an old photo of the kind of smoke that used to come from coal-fired power plants and, apart from soot (unburned carbon particles), its pollutants include sulfur dioxide and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Thanks to tougher pollution controls, modern power plants produce only a fraction as much pollution. Modern pollution made by traffic consists of gases like nitrogen dioxide and "particulates" (microscopic soot and dust fragments) that are largely invisible.

What is air pollution?

Air pollution is a gas (or a liquid or solid dispersed through ordinary air) released in a big enough quantity to harm the health of people or other animals, kill plants or stop them growing properly, damage or disrupt some other aspect of the environment (such as making buildings crumble), or cause some other kind of nuisance (reduced visibility, perhaps, or an unpleasant odor).

Natural air pollution

Photo: Forest fires are a completely natural cause of air pollution. We'll never be able to prevent them breaking out or stop the pollution they cause; our best hope is to manage forests, where we can, so fires don't spread. Ironically, that can mean deliberately burning areas of forest, as shown here, to create firebreaks. Forests are also deliberately burned to regenerate ecosystems. Photo by courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service .

Top-ten kinds of air pollution Photo: Flying molecules—if you could see air pollution close up, this is what it would look like. Image courtesy of US Department of Energy. Any gas could qualify as pollution if it reached a high enough concentration to do harm. Theoretically, that means there are dozens of different pollution gases. It's important to note that not all the things we think of as pollution are gases: some are aerosols (liquids or solids dispersed through gases). In practice, about ten different substances cause most concern: Sulfur dioxide : Coal, petroleum, and other fuels are often impure and contain sulfur as well as organic (carbon-based) compounds. When sulfur (spelled "sulphur" in some countries) burns with oxygen from the air, sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) is produced. Coal-fired power plants are the world's biggest source of sulfur-dioxide air pollution, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and health problems that include lung disease. [5] Large amounts of sulfur dioxide are also produced by ships, which use dirtier diesel fuel than cars and trucks. [6] Carbon monoxide : This highly dangerous gas forms when fuels have too little oxygen to burn completely. It spews out in car exhausts and it can also build up to dangerous levels inside your home if you have a poorly maintained gas boiler , stove, or fuel-burning appliance. (Always fit a carbon monoxide detector if you burn fuels indoors.) [7] Carbon dioxide : This gas is central to everyday life and isn't normally considered a pollutant: we all produce it when we breathe out and plants such as crops and trees need to "breathe" it in to grow. However, carbon dioxide is also a greenhouse gas released by engines and power plants. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, it's been building up in Earth's atmosphere and contributing to the problem of global warming and climate change . [8] Nitrogen oxides : Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and nitrogen oxide (NO) are pollutants produced as an indirect result of combustion, when nitrogen and oxygen from the air react together. Nitrogen oxide pollution comes from vehicle engines and power plants, and plays an important role in the formation of acid rain, ozone and smog. Nitrogen oxides are also "indirect greenhouse gases" (they contribute to global warming by producing ozone, which is a greenhouse gas). [9] Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) : These carbon-based (organic) chemicals evaporate easily at ordinary temperatures and pressures, so they readily become gases. That's precisely why they're used as solvents in many different household chemicals such as paints , waxes, and varnishes. Unfortunately, they're also a form of air pollution: they're believed to have long-term (chronic) effects on people's health and they play a role in the formation of ozone and smog. VOCs are also released by tobacco smoke and wildfires. [10] Particulates : There are many different kinds of particulates, from black soot in diesel exhaust to dust and organic matter from the desert. Airborne liquid droplets from farm pollution also count as particulates. Particulates of different sizes are often referred to by the letters PM followed by a number, so PM 10 means soot particles of less than 10 microns (10 millionths of a meter or 10µm in diameter, roughly 10 times thinner than a thick human hair). The smaller ("finer") the particulates, the deeper they travel into our lungs and the more dangerous they are. PM 2.5 particulates are much more dangerous (they're less than 2.5 millionths of a meter or about 40 times thinner than a typical hair). In cities, most particulates come from traffic fumes. [11] Ozone : Also called trioxygen, this is a type of oxygen gas whose molecules are made from three oxygen atoms joined together (so it has the chemical formula O 3 ), instead of just the two atoms in conventional oxygen (O 2 ). In the stratosphere (upper atmosphere), a band of ozone ("the ozone layer") protects us by screening out harmful ultraviolet radiation (high-energy blue light) beaming down from the Sun. At ground level, it's a toxic pollutant that can damage health. It forms when sunlight strikes a cocktail of other pollution and is a key ingredient of smog (see box below). [12] Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) : Once thought to be harmless, these gases were widely used in refrigerators and aerosol cans until it was discovered that they damaged Earth's ozone layer. We discuss this in more detail down below. [13] Unburned hydrocarbons : Petroleum and other fuels are made of organic compounds based on chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms. When they burn properly, they're completely converted into harmless carbon dioxide and water ; when they burn incompletely, they can release carbon monoxide or float into the air in their unburned form, contributing to smog. Lead and heavy metals : Lead and other toxic "heavy metals" can be spread into the air either as toxic compounds or as aerosols (when solids or liquids are dispersed through gases and carried through the air by them) in such things as exhaust fumes and the fly ash (contaminated waste dust) from incinerator smokestacks. [14] What are the causes of air pollution?

Photo: Even in the age of electric cars, traffic remains a major cause of air pollution. Photo by Warren Gretz courtesy of US DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) (NREL photo id#46361).

Photo: Brown smog lingers over Denver, Colorado. Photo by Warren Gretz courtesy of US DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) (NREL photo id#56919).

Chart: Most of the world's major cities routinely exceed World Health Organization (WHO) air pollution guidelines, though progress is being made: you can see that the 2022 figures (green) show a marked improvement on the 2016 ones (orange) in almost every case. This chart compares annual mean PM 2.5 levels in 12 representative cities around the world with the recently revised (2021) WHO guideline value of 5μg per cubic meter (dotted line). PM 2.5 particulates are those smaller than 2.5 microns and believed to be most closely linked with adverse health effects. For more about this chart and the data sources used, see note [22] .

Photo: Smokestacks billowing pollution over Moscow, Russia in 1994. Factory pollution is much less of a problem than it used to be in the world's "richer" countries—partly because a lot of their industry has been exported to nations such as China, India, and Mexico. Photo by Roger Taylor courtesy of US DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) .

What effects does air pollution have?

Photo: Air pollution can cause a variety of lung diseases and other respiratory problems. This chest X ray shows a lung disease called emphysema in the patient's left lung. A variety of things can cause it, including smoking and exposure to air pollution. Photo courtesy of National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and National Institutes of Health.

" In 2016, 91% of the world population was living in places where the WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met." World Health Organization , 2018

Photo: For many years, the stonework on the Parthenon in Athens, Greece has been blackened by particulates from traffic pollution, but other sources of pollution, such as wood-burning stoves, are increasingly significant. Photo by Michael M. Reddy courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey .

How air pollution works on different scales

Indoor air pollution.

Photo: Air freshener—or air polluter?

Further reading

Acid rain—a closer look.

Photo: Acid rain can turn lakes so acidic that fish no longer survive. Picture courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Public Affairs. Why does that matter? Pure water is neither acidic nor alkaline but completely neutral (we say it has an acidity level or pH of 7.0). Ordinary rainwater is a little bit more acidic than this with about the same acidity as bananas (roughly pH 5.5), but if rain falls through sulfur dioxide pollution it can turn much more acidic (with a pH of 4.5 or lower, which is the same acidity as orange or lemon juice). When acid rain accumulates in lakes or rivers, it gradually turns the entire water more acidic. That's a real problem because fish thrive only in water that is neutral or slightly acidic (typically with a pH of 6.5–7.0). Once the acidity drops below about pH 6.0, fish soon start to die—and if the pH drops to about 4.0 or less, all the fish will be killed. Acid rain has caused major problems in lakes throughout North America and Europe. It also causes the death of forests, reduces the fertility of soil, and damages buildings by eating away stonework (the marble on the US Capitol in Washington, DC has been eroded by acid-rain, for example). One of the biggest difficulties in tackling acid rain is that it can happen over very long distances. In one notable case, sulfur dioxide air pollution produced by power plants in the UK was blamed for causing acid rain that fell on Scandinavian countries such as Norway, producing widespread damage to forests and the deaths of thousands of fish in acidified lakes. The British government refused to acknowledge the problem and that was partly why the UK became known as the "dirty man of Europe" in the 1980s and 1990s. [18] Acid rain was a particular problem in the last 30–40 years of the 20th century. Thanks to the decline in coal-fired power plants, and the sulfur dioxide they spewed out, it's less of a problem for western countries today. But it's still a big issue in places like India, where coal remains a major source of energy. Global air pollution It's hard to imagine doing anything so dramatic and serious that it would damage our entire, enormous planet—but, remarkable though it may seem, we all do things like this everyday, contributing to problems such as global warming and the damage to the ozone layer (two separate issues that are often confused). Global warming Every time you ride in a car, turn on the lights, switch on your TV , take a shower, microwave a meal, or use energy that's come from burning a fossil fuel such as oil, coal, or natural gas, you're almost certainly adding to the problem of global warming and climate change: unless it's been produced in some environmentally friendly way, the energy you're using has most likely released carbon dioxide gas into the air. While it's not an obvious pollutant, carbon dioxide has gradually built up in the atmosphere, along with other chemicals known as greenhouse gases . Together, these gases act a bit like a blanket surrounding our planet that is slowly making the mean global temperature rise, causing the climate (the long-term pattern of our weather) to change, and producing a variety of different effects on the natural world, including rising sea levels. Read more in our main article about global warming and climate change . Ozone holes

How can we solve the problem of air pollution?

