Environmental Pollution
Environmental pollution refers to the introduction of harmful contaminants into the natural environment, causing adverse effects on ecosystems, human health, and the planet as a whole. This can include air, water, and soil pollution, as well as noise and light pollution. Human activities such as industrial processes, transportation, and waste disposal are major contributors to environmental pollution.
4 Key excerpts on "Environmental Pollution"
eBook - ePubEnvironmental Management
Science and Engineering for Industry
- I.V Murali Krishna, Valli Manickam(Authors)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- Butterworth-Heinemann(Publisher)
...Chapter One Introduction Abstract In this chapter the common issues faced in the world today are discussed to set the tone for the book on major topics such as water and air pollution and hazardous waste management. This chapter brings out the need for environmental management across the world to make it a healthier place in which to live. Keywords Air pollution; Solid and hazardous waste management; Water; Wastewater Environmental Pollution is one of the most serious problems facing humanity and other life forms on our planet today. Environmental Pollution is defined as “the contamination of the physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.” Pollutants can be naturally occurring substances or energies, but they are considered contaminants when in excess of natural levels. Any use of natural resources at a rate higher than nature’s capacity to restore itself can result in pollution of air, water, and land. Generally, Environmental Pollution takes place when the environment cannot process and neutralize harmful by-products of human activities in due course without any structural or functional damage to its system. Although pollution has been known to exist since life began, it has seen a growth of truly global proportions since the onset of the industrial revolution during the 19th century. Environmental Pollution is a problem not only in the developed countries but also in developing countries. Factors such as population growth, technological advancement, and urbanization invariably place greater demands on the planet and stretch the use of natural resources to the maximum. Pollution is something that we face on an everyday basis; probably, this is something we may even be immune to in our fast-paced lives. There are three major types of Environmental Pollution: air, water, and land pollution. Air and noise pollution are increasing at an alarming rate today...
- Navale Pandharinath(Author)
- 2021(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...CHAPTER - 8 Environmental Pollution INTRODUCTION According to WHO air pollution is world’s top environment health risk. It causes one-in-eight deaths globally. Death due to air pollution increased four folds across the global over the past decade and the number of death due to air pollution in plugged at 8 million every year. Of this 3.7 million (globally) are from outdoor or ambient air pollution. About 88% of premature deaths attributed to air pollution exposure occurred in low and middle income countries and greatest number in the Western Pacific and south-east Asia regions. WHO studies indicate besides development of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases as strokes and ischaemic heart disease and cancer occur due to air pollution. Latest resolution passed during 68 th World Health Association called for all countries to develop air quality monitoring system. The UN conference on Human Environment held at Stockholm in June 1972 stressed to take appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of human environment. According to UN Report, at present mankind is persisting with thoughtless and extravagent consumption of natural resources in an unprecedented manner. The UNEP (October 2007) outlook report says, at present consumption rate it requires 21.9 hectares per person while earth’s capacity 15.7 hectares per person. As a result of this 116550 square km of forest area being lost across the world each year. According to WHO report, about one fourth of global deaths are caused by environmental risks, like polluted air, dirty water, hazardous work places and dangerous roads. The WHO estimates 12.6 million deaths in 2012 or about 23% of total world deaths were attributed to such environmental factors...
eBook - ePub- Liam J. Donaldson, Paul Rutter(Authors)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...Today, these are still the predominant elements in low-income countries. In the more advanced economies of middle- and high-income countries, modern risks come from increased industrialization and economic development, and include urban air pollution from transport or industry and water pollution from intensive agriculture. If development and urbanization are managed poorly and inequitably, populations can be faced with both traditional and modern risks. CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH: DEFINITIONS AND FRAMEWORKS Basic definitions of environmental health describe the physical, chemical and biological environmental factors that affect health. Broader definitions also embrace social and cultural conditions. The World Health Organization’s definition is: Environmental health addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. This definition excludes behaviour not related to environment, as well as behaviour related to the social and cultural environment, and genetics. The relationship between environmental factors and health is often highly complex. The World Health Organization’s Driving Force–Pressure–State–Exposure–Effect–Action (DPSEEA) framework (Figure 12.2) helpfully elucidates the interactions that are involved. Understanding this helps in the selection of targets to improve health. Figure 12.2 The World Health Organization DPSEEA framework. Source: World Health Organization (WHO). Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments: Towards an Estimate of the Environmental Burden of Disease. Geneva: WHO, 2006. With permission. Driving forces are upstream factors that affect society. They include population growth, technological change and economic development...
eBook - ePub- K. Heliovaara(Author)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...More research should be directed to the effects of pollutants in tropical and subtropical ecosystems with high species richness that is often restricted to the remaining isolated patches of natural vegetation, e.g., nature reserves. Furthermore, the pollution control is often less effective in developing countries, and due to the considerable pest problems, the use of potentially dangerous pesticides is common. On the other hand, even the remote Arctic areas are not safe from long-distance pollution. These simple ecosystems may be susceptible to relatively small pollutant-induced perturbations, e.g., in decomposition processes. The Arctic areas are also suitable for field experiments with controls utilizing the low local-pollution levels. The majority of the information on pollutant-induced changes in insects originates from waters, cultivated forests or agricultural areas, or from the laboratory. For example, little is known about the changes in coastal marshlands or mangroves, steppes, or deserts. The forest ecological data is rarely based on studies in untouched forests, so the effects of pollution on the wood-decomposing system or on the conservation value of the forest (e.g., compared to the effects of silvicultural practices) are poorly understood. The results from boreal or nemoral forests are not readily applicable to tropical forests. Forest decline in Europe is apparently associated with a loss in tree vigor due to exposure to air pollutants. Symptoms of decline vary by species and region, and if air pollutants are responsible, it is possible that a number of interacting agents are involved. Mechanisms of decline are unknown, although several hypotheses have been developed. There is some evidence that air pollution increases the susceptibility of trees to insect pests...
