Water Vs Air: Pollution's Deadliest Forms

Water and air pollution are two of the most severe types of pollution, with both having detrimental effects on human health and the environment. While air pollution is defined as the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, water pollution refers to the contamination of bodies of water, often due to human activities. This paragraph will explore the topic of whether water pollution is worse than air pollution, considering their respective impacts and the interventions needed to address these pressing issues.

Water pollution sources

Water pollution is defined as the contamination of bodies of water, usually as a result of human activities. Water pollution sources can be categorised into two types: point source pollution and non-point source pollution or diffuse pollution.

Point source pollution refers to contamination originating from a single source, such as wastewater discharged by a manufacturer, oil refinery, or wastewater treatment facility. Other examples of point source pollution include leaking septic systems, chemical and oil spills, and illegal dumping. These sources of pollution can affect miles of waterways and oceans, even if they originate from a specific place.

Non-point source pollution, on the other hand, is derived from widespread sources. This type of pollution includes nutrients, pesticides, and fertilizers from farming activities, as well as pollutants released by industries into the air that eventually fall back to the land, water bodies, or the sea. Farming and fossil fuel power plants are the main sources of diffuse pollution.

Agriculture is a significant contributor to water pollution, with farming and livestock production using about 70% of the earth's surface water supplies. Every time it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms wash nutrients and pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, into our waterways. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water or air, is the top threat to water quality worldwide, leading to harmful algal blooms.

In addition to agricultural sources, municipal and industrial waste discharges also contribute to water pollution. This includes wastewater from our sinks, showers, and toilets (sewage), as well as commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities that release metals, solvents, and toxic sludge. Stormwater runoff is another concern, as rainfall can carry road salts, oil, grease, chemicals, and debris from impermeable surfaces into our waterways.

Water pollution has severe consequences for human health, the environment, and the economy. It is estimated that unsafe water causes more deaths annually than war and all other forms of violence combined. Water pollution also disrupts aquatic ecosystems, affecting species that rely on clean water and ultimately impacting humans and other organisms that depend on these water bodies.

Air pollution sources

Air pollution is defined as the presence of substances in the atmosphere that have a harmful effect on human health and the health of other living organisms. It also harms the planet's climate, often exacerbating natural calamities such as droughts and floods.

There are various sources of air pollution, which can be categorized as mobile sources, stationary sources, area sources, and neighborhood sources. Mobile sources, such as automobiles, cars, trucks, trains, and boats, account for more than half of all air pollution in the United States. Stationary sources, like power plants, emit large amounts of pollution from a single location and are also known as point sources.

Area sources are made up of multiple smaller pollution sources that may not be significant on their own but can collectively have an impact. Natural sources, such as wildfires, can sometimes contribute significantly to air pollution, although they usually do not create ongoing pollution problems like other source types. Neighborhood sources refer to local sources of air pollution that individuals are frequently exposed to, including vehicles, local businesses, heating and cooling equipment, wood fires, and gas-powered yard equipment.

Some specific examples of air pollution sources include gasoline and natural gas, which are major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that vaporize at or near room temperature. Paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, and even craft materials like glue also contribute to air pollution. Additionally, agricultural activities, traffic, and coal combustion are significant sources of air pollution, with emissions linked to increased rates of neurological disorders.

The effects of air pollution are severe, and it is projected to become an even bigger global killer than dirty water in the coming decades. According to the OECD report, urban air pollution is expected to cause approximately 3.6 million premature deaths annually by 2050, primarily in China and India.

Impact on human health

Water and air pollution are detrimental to human health. Water pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate a body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans. Air pollution, on the other hand, refers to the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere that impact human health and the health of other living organisms.

Water pollution kills more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined. Unsafe water sources are a significant contributor to this, with 1.8 million deaths attributed to contaminated water in 2015. The lack of access to clean drinking water is a pressing issue, with 2.2 billion people lacking such access in 2022. This scarcity is further exacerbated by water pollution, which renders water unsafe for human consumption. Contaminants in water, such as microplastics, chemicals, heavy metals, and pathogens, pose severe health risks, including metabolic disorders, oxidative stress, and inflammatory reactions. Additionally, waterborne pathogens, in the form of bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, can cause diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio.