Photo: Pollution solution: an electrostatic smoke precipitator helps to prevent air pollution from this smokestack at the McNeil biomass power plant in Burlington, VT. Photo by Warren Gretz courtesy of US DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

What can you do to help reduce air pollution?

Photo: Buying organic food reduces the use of sprayed pesticides and other chemicals, so it helps to reduce air (as well as water) pollution.

If you liked this article...

Don't want to read our articles try listening instead, find out more, on this site.

• Climate change and global warming
• Environmentalism (introduction)
• Land pollution
• Organic food and farming
• Renewable energy
• Water pollution

• Breathless: Why Air Pollution Matters—and How it Affects You by Chris Woodford. Icon, 2021. My new book explores the problem in much more depth than I've been able to go into here. You can also read a bonus chapter called Angels with dirty faces: How air pollution blackens our buildings and monuments .
• The Invisible Killer: The Rising Global Threat of Air Pollution and How We Can Fight Back by Gary Fuller. Melville House, 2018.
• Reducing Pollution and Waste by Jen Green. Raintree/Capstone, 2011. A 48-page introduction for ages 9–12. The emphasis here is on getting children to think about pollution: where it comes from, who makes it, and who should solve the problem.
• Pollution Crisis by Russ Parker. Rosen, 2009. A 32-page guide for ages 8–10. It starts with a global survey of the problem; looks at air, water, and land pollution; then considers how we all need to be part of the solution.
• Earth Matters by Lynn Dicks et al. Dorling Kindersley, 2008. This isn't specifically about pollution. Instead, it explores how a range of different environmental problems are testing life to the limit in the planet's major biomes (oceans, forests, and so on). I wrote the section of this book that covers the polar regions.
• State of Global Air : One of the best sources of global air pollution data.
• American Lung Association: State of the Air Report : A good source of data about the United States.
• European Environment Agency: Air quality in Europe : A definitive overview of the situation in the European countries.
• World Health Organization (WHO) Ambient (outdoor) air pollution in cities database : A spreadsheet of pollution data for most major cities in the world (a little out of date, but a new version is expected soon).
• Our World in Data : Accessible guides to global data from Oxford University.
• The New York Times Topics: Air Pollution
• The Guardian: Pollution
• Wired: Pollution
• 'Invisible killer': fossil fuels caused 8.7m deaths globally in 2018, research finds by Oliver Milman. The Guardian, February 9, 2021. Pollution of various kinds causes something like one in five of all deaths.
• Millions of masks distributed to students in 'gas chamber' Delhi : BBC News, 1 November 2019.
• 90% of world's children are breathing toxic air, WHO study finds by Matthew Taylor. The Guardian, October 29, 2018. The air pollution affecting billions of children could continue to harm their health throughout their lives.
• Pollution May Dim Thinking Skills, Study in China Suggests by Mike Ives. The New York Times, August 29, 2018. Long-term exposure to air pollution seems to cause a decline in cognitive skills.
• Global pollution kills 9m a year and threatens 'survival of human societies' by Damian Carrington. The Guardian, October 19, 2017. Air, water, and land pollution kill millions, cost trillions, and threaten the very survival of humankind, a new study reveals.
• India's Air Pollution Rivals China's as World's Deadliest by Geeta Anand. The New York Times, February 14, 2017. High levels of pollution could be killing 1.1 million Indians each year.
• More Than 9 in 10 People Breathe Bad Air, WHO Study Says by Mike Ives. The New York Times, September 27, 2016. New WHO figures suggest the vast majority of us are compromising our health by breathing bad air.
• Study Links 6.5 Million Deaths Each Year to Air Pollution by Stanley Reed. The New York Times, June 26, 2016. Air pollution deaths are far greater than previously supposed according to a new study by the International Energy Agency.
• UK air pollution 'linked to 40,000 early deaths a year' by Michelle Roberts, BBC News, February 23, 2016. Diesel engines, cigarette smoke, and even air fresheners are among the causes of premature death from air pollution.
• This Wearable Detects Pollution to Build Air Quality Maps in Real Time by Davey Alba. Wired, November 19, 2014. A wearable pollution gadget lets people track their exposure to air pollution through a smartphone app.
• Air pollution and public health: emerging hazards and improved understanding of risk by Frank J. Kelly and Julia C. Fussell, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2015
• Health effects of fine particulate air pollution: lines that connect by C.A. Pope and D.W. Dockery. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 2006
• Ambient and household air pollution: complex triggers of disease by Stephen A. Farmer et al, Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 2014

Text copyright © Chris Woodford 2010, 2022. All rights reserved. Full copyright notice and terms of use .

Rate this page

Tell your friends, cite this page, more to explore on our website....

• Get the book
• Send feedback

• Biology Article

Essay on Pollution

An essay on pollution is an essential concept for students as it reveals the consequences of human activities on the environment. Read on to explore how to write an intriguing and engaging essay on pollution.

Essay on Pollution – Important Guidelines

Please consider adopting the following suggestions when writing an essay on pollution. Moreover, these suggestions will be helpful for most other essays as well.

• Begin with an introductory paragraph, preferably highlighting the history or insight of the topic.
• Try to avoid jargon unless the topic demands so.
• Use bulleted points to present content wherever possible
• Incorporate factual data, such as dates, names and places wherever possible.
• Avoid writing a large monotonous block of text. Always break up the content into easily digestible chunks
• Try to conclude the essay with a closing paragraph.

Essay on Pollution – Sample 1

Pollution had existed long before humans evolved. For instance, volcanic eruptions commonly pumped massive amounts of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere, causing acid rain. The greenhouse gas, ozone, forms from natural, photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. 

However, significant levels of pollution occurred only after the Industrial Revolution, when untreated exhausts and toxic waste products were released into the environment. Air pollution was rampant, with thick, toxic smog covering most towns and cities. Water pollution affected many water bodies. Toxic substances leached into the soil, hampering the soil quality.

Today, there have been many measures to curb the effects of pollution, but its repercussions can still be observed. For instance, the land and sea ice near the poles have been decreasing at an alarming rate. This has led to the debate regarding climatic factors and their impact on our environment. There was a time when lead used to be added to motor fuel. This substance, combined with the world’s increasing demand for motor vehicles, caused a spike in air pollution. What made this air pollution more dangerous is the fact that the air had high levels of lead.

Lead is toxic and can cause a vast array of health problems. The most common illnesses are neurological in nature. Lead can also travel through the placenta, between a mother and her unborn child. Moreover, young children and infants are even more sensitive to lead. They can develop learning deficits, behavioural problems and also a low IQ.

Furthermore, some studies have arrived at a “lead-crime postulate”, where children who were exposed to high levels of lead were more likely to indulge in criminal activities. This correlation was made as to the crime rates during the 1980s, and early 1990s were rather high. Lead can also cause neurological effects on vertebrates and impair the reproductive capabilities of plants. More ominously, lead can be absorbed into the tissues of such organisms, and they can pass it on to us when we consume them.

Technological progress also brings newer forms of pollution. Radioactive pollution is one of the rarer types of pollution. This type of pollution occurs naturally as well – elements such as uranium and thorium are present in rocks and soil. Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon naturally present in all living organisms. It is created by cosmic rays. However, these natural sources of radiation are of little concern. Only anthropogenic sources of radioactivity are considered lethal sources of pollution. For instance, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is the most publicised nuclear disaster ever to occur. The total death count was documented to be at 16,000. However, unofficial reports indicated that the death toll was much higher. Most deaths occurred due to acute radiation poisoning and many other deaths were caused due to radioactivity-induced cancer. Though it has been more than a few decades, radioactivity still persists around the site of the nuclear reactor. Efforts to contain the radioactivity included building the Shelter Structure, more popularly known as the “sarcophagus”. It was built in December 1986 and enclosed the reactor, preventing radiation from leaking through the building. 

Though the levels of pollution have dropped down since the industrial revolution, we still see many repercussions to this day. Following are some extreme cases of pollution caused by anthropological activities.

The Great Smog of London was a severe case of air pollution that occurred in 1952. The event caused massive disruption by severely affecting visibility. It also caused a variety of respiratory illnesses in 1,00,000 individuals and the death of over 4,000 as a direct result of the smog. 

