Pollution occurs when harmful substances are added to the environment through both natural and human activities. There are different types of pollution including air, water, land, and noise pollution. While natural events like volcanic eruptions can cause pollution, human activities have a greater impact and are increasing as the world population grows. Domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities all contribute to pollution through waste production. Pollution negatively affects humans, plants, animals, and buildings by causing health issues, inhibiting plant growth, harming marine life, and damaging structures through corrosion.

1. WORLD WIDE PROBLEMS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Shevchuk Nadia
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2. Pollution is the process whereby various harmful
substances are added to the environment (land,
water, air etc.) by human and natural activities.

3. The various types of pollution that exist are:
air pollution, water pollution, land pollution,
noise pollution.

4. Natural activities that cause pollution are, for
example, volcanic eruptions, sandstorms and
natural forest fires. These events cause a large
amount of substances such as ash and dust, which
are harmful to our health, to be added to the
environment.

5. Although some natural events may
contribute to pollution, human activities have a
more harmful impact to the environment.

6. How do humans
contribute to pollution?

7. As the world population increases rapidly, there
is an increasing demand for food, materials and
energy. The activities that produce these products
tend to pollute the environment.

8. DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES
Homes and offices produce a lot of rubbish and
sewage every day.

9. INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES
Some by-products of industries are highly hazardous
e.g. sulphur dioxide.

10. AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Farms, too, produce a lot of waste. Waste from
animals, pesticides and herbicides are washed into
rivers and then into the sea.

11. How does pollution affect
our environment?

12. Pollution has adverse effects on all living and
non-living things.

13. Some of these effects are:
EFFECTS ON MAN

14. Air pollution can cause breathing problems
and eye, throat and skin irritation.

15. When solid waste is not properly treated and
disposed of, it can become a breeding for pests and
disease can spread.

16. EFFECTS ON PLANTS
Leaves find it difficult to manufacture food in
polluted air.

17. When trees begin to lose their leaves, they may
eventually die.

18. When there is too much chemical content in the
water absorbed by the roots, it can also affect plant
life.

19. EFFECTS ON ANIMALS
Oil spills in the seas and oceans result in birds and
animals (e.g. penguins and seals) being coated in
oil.

20. This makes it difficult for them to float and keep
warm and they may eventually die.

21. Solid waste in the water encourages the growth of
algae which depletes water of oxygen and kills
marine life.

22. EFFECTS ON BUILDINGS
Air pollution discolours and corrodes buildings and
statues, e.g. the Louvre Museum in France,
historical buildings in London and the Taj Mahal in
India are all covered with a layer of pollutants.