Air pollution also poses significant risks to human health. Inhalation of air pollutants can lead to coughing, itchy eyes, and the development or exacerbation of breathing and lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Prolonged exposure to air pollution has been linked to hospitalizations, cancer, and even premature death. Vulnerable populations, such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution. Additionally, low-income communities and minority populations often bear a disproportionate burden of air pollution due to their proximity to polluting industries and sources.

Both water and air pollution have far-reaching consequences for human health. While water pollution directly impacts human health through the ingestion of contaminated water, air pollution affects humans through the inhalation of harmful substances in the atmosphere. The impact of these pollutants on human health underscores the urgency of implementing effective pollution control measures and ensuring access to clean water and air for all.

Impact on the environment

Water and air pollution have significantly altered the course of the Earth's history. The Industrial Revolution of the mid-19th century introduced new sources of air and water pollution. By the 20th century, the effects of these changes were being felt worldwide, and an environmental movement emerged to tackle the tide of pollutants invading the planet's ecosystems.

Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater, and aquifers, due primarily to human activities. The sources of water pollution include sewage, industrial waste, chemicals, and fertilizers. For example, the Yamuna River in Delhi has been severely affected by water pollution, with a noticeable stench, dark colour, and foam formation. Water pollution can lead to eutrophication, where the nutrient content of the water body increases due to leaching from sources such as sewage and farms. This results in the formation of algal blooms, which reduce the dissolved oxygen content available for aquatic plants and animals, leading to their death. According to the United Nations, more than 80% of the world's wastewater flows back into the environment without proper treatment, with the figure exceeding 95% in some least-developed countries.

Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances or particles, such as suspended particulate matter (e.g., dust, fumes, mists, and smoke), and certain kinds of gases in the atmosphere, which have detrimental effects on human health and the health of other living organisms. It also contributes to climate change, exacerbating natural calamities like droughts and floods. Urban air pollution is projected to become the leading environmental cause of premature deaths globally in the coming decades, with an estimated 3.6 million deaths per year by 2050, mainly in China and India.

Both water and air pollution have severe impacts on the environment. While water pollution directly harms aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that rely on them, air pollution contributes to climate change and the loss of biodiversity. The four key interconnected areas of concern are climate change, loss of biodiversity, water issues, and the health impacts of pollution. Addressing these issues requires interventions at the community level that target the driving forces behind pollution, rather than solely focusing on individual exposures.

To mitigate the impact of water pollution, it is crucial to treat wastewater effectively and reduce the discharge of pollutants into waterways. Governments can play a significant role by removing environmentally harmful subsidies, such as fossil fuel subsidies, and implementing policies that discourage the use of polluting substances. Additionally, individuals can contribute by reducing their carbon footprint through carpooling, using mass transit, or switching to hybrid vehicles.

Preventative measures

While both air and water pollution are detrimental to human health and the environment, there are several preventative measures that can be taken to reduce their impact.

• Conserve energy by turning off lights, computers, and electrical appliances when not in use.
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
• Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk to reduce fuel use.
• Only run dishwashers and clothes washers when they are full.
• Choose environmentally friendly cleaning products.
• Use water-based or solvent-free paints, and buy products with a "low VOC" label.
• Seal containers of household cleaners, workshop chemicals, and garden chemicals to prevent volatile organic compounds from evaporating into the air.
• Limit backyard fires in urban areas, as the smoke can cause unhealthy conditions for people with asthma and other lung conditions.
• Plant and care for trees, as they filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
• Use electric or hand-powered lawn equipment instead of gas-powered engines, which often lack pollution control devices.
• Advocate for clean air by directing local businesses, city offices, and school districts toward programs that promote sustainability and reduce emissions.
• Install water-efficient toilets or place a brick or half-gallon container in the toilet tank to reduce water use per flush.
• Only run dishwashers and clothes washers when they are full, and use the minimum amount of detergent and phosphate-free soap.
• Minimize the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and properly dispose of chemicals, motor oil, and automotive fluids.
• Ensure that sump pumps or cellar drains do not drain into the sanitary sewer system.
• Avoid dumping industrial waste, plastic, oil, grease, chemicals, and debris directly into waterways.
• Properly treat wastewater before releasing it back into the environment to prevent the contamination of lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater, and aquifers.

Frequently asked questions