In India, pollution is even more rampant. Delhi has recorded one of the worst cases of air pollution, with the air rated as “hazardous” in November 2017.

Explore more essays on pollution or other related topics on  BYJU’S

Further Reading: Water Pollution

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• School Education /

Essay on Water Pollution: Samples in 200, 500 Words

• Updated on  
• Mar 23, 2024

Essay on Water Pollution: Water pollution occurs when human activities introduce toxic substances into freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater, leading to the degradation of water quality. The combination of harmful chemicals with water has a negative impact on these ecosystems. 

Various human actions, particularly those affecting land, water, and underwater surfaces, contribute to this pollution, disrupting the natural supply of clean water and posing a significant danger to all forms of life, including humans.

Table of Contents

• 1 What is Water Pollution?
• 2.1 Contaminants 
• 2.2 Solution 
• 3.1 Reasons for Water Pollution
• 3.2 Methods of Water Pollution Management
• 3.3 Real-Life Encounter

Also Read: Types of Water Pollution

What is Water Pollution?

When many pollutants such as garbage, chemicals, bacteria, household waste, industrial waste, etc get mixed in the water resources and make the water unfit for cooking, drinking, cleaning, etc. it is known as water pollution. Water pollution damages the quality of water. lakes, water streams, rivers, etc may become polluted and eventually they will pollute the oceans. All this will directly or indirectly affect the lives of us humans and the animals deteriorating our health.

Essay on Water Pollution in 200 Words

Water is plentiful on Earth, present both above and beneath its surface. A variety of water bodies, such as rivers, ponds, seas, and oceans, can be found on the planet’s surface. Despite Earth’s ability to naturally replenish its water, we are gradually depleting and mishandling this abundant resource. 

Although water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface and land constitutes the remaining 29%, the rapid expansion of water pollution is impacting both marine life and humans. 

Contaminants 

Water pollution stems significantly from city sewage and industrial waste discharge. Indirect sources of water pollution include contaminants that reach water supplies via soil, groundwater systems, and precipitation. 

Chemical pollutants pose a greater challenge in terms of removal compared to visible impurities, which can be filtered out through physical cleaning. The addition of chemicals alters water’s properties, rendering it unsafe and potentially lethal for consumption.

Solution 

Prioritizing water infrastructure enhancement is vital for sustainable water management, with a focus on water efficiency and conservation. 

Furthermore, rainwater harvesting and reuse serve as effective strategies to curb water pollution. Reclaimed wastewater and collected rainwater alleviate stress on groundwater and other natural water sources. 

Groundwater recharge, which transfers water from surface sources to groundwater, is a well-known approach to mitigate water scarcity. These measures collectively contribute to safeguarding the planet’s water resources for present and future generations.

Here is a list of Major Landforms of the Earth !

Essay on Water Pollution in 500 Words

The term “water pollution” is employed when human or natural factors lead to contamination of bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. Responsible management is now imperative to address this significant environmental concern. The primary sources of water contamination are human-related activities like urbanization, industrialization, deforestation, improper waste disposal, and the establishment of landfills.

Reasons for Water Pollution

The availability of freshwater on our planet is limited, and pollution only increases this scarcity. Every year, a substantial amount of fresh water is lost due to industrial and various other types of pollution. Pollutants encompass visible waste items of varying sizes as well as intangible, hazardous, and lethal compounds.

Numerous factories are situated in proximity to water bodies, utilizing freshwater to transport their waste. This industrial waste carries inherent toxicity, jeopardizing the well-being of both plant and animal life. Individuals living close to polluted water sources frequently suffer from skin problems, respiratory ailments, and occasionally even life-threatening health conditions.

Water contamination is also intensified by urban waste and sewage, adding to the problem. Each household generates considerable waste annually, including plastic, chemicals, wood, and other materials. Inadequate waste disposal methods result in this refusal to infiltrate aquatic ecosystems like rivers, lakes, and streams, leading to pollution.

Methods of Water Pollution Management

Raising awareness about the causes and consequences of water pollution is crucial in significantly reducing its prevalence. Encouraging community or organizational clean-up initiatives on a weekly or monthly basis plays a pivotal role. 

To eradicate water contamination completely, stringent legislation needs to be formulated and diligently enforced. Rigorous oversight would promote accountability, potentially deterring individuals and groups from polluting. Each individual should recognize the impact of their daily actions and take steps to contribute to a better world for generations to come.

Real-Life Encounter

My affection for my town has always been heightened by its abundant lakes, rivers, and forests. During one of my walks alongside the river that flowed through my village, I was struck by the unusual hues swirling within the water. The once-familiar crystal-clear blue had been replaced by a murky brown shade, accompanied by a potent, unpleasant odour. Intrigued, I decided to investigate further, descending to the riverbank for a closer look at the source of the peculiar colours and smells. Upon closer inspection, I observed peculiar foam bubbles floating on the water’s surface.

Suddenly, a commotion behind me caught my attention, and I turned to witness a group of people hastening toward the river. Their frantic shouts and vigorous gestures conveyed their panic, prompting me to realize that a grave situation was unfolding. As the group reached the river, they were confronted with the distressing sight of numerous lifeless fish floating on the water’s surface. 

Following a comprehensive investigation, it was revealed that a local factory had been releasing toxic chemicals into the river, resulting in extensive pollution and the devastation of the ecosystem. This investigation left me stunned and disheartened, acknowledging the significant effort required to restore the river to its own form.

Related Reads:-     

A. Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater, due to the introduction of harmful substances. These substances can include chemicals, industrial waste, sewage, and pollutants that adversely affect the quality of water, making it unsafe for human consumption and harmful to aquatic life.

A. The primary sources of water pollution include city sewage and industrial waste discharge. Chemical contaminants from factories and agricultural runoff, as well as oil spills and plastic waste, contribute significantly to water pollution. Runoff from paved surfaces and improper waste disposal also play a role in introducing pollutants into water bodies.

A. Water pollution has far-reaching consequences. It poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems by harming marine life, disrupting food chains, and damaging habitats. Additionally, contaminated water can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases among humans. Toxic chemicals in polluted water can cause serious health issues, affecting the skin, and respiratory systems, and even leading to long-term illnesses. 

This brings us to the end of our blog on Essay on Water Pollution. Hope you find this information useful. For more information on such informative topics for your school, visit our  essay writing  and follow  Leverage Edu

Aditi Gupta

A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Water Pollution — Pollution of Water: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Pollution of Water: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

• Categories: Pollution Water Pollution

About this sample

Words: 700 |

Published: Sep 7, 2023

Words: 700 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Causes of water pollution, effects of water pollution, solutions to water pollution, community-based interventions.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Environment

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

4 pages / 1827 words

2 pages / 905 words

7 pages / 3391 words

1 pages / 749 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Water Pollution

Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue that affects millions of people around the world. It is caused by various human activities such as industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal. While [...]

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to the quality of our water resources and the health of ecosystems and communities. It stems from various human activities and has detrimental effects on both [...]

Water is an indispensable resource that sustains life on Earth, playing a crucial role in both ecological balance and human survival. Despite its significance, water pollution has emerged as a pervasive and alarming issue [...]

Water is an essential resource that is vital for all forms of life on Earth. It is crucial for human survival, as it is needed for drinking, cooking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry. However, the availability and access to [...]

Overview of the issue of ocean pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems and the environment Mention of plastic pollution as a particularly destructive form of pollution Statistics on the environmental impact [...]

The importance of wastewater treatment cannot be overstated in today's world. As populations grow and urbanization continues, the generation of wastewater has surged, posing serious environmental and public health challenges. [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• History & Society
• Science & Tech
• Biographies
• Animals & Nature
• Geography & Travel
• Arts & Culture
• Games & Quizzes
• On This Day
• One Good Fact
• New Articles
• Lifestyles & Social Issues
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics, Law & Government
• World History
• Health & Medicine
• Browse Biographies
• Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
• Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
• Environment
• Fossils & Geologic Time
• Entertainment & Pop Culture
• Sports & Recreation
• Visual Arts
• Demystified
• Image Galleries
• Infographics
• Top Questions
• Britannica Kids
• Saving Earth
• Space Next 50
• Student Center
• Introduction & Top Questions

Domestic sewage

Solid waste, toxic waste, thermal pollution, petroleum (oil) pollution, effects of water pollution on groundwater and oceans, water quality standards.

How does water pollution affect aquatic wildlife?

Is red tide caused by water pollution.

water pollution

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• National Geographic - What Is Water Pollution?
• Frontiers - Effects of Water Pollution on Human Health and Disease Heterogeneity: A Review
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - Water Pollution
• Environmental Pollution Centers - What Is Water Pollution?
• National Resources Defense Council - Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know
• Chemistry LibreTexts - Water Pollution
• water pollution - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

What is water pollution?

Water pollution is the release of substances into bodies of water that makes water unsafe for human use and disrupts aquatic ecosystems. Water pollution can be caused by a plethora of different contaminants, including toxic waste , petroleum , and disease-causing microorganisms .

What human activities cause water pollution?

