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Essay on Pollution In English For Students

Essay on Pollution for Students: Explore Essay on pollution in varying lengths, including 100, 150, 200, 600, and 800 words.

November 19, 2023

Table of Contents

Essay on Pollution: Pollution is a big problem that happens when harmful things get into the air, water, and land around us. It can be from factories, cars, or even how we throw away our trash. Pollution is not good because it can make people and animals sick and can even change the weather. It’s not just a problem in one place – it’s everywhere, and it affects the whole world. In this essay, we’re going to talk about the different kinds of pollution, where it comes from, and why we all need to work together to make things better for our planet.

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Short Essay on Pollution

Below, we present concise and comprehensive essays on pollution in English to enhance your understanding. Upon reviewing these essays, you will gain insights into the definition of pollution, its primary causes, methods for prevention, and more. These resources can prove valuable for your academic assignments, such as essay writing, speech delivery, or paragraph composition in school or college.

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Essay on Pollution in 100 Words

Pollution happens when harmful stuff gets into nature and makes things bad. There are different kinds of pollution like dirty air, dirty water, dirty soil, too much noise, and too much light. The sources of pollution are diverse, ranging from industrial activities to household waste. Pollution has severe consequences on ecosystems, human health, and the overall well-being of our planet. Addressing pollution is a collective responsibility that requires global awareness and sustainable practices. Governments play a crucial role in enforcing regulations, promoting renewable energy sources, and raising awareness about the importance of environmental conservation.

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Essay on Pollution in 150 Words

Pollution is a pressing environmental issue affecting our planet. It occurs when harmful substances contaminate the air, water, or soil. The primary sources of pollution include industrial activities, vehicle emissions, improper waste disposal, and deforestation. Air pollution, caused by the release of pollutants into the atmosphere, leads to respiratory problems and climate change. Water pollution, resulting from the discharge of chemicals and waste into water bodies, poses a threat to aquatic life and human health.

Soil pollution occurs when pollutants, such as pesticides and industrial waste, degrade the quality of soil, impacting plant growth and food safety. Noise pollution, caused by excessive noise from various sources, can lead to stress and hearing loss. Light pollution disrupts natural ecosystems and affects wildlife behavior. To address pollution, individuals must adopt sustainable practices, industries must implement cleaner technologies, and governments must enforce stringent environmental regulations.

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Essay on Pollution in 200 Words

Pollution is a global challenge that poses a threat to the health of our planet and its inhabitants. It manifests in various forms, including air, water, soil, noise, and light pollution. The consequences of pollution are far-reaching, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being. Industrial activities, urbanization, and improper waste management contribute significantly to pollution.

Air pollution, caused by the release of pollutants into the atmosphere, leads to respiratory diseases, climate change, and environmental degradation. Water pollution results from the discharge of chemicals, sewage, and industrial waste into rivers, lakes, and oceans, harming aquatic life and contaminating drinking water sources. Soil pollution occurs when pollutants like pesticides and heavy metals degrade the quality of soil, affecting plant growth and food safety.

Noise pollution, generated by traffic, industrial machinery, and other human activities, can have adverse effects on human health, causing stress, sleep disturbances, and hearing loss. Light pollution, caused by excessive artificial light in urban areas, disrupts natural ecosystems and interferes with the behavior of nocturnal animals.

Addressing pollution requires collective efforts at individual, community, and governmental levels. Individuals can contribute by adopting eco-friendly practices, reducing waste, and using sustainable modes of transportation. Industries must invest in cleaner technologies and adhere to strict environmental standards. 

Long Essay on Pollution 

Pollution is a complex and multifaceted environmental issue that poses a significant threat to the sustainability of our planet. It is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, resulting in adverse changes that affect ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Pollution can take various forms, including air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise pollution, and light pollution, each with its unique set of challenges and consequences.

Sources of Pollution

The sources of pollution are diverse and often interconnected. Industrial activities, urbanization, transportation, agriculture, and improper waste management contribute significantly to the release of pollutants into the environment. Industrial processes emit a variety of pollutants, including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and toxic chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on air quality and contribute to climate change.

Vehicle emissions, stemming from the burning of fossil fuels, release pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and respiratory diseases. Improper disposal of waste, both solid and liquid, contaminates water bodies and soil, posing threats to aquatic life, plant health, and food safety.

Agricultural practices, including the use of pesticides and fertilizers, contribute to soil and water pollution, affecting both the environment and human health. Deforestation and urbanization disrupt natural ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and the displacement of wildlife. Noise pollution, resulting from human activities such as traffic, construction, and industrial processes, can have adverse effects on human health, causing stress, sleep disturbances, and hearing loss.

Consequences of Pollution

The consequences of pollution are severe and far-reaching. Air pollution is a major contributor to respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure to air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to cardiovascular diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Water pollution poses threats to aquatic life and human health. Contaminated water sources can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, affecting millions of people globally. Soil pollution affects plant growth and food safety, as pollutants like pesticides and heavy metals accumulate in the soil and enter the food chain.

Noise pollution can have physiological and psychological effects, causing stress, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Light pollution disrupts natural ecosystems and interferes with the behavior of nocturnal animals, affecting their reproductive patterns and migration.

Global Impact

Pollution is not confined to local or regional boundaries; it has a global impact. Greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, contribute to global warming and climate change. The rise in global temperatures leads to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events, posing threats to unsafe ecosystems and communities.

The pollution of oceans with plastic waste has become a global crisis, with millions of tons of plastic entering the oceans annually. This not only harms marine life but also affects human health, as microplastics enter the food chain through seafood consumption.

Loss of biodiversity is another consequence of pollution, as ecosystems are disrupted and species face habitat destruction and pollution-induced stress. The decline of pollinators, such as bees, due to exposure to pesticides, has implications for agriculture and food security.

Addressing Pollution

Addressing pollution requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach at individual, community, and governmental levels. Individuals can contribute by adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives, such as reducing energy consumption, using eco-friendly products, and practicing responsible waste disposal.

Communities can organize clean-up initiatives, promote recycling programs, and raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. Educational institutions play a crucial role in fostering environmental awareness and sustainability practices among students.

Governments must enact and enforce stringent environmental regulations to curb pollution. Incentives for industries to adopt cleaner technologies, invest in renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable waste management practices are essential. International cooperation is crucial to address global environmental challenges, with countries working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat plastic pollution, and protect biodiversity.

Essay on Pollution in 800 Words

Pollution, the presence of unwanted substances known as pollutants in the environment, poses an immediate and severe threat to the delicate balance of our ecosystems. The recognition of the urgent need to address pollution is essential if we are to preserve the Earth and its biodiversity. This essay explores the various facets of pollution, its types, and the impact it has on major Indian cities such as Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, and Varanasi.

What is Pollution?

Pollution occurs when external compounds, primarily generated by human activities, enter the environment as unwanted entities known as pollutants. These pollutants cause significant harm to the environment, affecting water bodies, air, flora, and fauna. The consequences of pollution extend globally, contributing to phenomena like the greenhouse gas effect, global warming, and acid rain.

