Helena Joyce
Pollutants are substances that are released into ecosystems by human activities and have a detrimental impact on the quality of air, water, soil, and food, as well as the health of humans and other organisms. They can be categorised in various ways, such as stock pollutants and fund pollutants, or grouped according to specific properties like organic, particulate, or pharmaceutical. Some common pollutants include persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, fossil fuels, pesticides, fertilizers, and plastic waste. These pollutants can contaminate natural environments, decrease biodiversity, and cause diseases in humans and other species. Light pollution, caused by artificial lighting, also impacts the visibility of the night sky and affects ecosystems. To address these issues, international regulations, such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, have been implemented to control and reduce the emission of harmful pollutants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Substances released into ecosystems by human activities that decrease the quality of air, water, soil and food, and affect the health of human and non-human populations |
| Types | Stock pollutants, fund pollutants, organic, inorganic, pharmaceutical, chemical, synthetic, particulate, light, etc. |
| Sources | Fossil fuels, farming, mining, urbanization, industrial innovations, sewage, trash, etc. |
| Effects | Short-term or long-term damage to plant or animal species, human health, property values, etc. |
| Regulations | Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), etc. |
| Control Measures | Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), ambient air quality standards, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Stock pollutants and fund pollutants
Pollutants are substances or energy introduced into the environment that have undesired effects or adversely affect the usefulness of a resource. They can be naturally forming, such as minerals or extracted compounds like oil, or anthropogenic, such as manufactured materials or byproducts. They can enter the environment in a variety of ways and cause both long-term and short-term damage by interfering with resources used by humans, human health, wellbeing, or property values.
Pollutants can be categorized in various ways, one of which is the distinction between stock pollutants and fund pollutants. Stock pollutants are those for which the environment has a low absorptive capacity. In other words, the environment cannot effectively absorb or break down these pollutants, leading to their accumulation over time. Examples of stock pollutants include persistent organic pollutants like PCBs, non-biodegradable plastics, and heavy metals. The damage caused by stock pollutants increases as more of the pollutant is emitted, and it persists as the pollutant accumulates. This accumulation can create a burden for future generations, as the negative consequences can far outlast the benefits that may have been gained from the activities that produced the pollution.
On the other hand, fund pollutants are those for which the environment has a moderate absorptive capacity. Fund pollutants do not cause harm unless the rate of emission surpasses the environment's capacity to absorb or break them down. Carbon dioxide is an example of a fund pollutant, as it is absorbed by plants and oceans. Fund pollutants are not destroyed but are transformed into less hazardous compounds or diluted to non-harmful concentrations.
Another way to categorize pollutants is according to their zones of influence, which can be horizontal or vertical. The horizontal zone refers to the area damaged by a pollutant, with local pollutants causing damage near the emission source and regional pollutants causing damage further away. The vertical zone refers to whether the damage occurs at ground level or in the atmosphere, with surface pollutants accumulating near the Earth's surface and global pollutants concentrating in the atmosphere.
Additionally, pollutants can be classified into primary and secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants are those that are directly discharged into the environment, while secondary pollutants are formed as a result of chemical reactions involving primary pollutants or other natural compounds present in the environment.
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Environmental Persistent Pharmaceutical Pollutants (EPPP)
Pharmaceuticals are biologically active substances specifically designed to cause pharmacological effects in living organisms. They are important in the healthcare sector as they can be used as disinfectants, cleaners, laboratory reagents, sterilants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and within medical devices and equipment. They also have major benefits for animal welfare. However, there is growing concern about the impacts on human health and the environment when pharmaceuticals and chemicals are not managed appropriately.
The term Environmental Persistent Pharmaceutical Pollutants (EPPP) was first suggested in 2010 by the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE). EPPPs are pharmaceuticals that are slowly degradable or non-degradable, designed to resist chemical breakdown during their passage through a human or animal body. When released into the environment, they can directly and adversely affect non-target organisms, such as wildlife, and cause long-term impacts on ecosystem health and resilience.
EPPPs have been detected in water all over the world, especially in drinking water catchments and rivers in Germany, where radiocontrast agents and the painkiller diclofenac were found in relevant concentrations. Active pharmaceutical residues have also been detected in surface waters, and they may persist in the environment for long periods. A global literature review in 2016 detected a total of 631 different pharmaceuticals or their transformation products in the environment of 71 countries.