Human activities that generate domestic sewage and toxic waste cause water pollution by contaminating water with disease-causing microorganisms and poisonous substances. Oil spills are another source of water pollution that have devastating impacts on surrounding ecosystems.

Sewage can promote algae growth, which can eventually result in eutrophic “dead zones” where aquatic life cannot survive because of a lack of oxygen. Microplastics are often found in marine wildlife and can become concentrated in humans who consume seafood because of biomagnification . Oil spills, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, strand and kill many different marine species.

While some studies point to human activity as a catalyst for red tide, scientists are unsure about its cause. Red tide is a common term for harmful algal blooms that often poison or kill wildlife and humans who consume contaminated seafood. Red tides can severely impact ecosystems and local economies.

Recent News

water pollution , the release of substances into subsurface groundwater or into lakes , streams, rivers , estuaries , and oceans to the point that the substances interfere with beneficial use of the water or with the natural functioning of ecosystems . In addition to the release of substances, such as chemicals , trash, or microorganisms, water pollution may include the release of energy , in the form of radioactivity or heat , into bodies of water.

Types and sources of water pollutants

Water bodies can be polluted by a wide variety of substances, including pathogenic microorganisms, putrescible organic waste, fertilizers and plant nutrients , toxic chemicals, sediments, heat , petroleum (oil), and radioactive substances . Several types of water pollutants are considered below. (For a discussion of the handling of sewage and other forms of waste produced by human activities, see waste disposal and solid-waste management .)

Water pollutants come from either point sources or dispersed sources. A point source is a pipe or channel, such as those used for discharge from an industrial facility or a city sewerage system . A dispersed (or nonpoint) source is a very broad unconfined area from which a variety of pollutants enter the water body, such as the runoff from an agricultural area. Point sources of water pollution are easier to control than dispersed sources, because the contaminated water has been collected and conveyed to one single point where it can be treated. Pollution from dispersed sources is difficult to control, and, despite much progress in the building of modern sewage-treatment plants, dispersed sources continue to cause a large fraction of water pollution problems.

Domestic sewage is the primary source of pathogens ( disease -causing microorganisms) and putrescible organic substances. Because pathogens are excreted in feces , all sewage from cities and towns is likely to contain pathogens of some type, potentially presenting a direct threat to public health . Putrescible organic matter presents a different sort of threat to water quality. As organics are decomposed naturally in the sewage by bacteria and other microorganisms, the dissolved oxygen content of the water is depleted. This endangers the quality of lakes and streams, where high levels of oxygen are required for fish and other aquatic organisms to survive. In addition, domestic sewage commonly contains active pharmaceutical ingredients, which can harm aquatic organisms and may facilitate antibiotic resistance . Sewage-treatment processes reduce the levels of pathogens and organics in wastewater, but they do not eliminate them completely ( see also wastewater treatment ).

Domestic sewage is also a major source of plant nutrients , mainly nitrates and phosphates . Excess nitrates and phosphates in water promote the growth of algae , sometimes causing unusually dense and rapid growths known as algal blooms . When the algae die, oxygen dissolved in the water declines because microorganisms use oxygen to digest algae during the process of decomposition ( see also biochemical oxygen demand ). Anaerobic organisms (organisms that do not require oxygen to live) then metabolize the organic wastes, releasing gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide , which are harmful to the aerobic (oxygen-requiring) forms of life. The process by which a lake changes from a clean, clear condition—with a relatively low concentration of dissolved nutrients and a balanced aquatic community —to a nutrient-rich, algae-filled state and thence to an oxygen-deficient, waste-filled condition is called eutrophication . Eutrophication is a naturally occurring, slow, and inevitable process. However, when it is accelerated by human activity and water pollution (a phenomenon called cultural eutrophication ), it can lead to the premature aging and death of a body of water.

The improper disposal of solid waste is a major source of water pollution. Solid waste includes garbage, rubbish, electronic waste , trash, and construction and demolition waste, all of which are generated by individual, residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial activities. The problem is especially acute in developing countries that may lack infrastructure to properly dispose of solid waste or that may have inadequate resources or regulation to limit improper disposal. In some places solid waste is intentionally dumped into bodies of water. Land pollution can also become water pollution if the trash or other debris is carried by animals, wind, or rainfall to bodies of water. Significant amounts of solid waste pollution in inland bodies of water can also eventually make their way to the ocean. Solid waste pollution is unsightly and damaging to the health of aquatic ecosystems and can harm wildlife directly. Many solid wastes, such as plastics and electronic waste, break down and leach harmful chemicals into the water, making them a source of toxic or hazardous waste.

Of growing concern for aquatic environments is plastic pollution . Since the ocean is downstream from nearly every terrestrial location, it is the receiving body for much of the plastic waste generated on land. Several million tons of debris end up in the world’s oceans every year, and much of it is improperly discarded plastic litter. Plastic pollution can be broken down by waves and ultraviolet radiation into smaller pieces known as microplastics , which are less than 5 mm (0.2 inch) in length and are not biodegradable. Primary microplastics, such as microbeads in personal care products and plastic fibers in synthetic textiles (e.g., nylon ), also enter the environment directly, through any of various channels—for example, from wastewater treatment systems , from household laundry, or from unintentional spills during manufacturing or transport. Alarmingly, a number of studies of both freshwater and marine locations have found microplastics in every aquatic organism tested. These tiny plastics are suspected of working their way up the marine food chains , from zooplankton and small fish to large marine predators, and have been found in seafood. Microplastics have also been detected in drinking water. Their health effects are unknown.

Waste is considered toxic if it is poisonous , radioactive , explosive , carcinogenic (causing cancer ), mutagenic (causing damage to chromosomes ), teratogenic (causing birth defects), or bioaccumulative (that is, increasing in concentration at the higher ends of food chains). Sources of toxic chemicals include improperly disposed wastewater from industrial plants and chemical process facilities ( lead , mercury , chromium ) as well as surface runoff containing pesticides used on agricultural areas and suburban lawns ( chlordane , dieldrin , heptachlor). (For a more-detailed treatment of toxic chemicals, see poison and toxic waste .)

Sediment (e.g., silt ) resulting from soil erosion or construction activity can be carried into water bodies by surface runoff . Suspended sediment interferes with the penetration of sunlight and upsets the ecological balance of a body of water. Also, it can disrupt the reproductive cycles of fish and other forms of life , and when it settles out of suspension it can smother bottom-dwelling organisms.

Heat is considered to be a water pollutant because it decreases the capacity of water to hold dissolved oxygen in solution, and it increases the rate of metabolism of fish. Valuable species of game fish (e.g., trout ) cannot survive in water with very low levels of dissolved oxygen . A major source of heat is the practice of discharging cooling water from power plants into rivers; the discharged water may be as much as 15 °C (27 °F) warmer than the naturally occurring water. The rise in water temperatures because of global warming can also be considered a form of thermal pollution.

Petroleum ( oil ) pollution occurs when oil from roads and parking lots is carried in surface runoff into water bodies. Accidental oil spills are also a source of oil pollution—as in the devastating spills from the tanker Exxon Valdez (which released more than 260,000 barrels in Alaska’s Prince William Sound in 1989) and from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig (which released more than 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010). Oil slicks eventually move toward shore, harming aquatic life and damaging recreation areas.

Groundwater —water contained in underground geologic formations called aquifers —is a source of drinking water for many people. For example, about half the people in the United States depend on groundwater for their domestic water supply . Although groundwater may appear crystal clear (due to the natural filtration that occurs as it flows slowly through layers of soil ), it may still be polluted by dissolved chemicals and by bacteria and viruses . Sources of chemical contaminants include poorly designed or poorly maintained subsurface sewage-disposal systems (e.g., septic tanks ), industrial wastes disposed of in improperly lined or unlined landfills or lagoons , leachates from unlined municipal refuse landfills, mining and petroleum production, and leaking underground storage tanks below gasoline service stations. In coastal areas, increasing withdrawal of groundwater (due to urbanization and industrialization) can cause saltwater intrusion: as the water table drops, seawater is drawn into wells.

Although estuaries and oceans contain vast volumes of water, their natural capacity to absorb pollutants is limited. Contamination from sewage outfall pipes, from dumping of sludge or other wastes, and from oil spills can harm marine life, especially microscopic phytoplankton that serve as food for larger aquatic organisms. Sometimes, unsightly and dangerous waste materials can be washed back to shore, littering beaches with hazardous debris. In oceans alone, annual pollution from all types of plastics was estimated to be between 4.8 million and 12.7 million tonnes (between 5.3 million and 14 million tons) in the early 21st century, and floating plastic waste had accumulated in Earth’s five subtropical gyres, which cover 40 percent of the world’s oceans.

Another ocean pollution problem is the seasonal formation of “ dead zones” (i.e., hypoxic areas, where dissolved oxygen levels drop so low that most higher forms of aquatic life vanish) in certain coastal areas. The cause is nutrient enrichment from dispersed agricultural runoff and concomitant algal blooms. Dead zones occur worldwide; one of the largest of these (sometimes as large as 22,730 square km [8,776 square miles]) forms annually in the Gulf of Mexico , beginning at the Mississippi River delta.

Although pure water is rarely found in nature (because of the strong tendency of water to dissolve other substances), the characterization of water quality (i.e., clean or polluted) is a function of the intended use of the water. For example, water that is clean enough for swimming and fishing may not be clean enough for drinking and cooking. Water quality standards (limits on the amount of impurities allowed in water intended for a particular use) provide a legal framework for the prevention of water pollution of all types.

There are several types of water quality standards. Stream standards are those that classify streams, rivers , and lakes on the basis of their maximum beneficial use; they set allowable levels of specific substances or qualities (e.g., dissolved oxygen , turbidity, pH) allowed in those bodies of water, based on their given classification. Effluent (water outflow) standards set specific limits on the levels of contaminants (e.g., biochemical oxygen demand , suspended solids, nitrogen ) allowed in the final discharges from wastewater-treatment plants. Drinking-water standards include limits on the levels of specific contaminants allowed in potable water delivered to homes for domestic use. In the United States , the Clean Water Act and its amendments regulate water quality and set minimum standards for waste discharges for each industry as well as regulations for specific problems such as toxic chemicals and oil spills . In the European Union , water quality is governed by the Water Framework Directive, the Drinking Water Directive, and other laws . ( See also wastewater treatment .)

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Air pollution.

Air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. It also damages buildings.

Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, Geography

Loading ...

Air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. It also damages buildings. Pollutants in the air take many forms. They can be gases , solid particles, or liquid droplets. Sources of Air Pollution Pollution enters the Earth's atmosphere in many different ways. Most air pollution is created by people, taking the form of emissions from factories, cars, planes, or aerosol cans . Second-hand cigarette smoke is also considered air pollution. These man-made sources of pollution are called anthropogenic sources . Some types of air pollution, such as smoke from wildfires or ash from volcanoes , occur naturally. These are called natural sources . Air pollution is most common in large cities where emissions from many different sources are concentrated . Sometimes, mountains or tall buildings prevent air pollution from spreading out. This air pollution often appears as a cloud making the air murky. It is called smog . The word "smog" comes from combining the words "smoke" and " fog ." Large cities in poor and developing nations tend to have more air pollution than cities in developed nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , some of the worlds most polluted cities are Karachi, Pakistan; New Delhi, India; Beijing, China; Lima, Peru; and Cairo, Egypt. However, many developed nations also have air pollution problems. Los Angeles, California, is nicknamed Smog City. Indoor Air Pollution Air pollution is usually thought of as smoke from large factories or exhaust from vehicles. But there are many types of indoor air pollution as well. Heating a house by burning substances such as kerosene , wood, and coal can contaminate the air inside the house. Ash and smoke make breathing difficult, and they can stick to walls, food, and clothing. Naturally-occurring radon gas, a cancer -causing material, can also build up in homes. Radon is released through the surface of the Earth. Inexpensive systems installed by professionals can reduce radon levels. Some construction materials, including insulation , are also dangerous to people's health. In addition, ventilation , or air movement, in homes and rooms can lead to the spread of toxic mold . A single colony of mold may exist in a damp, cool place in a house, such as between walls. The mold's spores enter the air and spread throughout the house. People can become sick from breathing in the spores. Effects On Humans People experience a wide range of health effects from being exposed to air pollution. Effects can be broken down into short-term effects and long-term effects . Short-term effects, which are temporary , include illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis . They also include discomfort such as irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, or skin. Air pollution can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea . Bad smells made by factories, garbage , or sewer systems are considered air pollution, too. These odors are less serious but still unpleasant . Long-term effects of air pollution can last for years or for an entire lifetime. They can even lead to a person's death. Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease , lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema . Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people's nerves , brain, kidneys , liver , and other organs. Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause birth defects . Nearly 2.5 million people die worldwide each year from the effects of outdoor or indoor air pollution. People react differently to different types of air pollution. Young children and older adults, whose immune systems tend to be weaker, are often more sensitive to pollution. Conditions such as asthma , heart disease, and lung disease can be made worse by exposure to air pollution. The length of exposure and amount and type of pollutants are also factors. Effects On The Environment Like people, animals, and plants, entire ecosystems can suffer effects from air pollution. Haze , like smog, is a visible type of air pollution that obscures shapes and colors. Hazy air pollution can even muffle sounds. Air pollution particles eventually fall back to Earth. Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil . This can kill crops or reduce their yield . It can kill young trees and other plants. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles in the air, can create acid rain when they mix with water and oxygen in the atmosphere. These air pollutants come mostly from coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles . When acid rain falls to Earth, it damages plants by changing soil composition ; degrades water quality in rivers, lakes and streams; damages crops; and can cause buildings and monuments to decay . Like humans, animals can suffer health effects from exposure to air pollution. Birth defects, diseases, and lower reproductive rates have all been attributed to air pollution. Global Warming Global warming is an environmental phenomenon caused by natural and anthropogenic air pollution. It refers to rising air and ocean temperatures around the world. This temperature rise is at least partially caused by an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat energy in the Earths atmosphere. (Usually, more of Earths heat escapes into space.) Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that has had the biggest effect on global warming. Carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels (coal, gasoline , and natural gas ). Humans have come to rely on fossil fuels to power cars and planes, heat homes, and run factories. Doing these things pollutes the air with carbon dioxide. Other greenhouse gases emitted by natural and artificial sources also include methane , nitrous oxide , and fluorinated gases. Methane is a major emission from coal plants and agricultural processes. Nitrous oxide is a common emission from industrial factories, agriculture, and the burning of fossil fuels in cars. Fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons , are emitted by industry. Fluorinated gases are often used instead of gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have been outlawed in many places because they deplete the ozone layer . Worldwide, many countries have taken steps to reduce or limit greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming. The Kyoto Protocol , first adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, is an agreement between 183 countries that they will work to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. The United States has not signed that treaty . Regulation In addition to the international Kyoto Protocol, most developed nations have adopted laws to regulate emissions and reduce air pollution. In the United States, debate is under way about a system called cap and trade to limit emissions. This system would cap, or place a limit, on the amount of pollution a company is allowed. Companies that exceeded their cap would have to pay. Companies that polluted less than their cap could trade or sell their remaining pollution allowance to other companies. Cap and trade would essentially pay companies to limit pollution. In 2006 the World Health Organization issued new Air Quality Guidelines. The WHOs guidelines are tougher than most individual countries existing guidelines. The WHO guidelines aim to reduce air pollution-related deaths by 15 percent a year. Reduction Anybody can take steps to reduce air pollution. Millions of people every day make simple changes in their lives to do this. Taking public transportation instead of driving a car, or riding a bike instead of traveling in carbon dioxide-emitting vehicles are a couple of ways to reduce air pollution. Avoiding aerosol cans, recycling yard trimmings instead of burning them, and not smoking cigarettes are others.

Downwinders The United States conducted tests of nuclear weapons at the Nevada Test Site in southern Nevada in the 1950s. These tests sent invisible radioactive particles into the atmosphere. These air pollution particles traveled with wind currents, eventually falling to Earth, sometimes hundreds of miles away in states including Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and Washington. These areas were considered to be "downwind" from the Nevada Test Site. Decades later, people living in those downwind areascalled "downwinders"began developing cancer at above-normal rates. In 1990, the U.S. government passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. This law entitles some downwinders to payments of $50,000.

Greenhouse Gases There are five major greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere.

• water vapor
• carbon dioxide
• nitrous oxide

London Smog What has come to be known as the London Smog of 1952, or the Great Smog of 1952, was a four-day incident that sickened 100,000 people and caused as many as 12,000 deaths. Very cold weather in December 1952 led residents of London, England, to burn more coal to keep warm. Smoke and other pollutants became trapped by a thick fog that settled over the city. The polluted fog became so thick that people could only see a few meters in front of them.

Media Credits

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Illustrators

Educator reviewer, last updated.

March 6, 2024

User Permissions

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.

If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service .

Interactives

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.

Related Resources

Information

• Author Services

Initiatives

You are accessing a machine-readable page. In order to be human-readable, please install an RSS reader.

All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess .

Feature papers represent the most advanced research with significant potential for high impact in the field. A Feature Paper should be a substantial original Article that involves several techniques or approaches, provides an outlook for future research directions and describes possible research applications.

Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receive positive feedback from the reviewers.

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

Original Submission Date Received: .

• Active Journals
• Find a Journal
• Proceedings Series
• For Authors
• For Reviewers
• For Editors
• For Librarians
• For Publishers
• For Societies
• For Conference Organizers
• Open Access Policy
• Institutional Open Access Program
• Special Issues Guidelines
• Editorial Process
• Research and Publication Ethics
• Article Processing Charges
• Testimonials
• Preprints.org
• SciProfiles
• Encyclopedia

Article Menu

• Subscribe SciFeed
• Recommended Articles
• Google Scholar
• on Google Scholar
• Table of Contents

Find support for a specific problem in the support section of our website.

