Pollution

Pollution is a term different people understand differently. Generally pollution is defined as the release of pollutants into the environment which adversely affect our health, harm all living organisms and upset the balance of the ecosystem. Pollutants can be in the form of chemical substances, noise, heat, light and so on.
What can these pollutants pollute?

The air we breathe can be polluted. The common air pollutants are carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are the result of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons reacting to sunlight. Polluted air can cause cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory problems.

The water on which all life depends is also polluted. Water pollution occurs mainly because of surface runoff and leaching to groundwater. The common diseases that polluted water can cause are typhoid, cholera, paratyphoid fever, bacillary dysentery, infectious hepatitis and protozoal infections.

Pollution of the soil happens when chemicals are carried to it with water or if there is a leakage in underground storage systems. The most common soil pollutants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals, MTBE [2], herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

The other common forms of pollution are noise, light and thermal pollutions. Noise pollution is the consequence of the noise generated by motor vehicles, aircraft, and the noise produced by industries. Light pollution is the consequence of over-illumination and light trespass. Thermal pollution is the change in the temperature of natural water bodies caused by human action.

All forms of pollution have adverse effects on all living organisms and the balance in the ecosystem. Ozone pollution can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest conditions, and congestion. Water pollution results in numerous deaths every day, mostly due to contamination of drinking water. Oil spills can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution induces hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance.

Pollution has devastating effect on the ecosystem. Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause acid rain which in turn lowers the pH value of soil. As a consequence soil can become infertile and unsuitable for plants. The multiplier effect of all this is felt by other organisms in the food chain. Smog and haze can reduce the amount of sunlight received by plants to carry out photosynthesis.

If unchecked the effect of all this pollution can be devastating and the damage done could be irreversible. We all have a responsibility and role to play in the effort to control pollution. To think that the authorities will take care of this is fallacious. True the government has a responsibility to regulate and monitor pollution. But by itself the government can do just so much. The rest is really up to individuals.

Individuals can do a lot by adopting a code of conduct for themselves to refrain from doing anything that may pollute the environment. Individuals can also bring to the notice of the authorities about the violations that come to their attention. It is up to individual to educate people in the immediate vicinity of the evils of pollution. They can use neighborhood associations and voluntary organizations to create awareness.