ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: TYPES, HISTORY, CONSEQUENCES - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The environmental pollution is deteriorating normal conditions afflicting the environment, caused by various reasons and situations, ranging from chemical, physical or biological agents to human negligence and irresponsible. This causes an unfavorable impact that unbalances the natural state of the environment and is not always reversible.

The main types of environmental pollution are atmospheric, water, soil, garbage, light, thermal, visual, electromagnetic and anthropogenic.

Due to the effects that pollution produces on health and nature, it is very important to become aware and adopt responsible and ethical behaviors that help preserve the planet, since it is the only place we have to live.

History of pollution

Pollution has been a part of our lives from an early age. For example, one of the elements that is estimated to have started the polluting process was the discovery of fire by our ancestors.

The discovery of fire meant a great advance, among other things because it allowed food to be cooked before eating it, extending its storage time and promoting faster digestion and better absorption of nutrients, which eventually led to a faster evolution.

The aspect that followed had to do with the change in the dynamics of man, who began to be more sedentary. This implied that the impact it had on the environment it inhabited was greater, so that its footprint on the ecosystem began to be evident.

Later, in the 12th and 13th centuries, charcoal began to be used more widely, as a result of an increase in demand that wood could no longer meet. During the 18th century the Industrial Revolution began in several European countries, which meant a tremendous expansion of pollutants.

World wars and conflicts, especially World War II, accentuated the human impact on the environment. Likewise, the creation of industries of different branches very soon brought as a consequence the inadequate disposal of waste that until today is produced on a large scale.

Types of environmental pollution

Atmospheric pollution

It is produced in the air by the release of polluting substances that thin and alter its chemical composition. This causes that the air that plants, animals and human beings breathe is not of adequate quality.

The main causes of water pollution are gases expelled by livestock -methane-, particularly from cows. In fact, they are the main causes of global warming. Obviously the responsibility lies with humans, who do not control the consumption of meat or its production.

Another of the most polluting gases in the atmosphere is the carbon dioxide that automobiles give off due to the combustion of their engines, as well as the gases that are expelled from the chimneys of the industries in their manufacturing processes.

Depending on the sector, these gases can be very polluting and dangerous to health. There are also natural pollutants in the atmosphere, such as dust and particles emitted by volcanoes during the eruption.

Water pollution

It refers to the contamination of water, be it from lakes, rivers, seas or from the water that reaches homes and factories through the pipe system. In the latter case, the contaminated water is the result of poor treatment to make it drinkable.

The pollution of rivers and seas is due to many causes ranging from fuel spills from boats, to the negligence of individuals and companies that dump garbage, non-biodegradable waste material such as plastic, or sewage (gray water and black).

The main causes of water pollution are industrial waste.

In general terms, many large industries do not tend to have environmentally friendly policies and dispose of dangerous components in water bodies, which greatly affects the ecosystem of each region.

Soil contamination

The land is also very susceptible to being polluted. Some of the causes are also garbage and its large landfills where it slowly decomposes and seeps into deeper layers, but above all the chemical fertilizers that are applied to crops and plantations.

Herbicides that kill weeds that damage crops, also kill insects and modify the PH of the soil. This eventually causes it to lose its potentiality and fertility.

As a consequence of this effect, what are called acid soils are generated. This means that the soil is affected by hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, which are present in chemical fertilizers, and results in the deterioration of the soil and the loss of microorganisms.

Pollution by Garbage

The growth of the world population is the main cause of pollution of all kinds and especially that caused by the generation of non-biodegradable garbage.

Plastic, PET, aluminum and synthetic materials that take many years to degrade, generate tons of garbage that pollute the soil, water and air.

Plastic is known to be one of the most aggressive pollutants, and pollution from this element has increased dramatically. The ease of producing plastic, in terms of time and price, makes it a very attractive product for many industries.

Unfortunately, most of the plastics that are currently consumed are disposable (they are used only a couple of times) and end up on the coasts strongly affecting the local fauna.

To this problem must be added another more recent one, caused by the generation of electronic scrap. This has to do with all the devices such as televisions, computers and cell phones that are becoming obsolete, as well as their components, especially batteries that are highly polluting and require special disposal, something that not all countries are prepared to do..

On the other hand, space is also filling with garbage with all the rockets, satellites or spaceships that remain in orbit once they have already fulfilled their functions or have suffered irreparable damage.

Radioactive pollution

It is emitted by nuclear plants, bombs or nuclear missile tests, as well as by the release of xenon in the reprocessing of nuclear fuel.

In general, the main sources of this type of contamination are radioactive waste from different industrial practices.