Please let us know what you think of our products and services.

Visit our dedicated information section to learn more about MDPI.

JSmol Viewer

Insights into the effect of light pollution on mental health: focus on affective disorders—a narrative review.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

2. materials and methods, 3.1. literature search results and study description, 3.2. light pollution, sleep, and circadian disruption, 3.3. light pollution and mood disorders: depressive, hypomanic/manic symptoms, and suicidal behaviors, 3.3.1. light pollution, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behaviors, 3.3.2. light pollution and bipolar disorders, 3.4. risk perception related to the effects of light pollution on health, 3.4.1. risk perception of light pollution, sleep disturbances, and affective symptoms.

3.4.2. Factors Influencing Risk Perception of Light Pollution

4. discussion, 5. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, conflicts of interest.

• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The World’s Cities in 2016, Statistical Papers—United Nations (Ser. A), Population and Vital Statistics Report ; United Nations: New York, NY, USA, 2016. [ Google Scholar ]
• Sarkar, C.; Webster, C. Urban Environments and Human Health: Current Trends and Future Directions. Curr. Opin. Environ. Sustain. 2017 , 25 , 33–44. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Peen, J.; Schoevers, R.A.; Beekman, A.T.; Dekker, J. The Current Status of Urban-Rural Differences in Psychiatric Disorders. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2010 , 121 , 84–93. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Gruebner, O.; Rapp, M.A.; Adli, M.; Kluge, U.; Galea, S.; Heinz, A. Cities and Mental Health. Dtsch. Arztebl. Int. 2017 , 114 , 121–127. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Vassos, E.; Pedersen, C.B.; Murray, R.M.; Collier, D.A.; Lewis, C.M. Meta-Analysis of the Association of Urbanicity with Schizophrenia. Schizophr. Bull. 2012 , 38 , 1118. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Pedersen, C.B.; Mortensen, P.B. Evidence of a Dose-Response Relationship between Urbanicity during Upbringing and Schizophrenia Risk. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 2001 , 58 , 1039–1046. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Van Os, J.; Kenis, G.; Rutten, B.P.F. The Environment and Schizophrenia. Nature 2010 , 468 , 203–212. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Costa e Silva, J.A.; Steffen, R.E. Urban Environment and Psychiatric Disorders: A Review of the Neuroscience and Biology. Metabolism 2019 , 100 , 153940. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Lederbogen, F.; Kirsch, P.; Haddad, L.; Streit, F.; Tost, H.; Schuch, P.; Wüst, S.; Pruessner, J.C.; Rietschel, M.; Deuschle, M.; et al. City Living and Urban Upbringing Affect Neural Social Stress Processing in Humans. Nature 2011 , 474 , 498–501. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Tsankova, N.; Renthal, W.; Kumar, A.; Nestler, E.J. Epigenetic Regulation in Psychiatric Disorders. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 2007 , 8 , 355–367. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Philibert, R.A.; Sandhu, H.; Hollenbeck, N.; Gunter, T.; Adams, W.; Madan, A. The Relationship of 5HTT (SLC6A4) Methylation and Genotype on MRNA Expression and Liability to Major Depression and Alcohol Dependence in Subjects from the Iowa Adoption Studies. Am. J. Med. Genet. B Neuropsychiatr. Genet. 2008 , 147B , 543–549. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Labonté, B.; Suderman, M.; Maussion, G.; Lopez, J.P.; Navarro-Sánchez, L.; Yerko, V.; Mechawar, N.; Szyf, M.; Meaney, M.J.; Turecki, G. Genome-Wide Methylation Changes in the Brains of Suicide Completers. Am. J. Psychiatry 2013 , 170 , 511–520. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Davies, T.W.; Smyth, T. Why Artificial Light at Night Should Be a Focus for Global Change Research in the 21st Century. Glob. Chang. Biol. 2018 , 24 , 872–882. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Falchi, F.; Cinzano, P.; Duriscoe, D.; Kyba, C.C.M.; Elvidge, C.D.; Baugh, K.; Portnov, B.A.; Rybnikova, N.A.; Furgoni, R. The New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness. Sci. Adv. 2016 , 2 , e1600377. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Czarnecka, K.; Błażejczyk, K.; Morita, T. Characteristics of Light Pollution—A Case Study of Warsaw (Poland) and Fukuoka (Japan). Environ. Pollut. 2021 , 291 , 118113. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Xie, Y.; Tang, Q.; Chen, G.; Xie, M.; Yu, S.; Zhao, J.; Chen, L. New Insights into the Circadian Rhythm and Its Related Diseases. Front. Physiol. 2019 , 10 , 682. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Claustrat, B.; Brun, J.; Chazot, G. The Basic Physiology and Pathophysiology of Melatonin. Sleep. Med. Rev. 2005 , 9 , 11–24. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Tähkämö, L.; Partonen, T.; Pesonen, A.K. Systematic Review of Light Exposure Impact on Human Circadian Rhythm. Chronobiol. Int. 2019 , 36 , 151–170. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Cajochen, C.; Jud, C.; Münch, M.; Kobialka, S.; Wirz-Justice, A.; Albrecht, U. Evening Exposure to Blue Light Stimulates the Expression of the Clock Gene PER2 in Humans. Eur. J. Neurosci. 2006 , 23 , 1082–1086. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Sampaio, F.; Costa, T.; Teixeira-Santos, L.; de Pinho, L.G.; Sequeira, C.; Luís, S.; Loureiro, A.; Soro, J.C.; Roldán Merino, J.; Moreno Poyato, A.; et al. Validating a Measure for Eco-Anxiety in Portuguese Young Adults and Exploring Its Associations with Environmental Action. BMC Public. Health 2023 , 23 , 1905. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Pihkala, P. Anxiety and the Ecological Crisis: An Analysis of Eco-Anxiety and Climate Anxiety. Sustainability 2020 , 12 , 7836. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Hickman, C. We Need to (Find a Way to) Talk about … Eco-Anxiety. J. Soc. Work. Pract. 2020 , 34 , 411–424. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Cleary-Gaffney, M.; Espey, B.; Coogan, A.N. Association of Perceptions of Artificial Light-at-Night, Light-Emitting Device Usage and Environmental Noise Appraisal with Psychological Distress, Sleep Quality and Chronotype: A Cross Sectional Study. Heliyon 2022 , 8 , e11284. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Lin, L.Z.; Zeng, X.W.; Deb, B.; Tabet, M.; Xu, S.L.; Wu, Q.Z.; Zhou, Y.; Ma, H.M.; Chen, D.H.; Chen, G.B.; et al. Outdoor Light at Night, Overweight, and Obesity in School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Environ. Pollut. 2022 , 305 , 119306. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Zubidat, A.E.; Haim, A. Artificial Light-at-Night—A Novel Lifestyle Risk Factor for Metabolic Disorder and Cancer Morbidity. J. Basic. Clin. Physiol. Pharmacol. 2017 , 28 , 295–313. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Kim, Y.J.; Lee, E.; Lee, H.S.; Kim, M.; Park, M.S. High Prevalence of Breast Cancer in Light Polluted Areas in Urban and Rural Regions of South Korea: An Ecologic Study on the Treatment Prevalence of Female Cancers Based on National Health Insurance Data. Chronobiol. Int. 2015 , 32 , 657–667. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Lai, K.Y.; Sarkar, C.; Ni, M.Y.; Cheung, L.W.T.; Gallacher, J.; Webster, C. Exposure to Light at Night (LAN) and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sci. Total Environ. 2021 , 762 , 143159. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Lamphar, H.; Kocifaj, M.; Limón-Romero, J.; Paredes-Tavares, J.; Chakameh, S.D.; Mego, M.; Prado, N.J.; Baez-López, Y.A.; Diez, E.R. Light Pollution as a Factor in Breast and Prostate Cancer. Sci. Total Environ. 2022 , 806 , 150918. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Walker, W.H.; Bumgarner, J.R.; Becker-Krail, D.D.; May, L.E.; Liu, J.A.; Nelson, R.J. Light at Night Disrupts Biological Clocks, Calendars, and Immune Function. Semin. Immunopathol. 2022 , 44 , 165. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Dominoni, D.M.; Borniger, J.C.; Nelson, R.J. Light at Night, Clocks and Health: From Humans to Wild Organisms. Biol. Lett. 2016 , 12 , 20160015. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Silvani, M.I.; Werder, R.; Perret, C. The Influence of Blue Light on Sleep, Performance and Wellbeing in Young Adults: A Systematic Review. Front. Physiol. 2022 , 13 , 943108. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Carpenter, J.S.; Andrykowski, M.A. Psychometric Evaluation of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. J. Psychosom. Res. 1998 , 45 , 5–13. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Obayashi, K.; Tai, Y.; Yamagami, Y.; Saeki, K. Associations between Indoor Light Pollution and Unhealthy Outcomes in 2,947 Adults: Cross-Sectional Analysis in the HEIJO-KYO Cohort. Environ. Res. 2022 , 215 , 114350. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Wang, L.B.; Gong, Y.C.; Fang, Q.L.; Cui, X.X.; Dharmage, S.C.; Jalaludin, B.; Knibbs, L.D.; Bloom, M.S.; Guo, Y.; Lin, L.Z.; et al. Association between Exposure to Outdoor Artificial Light at Night and Sleep Disorders among Children in China. JAMA Netw. Open 2022 , 5 , E2213247. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Min, J.Y.; Min, K.B. Outdoor Artificial Nighttime Light and Use of Hypnotic Medications in Older Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study. J. Clin. Sleep. Med. 2018 , 14 , 1903–1910. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Cho, J.R.; Joo, E.Y.; Koo, D.L.; Hong, S.B. Let There Be No Light: The Effect of Bedside Light on Sleep Quality and Background Electroencephalographic Rhythms. Sleep. Med. 2013 , 14 , 1422–1425. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Lahiri, A.; Chakraborty, A.; Roy, A.K.S.; Dasgupta, U.; Bhattacharyya, K. Effect of Light Pollution on Self-Reported Sleep Quality and Its Components: Comparative Assessment among Healthy Adult Populations in a Rural and an Urban Area of West Bengal, India. Indian. J. Public. Health 2020 , 64 , 229–235. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Paksarian, D.; Rudolph, K.E.; Stapp, E.K.; Dunster, G.P.; He, J.; Mennitt, D.; Hattar, S.; Casey, J.A.; James, P.; Merikangas, K.R. Association of Outdoor Artificial Light at Night with Mental Disorders and Sleep Patterns among US Adolescents. JAMA Psychiatry 2020 , 77 , 1266–1275. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Randjelović, P.; Stojanović, N.; Ilić, I.; Vučković, D. The Effect of Reducing Blue Light from Smartphone Screen on Subjective Quality of Sleep among Students. Chronobiol. Int. 2023 , 40 , 335–342. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Sun, X.; Tan, J.; Chen, Y.; Liu, Y.; Dong, G.H.; Yang, B.Y.; Li, N.; Wang, L.; Li, S.; Chen, G.; et al. The Association between Long-Term Exposure to Outdoor Artificial Light at Night and Poor Sleep Quality among Chinese Veterans: A Multi-City Study. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 2023 , 252 , 114218. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Patel, P.C. Light Pollution and Insufficient Sleep: Evidence from the United States. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2019 , 31 , e23300. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Bruni, O.; Ottaviano, S.; Guidetti, V.; Romoli, M.; Innocenzi, M.; Cortesi, F.; Giannotti, F. The The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) Construct ion and validation of an instrument to evaluate sleep disturbances in childhood and adolescence. J. Sleep. Res. 1996 , 5 , 251–261. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Helbich, M.; Browning, M.H.E.M.; Huss, A. Outdoor Light at Night, Air Pollution and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Netherlands. Sci. Total Environ. 2020 , 744 , 140914. