Pollution What is ti?

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On this first article, we will initially define the word pollution and the different forms they take. On the next issue we will see treat the issue on a Global level and see what countries do to fight it. Let me introduce you to the definition we commonly find in the Wikipedia: Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. [1] Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light. Pollutants, the elements of pollution, can be foreign substances or energies, or naturally occurring; when naturally occurring, they are considered contaminants when they exceed natural levels. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. The Blacksmith Institute issues annually a list of the world's worst polluted places. In the 2007 issues the ten top nominees are located in Azerbaijan, China, India, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, and Zambia. Now, what are the different forms of pollution we are exposed in our modern civilization? Air pollution, the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common gaseous air pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized by their micrometer size PM 10 to PM 2.5 . Light pollution, includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference. Littering Noise pollution, which encompasses roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-intensity sonar. November 2010 VOL. 1 ISSUE 1 Pollution What is it? 1. "Pollution - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-webster.com. 2010-08-13. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollution. Retrieved 2010-08-26. 2. Concerns about MTBE from U.S. EPA website

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Brief Article on the subject of pollution, what it is and what body funtions it impacts.

Transcript of Pollution What is ti?

On this first article, we will initially define the word pollution and the different forms they take. On the next issue we will see treat the issue on a Global level and see what countries do to fight it. Let me introduce you to the definition we commonly find in the Wikipedia:

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.[1] Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light. Pollutants, the elements of pollution, can be foreign substances or energies, or naturally occurring; when naturally occurring, they are considered

contaminants when they exceed natural levels. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. The Blacksmith Institute issues annually a list of the world's worst polluted places. In the 2007 issues the ten top nominees are located in Azerbaijan, China, India, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, and Zambia.

Now, what are the different forms of pollution we are exposed in our modern civilization?

Air pollution, the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common gaseous air pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized by their micrometer size PM10 to PM2.5.

Light pollution, includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference.

Littering Noise pollution, which encompasses

roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-intensity sonar.

November 2010 VOL. 1 ISSUE 1

Pollution What is it?

1. "Pollution - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-webster.com. 2010-08-13.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollution. Retrieved 2010-08-26.

2. Concerns about MTBE from U.S. EPA website

Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released by spill or underground leakage. Among the most significant soil contaminants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals, MTBE,[2] herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Radioactive contamination, resulting from 20th century activities in atomic physics, such as nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons research, manufacture and deployment. (See alpha emitters and actinides in the environment.)

Thermal pollution, is a temperature change in natural water bodies caused by human influence, such as use of water as coolant in a power plant.

Visual pollution, which can refer to the presence of overhead power lines, motorway billboards, scarred landforms (as from strip mining), open storage of trash or municipal solid waste.

Water pollution, by the release of waste products and contaminants into surface runoff into river drainage systems, leaching into groundwater, liquid spills, wastewater discharges, eutrophication and littering.

Being informed of the different forms

pollution takes is the first step in fighting it

and hopefully decreases its hold on our

planet. On the next article, we will explore

pollution as seen from different countries

and how those countries are moving in the

right direction to decrease it.

Forms of Pollution (continued)

Air pollution.