Air pollution is the contamination

of air due to the presence of

substances called pollutants in the
atmosphere that are harmful to the
health of humans and other living
beings, or cause damage to the
climate or to materials.It is also
the contamination of the indoor or
outdoor environment either by
chemical, physical, or biological
agents that alters the natural
features of the atmosphere.
 Air pollution can cause diseases, allergies, and even death to humans; it can also
cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and crops, and may damage
the natural environment (for example, climate change, ozone depletion or habitat
degradation) or built environment (for example, acid rain). Air pollution can be
caused by both human activities and natural phenomena. [20:57] Air pollution is a
significant risk factor for a number of pollution-related diseases, including
respiratory infections, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), stroke, and lung cancer.
Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a
result of human activities, so that it negatively affects its uses.: 6 Water bodies include
lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. Water pollution results
when contaminants mix with these water bodies. Contaminants can come from one of
four main sources: sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural activities, and
urban runoff including stormwater. Water pollution is either surface water pollution or
groundwater pollution.
This form of pollution can lead to many
problems, such as the degradation of
aquatic ecosystems or spreading water-
borne diseases when people use
polluted water for drinking or
irrigation.Another problem is that water
pollution reduces the ecosystem
services (such as providing drinking
water) that the water resource would
otherwise provide. [21:00] Sources of
water pollution are either point sources
or non-point sources. Point sources
have one identifiable cause, such as a
storm drain, a wastewater treatment
plant or an oil spill.
Light pollution is the presence
of unwanted, inappropriate, or
excessive artificial lighting. In
a descriptive sense, the term
light pollution refers to the
effects of any poorly
implemented lighting, during
the day or night. Light
pollution can be understood
not only as a phenomenon
resulting from a specific
source or kind of pollution, but
also as a contributor to the
wider, collective impact of
various sources of pollution
 Although this type of pollution can exist throughout the day, its effects are
magnified during the night with the contrast of darkness. It has been
estimated that 83 percent of the world's people live under light-polluted
skies and that 23 percent of the world's land area is affected by skyglow.The
area affected by artificial illumination continues to increase.A major side-
effect of urbanization, light pollution is blamed for compromising health,
disrupting ecosystems, and spoiling aesthetic environments.
 Soil contamination, soil pollution, or land pollution as a part of land
degradation is caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals
or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by
industrial activity, agricultural chemicals or improper disposal of waste. The
most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear
aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene), solvents,
pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals. Contamination is correlated with the
degree of industrialization and intensity of chemical substance. The concern
over soil contamination stems primarily from health risks, from direct contact
with the contaminated soil, vapour from the contaminants, or from secondary
contamination of water supplies within and underlying the soil.
 Mapping of contaminated soil sites and the resulting clean ups are time-
consuming and expensive tasks, and require expertise in geology, hydrology,
chemistry, computer modelling, and GIS in Environmental Contamination, as
well as an appreciation of the history of industrial chemistry.
 Noise pollution, or sound pollution, is the
propagation of noise or sound with ranging
impacts on the activity of human or animal life,
most of which are harmful to a degree. The
source of outdoor noise worldwide is mainly
caused by machines, transport and propagation
systems.Poor urban planning may give rise to
noise disintegration or pollution, side-by-side
industrial and residential buildings can result in
noise pollution in the residential areas. Some of
the main sources of noise in residential areas
include loud music, transportation (traffic, rail,
airplanes, etc.), lawn care maintenance,
construction, electrical generators, wind turbines,
explosions and people.
 Documented problems
associated with noise in
urban environments go back
as far as ancient Rome.
Research suggests that noise
pollution in the United
States is the highest in low-
income and racial minority
neighborhoods,and noise
pollution associated with
household electricity
generators is an emerging
environmental degradation
in many developing nations.