Kiera Jefferson
The word polluted is an adjective that describes something that has been made unclean, impure, or contaminated. It is derived from the Latin word polluere, which means to soil or defile. Pollution can refer to the contamination of the environment, such as polluted air or water, often caused by human activity. For example, a river can be polluted with sewage or atomic bomb waste, and a city can be polluted by solid fuel or car exhaust. The term can also be used figuratively, such as when referring to a corrupt source or a society with certain negative characteristics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Latin polluere ("to soil or defile") |
| Synonyms | Pollute, pollution |
| Types | Air pollution, water pollution, land pollution, light pollution, noise pollution |
| Causes | Forest fires, active volcanoes, human activities, industrialisation, population growth, improper use of pesticides, car exhaust, coal-burning factories |
| Effects | Damage to ecosystems, health issues, water contamination, soil contamination, air contamination, counterfeiting, disease |
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What You'll Learn
Polluted air and water
The word "pollute" comes from the Latin "polluere", meaning "to soil or defile". Something that is polluted is not clean and is soiled or contaminated. This includes both the air we breathe and the water we drink, which have been polluted by human activity for centuries.
The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century introduced new sources of air and water pollution, and by the middle of the 20th century, the effects were being felt worldwide. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, has been a major contributor to air pollution, with power plants in the eastern US and coal-burning factories in cities being key sources. Air pollution has a huge impact on the environment and public health, causing thousands of premature deaths every year and contributing to climate change. It can cause asthma and other respiratory issues, as well as triggering heart attacks, strokes, and irregular heartbeats.
Water pollution has also been an issue for centuries, with raw sewage contaminating drinking water sources and leading to diseases such as cholera and typhoid. More recently, industrial facilities have discharged pollution into waterways, with over 40% of American waterways unsafe for swimming and fishing, according to a 2006 report. Oil spills, such as the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989, have also devastated aquatic ecosystems and killed hundreds of thousands of animals.
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Natural events causing pollution
The word "polluted" refers to the presence of harmful substances that contaminate a given environment. Pollution can be caused by human activity or natural events. Natural events that cause pollution include:
Wildfires
Wildfires can release pollutants into the air, such as smoke and ash. These pollutants can have negative impacts on human health and the environment. Wildfires are often caused by natural phenomena such as lightning strikes or droughts. For example, the 1997 Southeast Asian haze was caused mainly by agricultural practices but was worsened by the El Niño drought.
Volcanic Eruptions
Volcanic eruptions can release harmful substances into the atmosphere, such as ash, gas, and toxic chemicals. These emissions can have significant impacts on air quality and contribute to climate change. For example, the 1986 eruption of the Hanford Nuclear Site in the United States released thousands of gallons of radioactive liquids into the air and the Columbia River.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes can cause technological accidents, such as damage to pipelines, storage tanks, and process equipment, resulting in the release of hazardous materials. They can also trigger tsunamis, which can cause further pollution through the spread of contaminants and microorganisms.
Floods
Floodwaters can be contaminated with microbes that, when picked up by the wind, can enter people's airways and cause lung disease. Additionally, the contaminants and microorganisms left behind after a flood can pose health risks, such as the growth of mould, which can cause respiratory issues.
Droughts and Dust Storms
Droughts and dust storms can affect air quality and have negative consequences for human health and the environment. For example, the dust storms in the southern Great Plains of the United States during the 1930s led to the "Dust Bowl" era, causing agricultural devastation and potentially contributing to the length of the Great Depression.
Natural events, such as those mentioned above, can significantly impact pollution levels and have far-reaching consequences for human health, ecosystems, and the climate.
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Human activities causing pollution
The word "polluted" means "not clean". It is derived from the Latin word "polluere", which means "to soil or defile".
Human activities have been the primary cause of pollution, with marine pollution being largely due to land-based actions. Rivers and oceans are contaminated with persistent chemicals and heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic, copper, iron, and lead. This has led to poisoning and bioaccumulation in some species, particularly those at the top of the food chain, such as fish consumed by humans. For example, the combustion of coal has resulted in mercury pollution in water, leading to a heightened risk of fetal anomalies, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia in adults who consume fish contaminated with methylmercury.