Effects of Pollution on Major Indian Cities

Imagine bustling cities in India, like Delhi or Varanasi, filled with life and energy. However, there’s a problem casting a shadow over this vibrancy – pollution. In this exploration, we’re going to look at how pollution affects the air, water, and soil in cities such as Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, and Varanasi. The goal is to understand the challenges these cities face and why it’s so important for everyone to work together to tackle pollution and ensure a healthier future.

Pollution Level in Delhi

Delhi, the National Capital Territory, faces a dire situation in terms of air quality index (AQI). According to the World Health Organization, Delhi ranks lowest among 1650 major cities worldwide. The air quality, especially during the winter months from October to December, rapidly deteriorates, reaching hazardous levels.

The AQI for Delhi remains moderate (101-200) from January to September but spikes during winter, often surpassing 500. Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels soar well beyond safe limits, primarily due to factors such as vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and the traditional practice of burning paddy crop roots in neighboring states.

Pollution Level in Noida

Noida, bordering Delhi in western Uttar Pradesh, faces similar challenges with poor air quality. Intensive construction activities, heavy vehicular pollution, and cold winter air contribute to the formation of a thick smog, impacting the Air Quality Index. The PM levels in Noida compete with Delhi, often reaching hazardous levels during the winter months.

Pollution Level in Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad frequently tops the list of North Indian cities with the worst AQI and pollution levels. Industrial pollution and waste burning are major contributors to Ghaziabad’s poor air quality. Located on the outskirts of the city, industries emit dense smoke, exacerbating pollution. The PM10 levels in Ghaziabad often surpass permissible limits, reaching alarming levels, especially during festivals like Diwali.

Pollution Level in Lucknow

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, experiences fluctuating AQI levels, ranging from moderate to poor. While not as severe as Delhi NCR, the air quality in Lucknow is still alarming, demanding concrete action. The quantity of suspended Particulate Matter has increased significantly in residential areas, posing health risks. The city’s air contains fine PM2.5 particles, reaching hazardous concentrations.

Pollution Level in Varanasi

Varanasi, the ancient pilgrimage city and the parliamentary constituency of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, faces environmental challenges due to ongoing construction activities. Varanasi’s AQI is ranked third on the World Health Organization’s list of the fifteen most polluted cities globally. The ongoing construction work contributes to a decline in air quality, with AQI reaching up to 300, falling in the “Poor” category. Particulate Matter, especially PM2.5, poses health risks to the city’s residents.

The impacts of pollution are profound, impacting ecosystems, biodiversity, and the well-being of humans. Prolonged exposure to air pollutants is associated with cardiovascular diseases, while contaminated water sources contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases. Soil pollution poses risks to food safety, and noise pollution leads to stress and hearing loss. Additionally, light pollution disrupts wildlife behavior.

Importantly, pollution transcends local boundaries; its consequences are felt globally. Greenhouse gas emissions contribute significantly to global warming, causing adverse effects on climate patterns. The accumulation of plastic waste in oceans not only harms marine life but also infiltrates the food chain, posing threats to human health. Furthermore, pollution-induced stress and habitat destruction contribute to the loss of biodiversity, impacting ecosystems on a global scale.

Stringent environmental regulations need to be implemented and enforced by governments to combat pollution effectively. Offering incentives to industries for adopting cleaner technologies, investing in renewable energy sources, and practicing sustainable waste management is vital. International cooperation is essential to tackle global environmental challenges, with countries collaborating to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, combat plastic pollution, and safeguard biodiversity.

Pollution remains a pressing issue affecting major Indian cities, with severe implications for the environment and public health. The need for immediate and concerted efforts to address pollution is evident, as evidenced by the deteriorating air quality in cities like Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, and Varanasi. It is imperative that governments, industries, and individuals collaborate to adopt sustainable practices, enforce regulations, and invest in technologies that mitigate the environmental impact. Only through collective action can we hope to mitigate the menace of pollution and ensure a healthier and sustainable future for our planet.

Pollution is a critical environmental issue that demands urgent attention and concerted efforts at local, national, and global levels. The consequences of pollution are profound, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. It is imperative that individuals, communities, industries, and governments work together to adopt sustainable practices, enforce regulations, and invest in technologies that minimize the environmental impact.

The battle against pollution requires a shift in mindset, where environmental sustainability becomes a priority in decision-making processes. By addressing pollution, we not only protect the health of our planet but also ensure a better quality of life for current and future generations. It is a collective responsibility to preserve the beauty and diversity of our natural environment and create a sustainable and harmonious coexistence between human activities and the ecosystems that support life on Earth.

Essay on Pollution FAQs

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, leading to adverse changes. It can take various forms, including air, water, soil, noise, and light pollution.

Primary sources of pollution include industrial activities, vehicle emissions, improper waste disposal, deforestation, and agricultural practices that involve the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Pollution has severe consequences on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. It can lead to respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, soil degradation, habitat loss, and disruptions in wildlife behavior.

Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure to air pollutants is linked to cardiovascular diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Water pollution occurs when chemicals and waste are discharged into water bodies. It poses a threat to aquatic life by contaminating their habitats and disrupting ecosystems. It can also affect human health through the consumption of contaminated water.

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The World's Plastic Pollution Crisis Explained

Much of the planet is swimming in discarded plastic, which is harming animal and possibly human health. Can it be cleaned up?

Conservation

Children Play among Plastic

While plastic pollution is a worldwide problem it is most obvious in less-wealthy African and Asian nations, like the Philippines. Here, children play among plastic waste on the shore of Manila Bay.

Photograph by Randy Olson

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them. Plastic pollution is most visible in less-wealthy Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent. But wealthy nations, especially those with low recycling rates, also have trouble properly collecting discarded plastics. Plastic trash has become so ubiquitous it has prompted efforts to write a global treaty negotiated by the United Nations. How Did this Happen? Plastics made from fossil fuels are just over a century old. Production and development of thousands of new plastic products accelerated after World War II to the extent that life without plastics would be unimaginable today. Plastics revolutionized medicine with life-saving devices, made space travel possible, lightened cars and jets—saving fuel and lessening pollution —and saved lives with helmets, incubators , and equipment for clean drinking water. The conveniences plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away culture that reveals the material’s dark side: Today, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year. Many of these products, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, are used for mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Plastics by the Numbers Some key facts:

• Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years.
• Production increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Production is expected to double by 2050.
• Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations. That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world.
• Plastics often contain additives making them stronger, more flexible, and durable. But many of these additives can extend the life of products if they become litter, with some estimates ranging to at least 400 years to break down.