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Radloff, L.S. The CES-D Scale: A Self-Report Depression Scale for Research in the General Population. Appl. Psychol. Meas. 1977 , 1 , 385–401. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Kroenke, K.; Spitzer, R.L.; Williams, J.B.W. The PHQ-9: Validity of a Brief Depression Severity Measure. J. Gen. Intern. Med. 2001 , 16 , 606. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Min, J.Y.; Min, K.B. Outdoor Light at Night and the Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Nationally Representative Sample of Korean Adults. J. Affect. Disord. 2018 , 227 , 199–205. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Shin, C.; Park, M.H.; Lee, S.H.; Ko, Y.H.; Kim, Y.K.; Han, K.M.; Jeong, H.G.; Han, C. Usefulness of the 15-Item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) for Classifying Minor and Major Depressive Disorders among Community-Dwelling Elders. J. Affect. Disord. 2019 , 259 , 370–375. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Haim, A.; Zubida, A.E. Artificial Light at Night: Melatonin as a Mediator between the Environment and Epigenome. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci. 2015 , 370 , 20140121. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Liao, Y.A.; Garcia-Mondragon, L.; Konac, D.; Liu, X.; Ing, A.; Goldblatt, R.; Yu, L.; Barker, E.D. Nighttime Lights, Urban Features, Household Poverty, Depression, and Obesity. Curr. Psychol. 2022 , 42 , 15453–15464. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Ng, C.M.; Kaur, S.; Kok, E.Y.; Chew, W.L.; Takahashi, M.; Shibata, S. Sleep, Light Exposure at Night, and Psychological Wellbeing during Pregnancy. BMC Public. Health 2023 , 23 , 1803. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Giglio, L.M.F.; Magalhães, P.V.d.S.; Andreazza, A.C.; Walz, J.C.; Jakobson, L.; Rucci, P.; Rosa, A.R.; Hidalgo, M.P.; Vieta, E.; Kapczinski, F. Development and Use of a Biological Rhythm Interview. J. Affect. Disord. 2009 , 118 , 161–165. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Bauer, M.; Glenn, T.; Alda, M.; Andreassen, O.A.; Angelopoulos, E.; Ardau, R.; Baethge, C.; Bauer, R.; Baune, B.T.; Bellivier, F.; et al. Influence of Light Exposure during Early Life on the Age of Onset of Bipolar Disorder. J. Psychiatr. Res. 2015 , 64 , 1–8. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Carta, M.; Preti, A.; Akiskal, H. Coping with the New Era: Noise and Light Pollution, Hperactivity and Steroid Hormones. Towards an Evolutionary View of Bipolar Disorders. Clin. Pract. Epidemiol. Ment. Health 2018 , 14 , 33–36. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Esaki, Y.; Obayashi, K.; Saeki, K.; Fujita, K.; Iwata, N.; Kitajima, T. Effect of Nighttime Bedroom Light Exposure on Mood Episode Relapses in Bipolar Disorder. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2022 , 146 , 64–73. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Esaki, Y.; Obayashi, K.; Saeki, K.; Fujita, K.; Iwata, N.; Kitajima, T. Association between Light Exposure at Night and Manic Symptoms in Bipolar Disorder: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the APPLE Cohort. Chronobiol. Int. 2020 , 37 , 887–896. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Coogan, A.N.; Cleary-Gaffney, M.; Finnegan, M.; McMillan, G.; González, A.; Espey, B. Perceptions of Light Pollution and Its Impacts: Results of an Irish Citizen Science Survey. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public. Health 2020 , 17 , 5628. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Jackson, C. The General Health Questionnaire. Occup. Med. 2007 , 57 , 79. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Broadbent, D.E.; Cooper, P.F.; FitzGerald, P.; Parkes, K.R. The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and Its Correlates. Br. J. Clin. Psychol. 1982 , 21 , 1–16. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Miguel, M.; De Oliveira, V.C.; Pereira, D.; Pedrazzoli, M. Detecting Chronotype Differences Associated to Latitude: A Comparison between Horne–Östberg and Munich Chronotype Questionnaires. Ann. Hum. Biol. 2014 , 41 , 107–110. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Kim, K.H.; Choi, J.W.; Lee, E.; Cho, Y.M.; Ahn, H.R. A Study on the Risk Perception of Light Pollution and the Process of Social Amplification of Risk in Korea. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int. 2015 , 22 , 7612–7621. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Shao, L.; Yu, G. Media Coverage of Climate Change, Eco-Anxiety and pro-Environmental Behavior: Experimental Evidence and the Resilience Paradox. J. Environ. Psychol. 2023 , 91 , 102130. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Stebelova, K.; Roska, J.; Zeman, M. Impact of Dim Light at Night on Urinary 6-Sulphatoxymelatonin Concentrations and Sleep in Healthy Humans. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020 , 21 , 7736. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Touitou, Y.; Reinberg, A.; Touitou, D. Association between Light at Night, Melatonin Secretion, Sleep Deprivation, and the Internal Clock: Health Impacts and Mechanisms of Circadian Disruption. Life Sci. 2017 , 173 , 94–106. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Wittmann, M.; Schreiber, W.; Landgrebe, M.; Hajak, G. Circadian Rhythms and Depression. Fortschritte Neurol. Psychiatr. 2018 , 86 , 308–318. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Boyce, P.; Barriball, E. Circadian Rhythms and Depression. Aust. Fam. Physician 2010 , 39 , 307–310. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Takaesu, Y. Circadian Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder: A Review of the Literature. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2018 , 72 , 673–682. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Bechtel, W. Circadian Rhythms and Mood Disorders: Are the Phenomena and Mechanisms Causally Related? Front. Psychiatry 2015 , 6 , 118. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Murray, G. Diurnal Mood Variation in Depression: A Signal of Disturbed Circadian Function? J. Affect. Disord. 2007 , 102 , 47–53. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Monteleone, P.; Martiadis, V.; Maj, M. Circadian Rhythms and Treatment Implications in Depression. Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 2011 , 35 , 1569–1574. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Courtet, P.; Olié, E. Circadian Dimension and Severity of Depression. Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2012 , 22 , S476–S481. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Monteleone, P.; Maj, M. The Circadian Basis of Mood Disorders: Recent Developments and Treatment Implications. Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2008 , 18 , 701–711. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Zielinski, M.R.; Gibbons, A.J. Neuroinflammation, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythms. Front. Cell Infect. Microbiol. 2022 , 12 , 853096. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Najjar, S.; Pearlman, D.M.; Alper, K.; Najjar, A.; Devinsky, O. Neuroinflammation and Psychiatric Illness. J. Neuroinflamm. 2013 , 10 , 816. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Brites, D.; Fernandes, A. Neuroinflammation and Depression: Microglia Activation, Extracellular Microvesicles and MicroRNA Dysregulation. Front. Cell Neurosci. 2015 , 9 , 476. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Block, M.L.; Elder, A.; Auten, R.L.; Bilbo, S.D.; Chen, H.; Chen, J.C.; Cory-Slechta, D.A.; Costa, D.; Diaz-Sanchez, D.; Dorman, D.C.; et al. The Outdoor Air Pollution and Brain Health Workshop. Neurotoxicology 2012 , 33 , 972–984. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Bernardini, F.; Attademo, L.; Trezzi, R.; Gobbicchi, C.; Balducci, P.M.; Del Bello, V.; Menculini, G.; Pauselli, L.; Piselli, M.; Sciarma, T.; et al. Air Pollutants and Daily Number of Admissions to Psychiatric Emergency Services: Evidence for Detrimental Mental Health Effects of Ozone. Epidemiol. Psychiatr. Sci. 2019 , 29 , e66. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Bouwkamp, C.G.; De Kruiff, M.E.; Van Troost, T.M.; Snippe, D.; Blom, M.J.; De Winter, R.F.P.; Haffmans, P.M.J. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Group Therapy for Patients with Bipolar Disorder. Int. J. Group Psychother. 2013 , 63 , 97–115. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Inder, M.L.; Crowe, M.T.; Luty, S.E.; Carter, J.D.; Moor, S.; Frampton, C.M.; Joyce, P.R. Randomized, Controlled Trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy for Young People with Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disord. 2015 , 17 , 128–138. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Crowe, M.; Inder, M.; Douglas, K.; Carlyle, D.; Wells, H.; Jordan, J.; Lacey, C.; Mulder, R.; Beaglehole, B.; Porter, R. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy for Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Am. J. Psychother. 2020 , 73 , 29–34. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Mufson, L.; Sills, R. Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents (IPT-A): An Overview. Nord. J. Psychiatry 2006 , 60 , 431–437. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Goldstein, T.R.; Merranko, J.; Krantz, M.; Garcia, M.; Franzen, P.; Levenson, J.; Axelson, D.; Birmaher, B.; Frank, E. Early Intervention for Adolescents At-Risk for Bipolar Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT). J. Affect. Disord. 2018 , 235 , 348–356. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Gold, A.K.; Kinrys, G. Treating Circadian Rhythm Disruption in Bipolar Disorder. Curr. Psychiatry Rep. 2019 , 21 , 14. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Friedrich, A.; Schlarb, A.A. Let’s Talk about Sleep: A Systematic Review of Psychological Interventions to Improve Sleep in College Students. J. Sleep. Res. 2018 , 27 , 4–22. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Sachs, G.; Berg, A.; Jagsch, R.; Lenz, G.; Erfurth, A. Predictors of Functional Outcome in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: Effects of Cognitive Psychoeducational Group Therapy after 12 Months. Front. Psychiatry 2020 , 11 , 530026. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Fusar-Poli, P. Integrated Mental Health Services for the Developmental Period (0 to 25 Years): A Critical Review of the Evidence. Front. Psychiatry 2019 , 10 , 355. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Becker, N.B.; Jesus, S.N.; João, K.A.D.R.; Viseu, J.N.; Martins, R.I.S. Depression and Sleep Quality in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis. Psychol. Health Med. 2017 , 22 , 889–895. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Boluda-Verdú, I.; Senent-Valero, M.; Casas-Escolano, M.; Matijasevich, A.; Pastor-Valero, M. Fear for the Future: Eco-Anxiety and Health Implications, a Systematic Review. J. Environ. Psychol. 2022 , 84 , 101904. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Kim, K.; Kim, H.J.; Song, D.J.; Cho, Y.M.; Choi, J.W. Risk Perception and Public Concerns of Electromagnetic Waves from Cellular Phones in Korea. Bioelectromagnetics 2014 , 35 , 235–244. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Zielinska-Dabkowska, K.M.; Schernhammer, E.S.; Hanifin, J.P.; Brainard, G.C. Reducing Nighttime Light Exposure in the Urban Environment to Benefit Human Health and Society. Science 2023 , 380 , 1130–1135. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Menculini, G.; Bernardini, F.; Attademo, L.; Balducci, P.M.; Sciarma, T.; Moretti, P.; Tortorella, A. The Influence of the Urban Environment on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Air Pollution and Migration-A Narrative Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public. Health 2021 , 18 , 3920. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]

