Pollution From Industry And Its Effect On The Environment

| Sunday, June 5, 2011
By Gnifrus Urquart


Pollution from industry impacts water, soil and air negatively when the level of contamination is above that which is deemed to be acceptable. The health and economic stability of the affected area will be impaired. Industrial pollution can be defined as contamination due to harmful substances that are either man made or natural been released into the environment from industries.

Some of the gases that are hazardous to health and environment are ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Industrial air pollution is created when these harmful gases are released into the atmosphere. The overall temperature of the earth is increased when greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are emitted, thus resulting in global warming.

The increase in the level of diseases such as cholera, dengue fever and malaria has been attributed to global warming. Rivers and oceans have had unexpected changes in their levels. The weather pattern is also affected by this phenomenon. Acid rain is formed from sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide which are industrial gases.

Acid rain affects physical structures such as buildings and sculptures, particularly those that contain limestone and marble. It lowers the pH of water which in turn is detrimental to aquatic life. It also damages the surface of leaves thus affecting the rate of photosynthesis. Acid rain also cause the leaching of minerals from the soil.

Industrial water pollution may be described as the contamination of water bodies caused by the effluents discharged from industries. These pollutants include pesticides, alkalies, acids, oils, fertilizers, toxic metals, hot water and radioactive waste. These pollutants are detrimental to aquatic life and may result in the reduction or loss of economic activities. The consumption of contaminated water or fish is hazardous to one's health. The contamination of fresh water also reduces the source of domestic water supply.

Industrial soil pollution adversely affects humans as well as wildlife. Certain specie of organism living in the soil could be severely affected or become extinct as a result of drastic chemical changes brought on by soil contamination. Waste oil, metals such as lead and chromium and sludge if not disposed of properly may also become contaminants. This can also be caused by the release of radioactive waste and oil from leaking underground storage tanks.

Globally emphasis is being placed on reducing the amount of harmful waste that is caused by pollution from industry, as this sector is among the major contributors to environmental contamination. Adopting proper waste management procedure and installation of more modern emission control mechanisms on equipment that discharge harmful wastes may assist in this regard. The regulating authorities may seek to ensure that laws and regulations relating to the emission of harmful substances are closely monitored and updated as necessary.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment