Understanding Environmental Pollution
Environmental pollution isn't new, but it's rapidly increasing and causing serious impacts on all living organisms, including humans. Human activities like urbanization, industrialization, and mining are major contributors to this global issue. When our environment becomes contaminated to the point that normal environmental processes are disrupted, we face pollution problems.
The main causes of environmental pollution include mining operations, agricultural activities, burning fossil fuels, particulate matter release, and plastic waste. These activities contribute to different types of pollution: air, water, and land/soil pollution.
Pollution is typically classified into seven categories, each with distinct causes and health effects. Atmospheric pollution comes from smoke and exhaust fumes, causing respiratory problems like asthma. Water pollution results from waste fluids and sewage discharge, leading to serious conditions like Minamata Disease. Other categories include soil pollution, noise, vibration, ground subsidence, and noxious odors.
Health Alert: Environmental pollution is one of the leading causes of morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) worldwide, affecting millions of people daily through contaminated air, water, and soil.