Additionally, pharmaceutical drugs and active ingredients in daily-use products, such as household and personal care items, have been dumped into water bodies. This has resulted in toxicological effects on animals, such as the feminisation of male fish due to exposure to oral contraceptives, and the development of antimicrobial resistance linked to the discharge of antibiotics.
Plastic waste is another significant contributor to marine pollution, with more than 10 million metric tons of plastic ending up in oceans annually, constituting around 85% of marine litter. The fishing industry is responsible for a large portion of this plastic waste, and microplastics in waterways have become a serious environmental and health hazard. Coastal litter often includes fishing and sewage-related debris, cigarette butts, and plastic waste such as bottles, cotton buds, and shopping bags.
Furthermore, nutrient pollution caused by human activities has led to eutrophication, or the blooming of harmful algae, in coastal areas. This has resulted in an increase in dead zones, which are regions underwater with extremely low oxygen levels that cannot support life. Human activities, such as those mentioned above, have had detrimental effects on the environment, leading to pollution and contamination of water bodies and the subsequent impact on the health and survival of various species, including humans.
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Solid, liquid, or gas pollution
The word "polluted" is derived from the Latin "polluere", which means "to soil or defile". It is used to describe something that is not clean, such as polluted air or water.
Solid waste pollution, also known as municipal solid waste (MSW), refers to the contamination of soil and water by solid wastes, which can include wood, metal, wallboard, concrete rubble, and other inert materials. Until the mid-20th century, solid wastes were often placed in open dumps, which caused various issues, including the contamination of groundwater and nearby water bodies. Modern solid waste disposal techniques involve the use of sanitary landfills, which are carefully engineered to control and minimize the risk of land pollution.
Liquid pollution, or water pollution, occurs when water is contaminated by toxic substances, chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. Water is a universal solvent, meaning it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid, making it particularly vulnerable to pollution. Agricultural activities are a major source of water pollution, with fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste washing into waterways and causing nutrient pollution and algal blooms. Industrial and commercial activities also contribute to water pollution, releasing metals, solvents, and toxic sludge into water sources.
Gas pollution, or air pollution, refers to the presence of pollutants in the air, such as emissions from engines and fuels. To reduce air pollution, regulations such as the Clean Air Act in the United States have been implemented, requiring the use of emissions-control devices and cleaner-burning engines. Additionally, the reduction of gasoline leaks and the phase-out of leaded gasoline have been undertaken to improve air quality.
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Pollution in literature and film
The word "polluted" is derived from the Latin "polluere", which means "to soil or defile". When something is polluted, it is contaminated and no longer clean. This can refer to both physical pollution, such as a polluted river, and figurative pollution, such as a "corrupt and polluted source".
Pollution has been a topic of interest in both literature and film, often serving as a backdrop to explore larger themes or to shine a light on specific environmental issues.
One example of pollution in literature is the book "Voices from Chernobyl" by Nobel Prize-winning journalist Alexievich. The book presents a series of intimate portraits based on hundreds of interviews, offering visceral imagery of the Chernobyl disaster and how it unfolded against the backdrop of everyday life.
Another influential book that tackles the subject of pollution is "Living Downstream" by Steingraber. Part science, part history, and part memoir, the book aims to refocus public attention upstream, to where problems like cancer and pollution begin. The book's powerful message inspired filmmaker Chanda Chevannes to create a documentary film adaptation of the same name.
The book "Pollution is Colonialism" by Liboiron takes a unique approach to the topic of pollution, arguing that the ultimate source of pollution is the violent and ongoing colonial systems that presumed Indigenous land was available for resource extraction, industrial feedstocks, and waste assimilation.
When it comes to film, the 1960s and 1970s marked a turning point in popular awareness about environmental problems, with air pollution becoming a particularly urgent topic. During this period, the United States Public Health Service (PHS) produced or supported six films about air pollution, reflecting the government's leading role in educating the public about environmental health threats.
One notable film that depicts a heavily polluted future is "Blade Runner", described by filmmaker and critic Thom Andersen as "the official nightmare of Los Angeles". The film showcases a dark, polluted urban center with flying vehicles and constant acid rain.
These examples demonstrate how pollution has been a prevalent theme in both literature and film, often serving as a lens through which to explore societal issues, raise awareness, and spark important conversations about the environment.
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