How Plastics Move around the World Most of the plastic trash in the oceans, Earth’s last sink, flows from land. Trash is also carried to sea by major rivers, which act as conveyor belts, picking up more and more trash as they move downstream . Once at sea, much of the plastic trash remains in coastal waters. But once caught up in ocean currents, it can be transported around the world. On Henderson Island, an uninhabited atoll in the Pitcairn Group isolated halfway between Chile and New Zealand, scientists found plastic items from Russia, the United States, Europe, South America, Japan, and China. They were carried to the South Pacific by the South Pacific gyre , a circular ocean current. Microplastics Once at sea, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into small particles, often less than half a centimer (one-fifth of an inch) across. These so-called microplastics are spread throughout the water column and have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest, the highest peak, to the Mariana Trench, the deepest trough . Microplastics are breaking down further into smaller and smaller pieces. Plastic microfibers (or the even smaller nanofibers), meanwhile, have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air. Harm to Wildlife Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabird eats plastics. Most of the deaths to animals are caused by entanglement or starvation. Seals, whales, turtles, and other animals are strangled by  abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack rings. Microplastics have been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels destined for our dinner plates. In many cases, these tiny bits pass through the digestive system and are expelled without consequence. But plastics have also been found to have blocked digestive tracts or pierced organs, causing death. Stomachs so packed with plastics reduce the urge to eat, causing starvation. Plastics have been consumed by land-based animals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, cattle, and other large mammals, in some cases causing death. Tests have also confirmed liver and cell damage and disruptions to  reproductive systems , prompting some species, such as oysters, to produce fewer eggs. New research shows that larval fish are eating nanofibers in the first days of life, raising new questions about the effects of plastics on fish populations. Stemming the Plastic Tide Once in the ocean, it is difficult—if not impossible—to retrieve plastic waste. Mechanical systems, such as Mr. Trash Wheel, a litter interceptor in Maryland’s Baltimore Harbor, can be effective at picking up large pieces of plastic, such as foam cups and food containers, from inland waters. But once plastics break down into microplastics and drift throughout the water column in the open ocean, they are virtually impossible to recover. The solution is to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas in the first place, many scientists and conservationists—including the National Geographic Society—say. This could be accomplished with improved waste management systems and recycling, better product design that takes into account the short life of disposable packaging, and reduction in manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics.

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How air pollution is destroying our health

WHO data show that almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds WHO  guideline limits  and contains high levels of  pollutants , with low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) suffering from the highest exposures.

Ambient (outdoor) air pollution in both cities and rural areas is causing fine particulate matter which results in strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, and acute and chronic respiratory diseases.  

Additionally, around 2.6 billion people are exposed to dangerous levels of household air pollution from using polluting open fires or simple stoves for cooking fuelled by kerosene, biomass (wood, animal dung and crop waste) and coal.

First Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health

To rally the world towards major commitments to fight this problem, WHO and partners convened the first  Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health  in Geneva on 29 October – 1 November 2018. The conference raised awareness of this growing public health challenge and shared information and tools on the health risks of air pollution and its interventions.

This conference showcased some of WHO’s work on air pollution, including the findings of its Global Platform on Air Quality and Health. This platform, whose diverse membership includes researchers, civil society, UN agencies and other partner institutions, reviewed the data on air quality and health. For example, the platform worked on techniques to more accurately attribute air pollution coming from different sources of pollution. Ongoing work includes improving estimates of air quality by combining the data from various air quality monitoring networks, atmospheric modelling and satellite remote sensing.

Health impacts of air pollution

There are two main types of air pollution: ambient air pollution (outdoor pollution) and household air pollution (indoor air pollution). Ambient air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting everyone in low-, middle-, and high-income countries as its source – combustion of fossil fuel – is ubiquitous. Household air pollution is mainly caused by the use of solid fuels (such as wood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal and dung) and kerosene in open fires and inefficient stoves. Most of these people are poor and live in low- and middle-income countries.

Exposure to smoke from cooking fires causes 3.2 million premature deaths each year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, where polluting fuels and technologies are used every day, particularly at home for cooking, heating and lighting. Women and children, who tend to spend more time indoors, are affected the most. LMIC also suffer the greatest from exposure ambient air pollution with 3.68 million premature deaths each year, which is almost 8 times the mortality rates in high income countries (0.47 million).

The main pollutants are:

-  particulate matter, a mix of solid and liquid droplets, with larger particles (PM 10 ) arising from pollen, sea spray and wind-blown dust from erosion, agricultural spaces, roadways and mining operations, while finer particles (PM2.5) can be derived from primary sources (for example combustion of fuels in power generation facilities, industries or vehicles) and secondary sources (for example chemical reactions between gases)

-  nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), a gas from combustion of fuels in processes such as those used for furnaces, gas stoves, transportation, industry and power generation;

-  sulfur dioxide, another gas mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels for domestic heating, industries and power generation; and

-  ozone at ground level, caused by a chemical reaction of gases, such as NO 2 , in the presence of sunlight. The pollutant that is most commonly monitored by regulatory frameworks and for which a lot of evidence of adverse health impact is available is particulate matter followed by nitrogen dioxide.

Ambient (outdoor) air pollution

Household air pollution

How air pollution affects our body

Particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less (≤ PM 10 ) can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs, causing irritation, inflammation and damaging the lining of the respiratory tract. Smaller, more health-damaging particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (≤ PM 2.5 – 60 of them make up the width of a human hair) can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the blood system, affecting all major organs of the body. These pollutants increase the risk of heart and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer and strokes.

Ozone is a major factor in causing asthma (or making it worse), and nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide can also cause asthma, bronchial symptoms, lung inflammation and reduced lung function. In 2021 WHO updated the Global Air Quality Guidelines, which recommend the maximum safe level for PM 2.5 annual average concentration of 5 μg/m 3  or less. The guidelines provide evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. The updated guidelines provide recommendations on air quality guideline levels as well as interim targets for six key air pollutants. They also offer qualitative statements on good practices for the management of certain types of particulate matter (PM), for example, black carbon/elemental carbon, ultrafine particles, and particles originating from sand and dust storms, for which there is insufficient quantitative evidence to derive AQG levels.

Air pollution has a disastrous effect on children; there were more than 5 million deaths of children under the age of 5 years. More than 27% of those deaths – 1.7 million – were attributable to environmental factors, with air pollution foremost among them. Globally, lower respiratory infections are the second leading cause of death for children under 5 years. Every year, 442 000 children (as of 2022) younger than 5 years die prematurely from breathing polluted air. Evidence suggests that air pollution could also harm children before they are born (reduced birth weight) through their mothers' exposure. There is emerging evidence linking air pollution exposure to cancer, neurodevelopmental and metabolic diseases in children.

As well as affecting our health, pollutants in the air are also causing long-term environmental damage by driving climate change, itself a major threat to health and well-being. 

Already in 2018, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that coal-fired electricity must end by 2050 if we are to limit global warming rises to 1.5 °C. If not, we may see a major climate crisis in just 20 years.

Affordable strategies exist to reduce emissions from energy, transport, waste management, housing and industrial sectors. These interventions often carry other benefits like reduced traffic and noise, increased physical activity and better land use – all of which contribute to improving health and well-being. WHO also supports cities with the data, tools and capacity to select, implement and track clean and healthy policies at the city level. Better air quality will benefit all of us, everywhere.

