Other Major Causes Of Pollution: What's Missing?

There are many different types of pollution, including air, water, and land pollution. However, modern society is also concerned about specific types of pollutants, such as noise, thermal, light, and plastic pollution. One major cause of air pollution is the atmospheric gas ozone, which is created when certain types of pollutants chemically react with sunlight or other gases. For example, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) often come from products used in construction and home maintenance, such as paint and air fresheners. When VOCs react with nitrogen oxides in the air, they create ozone, which is harmful to the air we breathe.

Burning fossil fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels releases large quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which increases global temperatures and causes climate change. This impacts climate patterns and sea levels around the world.

In addition to the environmental impacts, burning fossil fuels has significant health consequences. Globally, fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths, with 350,000 premature deaths attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution in the United States alone in 2018. The health impacts of fossil fuel-generated electricity in the US are estimated to cost up to $886.5 billion annually.

Mass deforestation

Deforestation is the clearing or removal of forests, especially to make land available for other uses. It is often carried out on a large scale to make way for agriculture or urban development. This can have a significant impact on the environment, as trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Removing large numbers of trees can disrupt this balance, leading to increased levels of carbon dioxide and contributing to global warming.

In addition, deforestation can also result in soil erosion, as trees help to bind the soil together and prevent it from being washed away by rain or wind. This can lead to further environmental issues, such as water pollution, as eroded soil can end up in rivers and other water sources.

The burning of trees and other vegetation during deforestation can also release harmful pollutants into the air, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants can have negative impacts on human health, contributing to respiratory problems and other health issues.

To reduce the impact of deforestation on air pollution, it is important to promote sustainable forestry practices, such as reforestation and afforestation, which involve planting new trees to replace those that have been cut down. Additionally, encouraging the use of alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind power, can help reduce the demand for fossil fuels and decrease the need for deforestation for energy purposes.

Factories

Another harmful gas from the burning of fossil fuels is sulfur dioxide, which is a key ingredient in the formation of acid rain. Factories contribute to water and land pollution through acid rain, chemical spills and the disposal of toxic waste. In some countries, the dumping of hazardous waste is highly regulated, but this is not the case worldwide. National Geographic reports that 70% of all industrial pollution is dumped directly into the water table, polluting drinking water. For example, textile-dye wastewater produced by clothing factories is creating a major water pollution problem in China.

A particular kind of factory called an animal factory, or a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), causes a great deal of air, land and water pollution. Aside from animal waste from CAFOs, industry also pollutes water sources directly through the dumping of pollutants into streams and lakes. Fortunately, filtration systems are continuously being refined to clean factory waste before it reaches the water supply.

Light pollution

There are three other kinds of light pollution: glare, clutter, and light trespass. Glare is excessive brightness that can cause visual discomfort (for example, when driving). Clutter is bright, confusing, and excessive groupings of light sources (for example, Times Square in New York City, New York). Light trespass is when light extends into an area where it is not wanted or needed (like a streetlight illuminating a nearby bedroom window). Most outdoor lighting is poorly positioned, sending wasted electricity up into the sky.

Plastic pollution

One of the major causes of plastic pollution is mismanaged plastic waste. This occurs when plastic litter is simply discarded into the environment and not cleaned up or properly disposed of through recycling or incineration. Plastic dumped in landfills can interact with water to form hazardous chemicals, which then seep underground and degrade water quality.

Another cause of plastic pollution is the wind, which can carry lightweight plastic over long distances, depositing it in natural environments or the ocean. Natural disasters such as floods can also contribute to plastic pollution by spreading plastic waste over large areas.

The widespread use of plastic in everyday items, from milk cartons to water bottles, also contributes to the problem. When these items are thrown away or washed down sinks, the toxic pollutants can enter the environment and cause harm to plants, wildlife, and even humans.

Shipping and fishing are the most common causes of plastic being lost directly into the ocean. It is estimated that 80% of ocean plastic pollution originates from land, flowing into oceans through sewers and rivers or being blown towards the sea by the wind.

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