Sources of Chemical Pollution

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, chemical pollution can come from a variety of sources. These include pesticides from farming operations and chemicals commonly used in industry. Many of these are either released into the environment in large enough amounts to cause adverse effects or can be found in small amounts on everyday items in people's lives.

Pesticides

• Farmers will often use pesticides to protect their crops from insects.

  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, pesticides used in farming can come into contact with humans and nature in a number of ways. They can be present on food that people consume from the store, such as fruits and vegetables. Pesticides can get into the soil from spraying operations, especially when wind causes spray to drift beyond the targeted area. Smaller amounts of pesticides can leach into the water and soil as part of the runoff water from storm rains.

Freon

• Freon, or freon 113, is a chemical that is used by some companies as a cleaner for metallic surfaces and has been used in the past in commercial air-conditioning systems along with aerosol sprays. Freon, as a liquid, does not completely break down in the soil and can easily get into the water supply. When it comes into contact with the air, it is evaporated and can remain in the atmosphere for long periods of time. This is where it can do the most damage by helping to deplete the ozone layer. Freon is a danger to people and animals when inhaled in large amounts during a shorter period of time. This can cause damage to the nervous system of the individual.

Chlorine

• Wastewater treatment plants use chlorine to kill microorganisms in the water.

  Chlorine is a gas found in the environment but is also used by various industries. For example, businesses that manufacture paper utilize chlorine to bleach it before it is sold to the public. It is also used to decontaminate wastewater to protect the general public from disease. It becomes dissolved in water and can also escape into the air. In both circumstances, chlorine mixes with other chemicals. The ability of chlorine to cause damage to people or nature is dependent on the amount of the chemical that they are exposed to. If large amounts get into the soil and water, it can adversely affect living beings it comes in contact with. People who work in industry who inhale large amounts of it can have issues with eye irritation, coughing, the immune system or the heart.