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• Pollution Essay in English for Students

Essay on Pollution for Students

Being aware of pollution is quite mandatory for all the students these days. In order to become a responsible citizen of the world for future generations, every child should know how human activities are leaving an impact on the environment and nature. This topic is quite crucial. And, school children should learn how to write an interesting essay on ‘Pollution’ effortlessly. Take a glance below. 

A Few Things to Keep in Mind:

Never ever hurry to write the essay.

Think properly and jot down your thoughts before proceeding.

Divide your write-up into a few segments such as - introduction, main body - you can make a few points as per the topic and a conclusion.

Try writing short paragraphs. Short and crisp sentences are also a great way to avoid silly mistakes.

Adding factual data wherever required is important such as year, date etc.

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Essay on Pollution

Introduction.

Pollution has become a very common yet serious issue in today’s world. It has been there in different forms since a long time even before human evolution such as volcanic eruptions, wildfire which lead to various photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. The current concern is that it is rising day by day due to various resources of pollutants. And, one of the main pollutants are humans and man-made machines. It is right to say that pollution is damaging the mother earth severely and we, humans, should play our part to prevent it from happening.

What is Pollution?

Pollution sepsis is the presence of contaminants in the natural environment that causes harm and damage and therefore leads to adverse changes.

Kinds of Pollution

There are mainly three kinds of pollution - 1) Air Pollution, 2) Water Pollution, and 3) Soil Pollution. 

Air Pollution

Air Pollution occurs due to the presence of harmful gases and substances in the air. It is due to vehicle emission, dust and dirt, poisonous gasses from the factories etc. To reduce air pollution, we should use carpooling or public transport rather than using our private mode of transportation whose harmful gas emission only adds to the problem, we should also actively avoid burning trash or other materials etc.

Water Pollution

Water Pollution happens when toxic substances get mixed in various water bodies such as lakes, oceans, rivers etc. Here toxic substances refer to the Chemical fertilizer, Industrial waste, Sewage and wastewater, Mining activities, Marine dumping etc.

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution depicts the contamination of soil due to the presence of toxic substances due to Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, deforestation, industrial waste etc . To maintain the soil’s fertility, the government must limit the usage of fertilizers and plant more trees.

There are a few other pollutants causing pollution apart from the aforementioned ones, such as Radioactive pollution. This is one of the rarer types of pollution. It occurs due to the presence of radioactive substances such as the presence of nuclear waste in air, solids, liquids or any other place.

Effects of Pollution on Human Health

Pollution is increasingly having a major effect on the health of human lives. People are gettin g affected by different types of deadly diseases due to the various pollution in air, water and soil. Here are the different diseases humans face due to different pollution.

Due to Air Pollution

Air is an essential part of human life. Humans cannot live without breathing air. But, air pollution causes major damage to human lives. Here are some of the major diseases caused due to air pollution.

Lung cancer

Major coronary heart disease

Respiratory problems

Due to Water Pollution

Water is another source of life. Any living being cannot survive without drinking water. But the continuous degradation and pollution of major water bodies are also causing deadly diseases to humans and animals. It is also affecting marine life. Since water is consumed all the time, it’s pollution is causing a lot of deadly diseases. Some of the major diseases caused by water pollution are as follows:

Hepatitis A

Diarrhoea 

Due to Soil Pollution

Soil is an important part of our lives. The land on which we are walking or travelling is made with soil. Due to all the chemicals mixed with the soil and degradation due to the same, it is inevitable that many harmful chemicals come in contact with our body and cause many skin diseases or in forms of food crops that are planted on such polluted soil. Direct contact can cause a lot of problems for us humans. Some of the major diseases caused due to soil pollution are as follows:

Different types of cancer

Damage of the nervous system due to contact with lead present in the soil.

liver and kidney failure

What are the Different Methods to Reduce Pollution?

The degrading quality of all the important elements like air, water and soil is affecting the lives of many children, adults as well as animals. We need to keep our environment safe and use effective methods to reduce pollution. 

Methods to reduce Air Pollution

Some of the effective methods to reduce air pollution are as follows:

Regulation of air through chimneys: The industries should disintegrate the harmful gas from the air prior to its release from the chimneys. They should check and avoid using harmful gases, which are the major causes of air pollution.

Use of public transport or cycle: If you are travelling to distant places, it is recommended to take public transport. Or if you are going to any shops or buying any garment, it is always better to use your cycle. Public transport can take you to different places along with other people; this will help reduce air pollution. If you can cycle, it will reduce air pollution and another added benefit is that it will keep your health in check.

Reduction of fires and smokes: In the dry season, many people burn plastic, papers, dry leaves, which creates a big fire and smoke that creates a harmful layer of fog suspended in the atmosphere. It is better if you stop burning plastic to reduce smoke.

Methods to Reduce Water Pollution

Some of the effective methods to reduce water pollution are as follows:

Avoid disposing of plastic and waste materials: To keep the water free from any pollution, the first thing is to avoid disposing of any sort of plastics or food waste water material in water. The waste materials get dissolved in the water and harm the aquatic life along with those who drink the water. 

Reduce use of chemicals: you should avoid purchasing harmful chemical products that can get mixed with the water and pollute it. The biggest examples are pesticides and insecticides, which causes a major effect on marine life.

Reduce use of detergents: Detergents have many strong chemicals which can cause the leather to water and wash your clothes. If these detergents get mixed with water, they can pollute the soil.

Methods to Reduce Soil Pollution 

Some of the methods to reduce soil pollution are as follows:

Avoid disposing of harmful chemicals: The industries should avoid disposing of harmful chemicals in the soil. It can change the structure and components of the soil making it an unusable surface of land for vegetation. 

Eat food in biodegradable containers: As you dispose of the food containers in dustbins, it is good to use biodegradable food containers despite using plastic containers, which are harmful to the soil.

Plant more trees: The structure of the soil can be improved by planting more trees. Trees help to hold the soil together and improve the soil quality. Hence we should plant more trees.

How to Reduce Pollution Gradually?

Upon learning about the harmful effects of pollution, it is everyone’s responsibility to take some steps towards prevention. We should be aware of all the possible preventive measures to help reduce every kind of pollution such as to curb air pollution, we should avoid bursting crackers during any festival or using public transport or carpool to reduce air pollution or cutting down the usage of loud loudspeaker, and public honking would help in noise pollution. We should always be aware of this situation and take measures accordingly. It’s us who should be cautious in the beginning and make everyone else surrounding us conscious as well. We should take eco-friendly steps like planting more trees, reducing the usage of plastic, using more sustainable products in the household etc. while talking about the pollution of the entire world, you should always remember that every small step will lead to a bigger impact one day.

In a nutshell, every kind of pollution leaves a huge negative impact on our environment, human lives, animals etc. We, as responsible citizens, must take steps towards a better tomorrow. We must join hands to take various initiatives and fight against this problem. A lot of innocent lives are put in danger due to pollution every day. If we don’t do anything from now on or take a stand to make the earth pollution-free, then the doomsday will be upon us very soon.

