Pollution: A threat to our health and environment

Pollution is one of the most life-threatening environmental issues confronting our world today. Man-made activities are introducing harmful substances into the environment causing severe effects on living organisms and the ecosystem. As the world continues to develop, urbanisation and industrialisation are increasing the rate of pollution, threatening human health and quality of life.

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There are several types of pollution, each having unique causes and consequences. Air pollution, which is caused by the release of pollutants like carbon monoxide and sulfur oxides from heavy machines or heavy-duty trucks, affects the quality of air we breathe. What is life without oxygen? This type of pollution contributes greatly to respiratory problems, heart diseases, and even the dangerous of them all cancer. Acid rain is also a result of air pollution, it damages crops, forests, and buildings. Industries are not supposed to be built in residential areas but due to a lack of proper land planning, we now see big industries where people live.

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Water pollution is another major concern. Clean, tasteless, and odourless water is hygienic and safe for drinking, but these days, a lot of refuse is dumped in water sources, causing water to be unsafe for human use. Industrial waste and untreated sewage often enter rivers, lakes, and oceans, contaminating water sources. This not only affects marine life, but also the communities that depend on these water bodies for drinking, cooking, and farming. Waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid are common in polluted areas, particularly in developing countries. Contaminated water kills faster than one can imagine That's why it's safe to drink clean water.

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There are also other types of pollution such as soil pollution, which is common in areas where heavy-duty industries are located. This is when chemicals or pesticides are dumped into the land. This affects farmers the most, it reduces the rate of food production, and it leads to the accumulation of different toxins in plants.

Another type of pollution that is often overlooked is noise pollution, which can be disturbing. This is common in commercially centralised areas. It can cause harm to humans too, such as hearing loss and sleep disorders. Pollution has some dangerous aspects, which is why one should avoid any form of pollution. It has a long-term impact. Air pollution, for example, can increase greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global warming. Most of the affected areas with this pollution are urban areas. Many decided not to live in urban areas to avoid any form of pollution.

In my opinion, air and water pollution are the worst. Breathing in carbon monoxide daily can lead to respiratory problems faster than one can imagine, creating lifelong threatening diseases that, if not treated, can result in death in the long run. A clean, saturated environment produces fresh air which gives oxygen to support our everyday activities. So also is water pollution, drinking contaminated water leads to unavoidable health conditions that are life-threatening. Clean water is beneficial to human health and also to all living organisms. Clean water shouldn't be traded, because water is life, every living organism needs water to thrive, including plants, they need water for their photosynthesis process, which makes water so essential.

Combating pollution requires a joint effort from individuals, the government, and industries. The Individuals can play their parts by reducing waste, recycling, and avoiding the dumping of refuse in water bodies. While the government should help with policies that will guide the situation of industries away from residential areas. Environmental regulations that limit emissions, and waste disposal. Pollution is a global challenge that endangers all forms of life. Addressing it requires awareness, responsibility, and collective action.

Thanks for your time and your comments will be appreciated.

Posted Using INLEO