EPPPs can have serious genotoxic effects on humans and other species, including genetic, developmental, immune, and hormonal health effects. They can also contribute to the extinction of species and the imbalance of sensitive ecosystems, as many EPPPs affect the reproductive systems of various organisms. Additionally, they can lead to the development of microbes resistant to antibiotics.
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Light pollution
Specific categories of light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow. Light trespass occurs when unwanted light enters one's property, for example, by shining over a neighbour's fence or through a window, causing problems such as sleep deprivation. Skyglow, on the other hand, refers to any light that is emitted more than 90 degrees above the nadir, reducing the visibility of stars.
Addressing light pollution involves implementing solutions like adjusting light fixtures, using appropriate light bulbs, and educating the public to push for legislative change. Organizations like DarkSky International work to establish codes and statutes that reduce light pollution and protect communities and wildlife from its harmful effects.
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Local and regional pollutants
Pollutants are substances that are released into ecosystems by human activities, which decrease the quality of air, water, soil, and food, and negatively affect the health of human and non-human populations. Some pollutants are synthetic, such as chemical pesticides, while others are derived directly from the environment, like heavy metals or fossil fuels.
Local and regional air pollution can have serious health impacts, particularly on respiratory systems, and can also affect ecosystem health, including agricultural productivity and wild fish populations. For instance, the burning of fossil fuels releases pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and airborne particles, which reduce air quality and can contribute to the formation of acid rain. Acid rain can then contaminate freshwater sources, harming fish populations and other wildlife.
Additionally, local and regional air pollution can have disproportionate impacts on different racial and ethnic groups. Studies have found that people of color and minority communities are often exposed to higher concentrations of air pollutants, due to regional and local variability. This disparity in exposure contributes to health inequalities and premature mortality.
To address local and regional air pollution, regulations and standards, such as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants in the US, have been put in place to control and reduce emissions. However, effectively tracking and mitigating long-distance pollution drift remains a challenge, requiring broader coverage and collaboration between local governments and industries.
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Particulate matter
PM is composed of acids, organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. The size of these particles varies, with some being ultrafine and others being coarse. The smallest particles, known as PM2.5, have a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. These fine particles are particularly harmful and are the fifth leading risk factor for death worldwide, causing approximately 4.2 million deaths each year.
The health effects of particulate matter have been widely studied, and exposure to PM has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes. These include respiratory diseases such as asthma and silicosis, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, premature delivery, birth defects, low birth weight, developmental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, mental disorders, and premature death. The World Health Organization estimates that PM air pollution contributes to approximately 800,000 premature deaths each year, making it the 13th leading cause of mortality worldwide.
In addition to the health impacts, PM also has effects on the environment. As a form of air pollution, PM contributes to reduced air quality and can cause visual effects such as haze and reduced visibility. The particles can also undergo chemical reactions with other air pollutants, forming surface-level ozone. This further exacerbates the negative impact of PM on air quality and human health.
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Frequently asked questions
Pollutants are substances released into ecosystems by human activities that decrease the quality of air, water, soil, and food, and negatively affect the health of human and non-human populations. Some examples of pollutants include:
- Oil
- Pesticides
- Fertilizers
- Heavy metals (e.g. mercury, arsenic, lead)
- Radioactive waste
- Particulates (soot, dust, smokes, fumes, mists)
- Sewage
- Trash
Pollutants can be categorized in a variety of ways. Some common types include:
- Stock Pollutants: Pollutants towards which the environment has low absorptive capacity, such as persistent organic pollutants, non-biodegradable plastics, and heavy metals.
- Fund Pollutants: Pollutants for which the environment has a moderate absorptive capacity.
- Environmental Persistent Pharmaceutical Pollutants (EPPP)
- Local Pollutants: Cause damage near the emission source.
- Regional Pollutants: Cause damage further from the emission source.
- Surface Pollutants: Cause damage by accumulating near the Earth's surface.
- Global Pollutants: Cause damage by concentrating in the atmosphere.
Gaseous criteria air pollutants of primary concern in urban settings include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone (a key component of smog).