One of the most prominent comes from nuclear plants, which are subject to legal aspects that limit the levels of waste generated; however, even a small amount of this radioactive waste is fatal to the environment in the long term.

Within this type of contamination is also cosmic radiation, produced by the detachment of subatomic particles in outer space that enter the atmosphere at high speed and with a high radioactive charge.

To a lesser extent, exposure to X-rays can also be named as an element of radioactive contamination.

Noise pollution

It is produced by sounds that exceed the decibels allowed by humans. It is when sound becomes noise, which in addition to being annoying can be harmful to health.

Big cities are full of noise to which their inhabitants have become accustomed: car engines, planes and industries, music and people talking…

These everyday noises are very harmful to human beings, and different scientific studies have confirmed the great damage they cause and the importance of keeping them at bay.

For example, in the European community there is legislation that obliges communities with more than 2,500 inhabitants to indicate which are the noisiest areas in that space.

Visual contamination

It is everything that abruptly or exaggeratedly interrupts the vision of the horizon. It is a typical case of large cities and populated centers.

From large buildings, electricity towers, antennas and cables to graffiti and advertisements on public roads, they are considered agents of visual pollution.

Large accumulations of garbage are also considered sources of visual pollution.

On the one hand, they directly influence the landscape, deteriorating it and generating a feeling of discomfort in those who live there; Furthermore, this agglomeration prevents tourism in the area from developing optimally.

On the other hand, the accumulated garbage generates health problems, it becomes a source of dirt and infectious diseases that can be serious for the population.

Light pollution

Equally typical of cities, produced by excess artificial light, which prevents clear observation of the sky and the stars. Luminous signs in the streets, strobes, neon lights or very powerful public lights are considered agents of light pollution.

The light that is not directed optimally implies a decrease in the quality of life of people, since it becomes an invasive element in their privacy and personal space.

Another very dangerous element is what is called glare, which is defined as the glare that people can suffer on public roads as a result of strong artificial light generated by electrical installations.

In addition to harmful effects on health, glare can lead to accidents on the road that can be fatal.

Most large cities have parameters to measure the permitted intensity of light in public spaces.

Thermal pollution

It is produced by considerable changes in the temperature of the water or the environment, which can affect ecosystems and the balance of nature. For example, industrial waters processed and discharged into rivers or canals, generally have a temperature higher than natural.

If many industries settle on the riverbank, the water will increase the temperature and could cause the death or migration of species to colder waters.

For example, one of the main sources of thermal pollution is nuclear or thermoelectric plants. As part of their functions, these industries produce heat that they mitigate thanks to being located near bodies of water.

This distribution of heat to the environment generates a general increase in temperature that directly affects the ecosystems of the area. It is worth noting that thermal pollution is generated not only when the temperature increases, but also when there is a decrease.

Such is the case of the plants that are responsible for regasifying natural gas. In this case, the water used for this process is cooled to considerable levels and is returned to the ecosystem with this new temperature, which also affects the dynamics of the environment.

Electromagnetic pollution

It is the increase in electromagnetic radiation due to population growth that demands greater production of artificial energy (electricity).

This translates into an increase in the production of electronic equipment, antennas, high voltage towers, transformers, cell phones, computers and other electronic devices. This results in risks of fire or electric shock to people or animals.

The main sources of electromagnetic pollution include telephone antennas. These are elements that are part of our daily life; even more and more people have mobile phones.

However, the effects that cell phone masts have on people are considerable. Several studies have been carried out and, although not all agree, some have even linked the appearance of cancer with constant exposure to this type of contamination.

Anthropogenic pollution

This term encompasses all pollution caused by human activity, either by emissions from industries and homes or from mobile objects such as cars, ships, trains, airplanes, etc.

This also includes pollution that is accidentally generated by man. For example, oil spills or accidents that occur at nuclear power plants are considered sources of anthropogenic pollution.

Most polluting gases and their effects

Sulfur dioxide

This gas enters the atmosphere as a consequence of the burning and treatment of fuels. When this process occurs, the small particles of sulfur dioxide that remain in the environment reach the soils through precipitation.

When entering the soils, sulfur dioxide actively participates in the so-called acidification of these, strongly affecting the ecosystem.

Similarly, sulfur dioxide particles can enter the body through the respiratory tract. Once released into the environment, this gas can remain in the environment for about 5 days, which means that it has ample potential to spread.

Health effects

-Sulfur dioxide can damage the visual field, affecting the cornea and causing irritation.

-The airways may be inflamed.

-It is possible that pulmonary edema is generated.

-Eventually, exposure to this gas can lead to circulatory collapse and, ultimately, respiratory arrest.