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Air Pollution Essay for Students in English: 100, 200 and 500 Words

Air pollution is becoming a serious issue that’s affecting human health, flora and fauna and overall well-being of Earth. As responsible citizens of the world, it’s our duty to take care of anything that’s harming the planet and leave it in better condition for future generations. Here are a few sample essays children can use to write about air pollution and learn about different ways to mitigate this crisis.

100 Words Essay on Air Pollution

200 words essay on air pollution, 500 words essay on air pollution.

Any physical, chemical, or biological alteration in the air is referred to as air pollution. The atmosphere contains a specific portion of the gas. It is harmful to survival to change the makeup of these gases. “Global warming” is the term used to describe the rise in global temperature caused by this imbalance in gas composition. Hazardous pollutants, whether present naturally or artificially, can modify the environment and have a negative impact on the ecosystem. Ineffective resource management and reckless human activity are harming the environment and therefore it is our responsibility as inhabitants of Earth to take care of it.

Pollution is any activity that tampers with the environment's fundamental characteristics and causes damage. The air we breathe is no longer clean and fresh, it has been contaminated by pollutants. The threat to Earth and its ecosystem is getting worse as a result of the contamination of the air, water, and soil. These pollutants are causing a number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases—our immune system is getting affected negatively, and children are at a high risk of developing asthma and other breathing problems. There are numerous factors that frequently increase this air pollution. Automobiles, transportation methods, industrialization, expanding cities, etc. are the main causes of air pollution. The contamination of the entire atmosphere is brought on by the release of various toxic gases or dangerous components from such sources.

Air pollution, which has a negative impact on the environment, also has a significant impact on the ozone layer. The primary contributor to pollution is the ever-increasing demands of the human population. Daily human activities pump harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, making it more polluted than ever and accelerating climate change. The flora and fauna are also being severely impacted by the airborne harmful chemical releases. The rising contamination of the Earth's air, water, and soil—the essential life support systems of the planet—poses a major threat to the planet and its environment.

One of today's top environmental concerns is air pollution. There are numerous factors that frequently increase this air pollution. Toxic gases, particulates, paint, and batteries containing lead are released throughout the industrialization process. The ozone layer is also being destroyed and the world is being exposed to dangerous solar rays as a result of all the contaminants in touch with the atmosphere.

Ozone is a contaminant that exists at the ground level and can be harmful to human health. But the same ozone creates a layer of defence in the stratosphere. The "good" ozone, however, is being destroyed by ozone-depleting substances—such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons. These chemicals were once used in coolants, foaming agents, insecticides, solvents, and fire extinguishers and occasionally still are.

Primary and secondary pollutants are the two categories that have emerged as a result of the growing number of air pollutants. Primary pollutants, which include smoke, ash, dust, fumes, mist, spray, inorganic gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and radioactive substances, have a direct negative impact on fresh air. Secondary pollutants are those that interact chemically with primary pollutants, as well as other elements in the atmosphere, such as sulphate trioxide, ozone, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen dioxide.

Causes of Air Pollution

The disposal of solid wastes that release methane gas and the breakdown of trash landfills are major sources of air pollution. This problem has become a severe environmental and health issue as a result of the population's rapid development, industrialisation, and greater use of cars, planes, and other transportation.

Common Effects of Air Pollution

Pollutants in the air we breathe every minute enter our bloodstream and travel to our lungs and entire body, producing a plethora of health issues. Animals can have health issues similar to people if they are exposed to air toxics in high enough quantities over an extended period of time. Air toxics also play a role in animal sickness, infertility, and birth abnormalities. Therefore, both directly and indirectly, pollution of the environment harms both plants, animals, and people.

What Can We Do

Using public transportation is a surefire short method to reduce air pollution because it uses less gas and electricity, even carpools help with the situation. A permanent, non-polluting, and extremely secure source of energy is the sun or solar power. Solar panels, which are special in design and simple to install, are also a technical benefit to society and the planet. They take in solar energy and store it to power various equipment and electronics. Another step you can take on this path is to plant more trees and live a simplistic life. Minimalist living is not only a trendy millennial lifestyle, but it also has significant societal and environmental benefits.

Air pollution may reach one million tonnes annually in the next decades if environmental protection measures are not taken seriously and effectively enforced. We need to drastically alter our everyday routines if we want to lower the level of air pollution. By making better use of raw materials, water energy, and other resources, we can reduce pollution. Human health can be safeguarded and economic wellbeing can be increased when less harmful compounds are exchanged for hazardous ones.

You may also like:

• Types of Pollution Essay
• Environmental Pollution Essay
• Noise Pollution Essay
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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Pollution — The Impact of Pollution on the Environment

The Impact of Pollution on The Environment

• Categories: Natural Resources Pollution

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Words: 496 |

Published: Feb 12, 2024

Words: 496 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

• Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. (2018). Retrieved from [insert URL]
• The United Nations world water development report 2017. (2017). Retrieved from [insert URL]

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History of pollution

Pollution control.

What is pollution?

Does pollution cause climate change, how can we reduce pollution.

• How does water pollution affect aquatic wildlife?
• Is red tide caused by water pollution?

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• World Wildlife Fund - Pollution
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• Table Of Contents

Pollution occurs when an amount of any substance or any form of energy is put into the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed or safely stored. The term pollution can refer to both artificial and natural materials that are created, consumed, and discarded in an unsustainable manner.

What kinds of pollution are there?

Air pollution , water pollution , and land pollution are three major forms of environmental pollution. Pollution can also refer to excessive human activity, such as light and noise pollution , or to specific pollutants such as plastic or radioactive material. Learn more in this infographic.

Air pollution is the main cause of climate change . Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and mass deforestation lead to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere , which traps heat inside the atmosphere through a process called the greenhouse effect . This impacts climate patterns and sea levels around the world.

Pollution can be reduced through processes such as recycling and the proper treatment of water and toxic waste . The reduction of corporate fossil fuel extraction is another way to counter air pollution . According to the Carbon Majors Report prepared by the Carbon Disclosure Project in 2017, more than 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions comes from only 100 companies.

How many people die annually from pollution?

Air pollution is estimated to kill 7 million people every year. Radioactive and toxic waste in water can cause many diseases, including fatal conditions such as typhoid fever and cholera . Consumption of contaminated water causes approximately 485,000 deaths every year.

pollution , the addition of any substance ( solid , liquid , or gas ) or any form of energy (such as heat , sound, or radioactivity ) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. The major kinds of pollution, usually classified by environment, are air pollution , water pollution , and land pollution . Modern society is also concerned about specific types of pollutants, such as noise pollution , light pollution , and plastic pollution . Pollution of all kinds can have negative effects on the environment and wildlife and often impacts human health and well-being.

Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events such as forest fires and active volcanoes , use of the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have an anthropogenic source—that is, a source created by human activities. Pollution has accompanied humankind ever since groups of people first congregated and remained for a long time in any one place. Indeed, ancient human settlements are frequently recognized by their wastes— shell mounds and rubble heaps, for instance. Pollution was not a serious problem as long as there was enough space available for each individual or group. However, with the establishment of permanent settlements by great numbers of people, pollution became a problem, and it has remained one ever since.

