We are often hearing about the different types of pollution affecting our planet, but what really is pollution and how many different types are there? Let’s take a closer look:
What is Pollution?
Pollution is the process in which parts of the environment are damaged and contaminated so that they are no longer safe. Usually, pollution is caused by humans when they artificially introduce something into the environment that doesn’t belong there. Pollution not only affects the environment but also impacts the lives of over 200 million people around the world. In areas with high levels of pollution, children are more likely to have birth defects have a lower IQ and life expectancy, with some types of pollution being found to cause respiratory issues and cancers.
Land Pollution
Land pollution is where the ground itself has become contaminated. Generally, the cause of this is household waste or industrial byproducts. In the year 2019-2020, households in the UK produced around 23 million tons of waste, according to Statista, with over half of this going straight to landfills. On top of household waste, commercial waste is also a vast cause of what ends up in landfills, with over 50% of all landfill waste coming from construction and industries. A lot of this waste can be classified as non-hazardous such as wood or bricks, while others are toxic, leading to damage to the environment, animals and humans if they come into contact with it. Many different industries can produce harmful waste such as fuel, chemicals or paint, which can have a lasting damage to the land where it is dumped. Land pollution can also occur when individuals or corporations choose to dump waste where it does not belong, contaminating the surrounding area.
Water Pollution
Water pollution is when waste or toxic substances come into contact with water – such as our rivers and oceans. These substances could include chemicals, pesticides or metals such as lead which can all impact water quality, leading to a risk to animal and human health. Recent studies have shown that under 15% of rivers in England meet the criteria for ‘good ecological status’ with many containing common contaminants such as bacteria, mercury, nitrogen or chemicals.
It is important to note, however, that the UK’s rivers and lakes are in a better condition than many around the world, and the fact that the UK has access to clean drinking water puts it ahead of many nations. The United Nations predicts that around 783 million people can’t access clean water while over 2 billion do not have appropriate sanitation systems to get rid of sewage safely.
Water pollution has a serious impact on animal life as it changes the levels of oxygen and composition within the water. If the water holds less oxygen, for example, fish will not be able to survive. The water population within the UK’s rivers is far lower than it should be, and this also impacts animals who use water animals as food. If water is polluted with nitrogen, this causes the green algae within rivers to exponentially grow, creating a layer on the surface of the water, which blocks light reaching water plants underneath. As these plants die, they reduce the oxygen in the water, killing the animals and again impacting the ecosystem.
How To Reduce The Impact Of Water Pollution
Chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers often leak into local water sources, which can contaminate the water and damage the ecosystem, therefore, switch to natural alternatives or use the products sparingly. Consider using environmentally friendly household products, including cleaning, laundry and hygiene products, to stop chemicals impacting water supplies. When it comes to food production, non-organic food producers also use harmful chemicals that slip into local water systems. Selecting organic alternatives has less of a negative impact on the environment as a whole.
Air Pollution
The air around is what keeps us alive and is vital in also sustaining both plant and animal life, with over 99% of it containing vital elements such as oxygen, nitrogen and other gases. Air pollution is when the makeup of the air around us is altered due to substances being released into the air, such as greenhouse gases, smoke or fuel.
Gases such as carbon monoxide, chemical vapours, and sulphur dioxide can also contaminate the air – having an impact on the environment by increasing the chances of both smog and acid rain, which can cause damage over time. Greenhouse gases from cars and industry are also a great cause of air pollution and lead to global warming via the greenhouse effect as they stop heat from escaping through the atmosphere.
When it comes to the harmful effects of air pollution, studies have shown that contamination of the air is responsible for the death of over 2 million people every year through conditions such as respiratory problems and cardiovascular disease.
How To Reduce The Impact Of Air Pollution
13% of all carbon emissions in the UK comes from cars, so opting to travel by public transport or car sharing where possible is a great way to help reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Additionally, choose to cycle or walk to your destination when you can. Over 50% of UK air pollution is caused by animal agriculture, so cutting down on your meat and dairy intake for even once per week will make a positive difference.
