The Impacts of Pollution on the Environment

Abstract 

Pollution is a major global concern in the modernized world. The primary impacts of pollution are environmental degradation, human health issues, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, and land infertility. The common pollutants are industrial effluents, farm chemicals, radioactive materials, chlorofluorocarbons, and kitchen wastes. Pollution is majorly caused by human beings and their activities. Particularly, pollution has increased in the modern world due to industrialization. Human beings, therefore, have a big role to play to help in containing pollution across the globe. This article examines the major impacts of pollution, namely; environmental degradation, human health issues, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, and soil infertility. 

Impacts of Pollution  

Introduction 

The word pollution is often mentioned in various places in every day-to-day life situations; in learning institutions, in newspapers, and at global gatherings. However, the word pollution is more serious than meets the eye. Pollution is said to occur when pollutants find their way into the environment making the ecosystem unable to support life systems (Li, 2016). The common pollutants are industrial effluents, farm chemicals, radioactive materials, chlorofluorocarbons, and kitchen wastes (Li, 2016). These pollutants affect the various components of the environment leading to various types of pollution. The common types of pollution are air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise pollution, and light pollution (Li, 2016). There are several effects of pollution, and the impact is dependent on the importance of the polluting factor. Due to its increasing intensity, pollution is now regarded as a global issue, as it cumulatively gives rise to human health issues and global warming. 

Primary Impacts of Pollution 

The impact of pollution is multifaceted and cannot be exhausted in this article. However, the major impacts of pollution may be classified into environmental degradation, human health issues, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, and land infertility (Li, 2016). This article discusses the primary impacts of pollution in details. 

Environmental Degradation 

Air, water, and land are the main components of the environment that are adversely affected by the pollution. For instance, increment of harmful gases, such carbon (II) oxide and carbon (IV) oxide in the atmosphere causes smog that in turn reduces the intensity of sunlight; limiting photosynthesis ( Andreau Leroux, & Bouharrour, 2012 ). Sulfur (IV) oxide and nitrogen (IV) oxide, on the other hand, result to acid rain ( Andreau Leroux, & Bouharrour, 2012 ). Presence of oil in water causes massive death of the marine life ( Andreau Leroux, & Bouharrour, 2012 ). Chlorofluorocarbons limit plant germination and causes corrosion to plants. 

Human Health 

Presence of harmful gases, dust particles, and heavy metals in air causes human deadly respiratory diseases, such as lung cancer and asthma ( Gorani-Azam, Riahi-Zanjani, Balali-Mood, 2016 ). Contaminated water leads to typhoid, dysentery, and cholera ( Gorani-Azam, Riahi-Zanjani, Balali-Mood, 2016 ). Acid rain causes skin-related issues, such as rashes and irritations ( Gorani-Azam, Riahi-Zanjani, Balali-Mood, 2016 ). Noise pollution, on the other hand, results in hearing impairment, disturbed sleep, and stress ( Eludoyin, 2016 ). Pollution is, therefore, a key contributor of human health issues. 

Global Warming 

When greenhouse gases, specifically carbon (IV) oxide, are excessively released into the atmosphere, they lead to global warming (WHO, 2010). Greenhouse gases are released into the air at an alarming rate. Such gases are released by vehicles and industries, which have been increased by modernization and the new technology. Global warming endangers the lives of people living along the coastal region ( WHO, 2010 ). Pollution is, therefore, a great threat to the people living near coastal regions. 

Depletion of the Ozone Layer 

Industrial activities are known to release dangerous chemical substance, such as chlorofluorocarbons, into the atmosphere. These chemicals contribute greatly to the depletion of the ozone layer (WHO, 2010). Depletion of the ozone layer is dangerous to all the earthly life forms. For instance, the ozone layer prevents the harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the earth. 

Soil Infertility 

Farm chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides are the leading pollutants of the land (Li, 2016). Excessive use of these chemical reduces the soil’s ability to support plant life. Soil infertility not only endangers the survival of plants, but also human beings. This is because plants are the primary producers (Li, 2016). All polluting activities that lead to soil infertility, therefore, threaten the extinction of all life forms on earth. 

Conclusion 

Pollution is a global issue that not only affects human beings, but also plants and animals. Air pollutants adversely affect neurological, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems of both human beings and animals. Besides, pollution affects the nature, rivers, plants, forests, animals, ponds, fruits, and vegetables, which are suitable for people’s survival. All people across the world have a duty to take care of the environment to preserve human life, nature, and wildlife, which are all God-given gifts to mankind. 

References 

Andreau, K., Leroux, M., & Bouharrour, A. (2012). Health and Cellular Impacts of Air Pollutants: From Cytoprotection to Cytotoxicity: Biochemistry Research International. P. 1-18. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bri/2012/493894/ 

Eludoyin, OM. (2016). Perceptions on Noise Pollution among the Residents of a Medium-Size Settlement in Southwestern Nigeria – A Preliminary Study: Journal of Pollution Effects & Control. 4(2): 1-4. Retrieved from https://www.longdom.org/open-access/perceptions-on-noise-pollution-among-the-residents-of-a-mediumsize-settlement-in-southwestern-nigeria--a-preliminary-study-2375-4397-1000160.pdf 

Gorani-Azam, A., Riahi-Zanjani, B.,Balali-Mood, M. (2016). Effects of air pollution on human health and practical measures for prevention in Iran: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 21: 65. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5122104/ 

Li, B. (2016). Impacts of Pollution on Environment : Journal of Pollution Effects & Control. 4: e114. Retrieved from https://www.longdom.org/open-access/impacts-of-pollution-on-environment-2375-4397-1000e114.pdf 

WHO. Database: Outdoor Air Pollution in Cities; 2003-2010. Available from:  http://www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/databases/cities-2011/en/