Cities of ancient times were often noxious places, fouled by human wastes and debris. Beginning about 1000 ce , the use of coal for fuel caused considerable air pollution, and the conversion of coal to coke for iron smelting beginning in the 17th century exacerbated the problem. In Europe, from the Middle Ages well into the early modern era, unsanitary urban conditions favoured the outbreak of population-decimating epidemics of disease, from plague to cholera and typhoid fever . Through the 19th century, water and air pollution and the accumulation of solid wastes were largely problems of congested urban areas. But, with the rapid spread of industrialization and the growth of the human population to unprecedented levels, pollution became a universal problem.

By the middle of the 20th century, an awareness of the need to protect air, water, and land environments from pollution had developed among the general public. In particular, the publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson ’s book Silent Spring focused attention on environmental damage caused by improper use of pesticides such as DDT and other persistent chemicals that accumulate in the food chain and disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems on a wide scale. In response, major pieces of environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Clean Water Act (1972; United States), were passed in many countries to control and mitigate environmental pollution.

Giving voice to the growing conviction of most of the scientific community about the reality of anthropogenic global warming , the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  (IPCC) was formed in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to help address greenhouse gas emissions. An IPCC special report produced in 2018 noted that human beings and human activities have been responsible for a worldwide average temperature increase between 0.8 and 1.2 °C (1.4 and 2.2 °F) since preindustrial times, and most of the warming over the second half of the 20th century could be attributed to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels .

The presence of environmental pollution raises the issue of pollution control . Great efforts are made to limit the release of harmful substances into the environment through air pollution control , wastewater treatment , solid-waste management , hazardous-waste management , and recycling . Unfortunately, attempts at pollution control are often surpassed by the scale of the problem, especially in less-developed countries . Noxious levels of air pollution are common in many large cities, where particulates and gases from transportation, heating, and manufacturing accumulate and linger. The problem of plastic pollution on land and in the oceans has only grown as the use of single-use plastics has burgeoned worldwide. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane and carbon dioxide , continue to drive global warming and pose a great threat to biodiversity and public health .

Essay on Air Pollution for Students and Children

500+ words essay on air pollution.

Essay on Air Pollution – Earlier the air we breathe in use to be pure and fresh. But, due to increasing industrialization and concentration of poisonous gases in the environment the air is getting more and more toxic day by day. Also, these gases are the cause of many respiratory and other diseases . Moreover, the rapidly increasing human activities like the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation is the major cause of air pollution.

How Air Gets Polluted?

The fossil fuel , firewood, and other things that we burn produce oxides of carbons which got released into the atmosphere. Earlier there happens to be a large number of trees which can easily filter the air we breathe in. But with the increase in demand for land, the people started cutting down of trees which caused deforestation. That ultimately reduced the filtering capacity of the tree.

Moreover, during the last few decades, the numbers of fossil fuel burning vehicle increased rapidly which increased the number of pollutants in the air .

Causes Of Air Pollution

Its causes include burning of fossil fuel and firewood, smoke released from factories , volcanic eruptions, forest fires, bombardment, asteroids, CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), carbon oxides and many more.

Besides, there are some other air pollutants like industrial waste, agricultural waste, power plants, thermal nuclear plants, etc.

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is also the cause of air pollution because air pollution produces the gases that greenhouse involves. Besides, it increases the temperature of earth surface so much that the polar caps are melting and most of the UV rays are easily penetrating the surface of the earth.

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Effects Of Air Pollution On Health

Moreover, it increases the rate of aging of lungs, decreases lungs function, damage cells in the respiratory system.

Ways To Reduce Air Pollution

Although the level of air pollution has reached a critical point. But, there are still ways by which we can reduce the number of air pollutants from the air.

Reforestation- The quality of air can be improved by planting more and more trees as they clean and filter the air.

Policy for industries- Strict policy for industries related to the filter of gases should be introduced in the countries. So, we can minimize the toxins released from factories.

Use of eco-friendly fuel-  We have to adopt the usage of Eco-friendly fuels such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), bio-gas, and other eco-friendly fuels. So, we can reduce the amount of harmful toxic gases.

To sum it up, we can say that the air we breathe is getting more and more polluted day by day. The biggest contribution to the increase in air pollution is of fossil fuels which produce nitric and sulphuric oxides. But, humans have taken this problem seriously and are devotedly working to eradicate the problem that they have created.

Above all, many initiatives like plant trees, use of eco-friendly fuel are promoted worldwide.

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Noise Pollution: Effects, Causes, and Potential Solutions Essay

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Introduction

Effects of noise pollution, causes of noise pollution, potential solutions, works cited.

Some people may frown upon it, while others might nod their heads with their whole-hearted smile on their faces – no matter which category you belong to, as a person, especially as a person who must live in a neighborhood, the quality of the neighborhood has always been an important issue to be concerned about when you are looking for a place to live. For most people, the quality of the neighborhood is at the center of attention even more than the quality of the living spaces. As much as a good neighborhood can positively affect our mental and physical health and improve the quality of our lives, a bad neighborhood can increase anxiety among neighbors and can decrease their lives’ efficiency. Although there exist lots of problems that need to be solved in every neighborhood, noise pollution, no matter whether this noise is made by your neighbors or the surrounding environment, is with no doubt the most important issue in almost all neighborhoods. First, it is essential to investigate the reasons why noise is an important issue in almost every neighborhood and then explore the main contributing causes of the noise problem.

The first and also foremost reason why noise is an important issue in neighborhoods lies in the inevitable fact that noise pollution can have negative effects on our physical health. Living in a noisy area can affect the quality of people’s sleep, daily activities, and even general physical health factors. According to the International Program on Chemical Safety, “an adverse effect of noise is defined as a change in the morphology and physiology of organism that results in an impairment of functional capacity, or an impairment of capacity to compensate for additional stress or increases the susceptibility of the organism to harmful effects of other environmental influences” (Siano). Environmental noise exposure is responsible for a range of health effects, including increased risk of ischemic heart disease as well as sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment among children, annoyance, stress-related mental health risks, and tinnitus. This noise pollution becomes more important when we look at the noise level in residential neighbors where people spend most of their time.

For instance, “the health risks caused by noise pollution in high income European countries account for a loss of 1-1.6 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) – a standard measure of healthy years of life lost to illness, disability, or early death” (Siano). Also, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “noise pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental threats to health” (IBERDROLA). Moreover, according to the European Environmental Agency (EEA), “noise is responsible for 16,600 premature deaths and more than 72,000 hospitalizations every year in Europe alone” (IBERDROLA). Not only noise pollution can cause health issues for human, but it has a devastating impact on animals as well. According to the National Park Services (NPS) in the United States, “noise pollution has an enormous environmental impact and does serious damages to wildlife” (IBERDROLA). Most of the experts say that noise pollution can interfere with breeding cycles and rearing, and it is even hastening the extinction of some animal species. Therefore, noise pollution can not only affect mental health, but it can also affect our physical health.

