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The Consequences of Pollutants

Individuals and industry in every country on Earth create pollution of the air, soil and water. Some amount of pollution is unavoidable, however. With billions of people on the planet, pollution is not only posing a danger to the Earth's ecosystems but is thought to be responsible for millions of annual deaths and hospitalizations.

  1. Air Pollution

    • According to David Pimentel, professor of ecology and economic sciences at Cornell University, 40 percent of deaths worldwide are caused by pollution. Air pollution has been linked to a wide variety of health problems. The list includes mild, short-term problems, including headaches, reduced mental alertness, eye and throat irritation and shortness of breath. Pollution has also been linked to much more serious problems, including cancer, heart disease and long-term lung, kidney and brain damage. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and individuals who already suffer from lung or heart ailments are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

    Atmospheric Pollution

    • Carbon monoxide and other pollutants make their way into the upper atmosphere and trap the sun's heat, which leads to global warming. Temperatures are expected to increase 3 to 9 degrees by the end of the 21st century; while this may not seem like very much, the effects on the Earth and its inhabitants are likely to be profound. As glaciers melt and water levels rise, low-lying coastal regions may be permanently submerged, and areas prone to flooding will see more frequent and severe floods. Summers will become warmer and dryer, leading to drought in many places as well as the spread of new pests and diseases. Warmer surface temperatures in the oceans will lead to more intense and severe hurricanes and storms, and the disruption of ecosystems and habitats will affect a variety of plant and animal species.

    Water Pollution

    • Rivers, streams and oceans are polluted daily by industrial, agricultural and household waste. These pollutants harm fish and marine plants, birds and mammals. In humans, waterborne parasites and bacteria are responsible for an estimated 25% to 30% of hospital admissions and 60% of infant deaths. Toxic runoff from mining and heavy industry can irradiate water and lead to cancer. Mosquitoes from pools of stagnant and polluted water also help spread diseases like cholera, malaria, dysentery and typhoid.

    Soil Pollution

    • Soil is contaminated by direct pollutants, such as pesticides, herbicides and landfill. It also comes from water pollution that is passed through the soil and air pollution that settles on the ground. Soil that becomes too contaminated can no longer be used for food production. Food grown on contaminated soil can lead to minor ailments such as headaches, nausea and skin rashes as well as more severe ailments including kidney, liver and nervous system damage. Current estimates are that 24 billion tons of top soil are lost annually due to pollution. Beyond the health effects, fewer plants grow on polluted soil. This sets off a chain reaction: where there are fewer plants there are fewer insects and small animals, which then leads to fewer predators. Polluted soil can rapidly destroy an entire ecosystem.

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