8.0     DEFINITION OF POLLUTION

Pollution can be defined as the release of hazardous, toxic or harmful substances in the environment in concentrations that can cause injury to life and properties.

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         8.1     POLLUTANTS AND SOURCES

Pollutants are substances that contaminate the environment and cause harm to living organisms and ecosystems. They can originate from natural sources or human activities.

• Natural sources: Volcanic eruptions, wildfires, dust storms etc.
• Human-made sources: Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, agricultural runoff, waste disposal, oil spills, and sewage etc.

         8.2     TYPES OF POLLUTION

• Air Pollution – This is the release of toxic or harmful substances into the atmosphere, which can have a significant environmental and health impacts. Any substance present in the atmosphere, apart from the original constituents of air, are impurities that causes pollution.

Examples of air pollutant include:

• Dust and particulate matter.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
  • Sulphur monoxide (SO₂).
  • Hydrogen sulphides (H₂S).
  • Oxides of nitrogen such as NO, NO₂.
  • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

• Water Pollution – This is the release of toxic or harmful substances (water pollutants) into the water bodies, leading to contamination, affecting aquatic ecosystems and making the water unsafe for consumption.

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Examples of water pollutant include:

• Sewage and refuse.
  • Industrial and agricultural waste.
  • Oil spills.

• Land/Soil Pollution – This is the degradation of the Earth’s land surfaces (soil quality) caused by human activities, particularly the release of harmful chemicals into the soil.

The causes of land pollution include the following:

• Improper dumping of refuse.
  • Oil spillage
  • Acid rain
  • Run-off pollutions

         8.4     BIODEGRADABLE AND NON-BIODEGRADABLE POLLUTANTS

BIODEGRADABLE POLLUTANTS – These are substances that can be broken down by natural processes, particularly by micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers. These pollutants typically include organic materials, which decompose over time, transforming into simpler, non-toxic substances. Examples include:

• Sewage and domestic waste such as food scraps
• Agricultural waste such as animal manure, dead organisms, plant debris etc.
• Biodegradable plastics.
• Natural fibres such as cotton used in clothing and textiles.
• Paper, sand/dust.

NON-BIODEGRADABLE POLLUTANTS – These are substances that cannot be broken down by natural processes or take an extremely long time to decompose. These pollutants accumulate in the environment and can cause long-term harm to ecosystems. Examples include:

• Plastic bags, commonly used for shopping.
• Aluminum cans.
• Synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon etc.
• Batteries and tyres.
• Electronic wastes such as old/damaged phones and computers etc.
• Non-biodegradable plastics such as bottles and containers.

         8.5     EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

• Increased respiratory disease.
• Causes cancer and skin irritation.
• Disruption of the ecosystem.
• Increased climatic change.
• Depletion of the ozone layer.
• Global warming.
• Destruction of habitat and wildlife extinction etc.

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         8.6     WAYS OF CONTROLLING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

• Use of anti-pollutants in automobiles.
• Promulgation of laws with effective monitoring.
• Oil spillage prevention.
• Use of renewable energy.
• Development of efficient waste management system.
• Prevention/ban of open burning.
• Use of eco-friendly products.
• Public awareness on the dangers of environmental pollution and how to adopt a sustainable practice.
• Tree planting.
• Reduced plastic usage, increased recycling.