Another reason, which is as important as the preceding one, if not more, is that noisy neighborhoods can substantively affect the efficiency of people’s work and their daily life activities. In the present day, the amount of noise in a living neighborhood becomes even more important since most of the people are forced to work from home due to the rules that companies made for their employees during the pandemic. To elucidate, the noisier a neighborhood is, the harder it becomes to concentrate on the activities that neighbors do, especially for the employees who work from home. The lower efficiency of activities will result in the lower efficient people in society. Moreover, the lower efficient people in society become more anxious and depressed as they see their activity outputs. Based on the report of the IKO Community Management survey, “48 percent of all survey takers said noise is number one complaint among the people who live in a neighborhood in large cities, whether this noise is from raucous late-night parties or opposite sleep schedules that result in one neighbor waking up the other” (IKO Community Management). As an illustration of the effect of noise pollution in the community that I live in, we always see struggling between the people who work at home during the day and the teenagers who play loud music and have parties at their apartment. Once, our neighbor, Larry, who is a programmer, complained to the community management office about George, a young boy who invites his friend to their apartment any time of the day to play loud music and laugh loudly. Larry told me, “it is important that people like George be aware of the rights of other people who live in the same area with them” (Pileggi). Therefore, noise pollution can affect our mental concentration level and efficiency at work.

After understanding the effects of noise on the neighbors, it is highly essential to explore the main contributing causes of noise. In comparison with ancient times when there were not many sources causing noise, these days, multiple different causes of noise exist. These causes can range from natural environment causes to human-generated causes. Although nature can make noises caused by animals and natural effects, human-generated noises are usually more dangerous and annoying. From a personal perspective, the most important three causes of noise that are also generated by humans are traffic and transportation noise, construction sites, and nightlife, though noise can come from a variety of other places as well.

Among these three sources of noise, I believe that the first and the most important cause of the noise is traffic and transportation noise. Without a doubt, we all live in homes that are close to at least one street or one alley. Living close to streets or alleys will cause being affected by the noise that is generated by passing cars. Moreover, some homes are close to bus stations or railroads, which means that people who live in these apartments suffer from louder noises generated by these huge public transportation facilities. According to the IBERDROLA, “a car horn produces 90 dB of noise and a bus produces 100 dB of noise.” On the basis of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of noise, if we consider noise above 65 dB as noise pollution, this generated transportation noise can have a negative effect on our health. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 dB, and it will become painful if it is above 120 dB.

According to WHO, “it is recommended that noise levels to be kept below 65 dB during the day and 30 dB during nighttime” (WHO). A worse case is living close to the rail yard, as neighbors of the rail yard suffer from a higher level of noise pollution. Based on the interview that has been done about pros and cons of living close to a major rail yard, the interviewees felt that despite the fact that “the rail yard had a positive reputation and was highly valued for the jobs and economic growth it provides, it was also perceived, however, as a major contributor to the surrounding air quality as well as the noise pollution” (Spencer-Hwang). Several participants believed that “living in such close proximity to the rail yard had caused ailments in family, friends, and neighbors, as well as themselves” (Spencer-Hwang). Moreover, transportation noise can cause health-related issues, as previously discussed ones. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Clark et al. 2017 found “an increasing risk of diabetes with increasing exposure to transportation noise, but not with increasing exposure to traffic-related air pollutions.” In their study, noise pollution was independently associated with the incidence of diabetes in adult residents of metropolitan Vancouver, British Columbia (Clark). Therefore, transportation noise is not only unacceptable for most of the neighbors, but it is also risky for our health.

As the second source of noise, which is not as common as the first resource, we can consider construction. You may have experienced construction noise, even in the early morning, that affected your sleep quality and caused you to wake up because of this construction noise. Although not all the neighbors are close to construction zones and construction noise is not a common cause of the noise, building, car park construction, and road and pavement resurfacing generate an even greater amount of noise, with noise level even higher than transportation. As an example, according to IBERDROLA, “a pneumatic drill produces 110 dB noise,” which is higher than the noise that is generated by car horns and buses. Whether self-inflicted or common, everyday living noise can cause temporary or permanent deafness. When one is around noise for long periods of time, the risk of deafness is increased. “Construction noise has become the second most serious acoustic pollution in many cities, which could cause significant health damage and social costs. In addition, housing renovation and construction noise, which has rarely been investigated before, is a significant covariate of a wide range of mental health symptoms” (Ma). Specifically, as big cities are experiencing rapid urbanization processes, there are numerous ongoing construction projects that have led to an increase in environmental complaints, and construction noise has become a serious problem in the majority of big cities. For example, among people at higher risk of health problems caused by construction noise, “construction workers are at increased risk for being hearing impaired” (Cunningham). Therefore, construction as the second cause of the noise can result in serious mental and physical health problems as well.

The third cause of the noise is related to the nightlife. Humans have been created to live in social groups naturally. That is why all of us spend most of our time and socialize with our friends and family. However, sometimes this socialization can affect other people, especially if gatherings and socialization are generating loud noise and we are not paying attention to the others living close to us. Especially, a person who lives close to bars, restaurants, and clubs will feel noise that is generated by socialization and gatherings much more. According to IBERDROLA, “bars, restaurants, and terraces that spill outside when the weather is good can produce more than 100 dB noise. This includes noise from pubs and clubs”. According to Peplow et al., “sustained exposure to noise in areas close to public places also has been correlated with cognitive impairment and behavioral problems in children, as well as the more obvious hearing damage and sleep deprivation”. The European Environment Agency (EAA) has blamed “900 thousand cases of high blood pressure (hypertension), 43 thousand hospital admissions and 10 thousand cases of premature deaths a year in Europe on noise”. As a real example, I talked to our neighbor, Mr. Smith, about the reason of his high blood pressure. He told me that “the doctor told me that the main reason of my high blood pressure is living in the busiest part of the Santa Monica area. To decrease my blood pressure, the doctor recommended my wife and me to move to a suburb area”. Therefore, living close to the places that are designed specifically for nightlife can increase the risk of being affected by noise pollution.

Having scrutinized the issue, although people’s ideas vary on different points of the spectrum regarding the noise pollution issue in a neighborhood, I strongly believe that noise pollution is the first and most important issue that should be solved because of its destructive effects on mental and physical health. Although there exist many causes for noise pollution, I believe that transportation noise as the first and the most important cause, construction, and night life are the three most important causes of noise pollution. Hence, I think the explanation that I have provided above in favor of the destructive effects and the main causes of noise pollution are much stronger.

After finding out that all types of noise in living areas have an immeasurably negative impact on people’s health, work efficiency, and daily life activities, I see that the potential solutions to the problem of noise pollution are to either control its level by the government or allow people to use various techniques in order to decrease the level of noise independently. However, as the government cannot apply effective measures to all areas where people live, citizens’ individual measures will be more efficient.