Effects on the environment

Being in contact with humidity in the environment, sulfur dioxide generates sulfurous and sulfuric acids, which cause acid rain that affects the soils, by increasing their level of acidity and affecting the microorganisms that inhabit the area.

Effects on global warming

In this case, the effect of sulfur dioxide pollution has had a favorable impact in reducing the levels associated with global warming.

Studies carried out in the first decade of the 2000s showed that the cooling effect that this gas has in the atmosphere has a positive effect on its cooling.

Ammonia

This gas is characterized by being fundamental to many processes in nature, it is produced as a result of the decomposition of organic matter and is absorbed by plants to use it in various processes.

Human sources of ammonia especially include plastics and textile processing plants, as well as industries producing household detergents, refrigerants, and even food.

However, it has been determined that an excess of this gas can be highly harmful to people, even leading to poisoning and very serious conditions.

Health effects

-It is a highly corrosive gas, which acts on the eyes, skin and lungs.

-If ingested it can strongly affect the digestive system and generate burns in the throat.

-In the skin generates burns, blisters and severe irritation.

-As a consequence of its extensive abrasion, when the gas is inhaled, burns are produced in the respiratory tract and throat. It can also strongly affect the lungs and even disable them completely.

Effects on the environment

As mentioned above, ammonia is a gas that is naturally produced in nature, and its condition makes it easily biodegradable.

However, it has been determined that a high level of ammonia in the water and in the air can generate an adverse effect on the ecosystem, since it lowers the quality of both elements and hinders the dynamics of the organisms that live there.

In addition, it also directly influences the acidification of the soils, and it is possible that it generates an excessive fertilization of these, which leads to imbalances in the ecosystem.

Effects on global warming

Ammonia is considered an effect of global warming. As a consequence of the ever-increasing temperatures, ammonia is produced to a greater extent and affects all the inhabitants of the planet.

According to research published in the scientific journal Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society B. in 2013, one of the most important consequences of global warming is the excessive formation of ammonia, which generates greater acidification of the soils and worse environmental conditions.

Nitrogen oxides

Nitrogen oxides include nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide. These enter the atmosphere as a consequence of the burning of fuel. Automobiles and many industries of different sectors favor the production of this dangerous gas.

Health effects

-When inhaled, nitrogen oxides can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, lungs and throat.

-If the inhalation period is long, burns can occur in the throat and respiratory tract, which implies less oxygen in the body's tissues and, eventually, production of fluid in the lung area.

-Eyes can also be seriously affected by direct exposure, generating serious burns.

Effects on the environment

When nitrogen oxides come into contact with the atmosphere, they degrade and nitric acid is generated, one of the main causes of so-called acid rain.

Furthermore, it has been determined that these oxides have a special role in the formation of smog present in the air.

These oxides also play a leading role in acidifying soils and have an unfavorable effect on flora by limiting plant growth.

Effects on global warming

Nitrous oxide, which is part of nitrogen oxides, is considered a gas that produces the greenhouse effect.

Studies carried out by the international organization Oceana have determined that this gas is much more harmful than carbon dioxide, only that it is currently in much smaller proportions compared to the former.

Consequences

According to a study published by the German Max Planck Institute, 4.5 million people died suddenly as a result of pollution in 2015, including children and the elderly.

This study especially considered air pollution, leaving aside other types of pollution found on the planet.

This implies that the overall figure must be much higher. In fact, 2018 figures from the World Health Organization indicate that 7 million people die each year from exposure to a contaminated environment.

Other studies carried out by the Columbia Business School confirm that there is a direct link between the amount of pollution in an environment and the criminal practices observed in a given society.

In these studies they explain that the cause of this bad behavior is the stress and anxiety produced by living in a polluted environment.

How to prevent it?

There are many actions that can be carried out from individuality, such as promoting recycling, conducting responsible waste and waste management, and teaching future generations about the importance of keeping our environments clean.

However, given the wide scope that pollution has -especially in the industrial field- it is necessary for governments to determine clear guidelines and legislation that favor the rehabilitation of the planet.

The good news is that several countries are already acting accordingly. For example, China recently released an action plan projected until 2020, according to which it intends to incorporate measures to control the consumption of coal and seek to replace it with other types of energy, in addition to promoting electric and hybrid transport.

There are also other initiatives with a local impact, such as the city of Valencia, in Spain. In this area, an intervention was carried out through which it was sought to reduce traffic and increase green areas.

Only with these transformations, the nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the area went from more than 50 milligrams per cubic meter, in 2016, to 20 milligrams per cubic meter, a value that is in the range recommended by the World Health Organization.

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