Share and Cite

Menculini, G.; Cirimbilli, F.; Raspa, V.; Scopetta, F.; Cinesi, G.; Chieppa, A.G.; Cuzzucoli, L.; Moretti, P.; Balducci, P.M.; Attademo, L.; et al. Insights into the Effect of Light Pollution on Mental Health: Focus on Affective Disorders—A Narrative Review. Brain Sci. 2024 , 14 , 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080802

Menculini G, Cirimbilli F, Raspa V, Scopetta F, Cinesi G, Chieppa AG, Cuzzucoli L, Moretti P, Balducci PM, Attademo L, et al. Insights into the Effect of Light Pollution on Mental Health: Focus on Affective Disorders—A Narrative Review. Brain Sciences . 2024; 14(8):802. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080802

Menculini, Giulia, Federica Cirimbilli, Veronica Raspa, Francesca Scopetta, Gianmarco Cinesi, Anastasia Grazia Chieppa, Lorenzo Cuzzucoli, Patrizia Moretti, Pierfrancesco Maria Balducci, Luigi Attademo, and et al. 2024. "Insights into the Effect of Light Pollution on Mental Health: Focus on Affective Disorders—A Narrative Review" Brain Sciences 14, no. 8: 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080802

Article Metrics

Article access statistics, further information, mdpi initiatives, follow mdpi.

Subscribe to receive issue release notifications and newsletters from MDPI journals

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116797
• Corpus ID: 271673485

Antarctic wastewater: A local source of microplastic pollution.

• Nathalie Bernard , Lucas A.M. Ruberto , +3 authors Carlos M. Alonso-Hernandez
• Published in Marine Pollution Bulletin 2 August 2024
• Environmental Science

56 References

Microplastic contamination in east antarctic sea ice., first detection of microplastics in the freshwater of an antarctic specially protected area., first evidence of microplastics in antarctic snow, microplastic in the surface waters of the ross sea (antarctica): occurrence, distribution and characterization by ftir., modeling of microplastics discharged from a station in marian cove, west antarctica., microplastics in marine sediments near rothera research station, antarctica., microplastics in the marine environment., microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in greater paris, microplastic pollution in waters of the antarctic coastal environment of potter cove (25 de mayo island/king george island, south shetlands)., accumulation of microplastic on shorelines woldwide: sources and sinks., related papers.

Showing 1 through 3 of 0 Related Papers

Data, analysis, convening and action.

The world’s largest and most diverse environmental network.

• IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS
• REGIONAL CONSERVATION FORA
• CONTRIBUTIONS FOR NATURE
• IUCN ENGAGE (LOGIN REQUIRED)

IUCN tools, publications and other resources.

• News & Events
• Eastern and Southern Africa
• Eastern Europe and Central Asia
• Mediterranean
• Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
• North America
• South America
• West and Central Africa
• IUCN Academy
• IUCN Contributions for Nature
• IUCN Library
• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species TM
• IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas
• IUCN World Heritage Outlook
• IUCN Leaders Forum
• Protected Planet
• Union Portal (login required)
• IUCN Engage (login required)
• Commission portal (login required)

Get Involved

Our resources share the knowledge gathered by IUCN’s unique global community of 16,000+ experts. They include databases, tools, standards, guidelines and policy recommendations. We author hundreds of books, assessments, reports, briefs and research papers every year.

IUCN Issues Briefs provide key information on selected issues central to IUCN’s work. They are aimed at policy-makers, journalists or anyone looking for an accessible overview of the often complex issues related to nature conservation and sustainable development.

Conservation tools

IUCN's conservation tools consist of conservation databases, metrics and other knowledge products. These products have helped hundreds of organisations design, monitor and implement just and effective conservation.

IUCN produces publications on a wide range of topics to share our expertise on nature, conservation and sustainable development. Publications include reports, analyses, best practices, standards, periodicals from IUCN Commissions and numerous other types of knowledge from the Union.

Search all resources

• Sunday 28 July 28 2024, 11:00 – 16:30 (TBC)
• Courtyard Marriot (Frangipani Room)