It goes without saying that noise pollution has already become an international problem as almost all big cities across the globe face it. In general, the most common measures aimed to reduce the level of noise include the limitation of noisy leisure activities, especially at night, the use of bicycles instead of cars, environmental education, and the insulation of houses with noise-absorbing materials (IBERDROLA). As a matter of fact, governmental policies may ensure noise control and correct control management by area protection and sustainable building construction. For instance, the United States Environmental Protection Agency established the Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) under the Clean Air Act to study noise pollution and investigate its impact on the public health and people’s welfare (EPA). Since 1972, ONAC had been operating “to coordinate federal monitoring and regulation of noise at its source and facilitate informed policy-making at the state and local levels” (APHA).

The Office’s scope was expanded in 1978 by Congress that passed the Quiet Communities Act, including research funding and public health education dedicated to noise pollution (APHA). In general, ONAC created model noise ordinances, issued standards for local governments, and promulgated guidance documents in accordance with recommended or already existing exposure levels. In general, the governmental response includes appropriate planning policies and the introduction of the standards of sustainable construction in order to reduce the level of noise from the external environment in living buildings. In addition, the level of noise in residential buildings should be reduced as well according to the Building Regulations Approved Document E (Simonsen).

At the same time, governmental control cannot be regarded as a highly efficient measure. First of all, in 1981, the Administration decided that all issues related to noise pollution should be monitored by state and local governments (EPA). That is why, due to funding limitations, ONAC was closed. As a result, since 1986, no standards, regulations, or rules have been promulgated to limit sources of noise in electronics, appliances, industry, recreational items, or machinery (APHA). In addition, contemporary measures are not fully efficient due to their limited scope. In other words, only such territories as city parks, areas of natural interest, and new parts of the city may be protected (IBERDROLA). As a result, the majority of districts, especially old ones with established infrastructure, will be left without any changes. In addition, the idea of the construction of houses with the use of noise-absorbing materials is relevant only for new buildings. Thus, old buildings will be unprotected, and the level of noise in them will remain the same. Consequently, people who live in old districts with established infrastructure will suffer from the same levels of noise until they solve this issue by themselves.

That is why private measures that aim to reduce noise pollution for individuals and families who apply them are more efficient in comparison with policies that cannot affect all people. In other words, citizens may apply multiple useful, cost-effective techniques in order to reduce noise pollution in their apartments by themselves. The measures include the installation of acoustic wall panels, window shutters, or noise-blocking doors, placing furniture strategically, and turning off electrical appliances that constantly produce noise as well (JosTec). Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs may serve as a short-term solution in the case of construction work. Due to them, people will have a good sleep at night. Moreover, such design elements as wall hangings and carpets or rugs help reduce the level of noise. In addition, planting bushes and trees around the house by community members will reduce noise pollution and improve air quality as well. All these techniques may be defined as an excellent alternative for all people living in big cities, especially for those ones who cannot afford to move to another area protected from noise pollution.

APHA. “Environmental Noise Pollution Control.” 2013, Web.

Clark, Charlotte. “Association of Long-Term Exposure to Transportation Noise and Traffic-Related Air Pollution with the Incidence of Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study” , Environmental Health Perspectives , vol. 125, no. 8, 2017, pp. 087025-087025. Web.

Cunningham, William P. “Noise Pollution” , The Gale Encyclopedia of Environmental Health , col. 2, 2 nd Ed., 2019, Web.

EEA. “Noise in Europe 2014”, EEA Report 10 , 2014, Web.

EPA. “Clean Air Act Title IV – Noise Pollution.” Web.

IBERDROLA. “Noise Pollution: How to Reduce the Impact of an Invisible Threat?” Web.

IKO Community Management. “8 Of The Most Common Neighbor Disputes (And How To Handle Them),” 2017, Web.

JosTec. “How to Reduce Noise Pollution.” Web.

Ma, Jing. “A Multilevel Analysis of Perceived Noise Pollution, Geographic Contexts and Mental Health in Beijing” , International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , vol. 15, no. 7, 2018, p. 1479. Web.

Peplow, Andrew. “Noise Annoyance in the UAE: A Twitter Case Study via a Data-Mining Approach” , International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , vol. 18 no. 4, 2021, p. 2198. Web.

Pileggi, Larry. Personal Interview . 2021.

Siano, Daniela. “Noise and Environment.” IntechOpen, 2021, Web.

Simonsen, Jan. “How Can the Government Reduce Noise Pollution?” Rockwool , 2019, Web.

Spencer-Hwang, Rhonda. “Experiences of a Rail Yard Community: Life Is Hard.” Journal of Environmental Health , vol. 77, no. 2, 2014. Web.

World Health Organization (WHO). “Guideline Values of Noise”, 1995, Web.

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Deadly and growing impact of air pollution laid bare in new UNICEF-backed report

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The State of Global Air (SoGA) report published in partnership with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns on Wednesday that air pollution is increasingly impacting human health - and is now the second leading global risk factor for premature death.

The fifth edition of the report, released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), revealed that air pollution caused 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021 and many millions are dealing with debilitating chronic diseases , leaving healthcare systems, economies, and societies.

Further, it found that children under five are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, leaving over 700,000 in this age group dead in 2021.

‘Accurate predictor’

The SoGA report found that pollutants like outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - which comes from burning fossil fuels and biomass in sectors like transportation, residential homes, wildfires, and more - caused more than 90 per cent of global air pollution deaths and were found to be the “most consistent and accurate predictor of poor health outcomes around the world .”

Other pollutants like household air pollution, ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - which can be found in traffic exhaust - also contribute to the global deterioration of human health.

 HEI President Dr. Elena Craft said she hopes the information in the report will inspire change.

 “Air pollution has enormous implications for health. We know that improving air quality and global public health is practical and achievable ,” she said.

 In addition to affecting people’s health, pollutants like PM2.5 add to greenhouse gases that are warming the planet. As the earth warms, regions with high levels of NO2 will experience great levels of ozone, which can result in greater health effects.

 Dr. Pallavi Pant, HEI’s Head of Global Health said, “This new report offers a stark reminder of the significant impacts air pollution has on human health, with far too much of the burden borne by young children, older populations, and low- and middle-income countries .”

 She continued, “This points sharply at an opportunity for cities and countries to consider air quality and air pollution as high-risk factors when developing health policies and other noncommunicable disease prevention and control programmes.”

Children ‘uniquely vulnerable’

The report reveals that children are “uniquely vulnerable” to air pollution and effects can begin in the womb . It states that young children’s exposure to air pollution has resulted in one in five deaths globally, pneumonia and asthma and affects children with inequities more than it does those in high-income countries.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden said that nearly 2,000 children under five die every day due to the effects of air pollution .

‘The global urgency is undeniable ,” she said. “It is imperative governments and businesses consider these estimates and locally available data and use it to inform meaningful, child-focused action to reduce air pollution and protect children’s health.”

Progress made

In addition to sharing details on the negative effects of air pollution on human health, the SoGA report also claims that there has been better awareness about the harms of being exposed to household air pollution and a 53 per cent decrease in the death rate of children under five since 2000 due to increased access to clean energy for cooking.

Also, regions experiencing the highest levels of air pollution have begun to address the issue by installing air pollution monitoring networks, implementing stricter air quality policies and more - particularly in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

• air pollution